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Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

To do 1/2 a roof or a whole roof, that should not even be a question, but it is?

Guest

Nobody says it better than you Dave, how true these words are i even have people wanting to do only 1/2 of the front "oh can you do just where the stains are" give your price for the house and tell them if you want it done right give me a call

Guest

Well spoken David. I will never understand that side of the industry, lower prices and lower standards and drive yourself right outta business!

exteriorcleaning · Guest

we were thinking of doing 1/2 roof jobs but after reading this we are NOT going to be offering 1/2 roofs or what you can just see from the curb. Dave once again you serve as a voice of reason and high standards

Roofguard Shingle Cleaning · Guest

A recent customer sold their home. A requirement of their home inspection required them to clean a portion of the north exposure of their home. A short cleaning demonstration convinced them that even if their roof looked clean. I wasn't. I ended up cleaning the whole roof.

Guest

Very well said, and laid out Brother Dave. We have had numerous requests over the years to do 1/2 roofs. Only the front, only the back, etc. I have found an easy, and logical way around this: When we give a quote, estimate, bid, etc., we always let the homeowner speak first. If they will only want 1/2 the roof cleaned, they will usually say it very early in the conversation. That's when we explain to them everything Dave mentioned, and then we explain that it will be cheaper in the long run for us and the HO to clean the whole roof. We mention about purchasing our chems in bulk, and that price is passed on to the HO. But, we cannot pass that "savings" on to the HO if we buy in bulk, then only use 1/2 of the chems that we paid for to clean THEIR roof. You can usually see the lightbulb come on and things work out for everyone.

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas · Guest

I wish I had Yalls luck getting someone to shell out 2 0r 3 hundred extra bucks right now. All Ive asked is to do what can be seen from the road and that has made the difference in getting a few jobs.

Guest

I handle this differently than what's being said here, It is my duty to inform a customer of the ideal cleaning. Although I will not ever let a customer tell me how to clean a roof or use the products they "heard" about,......but when it comes to deciding on spending their money that is up to them,...I will tell a customer it's advisable to clean the entire roof,...but after that I will do only the front or back if they choose. I think you're setting yourself up for being undersold and losing positive income. My advice is to not turn positive money down,...I think you'll be sorry in the end.

Jeff

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 wrote:

I handle this differently than what's being said here, It is my duty to inform a customer of the ideal cleaning. Although I will not ever let a customer tell me how to clean a roof or use the products they "heard" about,......but when it comes to deciding on spending their money that is up to them,...I will tell a customer it's advisable to clean the entire roof,...but after that I will do only the front or back if they choose. I think you're setting yourself up for being undersold and losing positive income. My advice is to not turn positive money down,...I think you'll be sorry in the end.

Jeff

Brother Jeff,

You make some valid points and I respect your position and your views.

These are hard economic times for all of us and providing for your family is #1.

If the difference is not feeding your family by turning away an opportunity to do a partial roof cleaning , then, do what you have to do.

Economic Scenarios are different around the country.

Roof Cleaning is a luxury item to most when some can't even pay their taxes.

Turning away income is tough but what is tougher is to get established as the 1/2 roof cleaner in your area.

Once you start selling everyone on 1/2 roofs, the prospect of treatment and providing a warranty is mute and money is being left on the table as well plus people will know that you do half roofs and get used to only cleaning the eyesore and not treating the entire roof surface for maximized roof life and utility savings as well as removing the offending eyesore.

Dave

SP Cleaning · Jul 1, 2009

Dave, I agree 100%.
I will not do 1/2 a roof. It is all or nothing. Would a Home Owner have their lawn guys cut 1/2 a yard? disbelief

Or just fertilize part of their lawn? disbelief

No Way.
I won't even entertain the idea of doing 1/2 or part of a roof. I understand that something is better than nothing when it comes to making money, but what is the real cost to your company's reputation. We (the RCIA members) are the professional ROOF CLEANERS who know what is best for the customers roof. WE need to educate our customers, and sell them our full services with knowledge and confidence. I want to sell them the ROOF CLEANING, window washing, gutter cleaning, Soft House Wash, and all flat concrete to be surface cleaned. biggrin

Chris

Guest

Roofs are a little different than lawns or automobiles. You can only see half at at a time. I truly understand where you guys are coming from,....but I also know I'd rather do (5) half roofs in a rather than (0) roofs in a week. Just to clear the air though, I'm mainly talking about roofs that are only visually bad on one side,...roofs that are visually bad on both sides is an easy sell for the whole job. BUT,...I will do only half a roof even if both sides are bad. I routinely work for realtors, and when they say half a roof for curb appeal I do it,....I would lose substantial income if I was playing "all or nothing" with them.

