Doing a driveway demo next week...

[Doug Rucker]

Darryl I dont mean to sound negative but a demo is a small area to show your ability's not cleaning an entire driveway. Is the hoa asking for bids on the work or are you trying to sell them. If they are not taking bids its because they dont want it done or cant afford it. I have been in this business for a long time and seen it too many times. Never do a complete job for free hoping to get more work out of it 9.9 times out of 10 someones trying to take you for a ride.

+10000..... Learned my lesson years ago...

 

[JDhomeservices]

It adds akalinity to the sh when in combination the synergy of the two compounds produce more heat and cleaning power.It really works well and takes that second step out alot of times if those molds spore spots are present.It also can be great if you dont have heat or your burner acts up.

Awesome! I have been wondering if there is a way to handle those spore spots without hot water! I'll have to try that! Where can I get caustic? I found a local chemical supplier that sells it by 15 gallon barrels, but not beads.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

["Red"]

Can you do 1/2 of it and then the other half next week or in 2 weeks so people can see the difference?

I think that people will really notice the driveway 1/2 clean where if it is clean, some people may not realize it was dirty or how dirty it was, just my opinion.

That would make a great before and after picture and also a 1/2 clean/dirty picture also.

I'm sure they would notice, but I don't think that would leave a favorable impression on me. They might wonder why I only did half the job and quit (the stigma that I couldn't finish the job scares me). I doubt anyone will stop and ask the homeowner why he only cleaned half his driveway either. I not sure many people would realize it was a marketing method and just drive on by.

I mentioned this would be a great place for a stencil. If I stenciled right at the end of the driveway, people might understand that it was done on purpose, but I don't have a stencil yet.

Now, when they see his driveway and start noticing how bad most of the others are, they may take a second look at their own when they get home.

It also adds a small amount of pressure on neighbors to get theirs cleaned (don't want to be the only one with a nasty house).

 

[Christopher]

You have some good points.

I was thinking of doing something similar to what I mentioned but also put yard signs that say roof cleaning, 1/2 now and the other 1/2 in 2 weeks so you can see the difference or something like that but the print would be too small for the yard sign to be read out by the street so I did not go with that idea.

A stencil would be a great idea but if you don't have one, it would probably take a week more or less to have one made and ship it to you.

Another idea is do a demo video like what Ron has shown 100's of times where the camera is focused on the surface cleaner and concrete and slowly back it up while cleaning and showing the difference or have it focused on the concrete and you move the surface cleaner into view then back out slowly showing the clean concrete, either way it is a great opportunity for a great before/after picture and/or video.

Just my opinion.

 

["Red"]

Darryl I dont mean to sound negative but a demo is a small area to show your ability's not cleaning an entire driveway. Is the hoa asking for bids on the work or are you trying to sell them. If they are not taking bids its because they dont want it done or cant afford it. I have been in this business for a long time and seen it too many times. Never do a complete job for free hoping to get more work out of it 9.9 times out of 10 someones trying to take you for a ride.

Considering the whole thing was my idea, I don't see how anyone is going to "take me for a ride". I've already done work in the neighborhood, but it was in a cul-de-sac with very little traffic. This house is within 10 from the entrance on the main road to get to everywhere else.

I don't consider it any different than sending out 1000 postcards/flyers. It's hit or miss advertising. Besides, postcards/flyers don't generate quality word of mouth advertising like a happy customer. A couple hours of my time is cheap compared to most of the alternatives. I choose to be proactive instead of just waiting for the phone to ring.

As for the HOA not wanting or not being able to afford it, that's not my concern. My intent is to get the HOA to publicize to the members/owners the need to get it done and if they use me, I'll give a percentage back to the HOA.

I'm still working out the details, but I think you understand my motives. The endgame here is getting a long list of customers and referrals.

 

["Red"]

A stencil would be a great idea but if you don't have one, it would probably take a week more or less to have one made and ship it to you.

Fortunately for me, I used to work for a HVAC company that made all their own duct work. They have a plasma cutter in the shop that can cut full sheets of stainless in one pass. I'm planning on talking to them in the next week or so to see if I can get a couple made up on the cheap. Maybe even work out some sort of pricing to get them done for other companies.

Another idea is do a demo video like what Ron has shown 100's of times where the camera is focused on the surface cleaner and concrete and slowly back it up while cleaning and showing the difference or have it focused on the concrete and you move the surface cleaner into view then back out slowly showing the clean concrete, either way it is a great opportunity for a great before/after picture and/or video.

