OK, its not funny anymore
- Thread starter mikey
- Start date
Scott Stone
New member
Hey, you want some from Arizona??? I might be able to find a swim suit or two...
Scott
Scott
Dlee
New member
Mikey,
You are one of the best keep 'em comin. I for one appreciate some of the extreme stuff you come up with (Mikey's Inventions) to ehance your performance not mention snow this late in the year. By the way I don't think many know that you are a one man operation with over 30 cleanings a month. When I grow up, if I grow up I want to be as tough as you.
You are one of the best keep 'em comin. I for one appreciate some of the extreme stuff you come up with (Mikey's Inventions) to ehance your performance not mention snow this late in the year. By the way I don't think many know that you are a one man operation with over 30 cleanings a month. When I grow up, if I grow up I want to be as tough as you.
mikey
Member
Thanks, buddy. It seems that it would be pretty common in this business to see more one man crews.
When I started out alone I leaned from tapes, books, and videos that showed mostly a helper with someone. One thing I notice, correct me if I’m wrong it looked like the second guy mostly was standing around keeping an eye on things. I started with my boys and they bailed. So I just started doing more and more alone until, I picked up the best and most efferent ways to do things alone. Now when I train other guys and or have help on occasions it feels odd and distracting. On repeat jobs that I’m familiar with, I have noticed that they slow me down. O’ Well that’s just me. Stay young like me and keep your health, and you can also run circles around anyone! Most of the time I don’t even feel like I have a job! I really love this business and never looked back. The first few jobs did test my faith, but I don’t give up easily.
{On the flip side} One thing is for sure, my big vacation next month is due and paid for two months in advance.
*Average job times just to compare me to: (from van doors open to close)
Small 3’-8’ 45-60 minutes
Medium 10’-18’ 2.5-3 hours
Large 20’-30’ or med doubles 4 -5 hours
Most of the time I’m home in bed by 1AM to 2AM on local jobs.
*Some faster some longer this seems to be the norm. of course most of you may know a lot of factors involved job to job.
Funny end Note: I get asked quite often were my help is? I tell them the other guy is past-out and sleeping in the van! “keeps me safe”. Mikey
When I started out alone I leaned from tapes, books, and videos that showed mostly a helper with someone. One thing I notice, correct me if I’m wrong it looked like the second guy mostly was standing around keeping an eye on things. I started with my boys and they bailed. So I just started doing more and more alone until, I picked up the best and most efferent ways to do things alone. Now when I train other guys and or have help on occasions it feels odd and distracting. On repeat jobs that I’m familiar with, I have noticed that they slow me down. O’ Well that’s just me. Stay young like me and keep your health, and you can also run circles around anyone! Most of the time I don’t even feel like I have a job! I really love this business and never looked back. The first few jobs did test my faith, but I don’t give up easily.
{On the flip side} One thing is for sure, my big vacation next month is due and paid for two months in advance.
*Average job times just to compare me to: (from van doors open to close)
Small 3’-8’ 45-60 minutes
Medium 10’-18’ 2.5-3 hours
Large 20’-30’ or med doubles 4 -5 hours
Most of the time I’m home in bed by 1AM to 2AM on local jobs.
*Some faster some longer this seems to be the norm. of course most of you may know a lot of factors involved job to job.
Funny end Note: I get asked quite often were my help is? I tell them the other guy is past-out and sleeping in the van! “keeps me safe”.
Mikey
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Dlee
New member
I don't want to get anything started with you but, your times are inconceivable for a one man operation.
I run into some nasty grease down here so I wouldn't go out without a helper.
Show us some pictures of your next new acount that you pick up and I'll tell you why you are so fast.
I run into some nasty grease down here so I wouldn't go out without a helper.
Show us some pictures of your next new acount that you pick up and I'll tell you why you are so fast.
mikey
Member
I don’t know why! I thought that I was a little behind some of the pros in the business.
I heard of some crews (2 or more) doing 5 jobs in one night, that’s crazy. I’ll try to take the time to take pictures, I always have intentions but when I get there, its assholes and elbows to get the hell out of there, and play a game with myself, I only look at the start time going (when they say its ok) and only look at the time when I fill out the certificate to post on the hood as I shut the door to leave.
