jbruno

Got a call yesterday from a guy looking for a price on a patio... here's how it went down Me: "hello" Caller: "yeah, what do you get for a patio" Me: "get? to clean it? well it depends,I would have to see it." Caller: " do you price it by the square foot?" Me: "Yes, but I also factor in other things. Where are you located? (no answer) Caller: "could you tell me over the phone, so I could figure it out myself?" Me" NO, I don't give prices over the phone" Caller hangs up... I'm still trying to figure out what fly-by night "powerwashing" company this is, because there's no way a homeowner asks "by Square footage?" Plus he would never tell me what his name was, or where the the job was.

the restuarant is holding its own. I haven't lost money, neither have I hit the jackpot. It'll take time, but for 6 months we're doing well! Thanks for asking

Like I said, I would help ANYBODY learn this business the correct way (hell, I'm learning it every day) But I guess this guys doesn't think powerwashers should share info. I know for a fact if this guys came to me I could have him making more money and making it faster!!

I posted a few weeks ago about the solid color Cabots, Well I have been saved by a product newly out by Wolmans... Homeowner went to the paint store and found this stuff. It strips water,acrylic and oil based stains. I sprayed it on, let it sit for 15 minuts and then washed it off. It worked great. This stuff is brand new this year, I couldn't believe it worked so well. I never got to the f-18 or hd-80, because I thought this Wolmnans wouldn't work, and I would prove that "over-the-counter" strippers didn't work... Well, I was Wrong! LOL It's a bit pricey, but it worked great!!

Are trying to get me killed? I only have a few gallons, but I've been procrstinating mixing the new batch. I don't want to have to move 55 gallons of RM if I sell the business this month. (which looks like I will)

Beth, When mixing your hd-80 at 8oz. per gallon, what is your method of application? If I were to use an x-jet, what would be my dilution rate? Tom D. gave me some of his to try, so I want to give it a shot next week.

It was the first time this has ever happened, which suprised me probably because I thought it may happen eventually, but it caught me off guard. I'm willing to help anybody in this business, to insure that it gets done correctly, and it gets done for a good price (no lowballers). But these guys need to approach me in a different way. Hell, I approached Tom D. and offered my help (which he's taken plenty of LOL)

I was thinking exactly what Jeffex said. Get some scaffold, and maybe use a smaller wand and work in between the "rafters" if you can. Plus, how high can you go up on the sides with a scaffold, this may give you a good vantage point. Can't wait to see the 'during' and 'after' pics!!

It was $20 for 1.3 gallons, Defenitely expensive. But like I said before, I couldn't budge it. I never got to the f-18 or HD-80. And my Roof Magic (rowlett) was last years mix. Couple in the fact that I was NOT there the first time my guys tried to strip it, and they probably didn't let the RM dwell long enough. So off to the paint store I went... Hell, even at $20/gallon, I'll just pass it on to the consumer. but I'm not going to make a habit it out of it! LOL

Some how I got bamboozled into "cleaning" a guys deck floor. His wife told me 'yeah we're gonna use Cabots again.' Well long story short, I tell the guys to take up whatever will come up, but don't go crazy (only charging $125). So some of it comes up, but spots in the shaded areas are still on pretty good. Customer calls me up and says "well I'm going with a lighter color" So I send the guys back and the stuff doesn't budge. Seems the guys really layered on the Cabots. Tom D. gave me some f-18 (which I've never used) So I need to know 2 things, will this get Cabots (solid color) off? and what's the mix ratio using a pump up sprayer??

My problem is that they want to go from a solid to a semi-trans. Unbeknownst to me, because they only told me "we're gonna use Cabots again" So I did the cleaning. he then called me and asked why all of the stain didn't come up(about 2/3 of the stain was off due to failing and foot traffic). He then told me of the color change and the 2 layers he had put on?? And Yaz, I completing agree with you... if it's solid on solid, I just Clean it no stripping. (which is what i thought was happening here)

I already lost on this one, I told the guy I would do the entire deck (strip and stain) for $600, But He said no. I should have walked then...other problem is that he has my moeny for the house wash I did. (also at a great price). I never learn!! Other problem is I can't do the work myself because I got burned (which came with a skin graft) at job #1 and have been sending the 'knuckleheads' out to do the work

I'm not paying nearly that much for that coverage. I think my vehicle and in land marine policy combined my ba about 2200 a year. Check with your local Farm Family Rep. they have really great insurance, and they have a seperate category for Power Washing, not just a rider for Painters.

If you get abot 20 more feet of x -jet line, you can usually get 2 sides of a split level house from 1 corner. Thus the 15 gallon jug on a hand cart is how I use my x-jet. I also have a helper so it does make it easier. I like this set up because I know I'm not going to run out of house wash

My better half is thinking about cleaning houses for 4 hours a day. But I have a lot of questions about it, and I'm glad I checked back into TGS because they have this forum... 1. Should I run it through my existing PW business for insurance reasons, and will it raise my premium because I'm now inside the house? 2. what equipment and cleaning materials do you supply as apossed to the homeowner? i.e vacuum, windex, mop? 3. what areas do you clean? are bedrooms part of the deal, or just 'common areas'? 4. how does the pricing work? hourly or sq. footage? and what's a good rate for either? 5. should I advertise seperately, because it's a new service? Okay, that's enough for now, but I'm sure I'll have many more.\ And thanks in advance for your replies!

