Al Patterson
Member
Not every ones definition on being successful Is the same, I started becoming successful the day I quit my job, but to me its not really called successful but I have been truly Blessed
Can you price to High?
- Thread starter Al Patterson
- Start date
Not every ones definition on being successful Is the same, I started becoming successful the day I quit my job, but to me its not really called successful but I have been truly Blessed
Scott Stone
New member
Curious. I consider my little pressure washing operation to be somewhat successful. I have 6 vehicles, 5 trailers, a nice home, my wife does not work, and I work about 30 hours a week, usually all in a row. (yeah I hate that part) My prices are what many call low balling. It doesn't matter to me. I am happy, and am able to do things that most on here dream of, I could afford a much larger home, I could afford a Mercedes, but I prefer a more simple life style, where I don't have to worry about a customer that has gotten behind a month, and owes me $10k. I just wait it out because I know he will pay, if not, I know where he lives. 
So my wife scoots around town in a Civic, I drive my truck, and my kids are happy. If we want something more, we get it. We also are able to help a lot of other people live a better life.
For pricing, figure out what you want to have after the job is complete. Figure out what it will cost you to do the work, with all expenses. Put the two numbers together. Be happy, and move on. If your numbers are wrong, fix it the next time.
So my wife scoots around town in a Civic, I drive my truck, and my kids are happy. If we want something more, we get it. We also are able to help a lot of other people live a better life. For pricing, figure out what you want to have after the job is complete. Figure out what it will cost you to do the work, with all expenses. Put the two numbers together. Be happy, and move on. If your numbers are wrong, fix it the next time.
DJ Carroll
Member
Why don't you guys understand????? Is their no competitive edge in your bodies? Is there no will to dominate? I mean have you all ever heard the saying the sky is the limit? Don't short change your self guys. Now im not saying pressure washing is going to make you a millionaire but it creates the cash flow so you can invest in other thing to get you there . . . Ken and i talked last night and we both agreed that 500k is the number . . . you are living with out any troubles and with out any worries. I mean guy i know im still knew but all this stuff is real if you don't want to believe me cause im young or what ever thats fine but get at me in 15 yrs and see where my "High Prices" got me!!!
Good luck to you guys!
Good luck to you guys!
Squirtgun
New member
Curious. I consider my little pressure washing operation to be somewhat successful. I have 6 vehicles, 5 trailers, a nice home, my wife does not work, and I work about 30 hours a week, usually all in a row. (yeah I hate that part) My prices are what many call low balling. It doesn't matter to me. I am happy, and am able to do things that most on here dream of, I could afford a much larger home, I could afford a Mercedes, but I prefer a more simple life style, where I don't have to worry about a customer that has gotten behind a month, and owes me $10k. I just wait it out because I know he will pay, if not, I know where he lives.
For pricing, figure out what you want to have after the job is complete. Figure out what it will cost you to do the work, with all expenses. Put the two numbers together. Be happy, and move on. If your numbers are wrong, fix it the next time.
You have low balled your way to a pretty nice life style buddy.Hope I can get there some day.
Scott Stone
New member
I think I am competitive enough. I concetrate on a particular market, and do very well with it. I am under the philosophy that pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered. Incidentally, I average around $150 an hour for my crews and me, including sales time. Figure up how much time you are selling, and subtract that from whatever you make on production and see if you can match it.
Everyone always says that they make $100 an hour because they charge a premium price, but, they forget to include in the calculation that they have to spend 2 or 3 hours selling for every hour they work, so that real number drops from $100 to $25 or $30 an hour, really quick. I prefer to have revenue producing work than squeezing every dollar out of a potential customer.
Everyone always says that they make $100 an hour because they charge a premium price, but, they forget to include in the calculation that they have to spend 2 or 3 hours selling for every hour they work, so that real number drops from $100 to $25 or $30 an hour, really quick. I prefer to have revenue producing work than squeezing every dollar out of a potential customer.
DJ, Please stop referring to Mr., Patterson as BrO!
Al is a hard working man trying to find out how possibly to get off the wand. Or perhaps like Scott, Russ, Matt Bryan who all work to stay on top of their game.
Guys, all this is about business philosophy. It’s a choice you make, some may struggle and others find it easy.
When you have been around ten year or have a business track record of ten years or more that’s says something in itself. The money you make is your personal choice.
Others have made millions and thats super also.
Dj, please be more professional when address your elders. Thanks
People are here to learn, we need to all just be respectful of each other.
