I am glad that Michael and Robert Hinderliter took the time to record the event and to talk with the City Officials of Houston on your behalf for several days. I know the Hinderliters did this, not only to help you and your company, but also other contractors like yourself who was wrongfully ticketed or just did not understand the procedures of discharge. I know you give full credit to the Hinderliters for helping you understand what the City of Houston wanted from our industry.
All of us owe a debt of gratitude for their involvement to help all of us with that crisis.
No one person has done more at that conference to help the contractors there in Houston then Robert or Michael Hinderliter.
It is nice to know that when they call Houston, they do not get a voice recording to leave a message and maybe their call will be returned next week….. No… Robert gets through the first time and that is what everybody wants.
Here is a note…..
My sub-contractor just yesterday took a chance and followed my recommendations on a dumpster pad that needed to have reclaim. (As you know, we do not actively pursue dumpster pads). He had this account for years through the property manager getting a whopping 105 dollars per “As Needed” cleaning. The PM loved him and his on time quality work. He asked if the PM would give him all of the properties from this 1 client. She said that she would see, but never addressed the situation again, always making excuses saying he was unavailable due to traveling, or she left a message, but he did not return the call, etc. For years his requests stood on deaf ears.
So just last week, they was cleaning the one property and the owner was there. My sub approached and before he knew what was happing, he was having dinner with him at one of his restaurants. They talked for a few hours over dinner. Now, not only do he get all of the owners property locations, but is doing that same pad for 1,200 dollars every quarter with reclaim.... oh and did I say that was for all of his properties dumpster pads? He liked his work and the peace of mind that he did not have to worry about reclaim or etching his properties. He also said that was what he was paying the Property management firm for the work. He thought that was what my SUB was charging to them. Quality demands payment he said and when you go cheap, you usually get cheap results. That account went from around 30k a year to well in the hundreds just because he went to the owner and not through the PM.
NOT saying ALL Property Management firms fall into this, but property management firms need to make money off of your services. Why would you want to give them your money unless you are unable to sell yourself in a professional way, or you simply do not have the time and can't deal with it.
Look it, you are going to do what you feel is best for you and your company. I personally do not want to work for pennies a square foot when I see a janitor with less of an investment, working less in a warm building and not getting soaked while making 5 times that of the pressure washer who is outside working in the cold /rain pulling hose.