Deck builders need to educate their customers

[reedsterstl]

Went to bid a deck yesterday that had not been touched in about 8 years. To say the least it needs HELP. But the sad part is, the home owner put a Thompson's semi-trans stain on it. It is the most god awful charcoal color and the home owner wants to keep the same color. Stripping it shouldn't be much of a problem because it has failed most everywhere, but matching the color is going to be tough. All too many times I have found out that my competitors are not stripping prior failed stains so they under bid me. I have tried to explain the stripping process and that without it the new stain may and most times will not take. I build decks also, and make it a point to educate the home owner as to the importance of having the deck protected. There is a lot of controversy on when to do this. My belief is do it as soon as possible. If anyone knows a manufacturer, other than the "T" people, that has this color please tell me. I would like to get this bid, but the color matching may prohibit this. Thanks to all. Finally the season starts.

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[Don F]

Hi,

Sherwin Williams can match just about any color. Take a Rung off the deck, take to SW, and they can match the existing finish. If you develope a decent working relationship with them, they may even tint other products that aren't theirs.... Don

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Quality Workmanship, Honesty & Integrity will keep your Schedule Book & your Tummy full !

 

[Ronniels]

Did an estimate last week. She wanted the deck cleaned, I wrote the estimate for clean and seal.
She said she did not want the seal because she had been told it was not needed...just a ploy for extra money.
Then would not beleive me that the deck would be wood colored again and no longer grey just from the cleaning....insisted it would never not be grey again.

Why did this person call me to start with?

Hmmmm.....

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Ronniels
AHR Tidewater, Inc.
Va Beach, VA 23456
(757) 368-5495

 

[Clean County]

Who knows why that lady called you. She might have had other estimates and she was going to go with the lowest bidder or maybe she had nothing else to do.
When I go to do an estimate and the person wants just a price for the deck to be clean I ask her if she wants a price on the estimate to stain the deck also and if she says no then I just give her the price for the cleaning. Some people believe it or not just want there deck to be powerwashed and nothing more. They might be staining/sealing it themselves or they have someone else lined up to do that part of the job. Or they do nothing after the deck is cleaned. Either way its there choice.-John-

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[Mike Hughes]

In my opinion, if I'm just being paid to clean the deck only, it's their deck, they can do whatever they want once I leave. Burn it to the ground for all I care. I do educate each customer as much as possible, but some people are going to do whatever they want anyway.

I like just cleaning them. "Blow and go" I always give a quote for both cleaning and sealing, and just cleaning. Sometimes they say they're going to seal it themselves, then call me three weeks later and ask me to seal it. Whatever.

Ronniels..........That lady is the reason why you need a picture portfolio to bring with you..........second thought.........don't waste your time on her.....

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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA