Test spots for Wood Restoration( DECKS)

[James 625]

With the change in the VOC laws. The last 5 yrs also have brought many changes to sealers. With the addition of Silicone and Acrylics is has made Wood Restoration very difficult and time consuming to figure out what direction to take. Doing a test spot is a must and you have to carry many to see what works. Because the home owner usually doesn't remember what was put on.

This year I have had 5 decks take an hour to figure out what to do and still be not sure I was correct. I was also it seemed the the last resort for these people because that had gone through many other opinions or had already tried and failed at a resolution. This problem is only going to get worse in the future.

I am starting to charge for test spots 50 to 100 dollars and give an opinion how to solve the problem.

[Doug T 19]

That's good Jim, a "consulting fee"

[plainpainter 217]

I consultation fees are great, what is the best way to approach a customer on this? Give them a quote for deck resto - but then remind them you aren't responsible if they didn't pay for a test spot?

[MMI Enterprises 289]

You "carry many"?..What are they?

Would a consultant be respected as a pro and relied on only if their recommendation/solution involved a branded readymade product that an average 3rd party could carry through with?

[James 625]

I carry a sample of many types of stripper and some that can go 24 hrs. Plus other means of commming up with a solution.

I have become a consultant out of being a respected pro anyway. It's time to get paid for the trouble and for the solution. I'm batting 100% at the present time for wood restoration jobs anyway. Test spots are to time consuming now.

Dan, I don't do any wood restore without test spot.

[jnoden 15]

Im learning to do test spots when I do the estimate. I keep a spray bottle of stripper in the truck and if I am not sure of the stripability of a deck I will do it right there that way I do not need to come back.

[plainpainter 217]

James - I don't do resto without it either, but I just haven't figured a way to charge for it. The idea sounds so alien to most consumers - they don't understand me half the time when I explain it to them.