5 Year Warranty???

We had 7 estimates for roof cleaning today and I questioned all of them about having us involved in a yearly service after the initial cleaning. I also asked, if they had a contractor that would warranty it and then charge a pro rated # to come back in a few years when it reapears what would they think about that. All 7 said thats not a warranty thats a gimmick. We landed all 7 contracts and will come back yearly to treat the roofs for a little over half the original cost. This sounds more logical to the orchestration of our business model. By the way, this will be our 20th year in business and still learning everyday from organizations like this. Thanks to all .
 
Now thats a winner right there, this is only our 6th year in business and we are starting to push the exact same thing this year with the maintenance plans. My house wash with wax treatment does come with an 18 month warranty(a true warranty, it grows back we reclean for free). I am offering a 2 year plan on house washes and on roof cleaning, great reason to contact all of our past customers too.
 
innovativewash said:
We had 7 estimates for roof cleaning today and I questioned all of them about having us involved in a yearly service after the initial cleaning. I also asked, if they had a contractor that would warranty it and then charge a pro rated # to come back in a few years when it reapears what would they think about that. All 7 said thats not a warranty thats a gimmick. We landed all 7 contracts and will come back yearly to treat the roofs for a little over half the original cost. This sounds more logical to the orchestration of our business model. By the way, this will be our 20th year in business and still learning everyday from organizations like this. Thanks to all .
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Similar thing happened to me in the last 3 weeks. 3 Customers getting bids for roof cleaning, all 3 asked me if I provide a warranty. I explained that I do not because I can not control the environment, I also asked them to read the fine print of the warranty before making their decision and make sure they were aware of the coverage in the warranty. I further explained that I would be checking on their roof once a year and that I if I saw the stains coming back, I would contact them to make them aware, and that it was time to retreat the roof at a fraction of the cost of this initial cleaning. I got all three bids, (and we are all right at the same price, within 50$,) One guy would not provide the warranty paperwork until AFTER he did the work.

I also have gone behind 3 or 4 roofs that have been cleaned that have the 5 year warranty, and the customer called me because after they had called the original company that cleaned it and warrantied it, to report the stains were back, they found they would have to pay to have it cleaned again with in the supposed 5 year warranty period. Ticked them off cause that wasn't explained. I got the re treatment business.

Look, IMO there is nothing wring with providing a 3 or 5 year warranty. These terms are generally spelled out for the customer. Apparently they work as a great advertising tool and work for certain businesses. I just think they should be called Maintenance Contracts and not warranties, and sold as an add on once the job is complete. And that the customer is made FULLY aware of the coverage.
 
cmturner said:
Now thats a winner right there, this is only our 6th year in business and we are starting to push the exact same thing this year with the maintenance plans. My house wash with wax treatment does come with an 18 month warranty(a true warranty, it grows back we reclean for free). I am offering a 2 year plan on house washes and on roof cleaning, great reason to contact all of our past customers too.
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Definitely matters where you are at. A lot of homes around here start showing mold in a year, some even less.
 
Doug Rucker said:
3 Customers getting bids for roof cleaning, all 3 asked me if I provide a warranty. I explained that I do not because I can not control the environment, I also asked them to read the fine print of the warranty before making their decision and make sure they were aware of the coverage in the warranty.
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That is a contradictory statement Doug. You say you do not provide a warranty but then you say that you tell the customer to read the fine print of the warranty. I explain the warranty in full detail to the customers when I bid on cleaning their roof. That way there is no surprise after I have cleaned their roof.

In Houston we do not have problems with moss growing on the roofs like other areas of the country. The warranty also excludes any area of the roof where water pools. But the main thing is that you must have this in writing on the contract that the customer signs and that you explain it to the customer when bidding the roof cleaning job.
 
Not sure whats contradictory Marcus, I do not offer a warranty. Some of the companies I go against do. I tell the customer to read the fine print of the warranty that others offer. Then make their decision.

Uh and the last 3 roofs I did had moss. In fact the one I do tomorrow has it. The one Monday had Lichen. See it all the time.

That's great how you handle your warranty. Not all do. Your way works for you, My way works for me.
 
I left for a day or two and you guys have been bickering like a bunch of school kids. Lol.. or it seems. I still like my way. They are offered an extended warranty only if I have to return a few years later and they don't have to buy it. I did warranty my roof cleanings for 3 years and I recently changed it to 5 in order to be competitive. I know what happens 5 years after a roof gets cleaned in my area and can be prepared for it while my competitors may not.
 
outdoorprowash said:
I left for a day or two and you guys have been bickering like a bunch of school kids. Lol.. or it seems. I still like my way. They are offered an extended warranty only if I have to return a few years later and they don't have to buy it. I did warranty my roof cleanings for 3 years and I recently changed it to 5 in order to be competitive. I know what happens 5 years after a roof gets cleaned in my area and can be prepared for it while my competitors may not.
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George, do you charge a pro rated charge to come back within that five years or is it free to the customer?
 
