Profit ratio

What is your profit ratio after expenses?

  • 75% + (I'm living large)

    Votes: 1 4.0%
  • 50 - 75%

    Votes: 17 68.0%
  • 25 - 50%

    Votes: 6 24.0%
  • less than 25% (It's not for the money, I love what I do)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Your guess is as good as mine.

    Votes: 1 4.0%

  • Total voters
    25
  • Poll closed .

deckrock

New Member
A ton of newbies appeared in the local phone books and newspapers this season. LOTS of competition....

We've pumped up the advertising quite a bit already and noticed that the phone books around here are NOT priority when looking for power washing / deck cleaning people.

More advertising means more money out the door... just hoping it pays off.

Out of curiousity, wondering what your profit ratio averages to be after paying the phone bill, insurance, advertising, truck, chemicals, helpers, GAS ($3.00 !!), etc. Guestimate if you have to...
 

Deck Works

New Member
Pulled this off of craigslist.com

Power wash and seal your deck now before the hot weather. Power washing any 12x14 deck or under for $75.00 complete. Call now for more info at 219-629-0391 or 708-514-1525.

Is he serious??
 

deckrock

New Member
We'd like to hire him to help us out.... It's a 708 area code, Deck Works, that's pretty close to your area.... you can use him too! We'll give ya a kick in the a** to show our appreciation for finding this guy.
 

Deck Works

New Member
I wouldn't roll out of bed for $75. I know sounds a little cocky!

I charge $.85 sq - this includes floor and rails counted as sq footage when I clear seal a deck.

I really only use clear sealer on Apt. Buildings in Chicago. Most homeowners I convince to use a Stain.
 

PressurePros

New Member
Deck Works said:
I wouldn't roll out of bed for $75. I know sounds a little cocky!

I charge $.85 sq - this includes floor and rails counted as sq footage when I clear seal a deck.

I really only use clear sealer on Apt. Buildings in Chicago. Most homeowners I convince to use a Stain.


Cocky? no way, I agree with you. My job minimum in peak season is $300 unless you are located within fifty feet of a job I am already doing.
 

deckrock

New Member
We have 2 guys out her charging $40.00 A GALLON for the blue label Penofin, and, of course, you shoot a bit high on the amount of stain you're going to use.... they're making a profit that way too!
 

S.L.Alt

New Member
The people who are charging $75 For the 12X14 deck cleaning is probable running the scam that the customer must also stain/seal the deck with their company. That way they can make up what they lost on the washing. It is a advertising trick to get customers to call them.I have bid against a company that did the same thing.I could not touch their washing prices but I was a third of their sealing price. It is just another sale gimic.
 

Deck Works

New Member
Your probably right. I really hope that its genuine - I hate to see honest people getting screwed when they are just trying to beautify their property.
 

CaroliProWash

New Member
Deck Works said:
I wouldn't roll out of bed for $75. I know sounds a little cocky!

I charge $.85 sq - this includes floor and rails counted as sq footage when I clear seal a deck.

We don't even look at cleaning & staining for less than $1.50-$1.65 for horizontal work (decks), stripping is even more and houses are way way more.

Celeste
 

Spray Tech

New Member
I have teamed up with a couple of the handyman services that do a ton of advertizing and sub any deck, fence, or house washes that they get calls on. I give them a 10% kick back for the getting me the job and dont spend a dime on advertisment. I have more work than I can keep up with.

I never charge by the square foot, I have an hourly rate and estimate time and materials, I never loose money that way.

Thought it may be something you would want to try.

Good luck!!

Allen
 
Last edited:

Spray Tech

New Member
Hello everyone I am new here,

I never charge by the sq foot, I always bid jobs time and materials and I mark everything up and over estimate. If it take less time I give the customer money back for ease of installation. (Think of the referal I get from giving the customer back money at the end of the job) I refuse to play the bidding game to get a job. If someone can do it cheaper than me let them have it, I am in business to make money and my time is worth what it is worth. I have never lost money on a job or felt that I was paid poorly for my time.

I am what some of you call a newby, I have not been in business long, in fact I am still using my 3000 psi craftsman from sears and driving to jobs in the family minivan, but in two months last season my net was over $20,000 and I do it part time. I don't over charge I do good work at a reasonable rate. I don't sell myself short either.

Decide what your time is worth and dont settle for less, I agree If I cant make $50.00 an hour I wont even load up. I dont do any advertisiing. Everything is word of mouth, referals and repeat customers.

Try time and material, I think you will be superised -VS- charging per sq foot.

Love the site,

Allen Golladay
Spray Tech mobile Pressure Washing
 

Spray Tech

New Member
That area code is South Bend Indiana that is like 20 minutes from me, I would use him myself but I would probably have to go back and fix so many mistakes that it wouldn't be worth the call.
 

Spray Tech

New Member
That is South Bend Indiana, 20 minutes from me. I would use him on some of my jobs but I would probably have to go back and fix so many things that I wouldn't make any money.
 

deckrock

New Member
We've been noticing that repeat customers are tending to call in the 3rd year, not every other year. It appears that the customers are still happy with the tinted sealer we use, so they're waiting 3 years (although we recommend 2 years). That kind of stinks 'cause we've only been here 4 years.... and our older repeat customers are 75 miles away (where we used to live).

I can't see us EVER giving money back or taking off a % because the job 'didn't take that long or wasnt as involved as we thought'. We've got a system down, we pretty much know how long it's going to take.

It's not like we're laughing all the way to the bank!
 

Deck Works

New Member
I have about 4 this year booked that are repeat from 2 years ago. Sherwin Williams Deckscapes Toner Cedar.

I think 3 years is about average on S.W
 

deckrock

New Member
Deck Works,

Seeing we live in the same area, do you find a lot of guys using Penofin by you? Do you prefer Deckscapes over Olympic? If so, why? We've noticed that the guy who 'does a lot of condos' out here tends to use Deckscapes (used to be Cuprinol). Not sure why, it's a bit more expensive than Olympic. We've been using Olympic forever, but find Wolman a close second... used Deckscapes a couple times. Hate BEHR. Just wondering why you use what you use.
 

Deck Works

New Member
Hey DeckRocks -

I pretty much exclusively use S.Williams DeckScapes Oil Toner in Cedar or Redwood. Used to be called Cuprinol. I've used this since 98. It goes on easily and sprays nice out of my airless when I care to use that.

The only time I use a Clear is for Condo's/Apts in Chicago and that is always Olympic CWP - you can buy it at Menards. Usually $50 for 6GAL. Pumps great though a garden hose.

I haven't tried the Toners by Olympic but I've seen it at Lowes...looks like good products.

Im just so used to Deckscapes Im afraid to try anything else.
 

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