Tom, I told you I was the BEST powerwasher in Orange County. Some day you will hold that title! I got your message but I just got home from crappy night and will be taking a nap. I'll call you today. I actually have a cleaning job to do that may interest you. and I can show you the suface cleaner!

Sure your rpice was on the numbers if you figure 5 hours of work for $550. It looks like you've got a 'small' machine, maybe 2 to 4 gpm? If I were doing this job, I wouldn't take me more than 2 hours set up to pulling away. That's because I have an x jet, great chems, a helper, good equipment set up, and a big machine (6gpm). You could probably spend a couple more $$ get a commercial machine (belt driven) with more GPM and make the same money in half the time. especially with no gutters. let me rethink that time frame... 1 1/2 hours for me and my helper. Also, the amount og hose you have (high pressure and filler hose) will help speed up or slow down the process. for example: I have the capability of putting 250 ft. of high pressure line off my machine. and 125 ft. of filler hose. So instaed of moving my machine 2 or three times, I just make sure I have enough hose to reach the spigot w/ filler hose, and the farthest point of the house w/ high pressure. (150ft. usually does it) And if you didn't want to splurge on the machine, at least get an x -jet and use the housewash mix that most guys are using (Rowlett's mix) there will be NO scrubbing in the future for you!! and hire a kid for $10/hr. to move your stuff around.

Jeff, "It's a mere flesh wound" Actually that sucks, My son is 4 and I'm suprised he hasn't been to the ER yet. His time is coming because he has no fear. I caught him standing on the frame of his bike as he went down the sidewalk 3 days ago. He hasn't taken a good fall yet so he has no idea how it feels. On the other hand my Neighbors' daughter went off a chair she was standing on at the top of the basement stairs and went down the entire flight. luckily she was wearing her bike helmet. I never want to here her mother screaming like that again. I thought someone was shot...

Let me pose this question to the members of the PWNA or anyone else for that matter. Do you really feel that having a "logo", or a "certification" legitimizes your business? then ask yourself this. How often do you hire a guy or gal to do work for you because they have a certification from some organization? Most of the people I have hired over the years come from a recommendation or word of mouth. Never have I had to ask someone for there certification to cut my lawn, or install my toilet, or hang my wallpaper. I know exactly how many certifications I have in Powerwashing...ZERO. But I sure wash a lot of houses and decks every summer and noone asks if I'm certified. From what I gather of the PWNA it sounds like a few guys (who have powerwashing cos.) got together and formed an organization that could further enhance themselves financially. They began teaching classes for a fee and giving out certificates afterwards. And noone knows if they are really teaching you the way to do it correctly, just look at these boards. there are many ways that people clean wood, vinyl, shingles and fleets. All of this information is readily available for FREE and most often times you're going to do it how you like to do it. This PWNA (from what little I know and have seen or read about) seems like it may be getting away from itself when they decide the membership isn't entitled to opinions, or answers to questions. and that's why I haven't joined

Are you saying that you didn't even get to vote for this guy? LOL

Dripped Gutter Shock on a brand newly sealed driveway. ate the sealer right off. had t pay $250 for the re-seal. I had charged the guy 240 for the house wash. drove over 2 days later and gave him $10. He owned a body shop for 30 years and as I gave him the $10 he told me about learning the hard way and how many times in business he had learned it the hard way. It was a good experience in the end, but a little embarrasing.

It doesn't matter the gpm rating , what's the psi rating. If he's got a 3500psi machine and he's down to 2900 it may be the problems Mel and Mike spoke about. Also, he should check his tip size he has while running the machine.

Get the new Golf digest or the 'other golf' magazine. They have the top 100 courses you can play. Myrtle has 4 of them. If you're really into Golf they would be must plays in my book. (the cover of the magazine is the hybrid club touting four shots with the club, sept. 06 issue) I'll be doing that at Easter next year!

Gotta love those numbers Mike. Case in point. Tried to Have Tom out at a House wash, but the machine fouled up. Went home and got the spare, but by this time Tom had to leave. (i was a LITTLE embarrassed). Job got done fine with spare. Had Tom come with his van and machine, he would ahve gotten paid as a sub and we could have used his. That is something to think about. I think someone else gave the example of blowing a hose on Sunday afternoon?? Oh and the machine had a broken o-ring in the check valve that actually got lodged in it... fixed it myself. I'm getting better at the fixing part, soon I won't even need a mechanic! LOL any one ever have that happen? I'm wondering if it wasn't seted correctly?

Too many of my customers are friends, and many of my other customers are referrals from my friends. Maybe I'm different I don't know! Plus, your customer list is proof that your business is worth something!