Low Ballers...

[petess]

Here is the classic low baller for you. It's prime season around here. Lots of work for all.. But a business called Shields. They are running there normal prices for two stories for $99.00 now thats a classic. There is others out there. Like Budget who is doing two stories for 125 cedar at that. You got to love it.. I guess you dont want to make money. Of course spraying bleach on a house with your $300 pressure washer, with no insurance and license. Under the table money, no taxes for you. I bet you are making a profit.... : ) Bleach only cost 3.67 at depot. Oh well I'm irritated with this whole low balling crap. Just going to start turning them into the state for not having business license and the EPA for rinsing there NaOH mixed with there bleach that turns to saltwater after 18-23 seconds from the O2.Oh Well

 

[reedsterstl]

Pete,

You touched on a sore subject with me. The low ballers here are now doing decks for .90 cents a square foot and offering up to 20% discounts for sf over 1000.

Personnaly, I refuse to lower standards. And as always, you get what you pay for.

I have often wondered if these low ball types are insured, licensed and use contractor only grade products???????

I'm keeping an eye out for these types just to see what kind of operation we are dealing with. Will be interesting to see what turns up.

Reed

 

[Warren Smathers]

Hey Pete,
Don't feel alone. Here in Charlotte, there are some "companies" washing two story houses for as little as $50. It's everywhere, so we just have to focus on quality work and fair pricing.

 

[melsmobile]

YES I AGREE, WHO WONTS TO BE THE CHEAPEST ANYWAY!

 

[Scott Lefler]

I HAVE A BIG COMPANY NEAR ME CALLED AMERICAN POWERWASHING, WHO IS LOWBALLING LIKE CRAZY. ALSO, LOWBALLERS ARE ALL OVER THIS YEAR I HEAR. I HEAR IT'S DUE TO THE HIGH LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT, WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE GOES BACK DOWN WE SHOULD GET RID OF ALOT OF THESE RODENT COMPANIES.


SCOTT (MICHIGAN POWERWASH)

 

[scrubbuddies]

This tops them all

I recived a call from the GM of 52 Shell gas stations begging me to get as many staitions clean before Tuesday. I had to laugh cause I recently landed a 5 apartment complex contract the week before, they too want as much done before Tuesday. Anyway we rushed our Shell bid late Friday, of cource I only have 30 minutes to get it togeather. We make it on time, we find the total flat work at 28000 sq feet, on top of that more gum than wanna be pressure washers here in Jacksonville. The canopy is trashed, the car wash is black with mildew, and the store itself needs some real lovin. We figure all prodly .04 cents is a low ball since we have good equipment, $125 for the canopy, $100 for the store and $50 for the car wash. Total around $1400. She laughed and said shes paying $408 for everything. I was blown away.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Re: This tops them all

Originally posted by scrubbuddies
I She laughed and said shes paying $408 for everything.

The laugh's on her. That's why the place looks like that in the first place.

 

[Dan Flynn]

400 for all 52 stations???? How about 400 per station!

 

[Douglas Hicks]

We have to remember that some of these people just don't care. As long as expenses can be kept down, they are not concerned what the place looks like.

If these people really meet your qualifications to be a customer, have you thought about a demo on part of the dirt? Sometimes the best response is to just walk away. Not easy I know, but it may be the best solution.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc

 

[melsmobile]

SCRUBBUDDIES,

DID THAT $1,400 INCLUDE GITTING THE GUM OFF THE SIDEWALK?.LOL........................................................

THE WAY YOU TALK , IT WOULD TAKE 3 MEN ABOUT 8 HRS TO DO AGREAT JOB , $150 TO $175 PER HR!

WITH 2 MEN , 2 HOT WATER WASHERS , COULD YOU EVEN WASH THE HOLE PLACE DOWN IN 4 OR 5 HRS. FOR $4O8 PER STATION.
AND DO A HALF A-- JOB.
SOME PEOPLE LIKE SCRACHING SH!T WITH THE CHICKENS!

