FLORIN

Gutters... do you mean clean them out or just the outside wash of them

Welcome Clint. Great wealth of info on this site. Been lurking around on this site for a couple years and i still learn new stuff all the time.

You mentioned bleach. Are you using the household stuff which is 6% or sodium hypochlorite from pool supply or chem supply which is 12%. Big difference in the two. Also what are you still needing to scrub off... is it mold and mildew or other stains. If it is the mold and mildew then your chem ratio on the house is too weak

Hello folks. Is there any other good brands of stain out there that can be applied to damp wood like Wood Tux Wet. Just trying to see if i could find something else more local. Or at least a more local distributor of WTW to me.

Thanks all. I will look into the inwood stain. They sell it locally to me. I have been delayed on three deck jobs for two weeks now. I am not getting enough dry time in between rainny days. Customers are versatile with what brand I use but they are getting antsy to get their decks done.

Same here. I ask for the deposit after the clean/ strip. I justify it to the customer as money that is going towards the purchase of the stain/sealant.

To me it looks like the used the xjet without the fan tip on it to rinse instead of changing to a fan tip or the low pressure attachment on the xjet. That things pumps out quite some oomf and should only be used for distance.

Great Job

It is amazing how many unreliable contractors/power wash people are out there. I never understood it. Id say at least half of the estimates/proposals I go to- the customer mentions that they called someone else but they never showed up to do the estimate. Those end up being an easy sell when I just reinerate about how reliable my company is. Until now it has been to an advantage to me.... Well that changed last week. I had a house wash and concrete clean of a small 1500sqft home in Seattle. The job was a rush job because they were taking pics today for real estate company. So I had a full week to fit it in. I had time to squeeze it in my overbooked week last sunday. I started the work and got most of the concrete work done when my machine gave out on me. I tried to fix it on the spot and had my mechanic on the phone and we came to a conclusion that the carburator needed rebuilt. I wasnt able to find anybody on a sunday to fix this. I had to quit for the day. My week was already booked with other work and was in no way possible able to finish the job. I didnt want to leave the customer high and dry so I told them I will hand the job over to another company. I called this other company which has visited this site a few times and has expressed that he has some big accounts and takes pride in his work...I gave the complete job to him. No subbing. Didnt even want to get paid for the concrete work that was already done. Just wantd the customer to be happy. It was $450.00 for a housewash and touch up concrete that i didnt finish. Get them in touch with each other... Couple days go by and the homeowner calls me IRRATE that the guy never showed up and now has only three days to have someone else come out. I tried to call this PW guy and its like he dissapeared. dont know if hes screening calls or UFO's abducted him. I guess im just venting a little but does anybody have an answer WHY so many so called '' companies" do this?

CAN YOU POST SOME PICS.

Homeowner needs cedar shingle roof cleaned and restained. This job is not for a begginner. It is steep. Homeowner can supply a lift for front but in the back might need rappeling equipment or other means because cant get lift in back. Roof is defiately not walkable. Custopmer is attaching tie down hooks to peak before start of job(customer is a general contractor and has knowhow of of doing this). I met up with the homeowner today at house and let him know that i'll have to pass this one for my own safety and the outcome of his roof. He asked me to put the word out for him for other possible contractors that have the knowhow of steep cedar shingle roofs. Call me or PM if you're interested. Attached is pics of front of house. Back of house pics got lost in cyberspace.

Looking for a company that is willing to trade labor for learning on wood restoration. My biz has been around for 2-1/2 years. Im not a total newbie to wood restoration and pressure washing but would like to tag along with someone to pick their brain and pick up on new methods or just better ones that will help my company grow in the wood restoration side. Am willing to bring my equipment and am willing to drive within 3-1/2 hours from Seattle area for a day or two. To make the offer even sweeter.. ill even buy lunch.

I know this post was a couple years ago. Also I remember you going into detail on a thread on what tierr level pricing you do with your silver,gold,and platinum packages but I cant find it anymore. I would like to implement something like this in my service. Can you please go over what you offer in what packages again. I feel this aproach has great potential in my area. Thanks Ken.

I do beleive we are in some type of climate change. Im not seeing the warmer side in my area. We are having record breaking snowfall in my area. Washington winters in the past were usually 1 day of snowfall per year and usually minimal. For the past years we are getting more of it and at later times. For the past three days we have had snow which in past hardly ever got it past February. Below are pics of just this morning as I was heading out to do a bank drive thru wash.

