Time for healing PW industry wounds???

[Robert Hinderliter]

Robert has actually demonstrated the solution right in this thread.

That is correct, but I did not think anyone had figured it out!

 

[The Cleaner]

It's funny because when I started in 1993 I had no clue about this BB or what other people were doing. I went out and worked doing my thing up and down the east coast for years. I worked for cities and dealt with small municipalities and large ones, cleaned just about everything from Parking Garages, Prisons, and small driveways. Never once was I confronted by anyone on my reclaim procedures? or anything else for that matter.

If some people want to enlighten the already out of control EPA about us 25% er's in order to gain a monopoly on how they think the reclaim do's and dont's should be written then more power to you. This country is so hypocritical with our laws, we have gone into other countries like South America and totally destroyed complete ecosystems and wiped out many indigenous tribes that were in the way (collateral damage) All in the name of natural resources !! Hell a good hard rain does more damage to our eco systems and waterways with Agricultural runoff alone, it would take me a life time of P/W to equal the damage done in seconds of a large storm or natural disaster.

Let's face it the world is polluted to the extent that china no longer knows when there is a fire in a building because of all the smog and industry pollutants spewing out into our atmosphere. Japan has shit floating over here after there tsunami, nuclear facilities on the water with melt downs...oh please give me a break !!! Like George Carlin said, The Earth will fix itself, by stopping plastic bags or diapers in the landfill is not going to mean shit. The Earth has cleansed it'self before and it will do it again....the Earth isn't going anywhere, We Are !!

 

[Robert Hinderliter]

I did take the PWNA Enviro class and certification when I was at there Convention. I think it was free and maybe $50 for the certification test... Have no complaints there cause we market it.

I have had thousands take that class, only two people complained. Almost all of the information is posted free on the Internet. The only cost is your time.

 

[Scott Stone]

Scott there were many meetings and a lot of changes.

Since I was supposed to be on the committee at the time, how come I was never notified, or invited to a single meeting?

 

[Robert Hinderliter]

It's funny because when I started in 1993 I had no clue about this BB or what other people were doing. I went out and worked doing my thing up and down the east coast for years. I worked for cities and dealt with small municipalities and large ones, cleaned just about everything from Parking Garages, Prisons, and small driveways. Never once was I confronted by anyone on my reclaim procedures? or insurances, or anything else for that matter.

If some people want to enlighten the already out of control EPA about us 25% er's in order to gain a monopoly on how they think the reclaim do's and dont's should written then more power to you. This country is so hypocritical with our laws, we have gone into other countries like South America and totally destroyed complete ecosystems and wiped out many indigenous tribes that were in the way (collateral damage) All in the name of natural resources !! Hell a good hard rain does more damage to our eco systems and waterways with Agricultural runoff alone, it would take me a life time of P/W to equal the damage done in seconds of a large storm or natural disaster.

Let's face it the world is polluted to the extent that china no longer knows when there is a fire in a building because of all the smog and industry pollutants spewing out into our atmosphere. Japan has shit floating over here after there tsunami, nuclear facilities on the water with melt downs...oh please give me a break !!! Like George Carlin said, The Earth will fix itself, by stopping plastic bags or diapers in the landfill is not going to mean shit. The Earth has cleansed it'self before and it will do it again....the Earth isn't going anywhere, We Are !!

The Internet for this industry started about 1995, there was very little activity before that. I started a Catalog/Newspaper about 1988 with a lot of informational article, the first of the industry. The first article was on Kitchen Grease EXhaust Cleaning written by a Contract Cleaner.

Later Cleaner Times started publication.

 

[Robert Hinderliter]

Since I was supposed to be on the committee at the time, how come I was never notified, or invited to a single meeting?

I was not incharge of the meetings; so I not have that answer.

 

[Ohio pressure wash]

The problem is the tittle of chairman for the Powerwashers of North American environmental gives water authorities the perception he is.

Why do you think they even listen, they believe he has our best interests at heart. Which we now every understand that's not the case.

Exactly...

How much weight do you suppose the AHJ's would give a single "for profit" distributor?

This is why UAMCC was "benevolently" started.....why the "joint" press release was made. The $1000 seed money for the UAMCC was probably the best grand he ever spent.

Anyone can petition, lobby and advocate.....the number of people they represent is how their words are weighted.

 

[Robert Hinderliter]

Since I was supposed to be on the committee at the time, how come I was never notified, or invited to a single meeting?

My writings were considered too technical, and almost everything was rewritten. My BMPs Table was thrown out, and replaced with Job Specific BMPs.

I felt that everyone should be able to take the basic information and apply it to any situation; time has proved them right.

 

[Clean County PW]

The problem is the tittle of chairman for the Powerwashers of North American environmental gives water authorities the perception he is.

Why do you think they even listen, they believe he has our best interests at heart. Which we now every understand that's not the case.

