newbe looking for any advice.

[dirt]

hey gang!
i am posting my first thread with you guys/ladies and am interested in any advice you may give a new guy.
are there any good sites i should visit for free advice for a beginner.
here is my backround, I own a mobile detailing co since 1997, and many client of mine have inquired about cleaning their windows. I currently have three client that i do windows as well as their vehicles.
i do two resturants. rest. #1 has 5 24"x36" exterior windows, and the insides are divided in four. total # of windows is 25.
exteriors done every month for 14 bucks. every thre mos i do int and exterior at $35.
#2 resterant has 75 window on inside and out veriing in size from approx 6x6, 18x18, with 3 at 18x24". i do int and exterior monthly at $65. i do the outsides every two weeks at$35.
#3 is a residential i charge $1 per window on the first floor, $2 on the second floor. note: i dont have to move the ladder around for the second floor because the roof goes all theway around. this is gravy cause it only takes about an hour without the use of my helper, 25 mins with a helper.
do these rates sound good for my and my client( i donyt want to rip them off, and i beleive i do an excelent job and ewant to be compesated correctly as well)

one more thing...equipment.
i use an ettore scrubber and verious size stell sueegies. my solutions i use is the one from home depot(pricey) or an amonia solution, or amonia and a little dish detergent. should i switch to brasss squeegies? should i use a different cleaning solution?

thanks in advance.

rob
dirt doctors enterprises of tampabay

 

[OrangeCrest]

Ay your prices, you can't have insurance, do you?

I would dump the help, because you are raping yourself blind.

The window washer in my area charges $40 per house, verses your $17.

The guys I have seen post use Gleam, which I suppose is the same as Dawn dishwashing soap.

I may be reading your post wrong, but if it were correct, I would re-adjust my prices quick.

If you do a search on this board (I think the post were around 1.5 years ago), I believe the price per sq ft should work out to be about .15-cents per sq ft., or about $2.50 per side of a normal size window at a storefront.

Good luck, window washing is supposed to pay better than P/W, with hardly any overhead.

Best advise though, get insurance if you don't already have it.

 

[dirt]

how much insurance will i need and what is the cost. what is the reason you suggest insurance so much? i dont do many clients and my eat up everypenny due to the fact i only do this paet time. what is the minimum amout of coverage to get?
my auto detailing biz is insured and let me tell you it is expensive!
thanks for replying
dirt

 

[squirtgun]

low...........

Dirt,
Your prices are way to low.We get $8 per window (average size) frame on residential (more for large windowspicture windows,sliding doors,etc.)
OrangeCrest is right on the commercial windows $2.50 to $3.00 per side is about all you can get,but it's still pays good if you know how to do glass fast(practice is the only way to get fast)We use all Ettore products including their window wash concentrate.Brass squeeges don't preform any better than steel,these are merely the holder for the rubber edge,some guys prefer silicone,we have never tried it.
Our insurance falls in with our PWing business.When we only offered window washing we carried 250,000 liability,can't remember how much it cost now,but I know it was not a lot of $$$.
OrangeCrest is also right that you need to raise your prices,you are hurting the guys that offer windows that are charging what they should and have insurance.Why insurance?Break a window,stomp some little old ladies flowers,damage some siding with a ladder etc. and see why you need insurance.

 

[dirt]

word!

 

[windowman]

What type of windows are in the residential job (double hung, casements)? Pricing will vary from market to market. You should shop your competition, most will give phone quotes, others will come out and give you an onsite estimate. Adjust accordingly, and fast. We run a window cleaning service, and run 90% residential an 10% commercial. Insurance is a must like the guys mentioned, it's also a good selling tool.

Solution is up to you, most companies use DAWN dish soap, we use a proprietary solution to our company.

There is excellent money in residential window cleaning, we currently have two three man crews, each crew generates on average about $200K/year.

We are looking to add PW as an additional revenue stream. We also offer gutter cleaning and blind cleaning.

If you want more information email me at gary@noonshine.com

Good Luck!

Gary

 

[degraffreed]

Squirtgun, do you do any Residential powerwashing?

Degraff

Jaycam Pressure Washing

 

[squirtgun]

PWing

Originally posted by degraffreed
Squirtgun, do you do any Residential powerwashing?

Degraff

Jaycam Pressure Washing

We do residential and commercial,we have been doing a lot more commercial than anything else lately.We have done a few decks,and we are getting more calls for housewashes.We would like to be doing a lot more.

 

[degraffreed]

Squirtgun,

How do you go after the commercial jobs? Such as your new strip malls under construction, TGif, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. I know that a lot of commercial units are going up around me and I would like to get in on this industry. Any info is greatly appreciated and since we are not close in distance, no need to fear me.

Degraff

Jaycam Pressure Washing

 

[squirtgun]

commercial work

Originally posted by degraffreed
Squirtgun,

How do you go after the commercial jobs? Such as your new strip malls under construction, TGif, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. I know that a lot of commercial units are going up around me and I would like to get in on this industry. Any info is greatly appreciated and since we are not close in distance, no need to fear me.

Degraff

Jaycam Pressure Washing

Start by approaching the manager of the restaurants,for strip malls you can try to get the number of the owner or property management company.A fair amount of our commercial work was carried over from the days when we only washed windows.
For new construction The general contractor is the guy to see.The $$$ for commercial work varies greatly.fastfood places don'tr pay as well as TGIf or Ruby Tuesdays.Good luck!!!

 

[Bufnwax]

Insurance

K...I know this is a sore subject with most guys, let me tell you what 22 years of being in business has dictated as far as insurances and coverage.
We jumped on the insurance with a commercial "Big Dog" policy, including a plethora of jingles and jangles from the getgo. If memory serves me right it was about 6% of monthly receipts...When we had to expand the business the price of insurance became enough of an issue, that we had to have meetings twice a month about it!
I've long since trashed the receipts to show you guys the numbers but here it is in a nutshell...DON'T get business insurance...There I said it!! Now, before everyone drops their soup bowl...lemme tell you why.
Of the incidents that could possibly be considered as a bonafied claim, the insurance company paid ZERO...Worse yet, on more than one occasion the agent advised me that another claim PAID OR NOT would raise our rates or worse CANCEL our policy!
So, here I am writing them a check each month for $$$. NONE of our "claims" were over $1,000...Hence, the deductibles were not met. Unfortunately, they kept a sort of "log book" of incidents on us and at the magic intersection of factor"A" and factor "B" rates are raised -%. Wahla! I contracted with 2 what I call "non-standard" insurers in the first 3 years of business and a standard insurer (Nation----) the next 2 years...All it amounted to was this.
We paid 6-9% outof OUR bottomline to an insurer ON TOP of paying each and EVERY claim out-of-pocket anyway!
I don't have insurance now...I had a paralegal draw up a contractural agreement -- that for all intent and purpose is a disclaimer of "incidental damages" ie: grandmas favorite hibiscus gets damaged. Yes, I know it won't hold water...THE CUSTOMER DOESN'T! 99% of the time we're careful. But haven't lost a single account through fault either.
When we're done for the day and on our way back to the shop, the signs come off the truck. I figure, in the last 17 years, I've paid for most of my equipment, taken a 2 week vacation each summer and maintained all the standard automotive policies with the money we've saved by NOT having a commercial policy!
Of course there are incidents...If anyone here thinks the customer is buying YOUR service because so n so's "insured" you'd be mistaken...It's the face man! Tell em up front what you're gonna do to make it right with them and shake their hand. 99.9% of the time - all is forgiven...
I don't have my insurance man's business card...I don't buy him tickets to a Lighting game or even lunch em once in awhile. I shop rates every year for the minimum coverage and LEAVE if the rate goes up $10 a month.
Okay, bring it on!

 

[OrangeCrest]

Interesting... I haven't had any claims because I make damn sure I don't screw up because if I do, I can loose a lot more than what the insurance would pay anyway.

That one slip and it's all over.

I wouldn't be able to drop my insurance, because at the end of the year, I get all these FAXs requesting proof from the insurance company that I have renewed my policy and they are going to hold payment until proof is issued.

Not having insurance is a crap shoot, but hey if it works for you, and as long as you aren't washing something down and someone surprises you and steps around a corner, and then you run boiling water down them from head to toe, you may save a couple thousand dollars.

I hate paying toughs premiums, but the alternative is even a riskier one to take.

I believe the object is to not file a claim, not to hit them up for every little incident that comes up, the same as for auto insurance.

The more claims you make, the more risk you become, the higher the premium for everyone.

I hope it works for you, but it isn't for everyone...

Good luck...

 

[oneness]

I agree with Robert...It is a crap-shoot, one you may well one day lose. No one files claims for stomped flowers or whatever...The problem comes in when one day you do something that causes major damage...Heard a story from one contractor whose employees lit the customer's house on fire by burning a hole through the siding with the exhause of their washer...Stupid things happen, that's what insurance is for. God forbid I ever fall through a customer's roof or screw up a car's paint job with chems or somehow ruin an entire house's worth of vinyl siding....The problem with being uninsured is that, sure, you've saved money over the years and you've gone on vacations, but one major claim and you could be out of business. That's reality. Maybe not all that likely, but I for one don't want to take the chance. Insurance is simply a cost of doing business, just like materials and equipment and payroll and everything else.

 

[Mike Gwas]

Insurance SUCKS..... MUST HAVE... Make sure you discuss with your agent exactly what you are doing. 90% of the people that have are over insured or have the wrong coverage. Keep in contact with your agent quarterly even if you have to buy lunch..I have sued 2 agents in the last 2 years. Won both !!!! Did'nt mean jack because the attorney got most but it is a matter of principal....