What is everybody's method for staining in between the boards of a deck? I dont know if my process is at fault but i have to get down with a small brush or sponge and apply stain in between every stave/board. My process is roller and then back brush.... Do you guys even do in between or just let what ran over the edges be and call it good. Looking for tips to cut time.

Thanks Scott. Great Idea. Ill pay them a visit tomorrow. I actually figure it as an expensive lesson. Who knows what job leads I could have gotten if customer was fully satisfied. Even by passing the work off to another company, i figured i would at least be in good enough standings to at least given another shot at another job. Maybe ill be able to salvage something tomorrow.

I tried the rental route at the time but they were closed early for it being a sunday. A back up machine is now going on my next months budget along with all the other gadgets I need to get to grow. I was thinking I was creating a business relationship with another company to be able to pass off work and so on. I did not for one second think it would turn out that the customer would get screwed. I have worked hard to keep a good name in this biz with my customers. It is paying off with referrals and repeat business. I am constantly everbooked(maybe its time to think about raising prices again). But I know I'm not at the point in the biz to hire more help yet. I just wonder why so many companies out there don't treat this profession as a professional. I know I have many faults that I have to work on and constantly try to but I never wake up in the morning and say" hell with this customer today, I'm going fishing"

When they called me a few days after he didnt show up I offered to complete the job but they said they will just finish the concrete wih their home machine and leave the house as is. I even gave them pointers on what chemicals to use to help aide in cleaning the concrete.

I actually agree with you Scott. I normally would. I couldve moved someone else off a day and finished this job. My thing was I thought I was doing everybody a favor here.... The customer by having their place cleaned sooner in the week than later... The power washing company by giving them a job on a silver platter.. And myself by giving me some breathing room since I was too greedy earlier and booked up too many jobs... Also this PW company contacted me a while back wanting to know if i would accept some sub work from him for commercial.I figured if i throw him a bone he would throw me one..Working late is not an issue. I usually work from sun up till sun down. There was no more time in a day to squeeze them back in without disrupting someone elses schedule. I do see my faults after the fact. I wish I was told NO I dont have time to do it and i would find an alternative way of completing the job. Even if it meant hiring another employee for a day or two to help catch up but I didnt see it coming.

Sorry. didn't read the "I need to tweak my sales pitch" title. That's exactly what needs to be done. I constantly read sales books to try to improve myself. I believe with a right sales "pitch" anything at whatever price can be sold. A true salesamn is able to spot the want and need in a person and be able to and put them at ease that you are able to provide it. I apologize if I am ranting on stuff that most know. I hear so much of this " its the economy " going on on most sites and companies that I talk to. I feel no matter what the economy is doing there is still need for our service. It is up to you to educate them why they are getting a good deal by using you no matter the price. OK. I'm done. Ill go back to lurking and reading everybodies great and informative posts.

To me it sounds like a closing issue. Sorry to be so blunt. You have not sold them on what service you can provide them that another company cannot. In their mind your company is equal to every joe blow company out there. And their only way to differentiate you between them is price. Your/Company appearance, quality of service, punctualitity, peace of mind that you are not a fly by nighter have to be conveyed to the customer to where they know they don't have an option but to use you. Why would they want to waste their time meeting with others if you informed them on that your company is everything they have been looking for. I'm not saying I'm hot stuff and never get the I'm gonna look some more people but not that many. There is some that only price is on their mind. I figure those customers are not who I want anyways.

Funny

This Is Funny Stuff

I have gotten alot of decent jobs on craigslist. Of course you get the lowball guys that call but usually I could weed those out with a few questions over the phone before i go out to make a bid. I have gotten bids and jobs or at least leads to some multimillion dollar homes thru craigslist. I might be considered one of those overdoers/flooders on craigslist. I advertise every couple of days. I have six listings that i do for each of my main services that I provide and list the other services on each. I know this might **** some people off but the way that craigslist works when someone searches for say gutter cleaning- a list of ads pop up which the newest ads are at the top and get looked at first. If you did not advertise for a while your ad is way down the list and chances are the customer looked at a numerous amount of ads before getting to you and the chances are higher that they go with one of the first couple guys they call. People will not sit down for hours to make sure they called every possible company. I think of it this way-- Does Pepsi care that they advertise more often than 7-UP. I doubt they care they are pissing them off or that a customer is saying "gosh i have seen that commercial ten times today, im going to drink coke because they **** me off." If I could Id advertise as frequently with my other forms of advertising if it would be in my budget. All that craigslist costs me is that much more time used to list new ads. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers but that is my opinion.

