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Able Hands

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Posts posted by Able Hands

  1. Posted · Report reply

    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

  2. Posted · Report reply

    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

  4. Posted · Report reply

    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

  9. Posted · Report reply

    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

  10. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    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

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Rod,

    I'm curious about your statement:

    "Many Whites, Greens and Blue colored siding are all subject to oxidation more so than others because of the composition of the color base 'Titanium Dioxide' which is susceptible to UV damage and oxidizes more readily"

    This is purely ignorance on my part, but if Titanium Dioxide is more suseptible to UV damage, why does my sunscreen use it as one of the main active ingrediants? It is my understanding that titanium dioxide is one of the best UV blockers out there... Is that why it breaks down?

    CONFUSED!!!

    Matt

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Went to look at a house yesterday that has copper clad roofing on two sections of roof at the front of the house.

    Are there any concerns with getting bleach, or other cleaning agents on the copper?

    This is a pretty high end neighborhood ($350k and up), and I'd like to NOT screw up the copper on this job.

    Told the customer that I need to research the copper problem ,so he's waiting for the bid

    Matt

    post-1544-137772157963_thumb.jpg

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Jeremy,

    I too am new to wood (and PWing as a whole). Someone posted a little while back about a spreadsheet that was created/posted by Reed. This thing is all encompassing. It gives the ability to change anything in the pricing, and will help your accuracy in figuring time. I've tried to just "eye" a job, and then went back to re-measure with the spreadsheet, and I was way off.

    Also, I have to agree with the comments about being a huge job for a first time. Not that you can't do it, or shouldn't do it. Just be prepared for it to take much, much longer than you think it will. Most first jobs seem to work that way. My first house wash was 8 hours... Now I routinely do them in 1.5-2. For me experience is the best way to learn, and boy howdy are you going to learn on this one.

    Matt

    This post contains the estimating spread sheet from Reed.

    http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2951&highlight=calculations

  22. Posted · Report reply

    I was back at my friends house last night for the birthday party.

    They are unhappy with the color reults on the new steps that were installed. While the old wood looks great and they are extremely pleased with it, the steps look BRIGHT ORANGE. They stand out like a sore thumb. I was hoping it would calm down some, but each time I look at them, it looks worse.

    So, how do I go about removing 2 coats of WTW, that is only a few days old? I'm guessing it won't be easy.

    What should I put on the new wood to try and match it to the old wood a little better?

    Matt

  25. Posted · Report reply

    FINALLY,

    Thanks to everyone here, I have completed my first deck. I moved all of the pictures to this post for convenience.

    Pics in order are beginning, not quite, middle, and the completed project in the next post (since I can only attach three pics in a single post).

    While I am proud of my results on my first deck... Please feel free to shoot me down, and let me know of any imperfections seen in the photos.

    I had way more overspray on the pickets than I was comfortable with, I cleaned it as best I could with mineral spirits on some and HD80 on others. My friend is painting everything anyway, so I wasn't sooo worried about it (nor was he). Is there anything I can do after the fact for over spray on painted pickets? For future reference I will brush in at least one more board width before I start spraying.

    I've had a few beers in celebration so before I start blathering on about this thing... Here are the pics!!! And again please point out any screw ups I commited.

    The final "AFTER" photos are in the following post.

    Matt

    post-1544-137772154537_thumb.jpg

    post-1544-137772154542_thumb.jpg

    post-1544-137772154547_thumb.jpg

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