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Chris, i haven's seen much promise from any kind of strips. It seems that they only prevent in the area they are applied, and the rest of the roof still gets dirty. Are the copper strips any different?

     Alright Dan, here goes. I don't know how others feel about the "maintenance plan", but it is actually one of the things that I use to sell against. I honestly think it is not a very wise business decision. A couple of competitors around here offer a maintenance program for $100 or so each year, but I tell everyone that when Precision Power Washing cleans your roof, you won't need a maintenance program! Our Roof Renew Non-Pressure Roof Cleaning method safely removes ugly black streaks and roof stains the first time, everytime. Most homeowners do not want to be bothered with that type of stuff year after year.

precisionpower wrote:

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     Alright Dan, here goes. I don't know how others feel about the "maintenance plan", but it is actually one of the things that I use to sell against. I honestly think it is not a very wise business decision. A couple of competitors around here offer a maintenance program for $100 or so each year, but I tell everyone that when Precision Power Washing cleans your roof, you won't need a maintenance program! Our Roof Renew Non-Pressure Roof Cleaning method safely removes ugly black streaks and roof stains the first time, everytime. Most homeowners do not want to be bothered with that type of stuff year after year.

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     I am new to roof cleaning but not to home improvement. I started a home improvement co. in 76. To me this is just an extension of that. One more service I can offer my customers. As I explain to people the process of cleaning their roof, one of the first things that they ask is "how long will it last?".  To be on the safe side I tell them 2or 3 years if nothing else is done. I then let them know If I cann"t get their roof clean they don't pay.  Then I give them the option of a maintenance plan. Either pay a small amount a year or the full price when they need a full cleaning in aprox. 3or4 years. It's a decision that they can make. Offering a "Plan"  makes sense for me. It will save the customer money and keep their roof looking new ,not letting it steadily get worse until the next cleaning.  I will do a lot of roof cleaning jobs and if the public wants a"Plan" it will help with scheduling in the spring and fall when the weather is not cooperating or if we hit a slow period.  It is also a steady source of income. If I were in FL. I don't know that a "Plan" would make sense, from what I have read, if their roof will need cleaning in 2 years or so. Hope this helps any new roof cleaners in their business plan , either for or against a "Plan" Any other thoughts out there?

 

I hear ya Chris. I think I'll pass on offering maintenance programs. The roofs I clean up here last so long anyway, it probably wouldn't sell very well.

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655-8777 wrote:

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Mike Sullivan wrote:

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Depends on your location and weather.

The warmer, humid, southern states- maintenance programs sell easier.

I can imagine the roofs in Indiana outlast the roofs I clean in NC by a year or two making it a hard sell.

I offer 3 year warranties in NC, and I might consider offering maintenance programs.

Florida I can see it a much easier sale, since the roofs down there start showing streaks within 1-2 years from what I've heard.

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We do not do much maintenance.
SOME go after it, but we would rather clean a roof for 450.00 then to treat it for 100.00 IF ya know what I mean ?

 

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     I agree, 450 beats 100 but,why not do both. If you are too busy, thats a good problem. Put another rig on the road. I look at this a little differently than most. As I have said I have a home improvement co.  We sell to the do it yourself guys as well as installing windows,doors,soffit and fascia,gutters,siding,kitchens and baths. Once we show a costomer true service they come back. The best way for us to get repeat customers is to stay in contact with them. Nothing like our truck in their driveway to do that.  Today, I'm the only company that offers roof cleaning in my area. Once I advertise on TV the lowballers will come out of the woodwork. By offering a maintenance agreement, I can keep some of the flys off of my back. Maintenance agreements help me keep those customers. Customers don't get prices from hacks when their roof is clean.

Chris, I don't have a web site  set up for roof cleaning yet. I should have before long. Great site, I like hearing all of the different opinions, makes me think even when it hurts to think.

I actually like the maintenance idea. I agree the $450.00 is better,..but treatments would be every year and would also possibly get you work in developments and such,... where the problem hasn't started yet. It's all about educating the customer. Treatment spraying would be a nice light mix and would be much cheaper. I think treatment spraying gets you more exposure because of frequency of visits.
Treatments are especially useful and "sell-able" for any of us who deal with shingle destroying moss and lichen.
But we all have our ideas.

Jeff

Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA wrote:

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I actually like the maintenance idea. I agree the $450.00 is better,..but treatments would be every year and would also possibly get you work in developments and such,... where the problem hasn't started yet. It's all about educating the customer. Treatment spraying would be a nice light mix and would be much cheaper. I think treatment spraying gets you more exposure because of frequency of visits.
Treatments are especially useful and "sell-able" for any of us who deal with shingle destroying moss and lichen.
But we all have our ideas.

Jeff

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Hi Jeff! Hope your having a great day!

I agree with YOUR statement because for me in the past it has proven to be correct.

"but treatments would be every year and would also possibly get you work in developments and such"

To do the math, take your demographic, say 200,000 in your township, County, etc. and take just 1% (worse case scenario) = 200 homes, and you estimate that 200 homes will do roof cleaning the first year (as a new business/new H.O. relationship)

After the first year you come back and treat the homes you did the prior year at 100.00 - 200.00 per home or in dollars, GROSS residual treatment earnings would be $20,000 per year at just $100.00 per home or $40,000 at $200.00 per roof treatment.

If you say (worse case) over 3 years you develop your route to 600 homes/businesses,etc. over the course of three years you will be making (based on the 100.00-200.00 per home scenario) , approximately, $60,000 per year for residual treatments and 120,000 per year at 200.00 for annualized treatments.

While, after, labor costs, equipment maintenece and repair and fuel expenses you may be looking at 1/2 of those figures (worse case) you are still going to clear a nice tidy sum for adding a treatment program to your bottom line.

Now that I worked out the numbers for all of you, is the benefit more clear than before?

Whatever you decide, that is obviously totally up to you all but to me,  its additional work, treatments are your bread and butter, especially,if you offer some other services like pressure washing of driveways, and softwashing of exteriors, etc.

The bottom line for me is it's work and it's better than sitting at home getting yelled at by the misses for US to get off OUR Duff's and do something, LOL

I hope this clarifies and helps.

Respect,

David

 

-- Edited by Roof Clean USA at 13:14, 2009-03-03

-- Edited by Roof Clean USA at 13:53, 2009-03-03

Roof Clean USA wrote:

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Mike Sullivan - Roof Cleaning North Carolina wrote:

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Yes, good point Jeff.

Roofs with a lot of shade and tree cover would benefit from annual treatments.

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And the fact that the NORTHERN exposure gets re-growth sooner most times so even promoting PORTION re-treating is an option since dampness, moisture, shade makes the Gloeocapsa Magma algae proliferate that much faster.

We prefer to ONLY treat the entire roof but every part of the country is a little different and it might work depending on the demographic and median income range and other determining factors.

Who knows until you give it a try for a year or two to confirm actual result in your area?

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When Treating a roof, do it right.
Treat the WHOLE roof.