gman201

I learned if a customer starts off asking a bunch of questions and seems like there nit picking that to bid it high because of all the extra BS you'll have to put up with. Had that to happen two different times this past year! Found out that both customers had already had others clean but wasn't satisfied with any one's results on two other pressure washing business? Go figure that ?Always follow your gut feeling on any bids? Got into a little more wood & concrete cleaning to help our 2018 be a success! May try and boost a few post on FB for increase sales ?

I built my own as well and learned some SEO. It's starting to get some organic traffic. 

We been down a couple weeks ! Still scheduling a few for spring 2018

What percentage of bids is everyone closing on? We were right at 80% for this year but I feel like we left a lot of money on the table! I don't want to close on all of them just wondering if that's about normal for some of you that have been in the business for several years?
 
 
 
 

New or return customers?  If new customers, how did they hear about you?  Referral?  You'll likely have several different figures depending upon how they got your info. 
New customers who just found me online I'm about 40%, but that's only because I try and pre-qualify them before ever considering a site visit.  I get a description from them over the phone or email, then I'll provide a brief explanation of the service I'm proposing as well as a price range.  I let them know if the price range sounds reasonable to them, then we could meet to discuss & finalize the details.  
New customers who were referred to me from someone I've serviced in the past would be about 65%.
Return customers about 90-95%
 
When I first started my own biz in 1998, I thought I was killing it because I got most of the jobs I went and bid on.  Come to find out it was only because I was offering my services way too cheap, (that's typically because many of us don't truly understand our total operating costs when starting a business).
Although situations vary, I'd say that if you're closing % is much more than 50% from people who don't know you and just found your info online or in print, then you need to reevaluate your pricing.

What percentage of bids is everyone closing on? We were right at 80% for this year but I feel like we left a lot of money on the table! I don't want to close on all of them just wondering if that's about normal for some of you that have been in the business for several years?
 
 
 
 

We been down a couple weeks ! Still scheduling a few for spring 2018

I go through the same process as Rod I buy mine from a local supplier Works good for me 

I don't even bother with buying in bulk or that concentration anymore.

We have switched to just single bottles of clorox at HD and a few detergents/foaming agents/builders/rinse aids and extension poles and brushes.

Get far better cleaning results, no bleach residue left behind, no oxidation issues to contend with and customers that call us back every two years
to deal with the problematic sides and the rest of the house is a breeze. Same money, easier cleaning, less time and repeat business.

Rod
 

I do my own, with no training, just guesswork, nbased on what I see, plus what I learned at Chris Tucker's RCIA and RCIA.ORG
To see my results, look up BERGMAN ROOF CLEANING ans add my local towns, counties or zip codes, like BERGMAN ROOF CLEANING PORT CHARLOTTE - or BERGMAN ROOF CLEANING CHARLOTTE COUNTY, OR ROOF CLEANING CHARLOTTE COUNTY-Or 33981 or 34224 or Pressure Washing the same. Here is PRESSURE WASHING CHARLOTTE COUNTY- https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4PLXB_enUS731US731&q=pressure+washing+charlotte+county

Hi All,
I had a few questions for you wood guys since I am a hood cleaner.  I want to PW my house and deck and need a little assistance.  The house is cedar shingles and the deck is PT.  I was planning on using sodium precarb, pressure washing then neutralizing.  Can you soft wash effectively with Sodium precarb or will I have to lean on it?  Should I use Oxalic or Citric acid to neturalize?  What is a good neutralizing mixture for Sodium precarb?  I know its not as Alkaline as the Sodium Hydroxide I use for the hoods.  Any info would be helpful!!  Thanks!!

I just have a small 1/4"ball valve on my injector line I turn off to rinse,,or you could just pull the hose out of the chem bucket and stick it into a rinse bucket,,while rinsing its best to stick the injector hose into a rinse bucket that way you are rinsing out the injector for next time :)

I like using my roof pump to clean stucco.
You need to go heavier on the bleach if you down stream or xjet

I used site4contractors and was very pleased dealing with Carl. Go with a proven proffesional http://www.sites4contractors.com/

We use both M5 X-Jet for House washing and we use a 12 volt 7gpm Fatboy or Shureflow Pump for Roofcleaning. We like the X-jet because you can reach upwards of 3 stories. You can apply chemical without ladders and can also clean most vertical surfaces without ladders. The roof setup gets the right chemical on the roof surface at low pressure.
 

Hey Dave a matter of fact you can clean both with 12v but run one tank for your roof mix an a seperate tank house wash doing only residential ! Just doing roofs your leaving a lot of cash on the table! It's a pain in the but using 2 tanks but depends on your cash! A small investment in a pressure washer an DS is the way to go .But for roof cleaning you would still need a tank an designated pump.Not to knock Xjeting. Do a little research on this forum an you decide whats best for you.
 

 We used  Go Daddy web builder seems to be pretty reasonable. Also had a tech help me with technical side of thngs. 

We do our own but have a tech who helps with the technical side of it.
Rod

Hey Dave a matter of fact you can clean both with 12v but run one tank for your roof mix an a seperate tank house wash doing only residential ! Just doing roofs your leaving a lot of cash on the table! It's a pain in the but using 2 tanks but depends on your cash! A small investment in a pressure washer an DS is the way to go .But for roof cleaning you would still need a tank an designated pump.Not to knock Xjeting. Do a little research on this forum an you decide whats best for you.
 

Same here website,FB,twitter,instagram,Referrals and any free classifieds where I can post a link back to my website really helps!

Same here website,FB,twitter,instagram,Referrals and any free classifieds where I can post a link back to my website really helps!

I also have done quiet a bit of work for Real Estate agents in my area.   What has worked for me personally is developing a good working relationship with those top sales agents and reward them with small gifts after a few jobs that goes a long way especially when you do excellent work. 

F 13 works really good, been using it for years now

I know that is my go 2 product 

Sounds great Rod same here in addition word of mouth brings us a large amount of business.  Mike