As far as hurting your comapnys reputation, you may not have a company to worry about if you're not working.

As far as getting other work along with the roof cleaning,...you'll be more likely to get extra work when you get on he property doing the work.

My area hasn't any competition in the roof cleaning business. But if I was facing competition as many here are, I would hate to be sitting at home while the other guy is out doing 4-6 half roofs a week.

Jeff

Mobile Prowash · Guest

I did an estimate yesterday that the HO wanted just the front half done because they were selling and moving. They had no interest in doing the whole roof because they were selling. I past a p/w on the way there. They underbid me and got the job. Now the neighbors around this house will see them doing the job and they will get more business from it. Some cases you might be better off to do the half roof.

SP Cleaning · Jul 1, 2009

Hey Jeff,

I know the economy is different throughout the regions of the country. Yours is probably different then mine, as well as the customer base that we work for. I target high-mid level to high income customers with $300,000 plus homes. I found over the years of dealing with HO's that you have far less if any problems with them being "cheap", "frugal" or want to negotiate pricing on services for their home. They just want it done, and not have to worry about it.
When I look at a property for sale, weather for rental, or too live in, I always look closely at the roof, as well as other areas. If I saw 1/2 (front) clean and the back left dirty, it makes me wonder what else the owner was "eye-washing" to try and make a sale. That gets me off to a bad start on that property.(I am referring to the whole dirty roof that was 1/2 cleaned)
I would try and sell the Realtor on a whole roof based on my above statement. You are probably only talking a couple hundred dollar difference, compared to the Thousands in profit on the sale, again depending on the market value of the homes your working on. Right now it sounds like you have already set the pace for 1/2 roofs with the Realtor, and there probably is no going back now.
It sounds like you have a nich with the Realtor and making money at it so keep going with it.
I have seen your before and after pics, and you do a great job!!! I hope your business grows fast and large brother. Go kick some algae butt!!!

Chris

Guest

Too clear things up,...I always try to sell the whole roof,...BUT I'm not bound to walk away from the ones who aren't interested in the whole roof. the realtors weren't interested when I informed them of the reasoning behind doing an entire roof. SO,....I dropped it.

In order to make it you have to sell what the people are buying.

Jeff

harleyp · Guest

I dont do 1/2 of a job bad for business. I see this in my line of work all the time and I will not recommend it. I have noticed that some people will complain and then expect you to do the whole job for the same price.

Guest

If a customer wants a GEO are you guys refusing to sell it to them because you'd rather they bought a Hummer because it's superior?

Yes, we are the professionals, but it's ultimately up to the customer what work they will have done, and how much they can spend. Gotta have an open mind fellas. Gonna see others in your area doing those half jobs while your pride is keeping you on the sidelines. But hey, we all know what works for our individual businesses.

Jeff

-- Edited by Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 on Thursday 2nd of July 2009 04:44:18 AM

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas · Guest

Im with you Jeff....

I ask to at least do what can be seen from the road and I KNOW that has cost me work. Some folks just dont have that extra money to clean the South side of their roof especially when it already looks clean to them. I take the Best i can get.

And YES working beats sitting at home.

Chris I try to target a few very high end neighborhoods and I find 2 problems there

1 Some of those people are just as strapped as everyone right now.

2 Convincing the rest of em not to "Just replace the roof" LOL

Roof Cleaning Memphis TN · Guest

It is about how you market. These folks will estimate you to death, shop your price and nickel and dime you to the hilt.

