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Greg R

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Posts posted by Greg R

  1. Posted · Edited by Greg R · Report reply

    I did it last year spring and fall. We had a good spot and worked the crowd. Gave out pens n post cards, had a raffle for a free housewash. It definetly worked. I wont do it again, because I personally hated being mr happy salesman for two 8 hr days. I could have spent the $2000 I paid on other advertising and got the same amount of leads and could be out working instead. To each their own.

    These shows are easily our BEST return on investment around here. I can spend $8K on doing home shows and pull $150K in work out of them over the season. It's a no brainer. The shows do wear on ya but in that case you may consider finding some happy clam to represent you at the shows and work them. I had to use my lead guy last year on one show and even he pulled some nice leads for us and he's definately an "in the field" guy. I paid him $10 per confirmed lead (meaning we set an appointment for a estimate) and he came back with twenty something leads for the day by himself. Big $$$ to be made in my experience.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Received an interesting email from a stain manufacturer. In April of 2008, their linseed oil cost increased from $3.50 to $7.50 per unit, which I assume is per gallon. Due to high demand and short supply, distributors were allocating linseed oil to their better customers. In addition, due to the then high cost of crude oil, shipping costs as well as mineral spirits (a petroleum distillate) also increased dramatically.

    Apparently, Canada has had two years of poor flax crop production. But due to lack of demand in the 4th quarter, as well as a "terrible" 2008 for national paint companies, demand for linseed oil has dropped dramatically. Supply is again available, with prices dropping off of last year's peak.

    My issue exactly.... if your costs have increased pass it on to the consumer. If they've decreased I would hope they would also pass it onto the consumer. Unfortunately 08's crazy supply and demand and speculation issues have instilled fuel and material surcharges too many of the products we use daily. The odd thing is now that things have pulled back SUBSTANTIALLY and are far lower than operating costs from previous years the surcharges still seem to be in place. Yes...I completely understand that in many markets revenues are not what they were but geez. Our chem supplier for example still charges us a fuel surcharge equiv to the peak of oil in 08' even though the fuel costs are half what they were.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    My biggest piece of advice is to work he crowd. We exhibit in about 7 shows a year and year after year I find it amazing that the people working the booth just sit there watching people walk by. We pull well over 300 estimates out of the spring shows every year because we force feed and engage the crowds. Last year we had 3 guys (including myself) manning one show and I can remember the guy across the way just shaking his head as we pulled in 13 estimates in about 5 minutes. After seeing that he stood at the edge of his booth and started working it :) Then the vendors complain about the results the show had and they cannot figure out why!

    Good Luck!

  9. Posted · Report reply

    It used to be I needed my motocross and more recently snowmobile time. It was always refreshing to get out there with some buddies and forget about things for a day. Over the last two years we seem to have dropped the ball though. One sold his bike, another works too much, and my brother lost interest so I literally haven't even started my bike in a year and a half I bet. Snowmobiling is becoming more of the same now it seems... especially with us plowing snow again. Time for a new hobby I guess :)

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Snow plowing and Salting. Commercial accounts can be some nice money. We just got back into it again this year after about 10 years and the demand is still there even with all the lawn care companies. Closed 4 more commercial accounts today and I've had calls left and right for areas that I would rather not service (too far).

    Outside of that we do around 220 decks a year and about 15 home restorations plus some pressure wash work here and there.

    Leaving for florida in 8 days so winter is also for vacations :) Taking the kids to disney to see it all done up for Christmas.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Well let's see.......what I don't like is the weather. I can't stand being backed up on deck work. Then when it dries out all the decks are ready at once and people start complaining even though you've explained it to them before hand.

    But I voted for dealing with plants around the deck. This is something I've really started paying attention to and I'll up my sq ft price if there are PITA plants everywhere. I love it when the bushes are so overgrown that they are bursting between the spindles and growing ON the deck, NOT! Or when overgrown trees and shrubs are draped all over the railings and you can't even see the handrails.

    I hate it so much that I found a better way!

    I washed a partially elevated deck (5 ft above ground level) today with a jungle of overgrown bushes around it. I grabbed my 6' wand that I use for fleet washing and was able to stand outside all the bushes instead of in them. I stayed half way dry and was able to see better and manipulate the wand in, around, behind, and above all the bushes without fighting them. It was way better than using my usual 3 footer, getting all soaked, and getting tangled up.

    I would note on the estimate Barry that the plants need cut back before you arrive or you will have to do it at so much per hour :)

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Finding a relatively good guy, teaching him how to do everything and having him leave unannounced to go try and start his own thing :lgangry:

    Then finding out when your vendors call asking if the guy works for you cause he's been calling them to get prices on products. Just had it happen this week and I'm still very p*ssed.

    Outside of that the weather is a big PITA...

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Here's a deck we just finished. The builder completed construction in the Spring and told the homeowner he seals decks all the time. In fact he has a couple guys that does nothing but :) They called a week later in horror after the builder applied 2 or 3 coats of this Behr crap :)

    We stripped it down and brought her back to new then sealed with Sierra Rustic :) Its a 50/50 mix of sierra redwood and rustic brown. Cool color and it goes much better with the brick and landscape.

    post-1818-137772215862_thumb.jpg

  25. Posted · Report reply

    I've found the horizontals to really need a second coat on most decks so far. We haven't used the grey yet but none of the floors have held enough color at the surface with only one coat. A light second coat just before we leave has helped to even things up and leave a much richer appearance to the wood.

    I have a bunch of pics as soon as I get my camera back from my lead guy :) We started another log home and it's been in his truck the whole time.

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