Thank John for actually clearing this up


Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227

So who's in line to be the UAMCC Enviro chair?? I hope it's a contractor this time and not as a Vendor Contractor either because if it is then these same arguments will just repeat itself...over and over and over etc etc etc.

 

[Clean County PW]

So who's in line to be the UAMCC Enviro chair?? I hope it's a contractor this time and not as a Vendor Contractor either because if it is then these same arguments will just repeat itself...over and over and over etc etc etc.

Since I am no longer a paying UAMCC member at this time and I obviously can't Vote in anything.... The very first choice I would look to get in as a UAMCC enviro chair is a person that is a "pure contractor and very vocal on these and other issues--- Guy Blackmon.

That will take out of the mix that Vendors just do this to make money only(not that I ever agreed with that).

 

[Kristopher Pettitt]

I network with my local competition. One of the biggest jobs we did this yr was thru my local competition. Do I want to see them go out of business...NO.. Where very competitive but one of my goals is not trying to put them out of business. If they went out of business because of me and my company getting to much work then thats there problem just like it is if they get sick or anything like that but my goal if anyone ask is to put XYZ out of business-- I'd say no. I don't think about them.

You contradict yourself right there John. Do we not go out and attempt to steal our competitors jobs? Do we not give demonstrations to prove we can do a better a job? Do we not take pictures and make comments on facebook on how horrible the job was done? My point is that weather we wish it or not we do try to take out our competitor, especially the ones in our own city and/or county. But John, your not totally wrong, we do help each other, it's just we each have a scale mileage. I would give advice to some one in North Carolina, but I certainly won't help my competitor in Riverside. And I don't expect him to help me.

 

[Clean County PW]

You contradict yourself right there John. Do we not go out and attempt to steal our competitors jobs? Do we not give demonstrations to prove we can do a better a job? Do we not take pictures and make comments on facebook on how horrible the job was done? My point is that weather we wish it or not we do try to take out our competitor, especially the ones in our own city and/or county. But John, your not totally wrong, we do help each other, it's just we each have a scale mileage. I would give advice to some one in North Carolina, but I certainly won't help my competitor in Riverside. And I don't expect him to help me.

Ok I understand your point. I was answering as to what my specific goals are for my Company this year such as landing this one garage thats been eluding me(front runner on there bidding process) and things along those lines.

I don't have it anywhere that my goal is to put so and so out of business. I can't worry about what my competition does since I have no control over that. Also since some of these guys I consider business relationship type friends and we do compete against each other I do not want to see them shut shop because of failure.

But I understand your point. I just don't think about it if that makes any sense.

 

[Kristopher Pettitt]

LOL Well of course you're not gonna have it written down some where. No one's that stupid. And if it's true what you say, then I commend you. But, I wonder what the level of help they offer you or your offer your competitors? I don't want to be bitter enemies with my competition, even tried emailing my Riverside competitor and got nothing back. Which doesn't bother me at all and it was just an introduction to open a line of communication. It could be done between to local county competitors who are after the same goals. I'm not saying it's impossible. However I doubt that you only have one competitor. I'd bet money that there are a lot more, maybe even one's you don't know about. Yes, I'm talking about the low-ballers with a rent-me PW in the back of their japan made Toyota pick up. They are my personal worse competitors. I would rather see my riverside competitor land that job then looking at the aftermath that Toyota moron did. There are different levels of competitors. There are the competitors you might give a darn about and then there are those that none of care about, like the Low-ballers.

 

[Clean County PW]

Hey Kris there's around 8-10 million people living here on Long Island. That counts 2 NY city boro's Brooklyn & Queens which are on long Island. The 2 counties around me have over 3 million people.. And there's quite a few Powerwashers here.

Just at the PWNA convention alone in Florida this past October there were 2 newer companies there that are within 30 miles of my house here.... One of those lucky bums won the hydrotek grand prize(how's that for competition..lol)
I also had a Roundtable in the past and met some guys there that gave me plenty of work & vice a versa. All I can do is try to elevate this Industry by connecting with others.. The low ballers and hacks are all around you so what's wrong with connecting with reputable contractors in your area?

I even took a few guys over the years in my area and let them do a Bldg. clean and Deck & house staining jobs and vinyl house Cleanings( stopped doing that because I got other calls around here for contractors who wanted to join in).

Just on PWI alone I worked for a contractor-Jim Vanhandle, worked with a contractor on garages in MD and NY in Rob Huffman and joined in with other contractors to do charity work..

If you want to call some of these guys your enemies let's say... Well keep them close..lol as that Saying goes.. I call these guys friends.

There is a fine line to not give away all your secrets obviously and yes there are some contractors here that cut my bids in half.. Nature of the beast. I stay closer to contractors I can trust. If I get a bad feeling then I stay away from them.

To me it's good business to know your competition because that at most times can work for you.. And them as well.

Different strokes for different folks and you may think you would never do this... Maybe your area is less contractors and they look to cut your balls off to dominate your area more then other places.. I don't know. Not every area is exactly alike... You have to figure that one out for yourself...

