My oponion

Russ Spence

Russ Spence

Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
What is the largest problem with this industry ? I know the answer and I am sure I am beating a dead horse but the largest problem I see everyday is everyone that is new feels they can buy a washer and get a business name and now they own a business !

Let me ask you this when you want to start a painting company dont you first learn how to paint ?

When you want to drive a big rig truck , do you buy one and hook to a trailer and then start working ?

Well I have a thought , I may buy a bank and start banking !

Whats the difference ? It seems the idea here is that I want my own business so I will just pressure wash! It does not matter that I will be trying to clean hunderds of thousands of dollars of property that I dont own I just want to learn and as soon as I can afford it I will get some insurance but it wont be that good just enough to say I have it , I dont care if it will fix or pay anything just exclude all I can so I can get the job and make me some money ! TO HELL WITH THE COST AS LONG AS I CAN GET PAID

How do we make a change in that ? Who governs who get to and who does not ? People cut hair but the must first go to barber school , teachers teach but must first go to school. You get the point

I get no less tha 5 new calls a day that normally go like this
"hello Mr Spence , my name is -------- I own professional pressure cleaning of ................ I want to know what do you use to clean a house ? How do you clean a roof ? I own a Professional Roof Cleaning company and I dont have equipment ! or Mr Spence I own a pressure wash service and I was wondering "Do I need hot water to clean and degrease a gas station ?

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH

See what I mean , I would love to hear some oponions ?
 
Hello Mr. Spence I have a quick question for you...where would I find a decent pressure washer....for my professional business.
Just kidding
Russ I know what you mean I get alot of calls like that as well. Most people out of state. It drives me nuts too. As far as a solution one way that would work is mandate a pw license just like a gc license. But it would have to be a state run program and state certified or no one would care about it.
 
We all want into the business for our own reasons. Right now I am part time Power washer with a full time job. Ny goal is to grow the business and take advantage of the opportunities I see around me. I have a decent paying job I do not care for, I sit at a desk all day. I have always wanted to have my own business that made sense to me. I have tried a few other business ventures that did not satisfy what I am looking for. Up to this point I am pleased with where I am. I will get smarter and stronger thaks to this board and the round tables that are scattered about. The laws of business will take care of the folks that fake it. Shoddy work, bad business habits, no marketing keeps the little people little.
Russ, you have helped to provide opportunity to the "problem". I thank you, Ron and many others that share some of your experiences. I don't take it lightly and respect you all for sharing. I intend to contiue to bust my azz making my dream work. See you at the ATL RT. I am looking forward to meeting everyone.
 
get an unlisted number?
Just make sure all the potential customers know how to find you!
 
Great Question! Simply though, I think it breaks down to the integrity of the work. I've had more requests for insurance applications in the residential market this year, then all other years combined. People have been getting burned! But our only two choices to deal with this are mandated government intervention, or some "acceptance" with non-government intervention. In the
"barber" example, schools must be attended and certifications produced before you can do the work. If we had to do that (assuming we paid for the schools), we'd be broke before putting our first new man on the job.
You don't want to stifle entrepreneurs, but it would be nice to see some parity in the obligations and the level of work. I think our best chance is in educating the customer. Do you really want to put your 30K deck and 300K house in the hands of this guy without insurance, knowledge or any discernible history? If so, good luck and God bless!
 
Smilies dont make hand gestures!
 
Russ,
Sorry, but painters are no different. In Ohio you need no lisence, education, Bonding, etc. Only a vehicle & ladder to paint. It sucks. However those guys don't usually last long. Same as PWers. They bid cheap and do a cheap job. Usually someone gets hurt and that is all it takes. Most folks don't carry any insurance, WC, etc. They are afly by night company. I solve the problem by showing the customer the Value of hiring us. It is with insurance papers, Accreditation through a National Organization, Education, years of experience, only full time employees, no subs, a list of referals, clean vehicles and employees. We paid a lot of years to get where we are at. We charge 25-100% more than most contractors. That includes PWing and Painting. The low ballers are not our competition. They are for price shoppers that don't know the difference between a great job and one that is terrible. Differentiate and show Value. Never cut prices. That will bring out the real customers. Thank You.
 
Grant said:
Smilies dont make hand gestures!
Click to expand...

Oh really?

<a href="http://www.clipartof.com"><img src="http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/thumbnail2/1128_flipping_off_and_sticking_tongue_out.gif" alt="Free Smileys & Emoticons at Clipart of.com" border="0"></a>

(Not meant to offend anyone, just to prove a point.)
 
Hey Russ
Guy goes to the barber and says "Take a chunk of hair out here, another chunk of hair out of there, and then another big piece out of back there, then I want you to take a razor and shave it on an angle just like this"
Barber says "Why would you want me to do that."
Guy says "Well that's how you did it the last time I was here"

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Funny how many thimes in life, that people think "Well just how hard can it be". "I'll do that myself and make a ton of money." "Why don't I call the experianced guys/gals, they'll tell me all their trade secrets and "shazam" I'm in business. This is going to be so easy, I can't believe everyone isn't doing it.
 
Hey Russ

Just give them bogus info, then hang up and have yourself a laugh...
Most of the calls i got from my yellow book ads, were new companies looking for advise or people looking for work..
 