 

[johny]

Lots of them here too,i cant even bid a good price on a deck anymore.I bid $570 + sealer
on a 1000 sq ft deck,that was green and black,expected a lots of felting.Women pulls up in lexus and says its high!
As far as house washing,same thing.One man is doing homes all for $200,where in the same neibhourhood,i have charged as high as 330 and got the job,but lots think its too high.
One man said ,man thats high,i had it washed last year for $130,classic,WHY dont you call him????????They cant find the mans card,they cant find him,probably never had any business cards.
Another example,I bid 180,holy cow is the answer,thats high ,i got a bid last year for 150,CALL HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Cant you match his price???No i am not wal-mart,i dont know a thing what kind of job was he going to do.Why cant we all make good money??Because most of us(people that dont read this board)dont know what they are doing.
Johny

 

[Mikespowrwash]

Interesting, just this Saturday I was called to bid a 2700 square foot ranch. All can be reached from ground level and most of the house with the exception of the front was in excellent shape just some cob webs and loose dirt. I measured it all up and estimated the job at 250.00. He almost had a cow on the front lawn. " I just had it done last year in October for a 100.00" , he said. I said "Im sorry sir I cannot match that price at 250.00 Im already cutting you a break". His reply, "Hell of a break, are you trying to retire on my house." My reply, " No sir, I do quality work at a reasonable price and I guarantee that the front of your home won't be that bad 6 months from the time I wash it." His final reply, "For 250.00 I can get it done twice a year and then some from the other guy". I said "Sorry sir my price is my price and I am a legitimate businessman with a legitimate business. I have licenses in the State as well as the municipalities in the area and insurance. " Then I handed him my estiamte and parted company at that point. Im positive I won't get the job but to add to the mystery of it all......this other guy won't return his calls for repeat business. ??????? I wonder why? Could it be he is no longer in business. Hmmmmmmmmmmm .........well just another day in the battle against the low ballers who wash for weekend beer money. There is always plenty of work around for those of us who do quality work.


Mike

 

[Jon]

Lowballers.

One of the main things I have read and heard in the just over 3 years I have been in business is low ballers, they will always be around so we need to always be above them.

They cover not only our business but painting, slurry coating asphalt, roof cleaning, anything that people do once in awhile.

Like all of you keep your standards up and do not try to compete with them our you only drag the whole industry down.

Remember to follow up to the customers you lost to them in 3 month just to see how the job looks and to keep your name close to their minds.

If the job is really bad compared to yours point this out to the customer and say you would be more then willing to correct it now if they wish to start back with you.

GAS STATIONS: I don't go after them for a couple reasons, first being even with my reclaim system that can handle it they don't wish to pay what the job is worth and second they don't want it done regularly but only when they think it is dirty. Or at least out here in So. CA. it is that way, not sure of the rest of the country.

Reed, some are legit companies that do have all licenses and insurance and others are fly by nights, here today gone tomorrow.



Jon

 

[superlate]

The average price here in sw mich.for a one story house is $130-150 and for a
two story house add a $100.Don't see hardly any lowballers.Most of them are in the lawn care business.If you were looking for a lowballer,you would have a very hard time finding one.

 

[petess]

Virginia

In Virginia at least the Hampton Roads there are low ballers everywhere. I actually have paid the peope to collect ads for me and I estimate by the adds that I have got returned to me there is 27 new so called pressure washing companies washing in this area. Prices ranging from 30$ one story to 99 dollar two stories. Thats the highest so far. Un real, I just cannot believe it. But thats life. I now turn the roof washers that are letting the runoff run into the drain into the local EPA Rep. 25 dollar finder fee they pay here. So Im still making money on them.

 

[melsmobile]

SOUNDS LIKE TO ME, YOUR PUTTING YOURSELF ON THERE LEVEL
AND YOUR STIRING UP SH*T , JUST REMEMBER WHAT GOES AROUND , COMES AROUND!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK !

 

[pressureman]

Whatever

Whatever.....