Al is a hard working man trying to find out how possibly to get off the wand. Or perhaps like Scott, Russ, Matt Bryan who all work to stay on top of their game.
Guys, all this is about business philosophy. It’s a choice you make, some may struggle and others find it easy.
When you have been around ten year or have a business track record of ten years or more that’s says something in itself. The money you make is your personal choice.
Others have made millions and thats super also.
Dj, please be more professional when address your elders. Thanks
People are here to learn, we need to all just be respectful of each other.
DJ Carroll
Member
Ron, i wasn't referring to bro as disrespectful. . .
my point was just that why not want it all?
my point was just that why not want it all?
Ron, you ever think maybe an older guy would like to treated like he wasn't so old????? My friend's kids call me Mr. JON or SIR and I hate it!
I disagree with what you and Scott are saying as far as your $$ being a personal decision. Maybe Scott has all of his equip. paid off, owns his vehicles, etc. and can AFFORD to charge less, since he needs less money. Is that a good reason to charge less?? I don't think so! That will effectively drive down the cost of the service. Hypothetically, Scott could charge a job for half as much as RonM. since he has less expenses. Is that good business?? I say no......it is shortsighted at best. Sure, Scott might be putting the $$ he needs in his pocket right now.....but what if Scott gets hurt and is required to hire an Ops Manager to take over his role. Can you afford to pay him his 50K and you still be making the amount of $$ you need to make?? And then what do you do once you see that he cannot close as well as you, doesn't put out as much work as you, etc......so efficiency starts to go down? You are all of a sudden in the same boat as Ron----a hands-off business owner that needs to charge more for his services. Problem is, all of your clients expect things to cost half as much as they are really worth.
So that puts you in that "tween" area where you are reaping major diminishing returns because you don't have 'quite' enough crews/guys to hit that next level of profit. So you have to ramp back down to square one.
To the original poster:
Man, I just cringe when I read a post like that. It begs the question, "what are you worth?" Will you tell us?? What is the exact value of what you provide to people? At the end of the week, are you worth $1000 of true salary? $500? What number have you placed on yourself? A doctor might make 3K a week.....but he has a lot of education and saves lives, so you aren't worth that much, right?
I just cannot see how people can have such a skewed view of supply and demand. People complain about athletes' pay being too high.....no, they get paid what the demand for their services dictates. I get so sick of hearing people whine about teachers getting paid too little (my mom is a teacher btw)----no, they get paid what that particular service demands. They didn't have to CHOOSE to be a teacher if they didn't like the money. If anyone ever hears me talking about how proud I am of myself for not charging very much and ripping off my customers, please come disembowel me with a dull knife
Man, I just cringe when I read a post like that. It begs the question, "what are you worth?" Will you tell us?? What is the exact value of what you provide to people? At the end of the week, are you worth $1000 of true salary? $500? What number have you placed on yourself? A doctor might make 3K a week.....but he has a lot of education and saves lives, so you aren't worth that much, right?
I just cannot see how people can have such a skewed view of supply and demand. People complain about athletes' pay being too high.....no, they get paid what the demand for their services dictates. I get so sick of hearing people whine about teachers getting paid too little (my mom is a teacher btw)----no, they get paid what that particular service demands. They didn't have to CHOOSE to be a teacher if they didn't like the money. If anyone ever hears me talking about how proud I am of myself for not charging very much and ripping off my customers, please come disembowel me with a dull knife
Thad
WCR Sales & Founder PWRA
If anyone ever hears me talking about how proud I am of myself for not charging very much and ripping off my customers, please come disembowel me with a dull knife
I'm there for you, Bro.
DJ Carroll
Member
Thad please don't refer to MR. Fife as bro :lol:
Al Patterson
Member
...Glad to meet you you Jon, I'm Al.To the original poster:
Man, I just cringe when I read a post like that. It begs the question, "what are you worth?" Will you tell us?? What is the exact value of what you provide to people? At the end of the week, are you worth $1000 of true salary? $500? What number have you placed on yourself? A doctor might make 3K a week.....but he has a lot of education and saves lives, so you aren't worth that much, right?
I just cannot see how people can have such a skewed view of supply and demand. People complain about athletes' pay being too high.....no, they get paid what the demand for their services dictates. I get so sick of hearing people whine about teachers getting paid too little (my mom is a teacher btw)----no, they get paid what that particular service demands. They didn't have to CHOOSE to be a teacher if they didn't like the money. If anyone ever hears me talking about how proud I am of myself for not charging very much and ripping off my customers, please come disembowel me with a dull knife
Wow.....all I can say is my worth is not measured by dollar amounts, things I own and things that I can lose.
