mas3372 14 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodney 14 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 There is always a decline in July and Aug. It picks back up in Sept. This has been the norm for me in my local area the five years I have been doing this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PressurePros 249 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Mine has slowed considerably too as it does every year midway through June. Now is the time when I start really advertising and get caught up on maintenace work with previous customers. Pull out your customer list and start calling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 You can also offer an additional incentive to get the work done in July/Aug... some folks around here do that. We have not had to, but it is tucked away in my mind just in case... Beth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mas3372 14 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Yikes - I just put my last $300 in my bank account towards advertizing for the next 21 days in the classified sections. I hope I will get some washing work - now I am worried. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPetry 564 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Just starting to slow down too here in central NJ. Now's the time to start contacting maintenance customers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seymore 90 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 Can i forward my phone to someone so it stops ringing? :lglolly: Hope Biz picks up for you Mike and you too Dan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
One Tough Pressure 580 Report post Posted June 16, 2007 You mean customers are supposed to call you? I thought it was go out and find them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted June 17, 2007 You mean customers are supposed to call you? I thought it was go out and find them. its agaist the law to solicit in most areas? at least in my city it is. you can get permit to solicit. they are daily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tmrrptr 164 Report post Posted June 17, 2007 Wow! That's nearly unbelievable! Permit to solicit in AZ ??? Last time I was over there, the fella I was talking to abt politics, out on the street, had an FN .380 tucked in back of his waistband and was kinda proudly showing it off to us from CA... Yeah, we have right to carry, says he... But now I hear, NO right to solicit? Say what you might, but a man has a right to seek honest work in a common occupation. And if asking to clean ain't down to basics... It's slow here in CA also, but we've been out there shakin' the bushes, and a few interesting things have come up... r Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plainpainter 217 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 I went driving in surrounding towns - and I don't see any activity anywhere in terms of painting. And I thought I was lacking work the last two seasons due to monsoons. It's got me nervous - hopefully my classified listing will bring some pressure cleaning jobs and soon! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barry M 73 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 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. Welcome to the club, slow here and everyone else I've talked to has slowed also. It sucks man, in reality the resi work in my area is mid April to mid June and Sept, that's it 3 months. At least I'm a little more prepared than last year, I knew it was coming this time around. I'm currently searching hard for some bread and butter accounts because trying to make a living doing only resi isn't a smart move, not in my area anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Dahlke 114 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Things slowing here too. I have a few jobs lined up but will probably be hitting the pavement next week looking to keep things going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tmrrptr 164 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Things are pretty lite over here, too. So I set out on a new tour, myself... And almost immediately came across a good sized place w bad flatwork and I went in to inquire.... No, we don't need that cleaned. We've been in a lawsuit with the concrete company. Starting next week abt 50k sq ft is coming out and will be re-done... Whew! I'm going to check back during the project, because they won't shut down during the work and there's bound to be necessary cleaning work. r Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MMI Enterprises 289 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 its agaist the law to solicit in most areas? at least in my city it is. you can get permit to solicit. they are daily. Yea I've heard they got some such thing round these parts too for at least the residential..doesn't apply to the act of dropping sales materials far as I understand it. Applies to knocking on doors and actual meet and greet attempts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Orr 206 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 This is my 7th year in business, and it is also my busiest. 2 and 3 houses/day. 6 and 7 days/week since early March. (Don't ask about Feb, but that is normal.) Decks, roofs, fences - all areas are up. Consistently booked 2 weeks ahead, sometimes 3. (I prefer no more than 1 or 1 1/2.) Phone book ad/coupon has really been working and I don't mind giving estimates over the phone. I expect things to calm-down later in July through early August (when we try to take vacation). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mas3372 14 Report post Posted June 20, 2007 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Dahlke 114 Report post Posted June 20, 2007 I sent the first 500 of 3,000 cards out yesterday. Shuold have all sent within the next week. We'll see what happens. Had a pretty good response to a 1,000 card mailing last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites