One Tough Pressure 580 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 If you go for an estimate and see that the job does not really need cleaning, do you sell them anyway since they called, or tell them the truth? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 staudend 14 Report post Posted November 27, 2004 I usually throw in the patio chairs or small stuff like that. Little time spent and the customer is pleased with the extra effort on your part that didn't cost the an arm and a leg. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Beth n Rod 1,279 Report post Posted November 29, 2004 Did you know that if you do something for free, and it is damaged in the process, you are liable for it as if you were paid to do it in the first place? It's true. Food for thought. Beth :groovy2: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted November 29, 2004 Well that's just common sense! The point is not to damage anything, whether you're paid for it or not. The way I look at it, I'm not technically doing it for free, I'm simply adding a bit of work to the scope of the job. Either way, if it is damaged, I'm responsible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted November 30, 2004 Word of mouth, I wouldnt eat if i relied on that. My mouth would not keep my trucks busy enough. Yellow page ads stink toooooo. I recieve word of mouth jobs but i have to be honest it wouldnt pay my bills. I understand that smaller guys that do residential work might get alot but commercial people are to busy. Getting on vendor lists and doing corporate shows are the ticket. when your on and interanal phone book or approved vendor list thats when you hit pay dirt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted November 30, 2004 Word of mouth, I wouldnt eat if i relied on that. My mouth would not keep my trucks busy enough. Yellow page ads stink toooooo. I recieve word of mouth jobs but i have to be honest it wouldnt pay my bills. I understand that smaller guys that do residential work might get alot but commercial people are to busy. Getting on vendor lists and doing corporate shows are the ticket. when your on and interanal phone book or approved vendor list thats when you hit pay dirt. What do you mean by corporate shows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted November 30, 2004 Trade shows, all types of folks have shows. from the entertainment industry to restaurants. How about corp. meetings.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted November 30, 2004 Trade shows, all types of folks have shows. from the entertainment industry to restaurants.How about corp. meetings.... So you just show up to the trade shows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted December 1, 2004 you need to become a member and rent space. Come on guys, nothings free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Mike 64 Report post Posted December 9, 2004 How about the opposite? They need to be cleaned but dont look like they want it or can afford it? I pass by a house a few times every week that is just turning greener and greener every day. The original house color is white. I even saw a PW company doing the house next door to her and never saw her getting hers done. It looks like she doesnt have much money as she is an elderly lady lady living in a small house. The house definately needs to be cleaned. What would you do then? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 RyanH 14 Report post Posted December 9, 2004 Do you see potential in the rest of the neighborhood? You said you pass by this house a few times each week...is it a well traveled area? If so, perhaps you can wash her house for the cost of your chemicals and fuel and a sign in the yard. She may be very skeptical about accepting such a gratuitous offer, so you will have to make her understand that it is an investment on your part. If it's a small house and won't take time away from other projects (do you have a down-day?), then it shouldn't affect you much. And if she still persists on "why?" then tell her that it's Christmas and Santa's offering free services, but the oil companies are still biting! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Mike Williamson 198 Report post Posted December 10, 2004 How about the opposite? They need to be cleaned but dont look like they want it or can afford it?I pass by a house a few times every week that is just turning greener and greener every day. The original house color is white. I even saw a PW company doing the house next door to her and never saw her getting hers done. It looks like she doesnt have much money as she is an elderly lady lady living in a small house. The house definately needs to be cleaned. What would you do then? It's a nice idea, and I like Ryan's suggestions, but if I washed every house I pass frequently that is in severe need of cleaning, I'd never have time for paying work!! I did give a lady a free driveway cleaning because she took the time to clean the dog messes out of the back yard (they have a large dog, and there were literally dozens of huge piles in the yard). I just knew I was going to wind up with that stuff all over my boots and hoses, but when I got there there wasn't one pile in the yard. I left her a note thanking her for doing it, and told her I cleaned her driveway in return - Merry Christmas! It does give you a nice feeling to do something extra especially when you know they can't afford it. I had a lady call just before Thanksgiving who had just found out her kids coming into town for the weekend. She wanted her driveway cleaned (it was BLACK), and her roof blown off if it wasn't too much. She lived in a small house in a run down area and obviously didn't have much money. I lowballed the price ($75.00 to do the driveway, walkway, back patio and blow the roof off). While I was there I went ahead and cleaned the front of her house. I just felt like doing something nice for this lady who probably struggles to make ends meet each month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Washaway 64 Report post Posted March 15, 2005 If I see something that I don't think needs to be cleaned, it's most likely because I don't think I can get it any cleaner. In that case I ask why they think it needs to be cleaned. I ask the customer to show me specific areas that need improvement and to tell me how clean (or what the final look is that) they expect to get. I also ask if this is prep work for another phase such as cleaning before sealing or painting. I also look for details such as existing damage. Talking with the customer, asking questions and listening will most often reveal reasoning behind their actions. But to answer your question: I think long and hard about how I would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and then the answer is always very clear. As long as you tell the customer up front that you think it's clean and put it in writing, then if they still want the clean surface "cleaned again", it's their nickel. I don't think I could have expressed my views any better. Paul you're not a mind reader, are you? :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Washaway 64 Report post Posted March 15, 2005 I agree...in fact, one line in a mailer I use frequently is "I will not try to sell you a service you don't need." .... I too have something similar in all of our mailers: "If it does not need to be cleaned, we will tell you!" I'm pleased to find that all of us here are in such high moral standards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Washaway 64 Report post Posted March 16, 2005 Word of mouth, I wouldnt eat if i relied on that. My mouth would not keep my trucks busy enough. Yellow page ads stink toooooo. I recieve word of mouth jobs but i have to be honest it wouldnt pay my bills. I understand that smaller guys that do residential work might get alot but commercial people are to busy. Getting on vendor lists and doing corporate shows are the ticket. when your on and interanal phone book or approved vendor list thats when you hit pay dirt. Ron, you are 100% correct. I wouldn't be where I am if I relied on other people to spread the word either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Washaway 64 Report post Posted March 16, 2005 Humm...three posts in a row (well, now four)....does this mean that this issue is dead? :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted September 18, 2005 Its might be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 JFife 14 Report post Posted September 18, 2005 Hey Ron, Are you Vendor packages really big?? I am filing one, and I bet it is 30 pages. It is for a really big nationwide resort, and we'll be on their list to perform certain services, some which is already bid and accepted, just need to become a vendor. Hey Ron, how many employees do you have?? Do you have a salesman or are you the salesman?? Do you have an employee that takes care of biz things, i.e. billing, bills, filing, etc.?? I may call you again sometime---last time we talked you called me at around 3am, LOL. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Ron Musgraves 240 Report post Posted September 19, 2005 Call me Jon And i would be happy to talk with you. Nothing run Absent for very long. But I'm not on a wand, have not been for years. Just about Yes for all questions above. I sub contract to others and have own crews. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 PressurePros 248 Report post Posted November 10, 2005 I have yet to see any property, deck or driveway that couldn't be made cleaner. I would just price the job accordingly. It seems silly to have someone call you to do work and then argue with them that they don't really want it. They called you, they obviously DO want it done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 PRESSURE PACKED 14 Report post Posted May 3, 2007 Maintenence Is Key. So I Sell It. With Information On The Importance Of Maintaining Before It Actually "looks" Dirty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 mas3372 14 Report post Posted May 3, 2007 They called me, they see that it needs to be clean. It is their property, what is dirty to them, may not be to me. No discount either. Wether a house is fithly or not so bad, they take about the same time, same work, and same effort and they get just as clean. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
0 Tmrrptr 164 Report post Posted July 8, 2007 If I was called to a home that appeared clean to me, I would undoubtedly comment so, to the owner, and ask them at the same time what it was that concerned them. I would wash the house, and give particular attention to their expressed concern, if any. Even if done the week before by someone else, it could benefit fom a wash and rinse w wax used in rinse. I was taught "Do not treat people the way YOU wish to be treated, treat them the way THEY want to be treated." Everyone has differing standards. Perhaps there is something unseen they are concerned with. I can not see or feel bacteria and germs and may not notice odors. A fresh soap & bleach smell IS clean, to many. Some folks just want to KNOW things are done right and in good order. If they are willing to pay for service, they should have what the ask for. r Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
If you go for an estimate and see that the job does not really need cleaning, do you sell them anyway since they called, or tell them the truth?
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