Doug Rucker said:
Not sure whats contradictory Marcus, I do not offer a warranty. Some of the companies I go against do. I tell the customer to read the fine print of the warranty that others offer.
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Now I understand. You left out the "others offer" before and I misunderstood you. No offense intended.
 
I started this threat to bring to your attention that I have been getting alot of feedback about the so called warranty for roof cleaning. We have just finshed building our roof cleaning maintenance program (not warranties)this week and will be rolling it out next week. In our eyes we will be able to obtain more repeat customers and if we are in contact with them every two years we have a better shot at doing more work for them. This was ment to be an educational thread and is not about bashing anyone. Have a great weekend all and get out there and build your business.
 
innovativewash said:
I started this threat to bring to your attention that I have been getting alot of feedback about the so called warranty for roof cleaning. We have just finshed building our roof cleaning maintenance program (not warranties)this week and will be rolling it out next week. In our eyes we will be able to obtain more repeat customers and if we are in contact with them every two years we have a better shot at doing more work for them. This was ment to be an educational thread and is not about bashing anyone. Have a great weekend all and get out there and build your business.
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Great thread James
 
innovativewash said:
I started this threat to bring to your attention that I have been getting alot of feedback about the so called warranty for roof cleaning. We have just finshed building our roof cleaning maintenance program (not warranties)this week and will be rolling it out next week. In our eyes we will be able to obtain more repeat customers and if we are in contact with them every two years we have a better shot at doing more work for them. This was ment to be an educational thread and is not about bashing anyone. Have a great weekend all and get out there and build your business.
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We should be thanking you for sharing. Thank you! I am interested in the outcome of your maintenance plan. I could be wrong, but warranty just seems more attractive. I would surely try the maintenance thing again if you find that it works.
 
I just remembered I have one annual roof maiintenance customer where I spray mildew retardant on once a year. If anything show up I will just hit it with the roof mix. I think the retardant will be friendlier to the roof. I'll wait for someone to ask what I use. Just for the pleasure of keeping you in suspence. :eek:)
 
I offered a similar warranty when I was in the service end of the business. If you do a search for warranty verbiage, you will find FTC web pages that spell out exactly what you can say. I warranted my deck cleaning and sealing service with a 3-year pro-rated warranty (like a tire dealer gives you). It allowed me (actually forced me, if you want to say it that way) to make my customers happy. I got a chance to come back and do maintenance work (easy work, low cost, and the customer got a fantastic price). The end result was that my customers were always happy, remembered who I was, and always called me back.

The guy who wants to beat you up with a warranty claim simply has to pay for what he already used up. After a year, a job that was $600 originally would now only be $200. After two years, it would be $400. After 2 years and 11 months, the job priced out at $583. Everybody was happy. I guess I don't understand why this would be a problem for anybody. It is a marketing tool that can be used wisely. It worked for me.

By the way, I cleaned my own roof about four years ago. (Shortly before I fell off that very same roof doing another honey-do task :frown:). I live in a heavily wooded area with tons of shade and mold, and the moss was about 1" thick at the time (north side). Not a single sign of moss or roof stain has re-appeared yet. It must be clean livin' and the warranty I gave myself that's keeping the problem away.
 
outdoorprowash said:
I just remembered I have one annual roof maiintenance customer where I spray mildew retardant on once a year. If anything show up I will just hit it with the roof mix. I think the retardant will be friendlier to the roof. I'll wait for someone to ask what I use. Just for the pleasure of keeping you in suspence. :eek:)
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Ok what?


Ron Musgraves text me for questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute
 
Pete Marentay said:
I offered a similar warranty when I was in the service end of the business. If you do a search for warranty verbiage, you will find FTC web pages that spell out exactly what you can say. I warranted my deck cleaning and sealing service with a 3-year pro-rated warranty (like a tire dealer gives you). It allowed me (actually forced me, if you want to say it that way) to make my customers happy. I got a chance to come back and do maintenance work (easy work, low cost, and the customer got a fantastic price). The end result was that my customers were always happy, remembered who I was, and always called me back.

The guy who wants to beat you up with a warranty claim simply has to pay for what he already used up. After a year, a job that was $600 originally would now only be $200. After two years, it would be $400. After 2 years and 11 months, the job priced out at $583. Everybody was happy. I guess I don't understand why this would be a problem for anybody. It is a marketing tool that can be used wisely. It worked for me.

By the way, I cleaned my own roof about four years ago. (Shortly before I fell off that very same roof doing another honey-do task :frown:). I live in a heavily wooded area with tons of shade and mold, and the moss was about 1" thick at the time (north side). Not a single sign of moss or roof stain has re-appeared yet. It must be clean livin' and the warranty I gave myself that's keeping the problem away.
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Great stuff Pete


Ron Musgraves text me for questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute
 
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