Referrals

[James 625]

In the last two days I recieved 5 new deck referrals that were built in the fall. I love new decks!!!

[Deck Guy 14]

I too, love them referrals! I have one customer who is responsible for probably $4000 worth of work the past three years, and another to the tune of about $3000. I send a $20 Applebees gift certificate along with a letter for any referral I get from any customer. It's the cheapest form of advertising there is! I actually dropped my newspaper ad July 1 last year, and stayed busy through October thanks to this type of customer. Saved about $1200 in ad expense too!

I'd love to get new construction decks around here, but everyone here thinks you have to wait a year, then they put some Thompsons crap on it themselves (at least the first time).

[Proclean 14]

Guess I'm a spoiled rotten kid :)

90% of my decks are new. And I mean new. We'll be washing an Ipe deck tomorrow that the crew finished today. Knocked out 2 decks today that are less than 2 weeks old.

Once you only do new decks, you'll never go back. :lgsideway

Paul

Pro Clean Specialists

[James 625]

Paul what are you putting down on Ipe' (product) .When it's that new. I find when there building a deck the boards put down at completetion have to catch up to the exposed boards. Or the finish can penitrate uneven. This is with large decks and hard woods.

[Adrian 155]

Hey Paul,

It's been a while. I sent a few referrals your way last year. I'll be in your neck of the woods next week. I managed to get into a HOA newspaper for resi cleaning. Helps to know the Pres. of HOA and be in a band with him.

I still keep your # for that very reason. Although we never had the coffee stop yet, the offer still stands.

Adrian

[James 625]

I get refered by two deck companies. In the last couple of years more than 75% of what is built is composite .

[Jeff 232]

I have one guy, now a freind of mine who is responsible for I would say over $45,000 of my work last year and has had some part of introducing me to or getting me about 40+% of my work. He's great, he owns a property services company, he does lawn, pool, repair and many other services and I do the pwing. He's responsible for the company who has me looking at all 60 of their properties. He never asks me for anything, all he says is Im his most reliable contractor. I do give him money many times, but its a fraction of all the work he gets me. Im very lucky to know him and now we consider each other Friends.

JL

[Barry M 73]

I'd love to get new construction decks around here, but everyone here thinks you have to wait a year, then they put some Thompsons crap on it themselves (at least the first time).

Educate them.

[Proclean 14]

Adrian,

"Neck of the woods" We are right next door. I'm in Marietta everyday. I've got many jobs lined up if you want to see. Cleaning & staining composites, hardwoods, & PTP. Look out for the Siberian Larch that is about to explod on the wood industry. Will be staining some decks soon with this wood. Give me a call. Spring is booked up solid.

James,

Confused by your comments. All Ipe is stored under cover. All applied "new"

But coming from Brazil who knows how old it is. Use cleaners to clean the wood, pressure wash and then stain. I am afraid to tell you the stain as the arrows will start to fly. I can say that I have tried Readyseal, Cabots, & WTW on Ipe. I'm sure your results will support my conclusion:).

Paul

Pro Clean

[James 625]

If deck is being built and say it takes four weeks to build. Some of the wood has been exposed to the weather for four weeks and some for a week. The one that has been exposed for a week takes less oil.

[Proclean 14]

"If deck is being built and say it takes four weeks to build. Some of the wood has been exposed to the weather for four weeks and some for a week. The one that has been exposed for a week takes less oil."

What - 4 weeks to build a deck:lgsideway . These crews can crank out a 27*15 Ipe (ironwoods to be exact) deck 1 story up, Ipe handrails with Ipe treads on the iron staircase in 1 week or less. Are you not pretreating the wood before it is exposed to the sun? We are. Is the deck builder not putting the deck flooring on last? If supports and handrail are up, flooring should only take a day or two.

I don't want to get into the logistics of how decks are built, I deal with them everyday.

I would love to see your deck builder and how he approaches building decks and then see how you apply you final stain.

I would also be curious, no nevermind, no time to go there.

Paul

[Adrian 155]

Hey Paul,

I have to take this week off per the Dr.'s orders. (kidney issues).

But I still want to do a ride out with you one day and check out your deck equipment. Maybe in two weeks we can plan that as I will be scampering to get all my resi's caught up. I want to still get better deck sealing equipment than what I have. The resi's are picking up quit a bit, but I need to get that wand back in my hands. I am going stir crazy this week being the domestic bum. Serious want to do the ride out though. You really helped me get things going in the deck dept. last year with all the info., but I still want PW as main income. But I have been declineing on some staining. I just prefer cleaning decks and sealing and getting it all done in one day. in and out, collect and move on to the next. I have your # and will get in touch real soon after I get caught up.

[JFife 14]

Hey Proclean,

I am curious, what have you had the most success with on Hardwoods, as far as stain goes??

Siberian Larch, eh?? What it different about it, than say, typical Canadian/Western Douglas Fir?? Super structural strength, probably more than any other wood. But are you comparing this "Siberian" to all the new Hardwoods?? Inquiring minds.......Ever see any Alaskan Cedar?? Very cool. Also, cannot think of the name, but a certain kind of cedar out of Oregon.....I'll look it up. I'll still vote for a "clear" softwood over the new hardwoods!

[James 625]

Port Orford cedar most difficult.

[James 625]

Jon I take care of one Alaskan Cedar and 5 Port Orford decks.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

We love referrals! :sunshine:

Beth

[RPetry 564]

Paul,

"I am afraid to tell you the stain as the arrows will start to fly. I can say that I have tried Readyseal, Cabots, & WTW on Ipe."

In all good fun, I'll start the shooting match! I've been using Cabot's Aussie Oil on my own ipe deck as well as customer's hardwoods. I'm not thrilled with the product as it does form a film on the surface of the wood. But some of these hardwoods are so dense that its hard to get any oil penetration. I'm looking for an alternative stain.

From what I have been told, Cabot's has changed their formulation of Aussie Oil three times in the last three years, due to stricter VOC regs and flashing problems. Doesn't instill much confidence in the product.

If you, Jim, or others that service a lot of hardwoods have found better stain solutions for hardwoods from field experience, please share the info. I'm all ears and I sure there are other wood contractors that are interested.

[JFife 14]

Port Orford!!! That is it!! I knew "Pirate Jim" would know it. Do you like it? What makes it difficult??

[JFife 14]

Diamond Jim--pull up a few photos of the Alaskan and PO,

[James 625]

I hate it (port orford) it's the hardest of the cedar's. When new it is all mill glaze. Most trouble of all the wood I take care of. Unless you like grey untreated wood.

[James 625]

Port Orford Cedar deck. There use to be a pool where the hex shape part of the deck is. The old part of the deck had multi coats of sikkens which was ground off along with the fence. Then I let the deck sit until the sun blended the old and new togeather. Bleach was used to clean. Sealed with RS LBrown. 2004 deck..

[Littlefield 65]

Jim, is that bleach you wrote that with, or stain? Hope no rookies try that with bleach, thinking they'll be able to blend it later....;)

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Looks like he wrote it in Ready Seal (after all they say it is goof proof). Notice how silver the wood looks from the bleach...hmmmmm.....

Beth

[Littlefield 65]

Please don't try this with almost any other stain or a cob blaster;)

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

.....or a zero degree tip for that matter. ;)

Beth

[seymore 90]

Port Orford Cedar deck. There use to be a pool where the hex shape part of the deck is. The old part of the deck had multi coats of sikkens which was ground off along with the fence. Then I let the deck sit until the sun blended the old and new togeather. Bleach was used to clean. Sealed with RS LBrown. 2004 deck..

That's TOO FUNNY Jim....:lgwave: