mas3372

That seems to be the most popular thought from everyone I talk to but.... They rumor about another 3 part series or maybe a movie, what good would they be with out T.

A price is price is a price. Stick to your quote and eat it. A lesson learned. If I recieved a bill for more than was quoted I wouldn't pay it and it would lead to horrible word of mouth. I agree with Jeff too, A $300 job should not warrant a lift. You must have other alternatives.

When are the calling hours?

I would think that a gas machine would be more efficient than an electric. If you use a generator, your gonna throw a ton of gas into that. If you are hooking up to an outlet, the electricy is being produced by burning gas, diesel, coal, wood, etc. Just my thoughts.

Jeff, If you are nott good with calenders, I would get yourself a nice large daily planner. When you schedule a cleaning for the first time, just put a note next to it"every 3 months", when you do the cleaning and see your note, set up the next appointment. Keep it as simple as you can.

All year I have been booked 3 weeks out and all of sudden, BAM, just one week out and a huge decrease in calls. I have noticed a lot of new people in the area by seeing their signs and ads, but don't see Them. Maybe its the economy or just everyone finishin up the school year. Who knows, just getting silly I guess. I have had a huge year compared to last and it seems like it just died, Maybe I am paranoid Anyone else have a slow down.

Still slow. Quantum mail is a little slow right now with the post cards. I always send one to my house or somoone I knw when I place an order to assess time frame, they are about 2 weeks out. I am hoping this last batch with the new post card Kieth designed for me will get the phone to ring. I finish up friday with all my scheduled work and thats it until the phone rings.

Since your on a Roll Ron, 401-623-8437. I like mine, but would like to compare to see what I could tweak. Thanks.

I was thinking of a summer special, but I just finished a spring specail and dont' want people to see thru my advertising as just gimicks. I remembered it slowed down last July, but last June here was good. I just sent out a bunch of post cards, lets see what happens. thanks.

I get about 10 cents a square foot, for a large complex I would cut a break but you need to assume the cost of lift if it's needed. Therefore, it usually comes out to about the usual. $7,000 for that job.

I forgot one thing, I would not buy any expensive ones Except for the ones you use the most. I only regulary play with two quick connects. The one at the end of my lance for my nozzles, This female one I made sure was high quality, and the one that attaches to my gun that I disconnect for my surface cleaner.

I buy the cheaper stainless ones from Bob at Pressure Tek and have no problems at all. I do what Rick says as well, for the $30 in materials, I put new ones on this spring and kept the old ones for spares.

Educating your customer is by the far the best way to get the sale. SYMS - "An educated consumer is our best customer!!!" When you can answer the questions they havn't even thought to ask, you set yourself apart from the other guy that says "$xxx.xx when can I do it."

And to think I spent my saturday morning watching Sponge Bob and Jimmy Neutron and the whole time I could have been catching up on some good vocabulary!!! This post is too funny.

Anyone have any input, dos and don'ts, tips, advice or any other help on cleaning cultured stone. I was asked to bid a building that had some cultured stone on it and have not encountered it yet. I guess it is the fake, replica stone. Thanks.

Hey, Last spring I was a fool. I sealed my pt deck with cabots semi transparent cedar and my front porch deck with cabots solid cedar - both oil based. I used the cabots before I learned of the better quality stuff out there and this year I hate it. To be honest, I am ashamed that as a professional in this business, I have a Lowes brand at my own home. I want to strip it and then seal with ready seal. I have on hand F-18 max and straight Oxalic. Any advice on stripping cabots and brighting. I would like this to come out great for a portfolio job as wel. Any and all help it greatly appriciated. PS. One more thing- GO SOX!!!

Ready seal be can reapplied as needed with no strip, just a wash. How about wtw, do you need to strip it before you reapply in a few years.

It's fake rock. Not sure what it is made our of, have to find out.

Every market is different from region to region, state to state and even town to town. Don't let that distract you in any way. Find your target audience, the people or companies that need and can afford your service and advertise to them. The fact that you have already identified the demographics for your area is huge, now you need to isolate the group within that area and reach out to them. Be persistant, the first time someone sees your name they dismiss it, the 2nd time they ignore it, the 3rd time they read it, the 4th time they may remember it, by the 8th or 9th time you should have thier attention. If you are targeting a certain neighborhood, get in thier local paper, send post cards or door hangers and put up a few signs. Repetition.

I think your ad is weak. It is no different than the others. Try "Free estimates" "Highest quality work guarenteed", something, anything!

I agree that it stinks to have our customers able or researching us and our methods as much as they can but... If someone wants to pay for the service, they are going to call around, get a few prices and hire someone. If someone wants to do it themselves, they will do the research, read these boards and others and try it themselves. Perhaps do a good job, perhaps not and still hire someone. Bottom Line, if they are doing the research as a DIY, they are not a probable customer anyways.

BB Gun!!!

Rick, Thanks for the insight on Ox vs. Citric. Great info. Thanks to everyone else as well. I wish I new what some of you were talking about as far as all the technical woody stuff. More stuff to learn I guess. Wood is not my strenght yet, but something I want to get into. There is a good market in my area for high end work that I would like to bite into. I think I may hold off to do my decks until the MI round table. I am hoping to make it so I can learn a bit first. Thanks again.

My residential is up. April I was 240% or so, this May I am on track to be up $480% over last May. My advertising has been slim, some post cards and the local paper. I have spent only $800 in advertising all season. About 80% has been repeat from last year and referrals from existing customers. My commercial work load is nada, One flat work gig every 3 months.

Do you know the airport code, I am having a hard time on expedia finding it.