Ok! Example: Joe wants his roof done but he is only willing to pay you for a half a cleaning.
The whole job is worth $475.00 (3000 sq ft two story with gutters)

Since the back doesn't look as bad as the front Joe thinks he has no algae on the back... (Idiot)

I charge Joe 400.00 for the front an $75.00 for the back..

Joe wants to know why so much for the front. The front is the worst and that will take more time and chemical. If I do the whole roof it is $475.00 and (what I offer) is the Free Exclusive 3 Year Algae Stain Warranty. I also throw in the front sidewalk and porch or just the fence fronts for added value or the back patio. That gets me in the back yard at least.. Shock and Augh! {Trust me when you treat just the fence fronts they will look so good that Joe will also want you to do all of his wood fence... Both of these take about 15 minutes to complete and not much SHC. See how I built the value and drew the line... Plus I will make Joe want to get the whole roof done just because I built extra value with easy to do freebies.

Now Joe just thinks I gave him the deal of a lifetime... I did! I got what I wanted. He got what he wanted and I walk away with the check and additional add on work. It is a “dog and pony show.”

Joe might as well pay the whole $475. and get all of the roof treated because heaven forbid he should miss out on such a great deal. Get the Free 3 Year Algae Stain Warranty and get his side walks and fence fronts done to boot all for Free!

Marketing and Salesmanship...Logic

Think Like The Customer!!!!!

It just appears that there is such a desire to gain the proper knowledge. Most of it here is great stuff but some of the questions and answers just knock me right out of my computer chair on to the floor. Sometimes I do not know whether to laugh or cry! blankstare

I am putting together an E-Formation packet that soon will be a marketable training and information source for those of you who just do not understand and get how easy this business industry is and how little it cost to operate it and get started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then you will not have any excuse for buying over priced , over rated pumps and pressure cleaners. hmm

Again and I say again, for less than $500.00 dollars you can be up and operational and cleaning roofs in less than 48 hours. Believe it or not! No one seems to listen to me here so maybe if I sell this information for a price what I have to say will have more emphasis and make more since to you.

E-Formation Packet coming soon. To A Town Near You Via Internet. Of course only to bonified roof cleaning industry professionals OK, and Newbies!....

Geeese I Am To Nice!

James
EHS

Guest

James, the problem with that method is people either have the money or they don't. If you're basically charging for both sides in your one side estimate, they will either get it done or not. BUT, f you're out of their price range, they're gonna call someone else before they give you the job.

Or, they may just not get the work done at all. I'm looking to sell to everyone, not just the ones that can afford paying for both sides.

I understand your method, but it sounds as though your normal pricing would be $225.00- $250.00 per side, but the customer never sees this number because your charging for both sides in your one side price just to make out like the getting both sides done is a no brainer for them.

Jeff

Guest

I don't want to speak for Jeff, but I don't think he is out advertising or promoting doing a half roof. The goal is always to clean the entire roof, but in the economy we are in now it is not always feasible for the customer. You are not creating an atmosphere of customers that only want to clean half of their roof by accommodating a few customers that insist on doing it their way.

Most people will accept your explanation of why you should clean the whole roof. It makes sense why you should! When the neighbor of the half roof customer calls you, you have to explain why they should clean the whole roof and chances are that they will agree with you after you have educated them. One cheap, ignorant customer does not create a whole street or developement of cheap ignorant customers. Most people that insist that they don't want to pay for the whole roof follow that pattern with everything they do in their lives and around their property. The neighbor probably already knows this about mister half roof.

Some work is better than none. You are still charging the same rate. You are just spending less time at the job. I've spent my entire life in the automotive repair industry and there are countless people that just can afford to have everything they need done to their car or truck completed at the same time. If we told them that they had to have it all completed at the same time or we could not do any of their work, we would be out of business. Just because we didn't do all of the work doesn't mean that we didn't still give them outstanding service and professionalism. We still make sure that we do the best job we can with what we have to work with. If we tell the customer that they need new front and rear brakes and they choose to only do the front brakes and then they go out and crash their car because they can't stop, it is not because we didn't try to tell them. They chose not to do what the professionals told them to do. You can't force people to do something they don't want to do. You can just give them the best advice and service that you can offer.

Just my thoughts. Hope I wasn't speaking out of line Jeff.

Brian

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"