I found an earlier post of mine that I think will help:
When I started 2 1/2 years ago, the first thing I did was find nice - dirty upscale neighborhoods and put flyers on every house that looked like it needed cleaning. Eventually, I put out almost 500 flyers...and got NO calls! Along the way, I tried re-wording, added pics, color...nothing.
Talk about being frustrated. I found that by following a few rules, you can build your pressure washing business:
1. Ring door bells. Find a dirty house and ring the bell. Have a few before and after pics if you can, offering a few local references would help - but not required.
2. Price right. If you try to make enough to retire off of each customer, you are doomed. By pricing fairly, (what are other pw's charging for similar houses?) homeowners will be more likely to buy. Tell the customer that they don't pay until after the work is done - their guarantee that the work will be done right.
3. Treat the customers home as if it were your own. Don't stop cleaning until you would be satisfied - if it were your house. As I am rather picky, 99% of the time, I have no complaints.
4. Do the little extras. Wash the lawn furniture/picnic table and especially the mailbox. My goal is to have the customer thinking: "Wow, he did a great job and he even did _____ without being asked!" rather than "Why didn't he do the chairs? I would have paid extra...why didn't he mention it?"
5. Don't bite off more than you can chew. If you are not sure if you can do the job - don't take it or at least ask the customer is if you can do a test to "make sure that you'll be staisfied."
6. Ask satisfied customers for referrals. Always leave a few extra cards with a customer. People are always surprised when a contractor actually does what he says he will do, when he saiys he'll do it and for the price he says he'll do it. When someone finds a contractor like that, they'll WANT to spread your name around.
7. A classy yard sign. I debated for a few months about spending the $80 for my first. My parents bought me one as a gift because they saw the need. The FIRST time I put it out, it generated over $2,000 worth of business - within the first 2 weeks. Several neighbors saw it - did theirs, plus others that saw it on their lawn. I still get calls directly related to that first sign - 2 years later!
8. Look professional. From the beginning, I had my logo embroidered on my shirts, caps and jackets. (I found a local shop that charged $35 to scan the logo then charges $8 per item. I can bring my own stuff and there is no minimums.) Khaki pants (Dickies - they wear like iron) and work shoes/boots. Keep your rig/truck clean, with tasteful signage. Many of my customers - and my largest commercial account - called because they saw the signs or just liked the look of my set-up.
Well, there you have it...my recipe for success. Use it in good health.
Oh yeah, fervent prayer also helps!