I cant believe some people are still trying to do this check cashing scam. I got this in response to an ad I have online. I didnt even advertise any interior cleaning. I dont do that. I kept writing back just to see what they say or do. What also funny is im Romanian. Im not sure if its a coincidence that they stated that country or they researched my name. Below are the emails and responses..... Hello, My name is Deborah. I saw your Advert on computer as a house hold cleaner.I am Looking for a House Hold cleaner/painter who is going to help me take care of my House in washington . By cleaning My Carpet,rug,Washing and painting My house for me.I am currently In Romania right now to see my sick mom for about 1 week now and i am about to come home soon.So My House is very dirty and i am Looking for a house hold cleaner who is going to clean the house,clean my carpet rug and give the house a new Paint.I will Like to know if you can do any of this work next weekend. And how much It is going to cost you for the service.please get back to me as soon as you get this email if you are interested. Regards Deborah MY RESPONSE.... Hello Deborah, My company only does exterior cleaning and soft washing and pressure washing. No painting. If you are still interested please respond and i will make a bid on your home. I will need to come out on site to make the bid. Florin ALL WASHED UP EXTERIOR CLEANING LLC THEIRS... Hello Florin, Thanks for writting back.I am very Glad to hear back from you.Like you know i am currently In Romania right now taking care of my sick Mom.Then It will be hard to go show you the house.But I can email you the pictures of the house.And if you are down with me i can fedex you the keys to the House after you receive the payment.So I need a trust worthy person because of my properties .So I will need your Contact Number where I can communicate with you On the Phone.I will Like to know when you can start after when you receive the payment. I live In a 4 bedroom.And It has a 3 Bathroom In it.The House have a garage and a swimming Pool.I will be coming back In a week now from now.I will be happy if you can take care of the place and make it very clean and tidy for my coming back. I will Like to be sending you the payment.After the payment get to you I will Fedex you the key for the House and also the address of the place so you can go and start your work there and hold the key for me.I hope you can take care of the place for me. I am Ok with everything But I will Like to send you the payment first In advance.So you should know i am serious about it. I will like you to do me a favour, since you will be doing this Job for me definatly i will be back home soon i have decide to start runing things with you with trust , I have inform my boss to send you all my payment including my traveling allowance .Because my boss is complaining he can'nt double issued to 2 different people and it's not easy to cash a foreign check here expecially when you dont have an account here ,And company policy dont wired cash because every salary or allowances paid is put into writting and have to be signed by management,So i need your help as soon as you recieve the payment kindly deduct the price from it and help me to send back the diferences funds to the hospital for my mom surgery bill and to take care of my traveling expenses and my return ticket back to the state.i Hope i can trust you In doing this for me??? I will also like to know if you can be able to pick me up at the airport because I will be coming down to the house from airport. I await your quick response it will be very nice to live with you.So I hope I will be able to trust you with the balance of the money by sending the excess balance to me as soon as you get the check after cashing it at your bank.Please assure me your trust because i want to deal with people with trust. So after the Check get to you i am going to send you the keys to my House and let you know how to locate the place when the check get to you. So if you are Interested In doing the Job for me and you want me to contact my boss to send you the payment.So I will need this infor from you. Your Full Name which will appear on the check/money order Home Address:where you want it to send to. Contact Phone Number: If you are still Interested In doing this Job for me please Kindly get back to me with that infor so i can contact my boss to send you the payment on time. Please write back soon. Regards Deborah MINE.. hat sounds good Deborah. Im sorry to hear about your mom. My mom has been having some heart troubles herself here lately. Please email the pictures and description of all you need done so i could give you general price of my services. You will find that me and my company are very trustworthy. We will take great care of cleaning your home and safekeeping of the keys until you return. Will you contact your boss or do you need me to contact him and refer to your name. Also usually I have all checks payable to the company name ALL WASHED UP EXTERIOR CLEANING LLC. If that is a big problem with your boss I guess i could do it to personal account. Please email me if this is all ok. Florin Again too funny. Sorry for the long read.