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Well I have afew things to say here..... First off I thank all of you! I was new here earlier this year, and the help I have gotten from everyone has set me years ahead of where I am now. Its been better than learning the hard way. I have been able to call and ask many many many questions to alot of people here on the board. I know alot of you get annoyed by people asking questions alot, but at the same time, you might be the one helping someone putting food on the table for some powerwashers kids? When I joined this board I was trying to sell my house before forclosure. (they killed my overtime I needed to make all the bills) I cleaned my roof, and thought maybe I can do this for others....... Just a thought. I was able to pull out of forclosure and become a company. I am glad I am not a lab rat pushing buttons anymore, and I can say thanks to everyone in here! Now I do know your not bashing on new guys, just the fly by night ones who do it with no insurence, and no training. Keep yourself and your company professional and I think you will take care your self and hold your own just fine. The fly by night guys will go under after they mess up afew homes. We had a guy on craigslist near me who probily seen my craigslist ad and had the great idea of doing the same thing. His first line was- WE PRESSURE WASH ROOFS! He be gone soon, its all survival of the fittest!


Sorry if I got off the beaten path.... but Thanks!
 
Ok Im a new guy just starting out. I thought to myself last year after powerwashing my deck...wow, this wasn't to hard, maybe i can do this and see where it goes, make some money....Little did i know that there was a TON of information i did not know.....technique, different types of equipment, chemicals and not to mention the mixing of chemicals amongst a lot of others.

as a new guy, i thought this site was all about sharing information. a good resource to read what works and what doesn't. experiences good and bad. power washers helping out power washers and maybe a friendship here and there.
I have sent maybe 5 to 7 private posts asking questions that i could not find the answer for myself. (and i was hesitant to make that initial contact) sometimes there is so much information and don't feel like wasting 30 minutes trying to sift through the posts....I spend HOURS not minutes looking and reading through not only this site but the PT state and grime scene. I have gained VALUABLE information and different perspectives. I have insurance, i have equipment, i advertise, i am trying to do everything the right way from the get go....i would never think of calling bob from pressure tek without purchasing something. just yesterday i spent over 1100 on a surface cleaner devlan pump set up and other misc stuff. now i have a working relationship with someone who i can call. I would NEVER IN MY LIFE call someone without their permission to ask what chemical i should use....
My point is this....there are legitimate guys here who are trying their damndest to start something profitable in their life and need alittle insight or guidance. That's what i thought this site was all about....exchanging knowledge. i said this before in another post and i will say it again. i joined this site to get YOUR knowledge with EVERY intention on returning the favor down the road to someone else who is going to need MY knowledge when i have the experience. I truly hope that this thread wasn't started because of my question in the fleet automobile thread that was "knocked"

as for people calling guys who they don't know or have never talked with on the message boards...shame on you, it is very rude. that takes balls. For the record, when i ask a question it is because i either don't know or am getting confused reading all the different opinions because of my lack of expertise.

i also want to thank those who have taken the time to answer any questions i may have asked. it is very much appreciated and i hope to someday return the favor.
you want to solve the problem, remove the phone numbers from the signature. if someone wants to call you send them the number via private message.
 
Palmetto Roof said:
Well I have afew things to say here..... First off I thank all of you! I was new here earlier this year, and the help I have gotten from everyone has set me years ahead of where I am now. Its been better than learning the hard way. I have been able to call and ask many many many questions to alot of people here on the board. I know alot of you get annoyed by people asking questions alot, but at the same time, you might be the one helping someone putting food on the table for some powerwashers kids? When I joined this board I was trying to sell my house before forclosure. (they killed my overtime I needed to make all the bills) I cleaned my roof, and thought maybe I can do this for others....... Just a thought. I was able to pull out of forclosure and become a company. I am glad I am not a lab rat pushing buttons anymore, and I can say thanks to everyone in here! Now I do know your not bashing on new guys, just the fly by night ones who do it with no insurence, and no training. Keep yourself and your company professional and I think you will take care your self and hold your own just fine. The fly by night guys will go under after they mess up afew homes. We had a guy on craigslist near me who probily seen my craigslist ad and had the great idea of doing the same thing. His first line was- WE PRESSURE WASH ROOFS! He be gone soon, its all survival of the fittest!


Sorry if I got off the beaten path.... but Thanks!
Click to expand...

Jeff,
The fly by night guys don't have the phone numbers of more experienced contractors like Russ,Ron or even me.They are to busy doing $49 housewashes to make beer money to come to these sites.It's the guys that find the BBS's and are just to darned lazy to do some reading or use the search function the BBS provides.



Russ I get the same kind of calls.
It's not that I mind helping,but I want to help they guys who want to help themselves.Meaning they did some research and looked for an answer on one of the BBS and didn't find it so they called.
However,if they want me to tell them how to set up their insurance,rig,bidding,invoicing etc. then be prepared to pay me for the time taken away from my business.
 
Good post bigragu, EXCEPT we don't know what your name is!
 
I got a call the other day from a guy that wanted to work for free to learn.

The bad thing is not that he wanted to learn it was he had already leased a new machine which was to small to do what he wanted (Gas stations)and he didn't have a clue if he even liked this type of work.

You have to like this work to stay in it.I didn't want to kill the guys dream but just because it looks easy its not.

But we all started somewhere,didn't we.I wonder how many guys start up and fail within a year?I would bet more get tired of it than actually fail financially.
 
I get calls like that at least 2 or 3 times a week.

I ask them some questions and ask them if they really want to get into the business for some quick money or actually want to start a business and let them know that it is not as easy as it looks.

I give them some questions to ask themselves to see if they are serious enough to put out the real effort, real money, and be responsible to start a business or if it is just for some beer money or whatever else they will use it for.

Don't get me wrong, there are some guys out there that I have talked to that really wanted to quit the rat race and do something else and had the funds to do it right and do the right things like insurance, learning from people instead of experimenting on people's property, etc...

I don't mind helping them out as long as it is not while I am working earning a living or spending time with my son.

I agree about the lazy guys that want to be bottle-fed since they will not use the search button and have a hissy-fit if you call them on it and remind them that there is so much information out there, not too much stuff has not been covered yet but after doing some sort of effort, feel free to ask away and we will help but try some searching first at least.
 
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