 

[Bufnwax]

I'm shocked no one screwed me into the ground on this one! Allow me to comeback to each response with another thought.
OrangeCrest: Who you do business with may require proof of ins...Now, I'm not about to teach anyone anything about the biz, but have you explored all your options residential vs corp for instance, may give you a little wiggle room? Secondly, I quit taking "paper" 11 years ago. I spent more time in the office chasing bad accounts...counterproductive and an added expense to what was already a loss. COD, period. We still grow every year, I pay the highest wages in the biz and all is good.
ONENESS: With the exception of a vehicle accident, our risk of a "major" loss 5k+ is about zero. All vehicles are covered by a STANDARD INSURANCE Policy, if ya catch my drift. I guess, in some ways our unique market allows for some things others wouldn't do.
They're selling 200+ homes a MONTH here. They're building homes on a 100'x200' waterfront LOT that runs $350-750k!
The National Cemetery is 17 miles away. Can you believe they're burying 46 a DAY there? Sued? Put-out-of-business...how? I won't even go into how easy it is to get work here.
Mike Gwas: Dude, my insurance man doesn't even know what I look like! If you do business with people that must have YOUR insurance, might I suggest examining why they are so hell-bent YOU are covered? Get a bond, it's cheaper and temporary and suffices most corp. accounts.
God Bless All That Have Given To Their Country This Day!

 

[oneness]

Buf:

Maybe you already mentioned it, but I wonder what type of washing you're doing where you have no possibility of a claim over $5k. Sure, it is unlikely, but I can't imagine a scenario where it isn't possible. Hell, what happens if one of your washers develops a fuel leak, catches fire and explodes, killing someone? Imagine the liability with that! Again, unlikely, but that's what insurance is for, the unlikely events. What does 46 people being buried and expensive homes have to do with the existence, or lack of existence, of insurance liability???

Hey, I don't care if you're covered or not. I sure hope that one day you don't wish you had gotten sufficient coverage.

Where in FL are you? I'm in Gainesville.

 

[Mike Gwas]

Buf,
I am not sure how corporate America runs down in Florida but my guys require 2mil in liability.... As far as meeting your guy YOU BETTER..... otherwise get used to the word "DENIED"...

 

[Bufnwax]

That's more like it! I'm glad you guys took 2.5 minutes to read what I actually said, and 30 sec. to throw your hands in the air in disgust.
Lemme see if I can briefly decipher the meaning behind what I've said and put a nice pink bow on it for ya...
Um, let's answer a few quips from the back of the room first...
Your analogy smacks of the usual scare tactics most insurance offices have posted on their walls...Reality Check!
Okay, let's surmise I'm insured to the hilt for 2mil...Hell, let's throw caution (and good-sense) to the wind and add a 1 mil "rider" as an umbrella. Joe Employee hooks our 3-ton landscaping trailer with 4 brand new Dixie Choppers loaded on it to the 04 Dodge dually 4X4 and fires up the Cummins for a quick trip to the mower shop. Before he leaves, he tops off the 55 gal gas drum on the trailer with gas and the 150gal on the truck for the new diesel Sudsy Hot sitting in the bed. Trouble is, Joe forgot to put the pin or the safety chains on the hitch!
Before we go any further, whatdya suppose my monthly premium would be for all the bells n whistles like this one...$250-350...Try $688, I already HAD this policy and that was years ago!
Along the way Joe had an accident, well you know the story, you could put any spin on it you want...The point is, as long as you can afford the premium, you can insure yourself for any eventuality...But WHY? Once the insurance you could afford runs it's coverage limit...what happens? Nothing...ask someone that's had a "catastrophic" business loss. Once the insurance is exhausted, the phone calls, and certified mail...stops. Okay next question!
Oh yeah..."my guy requires 2mil coverage..." Uh, if you would've read what I said..."Explore your options..." Do you HAVE to mobile wash? Do you HAVE to do business with JUST the people that require 2mil coverage...Are there alternatives to carrying a 2mil policy? Entertain these queries...I guarantee if you HAD TO you could find a way around it! Why would you - if you could? Money, man...money. Personally, I refuse to feed the "machine". It takes forethought, inventiveness and courage...Next time you file a $1,001 claim on that 2mil policy, what's YOUR agent going to say? DENIED!?

Comeon guys...Thinking "outside the box" is not a hamburger franchise!
God Bless, my prayers are with you.

 

[oneness]

Originally posted by Bufnwax
It takes forethought, inventiveness and courage...

You forgot stupidity.

But hell, you already know everything, bad things never happen to you, and hell, if you have a serious incident and someone gets catastrophically injured or killed, what the hell...screw 'em...The insurance that would have at least partially compensated them for YOUR actions is non-existent since, damn, you NEED that money yourself!

Like I said, I don't give a crap if you're covered. Just please don't keep trying to convince others that your stupidity is somehow smart.

 

[Bufnwax]

I'm sorry

I didn't forget stupid...That's why I tried in vain to send something NEW through your neuro-path. You know, sometimes I feel sorry for guys like you...Slogging through what amounts to a set of "knee jerk" reactive business practices.
Before climbing up onto your high horse again. *Did I say I didn't have workmens comp? *And you're washing for Mr. 2mil...for Fun?

Calm down...think through a different set of "rules." I didn't say DO IT, I said think about it.
FerChrissakes stop whipping the poor beast once it's down!