Able Hands

Thanks for your opinions everyone. For all of those that say I should have done the work for free, or at least that you would have... If I only did a job or two for him once in a while I would definitely do it for free. And if I were to do them for free I would simply fit him in on a weekend, when I don't typically schedule anything else. The problem is, he wants the work done "right now", and has no real interest in helping. In just this year to give some perspective: Run compressed air and water lines between the two out-buildings. (Charged less than half of normal because I use them too.) Install door on back of large out building. (Minus $20/hr.) Replace all rotten fascia on house. (Minus $20/hr.) Replace 16' painted counter top with oak top, custom trim, and finish like glass. (Materials only because I wanted to make something extra nice for him.) Build 14' work bench in smaller out building. (Materials only, he was going to help and then didn't.) My point is, I do a lot of work for him, he always gets a good deal, I make a little money and normally we are both happy. This time he feels I over charged him. Maybe I did and I should drop $150 off the invoice. Matt

Sort of. My brother runs a HVAC company. He allows me to store all of my large stationary tools in the 4000sf building and use it as a wood shop. There is no expectation, from him, for me to do the work for free (or just materials). I do a lot of work for him and I try my best to make sure my prices are lower than normal or at the very least fair. The understanding has always been, "charge what you need to." He thinks the power washing was too high, I think, because he had a painter wash both of the out-buildings a couple of years ago for $200 (not including the house). Again, I'm just trying to make sure that I'm not putting the screws to him. If I am even in the neighborhood of normal pricing then I need to drop it some. However I also can't afford to do this stuff for free. Matt

Two questions: Did you take my geographic pricing into account? Would you have been in the 900 range for a family member? Matt

I don't normally resort to asking others about pricing but in this instance I feel I have to. I recently power washed my brothers house, and two detached buildings. House: 3000sf soffit ,fascia, and 22 windows only (it's all brick) Building #1: 4000sf all vinyl, only one window. Building #2: Approximately 800sf two story, all vinyl. If I were to wash a standard ranch home, call it around 1500sf, I would charge between 150-200, depending on all of the variables. Given that (very basic) pricing what should I have charged to wash the three buildings. I charged $500, and thought it was more than fair. If this was for a regular customer it would have been higher. What do you guys think. My brother thinks it was too much. The problem is that I need to do a maintenance coat on his deck soon, and I don't want to screw myself or more importantly him. Matt

Thanks Beth, I'll give it a try. Matt

What kind of degreaser? Simple green? weak hd80?

I got wood tux on my windshield (and the rest of my truck). Can't see any thing when the sun hits it. How do I get it off?

That looks great. I love the tree coming up through the deck. Matt

Fortunately the entire deck does not need to be sanded. But there are a couple of large areas, and many small areas. The deck is 650sf with almost 390 pickets. I am going to have to re-wash the deck to get the areas that were missed, let it dry, de-fur the areas that were beat on, and then seal it with wood tux. My brother wants to help me to save some money, and I'm going to let him so he can see what really goes into the process and come to a better understanding of why it costs so much to do the job right. Any opinions on which Osbourne brush to buy, nad how long it will last? Matt

Does anyone know what the difference is between: Makita 9227CY & 9227CX3 Is one better than the other? I know that's a subjective question... But given that they seem similar by part number, I'm looking for opinions. What is the life expectancy of an Osbourne? Best one to buy? Where to buy? Matt PS. My brother paid a painter to pressure destroy his deck inpreperation for sealing. No offense to the painters here, but this guy appears to have used a trillion PSI to clean the deck... Now I'm stuck with the clean up. Until now I've never needed a grinder/sander to take care of this kind of trouble. But, this deck is enormous, and I'm not gonna hit it with a palm sander. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Ok folks... It's time for me to purchase an airless sprayer. Will the "Magnum by Graco Dx Airless Paint Sprayer Model 232735" from Home Depot, or "SprayTECH® DSP 1400 Airless Sprayer" from Lowes work for WTW and/or other stains? Currently I need it for a paint job, but I'd like to buy one that will perform well on deck work as well if possible. Unfortunately, I don't have a million dollars to spend on a sprayer so the $300.00 dollar neighborhood is tops. Please give me your opinions ASAP. I made a little boo-boo on a ceiling paint job today and need a sprayer immediately to make reparations. Matt

John, Does that work on older oil stains as well? Matt

Thanks for the replies folks. Could I get someone to post a good quality pic of AF so I know what I'm looking for? Thanks again, Matt

I know this subject has been beat to death, but this is my first possible sighting of Artillery Fungus!! Can anyone verify or shoot down the attached pics. The second shot is just cropped and zoomed. I'd greatly appreciate any input. Matt

Thanks Ken, If I get in to a situation where I have to re-patina the copper... Well lets just say I don't want that to happen Matt