My videographer (nephew) is still in school, so I'll have to wait a little while until I can get some good footage. I'm not really impressed with the average quality videos I see (OCD I suppose) and want to make mine stand out.

 

[Christopher]

Sounds like you have a good plan, keep us informed if the prices for the stainless steel stencils are affordable.

 

[extremecleantn]

In past articles people have mixed caustic and sh and have had very bad chemical reactions, I'm not us if it was because it was in a chemical sprayer or what?

For the homeowner make sure that the hoa will let you put a yard sign up I know in a lot of neighborhoods they will not allow them.

lastly you can give each homeowner a letter telling them to visit you at ....... Address to see a free demo.

 

[extremecleantn]

Red. I sent you a PM

 

["Red"]

In past articles people have mixed caustic and sh and have had very bad chemical reactions, I'm not us if it was because it was in a chemical sprayer or what?

For the homeowner make sure that the hoa will let you put a yard sign up I know in a lot of neighborhoods they will not allow them.

lastly you can give each homeowner a letter telling them to visit you at ....... Address to see a free demo.

Actually the HOA entrance is just beyond this point so it won't be an issue. The good thing is, the HOA doesn't have a separate entrance (gotta love those lakes).

 

[Paul Kassander]

If its a demo clean half, put up a sign then go back in a few weeks and finish. You can send out fliers that tell people to drive by to see the before and after "live and in person" so they can really see the difference. When you go back in a few weeks you will 'refresh' their memory about getting it done and generate some additional work as well.

 

[Kiloman]

Sodium hypoclorinate will not react with caustic to cause explosion,the situation you are talking about is when the guy mix acid and sh together.You dont mix acids and bases together thats like trying to stick magnets together at the wrong ends.

 

["Red"]

What's a good source for caustic?

 

[Kiloman]

Russ at southside can get it for you.It really does a good job of cleaning when added to sh.Just like anything dont go overboard about 2 pounds for every 15 gallons of sh.Do mix the caustic in last stir it in slow dont just dump it all in at one time it will get hot if you mix it to fast or to strong.

 

[Steven Button]

I use this guy in Orlando... $35/50lb bag of caustic.

Mark Hunter
SUNLINE L.L.C.
Office: (407) 896-2129
Cell: (407) 415-8751
www.sunlinellc.com

If you get it from him, tell him I sent you or that you got his details off PWI... he supplies to a lot of janitorial companies and makes custom blends of various chemicals... and is wanting to get more business from us guys!

 

[extremecleantn]

Sodium hypoclorinate will not react with caustic to cause explosion,the situation you are talking about is when the guy mix acid and sh together.You dont mix acids and bases together thats like trying to stick magnets together at the wrong ends.

Good to hear! You never know what you will learn on PWI!

 

["Red"]

What is caustic made of?

 

[Steven Button]

Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, beads, flakes,etc.)

 

[outdoorprowash]

You can just use caustic. If you are using a pressure washer with surface cleaner it will work fine. Be very careful that you don't get it on you or in your eyes because it burns and can make you go blind if too much. White Vinegar will neutralize the caustic if you get it on you or in your shoe. The caustic will darken the mold at first so you should get a shot of the surface cleaner going and it will really pop. EBC is good for this too. Do half and at least take pictures before you finish so you can show people. More activity there will get more attention. I am suspect of anyone who will allow you to do it free. Influential people are not that way, they would pay you something and send referrals if you do good work. Don't let this deter you from working free. I just like doing it for needy people, not greedy ones. Most needy people need food more than pressure washing.

 

["Red"]

I am suspect of anyone who will allow you to do it free. Influential people are not that way, they would pay you something and send referrals if you do good work.

I'm not quite sure what you mean. I made the offer (for a very specific reason), why would I be suspect of someone who accepts? As I mentioned previously, I consider it a cost of doing business (form of advertising). I have 2 restaurants that allow me to put my postcards in their napkin holders and in return I do a certain amount of cleaning. No money changes hands, but we both get what we want.

With this particular job, I'm trading services for advertising. I don't see the difference.

Don't let this deter you from working free. I just like doing it for needy people, not greedy ones. Most needy people need food more than pressure washing.

Have you seen this yet? http://www.propowerwash.com/board/u...et-s-see-yours&p=303267&viewfull=1#post303267