[drive surgeon]

hi , is there any guys who have enough work all year round pressure washing? or do you all have add on services?  i like what i do so did not want to have to creat another side to my business!  maybe i need to just get in with the right firms to get all year round work.  domestic stuff is just seasonal so commercial is the only way forward to get all year work! :

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

i ve gone looking for comercial work now.

[drive surgeon]

do you do carpet cleaning as an add on?   im tryting commercial too but its not easy.

[billyc]

Hi


I enjoy the pressure washing side of the business- but it always goes quiet at this time of year,

I have been running approx 4 years and pick up the odd commericial work - i fill in by valeting and many of these customers now have there drives patios and upvc etc done by myself.
I tend to run a second van if needs be in the summer to accomodate driveways etc, and maintain valeting side of the business.

By a cheap van in the summer - then sell on in the winter.

Currently have a transit for sale which cost 950- will hopefully get 800
but it has done its business.

I have just invested in the gutter vac to fill the void created by bad weather which puts a hold on valeting services.
Hoping for good things from the gutter vac - had some work without marketing - but am going out all weekend pushing this service



regards
Billy

[drive surgeon]

is it omnivac?  dont your arms ache holding it up?

[billyc]

Yes- it is the omnivac- arms and shoulders ache - but with regular use you dont feel the affects as much.

Given up my gym membership- but enjoy using this piece of kit

Regards

Billy

[drive surgeon]

does it suck good?

[billyc]

Suction is very good-
just finished cleaning a cricket club- interior beams - full of dust about 7 years worth-
no problems at all.

Cleaned the roof of moss by sucking deposits from tiles

I have encoutered the odd problem with the guttervac eg overhanging tiles - but have just got on with the job and explained to the customer that they have got tiles that may have slipped
Some jobs i have used ladders to repair the gutters - leaks etc.

I usually explained this to the customers when i am giving the quote for the job.

Today - saw quite a few housing associations whos gutters were minging
will be dropping a flyer or paying a visit to try to offer this service.


regards

Billy

[drive surgeon]

would you say its very hard work or easy money?   

[billyc]

Can be hard work- dependant upon size of the job - height etc- access
You develop your own technique for cleaning 
In terms of easy money- i price domestic at 85 - 100 based on accessibility - over a conservatory etc- can be done in two hours - may take upto 3 -
I believe i offer value for money- despite a bloke and his bucket - pricing at 20.

All about customer perception and how you sell yourself-
Looking at the commercial market - eg housing associations- have been following the theads on here - Window cleaning issues before taking the plunge.

[drive surgeon]

they are over a grand arent they!

[billyc]

Depends upon size- i bought 48ft system with camera and power pole- have since bought additional generator to power system when custy is not home.

3k nearly for the system i have -  probably had about 1k back in three months without marketing.

Billy

[clinton]

Billy

Good to hear your geting the vac set up of the ground its going to take time but with a good web site/leaflets up you will get some good work

[billyc]

Just waiting on my new leaflets- had some graphics put on my van- done a few jobs
get alot of people stopping asking what i am doing - strange to see  someone vacuuming gutters - find one job turns into two or three, offer a repeat service next year discounted if they book now, seems to be working

Regards
Billy

[drive surgeon]

do you just plug it into custys electric and your away!?  how long does the vac go on for without emptying?

[drive surgeon]

billy, how does it suck up leaves that wont fit through the small head?

[Prestigedrives]

Hi Billy
quite interested in the omnivac you have brought sounds like a good filler for the bad weather. Where did you purchase the equipment from. Was it from omnipole?. and good luck with it.

[billyc]

Yes bought the system from omnipole -

Sucks up leaves and moss - purchased the powerpole and gutter hook for stubborn tasks- clumps of grass/weeds- if you look around your areas at gutters some have gardens growing in them-  you need to break this up first or if poss hook out.

Have had one job which was moss matted like a carpet- yes you do get blockages-
 just turn of the motors and drop if poss if not use gutter spike to clear.
So far for every difficult job you get an easy job which you  can fly around


If you look at the window cleaning section - some people have created there own and there has been much debate on the pros and cons of the systems.

I Bought the 110v system and run from a generator which i have on a trolley which i push to the custys house, currently a debate is running on extention leads for the system.
Had one of my customers create 20 m of cable for myself, heavily insulated - protected from crushing etc- so i will now be able on some jobs to leave genny in van.
Some guys have system built into a trailer - much debate on the best system- i have purchased the system and will now throw all my weight behind marketing

Vac is adequate and doesnt need constantly emptying unless gutters are full of water- but again look at gutters in your area - jobs vary from 1 to another.

Pole is cold - purchase a good set of gloves.

Glynn at omnipole is consistently introducing new tools to the market and if you have difficult access or issues - flag them up and he will try to design.

Some of my customers would like to see the muck being cleared- there is now a clear view head- or record the vac process and play back.

regards

Billy


 
 

[drive surgeon]

you get a lot of broken pieces or tiles in the gutters too!  will it suck them out?

[billyc]

It will either suck them out or they will stick to the end - i have found the biggest obstruction is either a tennis ball or golf ball, or weeds growing in the downspout
Gutter spike to remove weeds or powerpole and pressure washer, i have a drain cleaning nozzle and i have fed this up the downspout and blown out.

Some guys just pressure wash muck out  , benefit of gutter vac is all the muck is collected.

I am still perfecting best methods- but each job has different challenges -
hopefully over the next few weeks i will be in a position to tackle even the most demanding tasks.

One job i picked up a dart which fell to the ground- since purchase a hard hat

regards

Billy