Some will understand this some will not.
I try always to be respectful of others young or old and make a point listening to the ones I might disagree with instead of trying to convince them they are wrong. Usually this happens with family members but some of you guys are taking up the slack.
I wish success to all where ever you may be in your journey!
Hey Al---
I just re-read my post and I'm afraid it may read out more harsh than how I meant it. I'm not taking back anything, as my opinion remains, but perhaps I should have softened my words a little.
Nonetheless, I completely and respectfully disagree with where you are coming from. Am I trying to convince you? Heck yeah, because I think this type of mindset affects the industry.
In an idealist spirit, I can appreciate you alluding to your "self value not being something that can be expressed in dollars." That is great---problem is, this Ghandi-esque mentality is actually going to have a negative impact on a lot of other people. Of course that isn't your desired consequence, but it will happen. You de-value your services in your community, and all of a sudden one guy quits because he cannot sustain at the low prices. House forcloses, move in with in-laws, etc. I think you have a RESPONSIBILITY to others in your industry to try and make things as profitable as possible. And I'm not saying you need to walk around in a floor-length sable coat and drive a Benz---if you don't have a need for as much money, give it away! Isn't that a grand reason to charge and make more money......you'll have more money to give to your charities, church, schools, etc!
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Dj, i know ya alittle. I also know that you would call your father dude. My Son called me dude once, Just once...
Just trying to help you out Dj, not offend you. I met Mr. Al and hes a nice Gent.
I know and understand you being a young guy like my kids you sometimes think this is all new and its ok. The other day someone was using the word of the Jerky Boys. I thought it was kinda funny.
I know you dont call customers that, I hope.
jlpressure
JL Pressure Washing
Me too, i'm here for you Fife
jlpressure
JL Pressure Washing
Its not that the guys don't understand, well some dont but many dont want all that others want in a biz. You can't fault anyone for that.
Al Patterson
Member
Hey Al---
I just re-read my post and I'm afraid it may read out more harsh than how I meant it. I'm not taking back anything, as my opinion remains, but perhaps I should have softened my words a little. Matter of fact, I am planning on having Apple, Don Phelps, Peerless, and the othe Florida roof guys coach me on my cyber-kindness
Nonetheless, I completely and respectfully disagree with where you are coming from. Am I trying to convince you? Heck yeah, because I think this type of mindset affects the industry.
In an idealist spirit, I can appreciate you alluding to your "self value not being something that can be expressed in dollars." That is great---problem is, this Ghandi-esque mentality is actually going to have a negative impact on a lot of other people. Of course that isn't your desired consequence, but it will happen. You de-value your services in your community, and all of a sudden one guy quits because he cannot sustain at the low prices. House forcloses, move in with in-laws, etc. I think you have a RESPONSIBILITY to others in your industry to try and make things as profitable as possible. And I'm not saying you need to walk around in a floor-length sable coat and drive a Benz---if you don't have a need for as much money, give it away! Isn't that a grand reason to charge and make more money......you'll have more money to give to your charities, church, schools, etc!
Hey Jeff, I have to much $$ and time invested in my business to be labeled as a Low baller. This was posted because it was a win win situation for both the homeowner and me(which by the way was a soldier that was selling his home because he is being deployed for the 3rd time)
It made him feel good that he got a good deal and it made me feel good that I could make him feel good, if that makes any sense.
My belief system is pretty simple and I use this in all aspects of my life....Seems like for me the more I give the more I'm blessed.
Funny I feel like if I say to much....I will be banned!
By the way Scappy, I don't know if you remember me but I met you in Alabama
Russ Spence
Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
Al please feel free to speak openly, as long as members are respectful (like you always are) THEY HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR ! Its ok to disagree
DJ Carroll
Member
I remember ya Al!
No disrespect at all i just have a diff. out look . . . thats what makes business so great one can do one thing the others can do something else ...
I love a good argument get the blood rushing . . . which may be a bad thing for some of you older guys
j/k
No disrespect at all i just have a diff. out look . . . thats what makes business so great one can do one thing the others can do something else ...
I love a good argument get the blood rushing . . . which may be a bad thing for some of you older guys
j/k
I remember ya Al!
No disrespect at all i just have a diff. out look . . . thats what makes business so great one can do one thing the others can do something else ...
I love a good argument get the blood rushing . . . which may be a bad thing for some of you older guys
j/k
Thanks Dj, I'll keep that blood pressure down. LOL