Good luck on that of course.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Since I was supposed to be on the committee at the time, how come I was never notified, or invited to a single meeting?

Because they only wanted your name on it. Political purpose


Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227

 

[Ron Musgraves]

LOL Well of course you're not gonna have it written down some where. No one's that stupid. And if it's true what you say, then I commend you. But, I wonder what the level of help they offer you or your offer your competitors? I don't want to be bitter enemies with my competition, even tried emailing my Riverside competitor and got nothing back. Which doesn't bother me at all and it was just an introduction to open a line of communication. It could be done between to local county competitors who are after the same goals. I'm not saying it's impossible. However I doubt that you only have one competitor. I'd bet money that there are a lot more, maybe even one's you don't know about. Yes, I'm talking about the low-ballers with a rent-me PW in the back of their japan made Toyota pick up. They are my personal worse competitors. I would rather see my riverside competitor land that job then looking at the aftermath that Toyota moron did. There are different levels of competitors. There are the competitors you might give a darn about and then there are those that none of care about, like the Low-ballers.

Brother your taking the right steps, get involved


Text me anytime for question 480-522-5227

 

[Doug Rucker]

Gene Beck, Gearold White, Tom Craddock, Adrian Carrier, Marcus Raif, Mike Garza, Mike Stot, Steve (something), David Mirshak, Ken Mirshak, and about 10 more that are all local pressure washing contractors that are all in my phone AND are local competitors. Every one of these guys have referred me work, and I have referred work to most if not all of them. Every once in a while we all get together and have lunch or dinner and just talk shop. Often times I get calls and they tell me what they bid on a job or I tell them what I bid on a job when we know there are multiple bids being sought. I think I am safe to say that we all look at each other as friends first, competitors second, and that's not to say we don't compete, it's just we all get along well.

8 Houston local's have attended my school. Some are still in it, some are not.

Fortunately for us we live in a big enough city where there is plenty of business to go around and we all realize it and are not out to cut each others throat.

I have often said, I'd rather work in a city where we have guy's that know what they are doing than be the one guy that knew what he was doing and the rest were hacks. I'll gladly help out my competition any day, cause all there doing is raising the awareness of what we do.

 

[Clean County PW]

Gene Beck, Gearold White, Tom Craddock, Adrian Carrier, Marcus Raif, Mike Garza, Mike Stot, Steve (something), David Mirshak, Ken Mirshak, and about 10 more that are all local pressure washing contractors that are all in my phone AND are local competitors. Every one of these guys have referred me work, and I have referred work to most if not all of them. Every once in a while we all get together and have lunch or dinner and just talk shop. Often times I get calls and they tell me what they bid on a job or I tell them what I bid on a job when we know there are multiple bids being sought. I think I am safe to say that we all look at each other as friends first, competitors second, and that's not to say we don't compete, it's just we all get along well.

8 Houston local's have attended my school. Some are still in it, some are not.

Fortunately for us we live in a big enough city where there is plenty of business to go around and we all realize it and are not out to cut each others throat.

I have often said, I'd rather work in a city where we have guy's that know what they are doing than be the one guy that knew what he was doing and the rest were hacks. I'll gladly help out my competition any day, cause all there doing is raising the awareness of what we do.

Who knew but that's the same principle I practice...except I'll get zonked here a little bit more then most.

 

[Kristopher Pettitt]

Hmmmm, maybe your right about the different areas we are in. If we're talking about legit business competitors I have three legit competitors. As far as the low-ballers I have probably around 20 if not more from speaking to the local businesses in my area. After reading what you (John) and Dough wrote here I have to change my perspective. I think if my legit competitor called me up and said he wanted to meet and perhaps network or do some training together, I certainly wouldn't blow him off. There are areas that we can help out our competitors, I see this now. However a mutual respectful understanding (especially if we are after the same contract) should be understood. I like what Doug said "friends first, competitors second," and I couldn't agree more. Point being is that even if they are my respected friend/colleague I'm certainly not going back down from a contract we both want.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Hmmmm, maybe your right about the different areas we are in. If we're talking about legit business competitors I have three legit competitors. As far as the low-ballers I have probably around 20 if not more from speaking to the local businesses in my area. After reading what you (John) and Dough wrote here I have to change my perspective. I think if my legit competitor called me up and said he wanted to meet and perhaps network or do some training together, I certainly wouldn't blow him off. There are areas that we can help out our competitors, I see this now. However a mutual respectful understanding (especially if we are after the same contract) should be understood. I like what Doug said "friends first, competitors second," and I couldn't agree more. Point being is that even if they are my respected friend/colleague I'm certainly not going back down from a contract we both want.

Yeah, it's all gotta be built on trust and integrity, which everyone of these guy's have. And none of them, would ever expect me to back down from a contract we both want, and neither should you. But when it's over, shake the guy's hand, congratulate him, and move on to the next one. There is plenty more where that one came from.