Remember that sometimes the first cleaning I have to get orientated with it. Water hookup drains, ect. 1st time set-up a little longer in some cases. But after that watch out. But not much off the times I gave.
Another little Secret I sharpened several scrapers some time ago and hardly ever use them. But every time I get done it’s the way its suppose to be… “you’ll be amazed”
I heard of some crews (2 or more) doing 5 jobs in one night, that’s crazy. I’ll try to take the time to take pictures, I always have intentions but when I get there, its assholes and elbows to get the hell out of there, and play a game with myself, I only look at the start time going (when they say its ok) and only look at the time when I fill out the certificate to post on the hood as I shut the door to leave.
Remember that sometimes the first cleaning I have to get orientated with it. Water hookup drains, ect. 1st time set-up a little longer in some cases. But after that watch out. But not much off the times I gave.
Another little Secret I sharpened several scrapers some time ago and hardly ever use them. But every time I get done it’s the way its suppose to be… “you’ll be amazed”
Dlee
New member
Yeah I get a little critical at times. I do try to keep it moving towards completion. I 've only had one 2 hr job and we felt like we cheated the customer out of their money....not. We celebrated the event marking a milestone.
It was a great feeling and my helper quit right after that so I was back to sqaure one on training a new helper. Darn.
Maybe I'm wrong but I usally consider the total time from when we leave untill the time we get back. I've never been able to look at a job and guess the total hours first couple of times we clean it. When my helper left my Canon Powershot G2 and Mosmatic 6" duct spinner also came up missing.
Don't know what happened to them and I try not to think about it but a $1,000.00 worth of tools is hard to replace.
Mikey you need to capitolize on your knowledge and write your own hood cleaning made easy book.
It was a great feeling and my helper quit right after that so I was back to sqaure one on training a new helper. Darn.
Maybe I'm wrong but I usally consider the total time from when we leave untill the time we get back. I've never been able to look at a job and guess the total hours first couple of times we clean it. When my helper left my Canon Powershot G2 and Mosmatic 6" duct spinner also came up missing.
Don't know what happened to them and I try not to think about it but a $1,000.00 worth of tools is hard to replace.
Mikey you need to capitolize on your knowledge and write your own hood cleaning made easy book.
mikey
Member
Ya, I know what You mean, So many times I personally have left stuff at the start, rolls of plastic, wands, tips, even my electric drill on roof. Not anymore (check list before I leave). My start times locally do not include leave time, it only takes 20 minutes or so to drive completely around this town. I do consider drive time out of town, You know what! In most cases I make a lot more money when I do out of town jobs than in town. I really get what I’m worth when I travel long distances. Just the other day, I felt like calling on a new exquisite restaurant here, that I really wanted to bid on. Because we book jobs two to three months in advance, The GM answered and I introduced myself and company, his response was “YA YA what’s convenient for You”. Didn’t even ask about price (invitation for trouble maybe, but I doubt it). Many of my customers know my reputation and are more than eager to pay for that……..they say they get calls, cards, and drop/In’s but will not try as long as I stay focused on them. I tell them sometimes that I may slow down and concentrate on hometown, but they get very frustrated and concerned. Even low ballers are not a threat, I have some that know that I’m higher but they say they will pay more just for the difference In my work as opposed to others. (if they leave me for a low ballers, believe me they can have them with delight).
Sorry about the ramble on sentences
We even introduced a new service last Year, that includes a custom SS polish that prevents finger prints, water and grease spatter without rubbing or polishing. “Looks outstanding on our hoods and backsplashes”. Believe it or not, keep in mind that’s included in those times!
My New Book should be published sometime in the fall, I’ll send you a Copy.
P.S. If I would have seen Videos Like, Phil Acklands or others “before”, I would have never started this company. ((((Thats Scary)))))
Mikey
Sorry about the ramble on sentences
We even introduced a new service last Year, that includes a custom SS polish that prevents finger prints, water and grease spatter without rubbing or polishing. “Looks outstanding on our hoods and backsplashes”. Believe it or not, keep in mind that’s included in those times!
My New Book should be published sometime in the fall, I’ll send you a Copy.
P.S. If I would have seen Videos Like, Phil Acklands or others “before”, I would have never started this company. ((((Thats Scary)))))
Mikey
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