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Ugly Shingles LLC · Nov 19, 2010

Equipment / Ideas / Helpful Hints - Premium Members

Roof Cleaning Virginia 540-949-6277 · Roof Cleaning Institute of America Premium Member/MODERATOR

Ugly Shingles wrote:

I changed the "paid" to Premium Members ...

We have been using dollar store trays to help catch the run off along with a five gallon pail. We just rinse them out and store the trays in the bucket for the next job!

We did that yesterday Bob, thanks to your suggestion. The only down side is when it's cool and you have any steep surface, you have to keep up with the flow from run off. It worked well!

-- Edited by Classicrider on Friday 19th of November 2010 07:54:36 AM

Off The Top Roof Cleaning · Guest

Amazing good idea! Thanks for sharing!

gutterdog · Nov 19, 2010

The bucket and pail is a good idea!

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Bob Jr. - based on the topic of this post, I presume we're to add to this?

Here's one, but I didn't launch it until very late in season. Preliminary success rate is high, but I'll know more in the spring:

For your WELL HEELED clients that could potentially refer your services to other WELL HEELED clients, share with them your referral program that will benefit the charity of THEIR choice. Should a referral from you Mr. Customer, result in that person engaging our services, we'll donate X% of the total charge to the charity of YOUR choice.

If they're truly well off, offering them a piece of the action isn't likely to get you too far, but the 'feel good' aspects of a gift to charity changes the whole paradigm. AND it's likely to keep them talking about you at the bridge game, on the links etc.

Upon payment from the referred client, I call the referrer (is there such a word?) and ask them to which charitable organization should the check be made out to? Mail the check, along with a stamped envelope inside to the client so that they mail it themselves. There's no question to them that the contribution was made.

While you're on the phone getting the charity info, it's a great time to ask for additional referrals as you chat.

And unlike a piece of the action (cash), contributions to most charities are tax deductible biggrin

A Win Win for all.

((Ok guys - it's time for someone else to pony up some info that's been held tight to the vest. Let's sweeten the pot for those that are becoming Premium RCIA members.))

Ugly Shingles LLC · Nov 19, 2010

Just trying to be cost effective and keep the water boy busy!

Permalink · Guest

Bump.

Who's next to pony up some good trade info that may not be common knowledge or may be just something that has worked very well for you?

Let's take things up a notch in the premium area folks. Isn't that one of the many things this is all about?

I've noticed that some of the 'big dog' companies have been very quiet as of late. Hopefully it's just 'cause things are still busy in their part of the country.

(Someone post something good and 'meaty', and I'll post a pic and source for a bitchin' commercial grade nozzle.)

Roof Cleaning Virginia 540-949-6277 · Roof Cleaning Institute of America Premium Member/MODERATOR

Ugly Shingles wrote:

I changed the "paid" to Premium Members ...

We have been using dollar store trays to help catch the run off along with a five gallon pail. We just rinse them out and store the trays in the bucket for the next job!

I used this thanks to you Bob! It works well. But, watch them if steeper the roofs gets when it's cool out!

Mobile Prowash · Guest

Here's one some probably already know. When your water guy is spraying have him spray Miracle Gro on the plants when watering them my customers love it.

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:

Bump.
Who's next to pony up some good trade info that may not be common knowledge or may be just something that has worked very well for you?

Let's take things up a notch in the premium area folks. Isn't that one of the many things this is all about?

I've noticed that some of the 'big dog' companies have been very quiet as of late. Hopefully it's just 'cause things are still busy in their part of the country.

(Someone post something good and 'meaty', and I'll post a pic and source for a bitchin' commercial grade nozzle.)

Just busy here. Had to take a step back for a couple weeks and get some sleep lol. Was sleeping like 4 hours a night it killed me and business is still busy.

First advice.. Get a full nights sleep :)

Better advice.....I have some nice things stashed away to add over the winter about damaged roofs, pump rebuilds working in the rain etc...

Ted, Your charity referall advice is golden. I love it.

For the rest of the clients out there that are not Well Heeled, we offer a 5% referall fee. We have had clients knocking on their neighbors doors for us while we are working!! This is a good one for realtors too, and offer it to them or their clients. They usually have us pass it to the client, and it has gotten us a few jobs as well.

Along with this we buy our business card in lots of 5,000 and hand every customer at least 10 of them when we leave. We leave them every were. By the pressure washers at the box store, on the gas station counter, at the bank desk, at the grocery counter, In the dentist office. Anywere were they might sit for at least an hour, we leave them.

Chowell77 · Guest

Ok I have a freebie tip to add in. This added detail will only cost you $10.00 or less but it's the details that make the difference. Go to ABC or a roofing supply store in your area and buy some roof accessory paint. After your done cleaning the roof etc, paint all the vent pipes to match their freshly cleaned roof. Nice painted vent pipes make a roof look so much better in my opinion!

AC Lockyer · none

Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:

Bump.
Who's next to pony up some good trade info that may not be common knowledge or may be just something that has worked very well for you?

Let's take things up a notch in the premium area folks. Isn't that one of the many things this is all about?

I've noticed that some of the 'big dog' companies have been very quiet as of late. Hopefully it's just 'cause things are still busy in their part of the country.

(Someone post something good and 'meaty', and I'll post a pic and source for a bitchin' commercial grade nozzle.)

SANITIZE PLAYGROUNDS......................oppps did I say that out loud :) Roof cleaning equipment does a dandy job at this. Contact your local school system and do some FREE playgrounds and watch the rest of the gate pour open. But is this what this thread is about? LOL

AC

Permalink · Guest

(UglyShingles.Com - If I misunderstood the purpose of this thread, please straighten me out)

NOW were getting somewhere - PREMIUM information is starting to surface biggrin

Although not earth shattering, here is the nozzle that I mentioned. Tractor Supply has them for about $12 if memory serves me. Great ergonomics for large hands, handles lots of volume well and shoots far as long as pressure is decent. The U shaped handle controls the internal ball valve for instant on/off.

I have had to do a repair to mine, but prefer it over a fireman nozzle any day.

Permalink · Guest

Bump (again)

Alright guys and gals, who's next to pony up something gooooooood? I for one think we have a good thing going with this thread (thank you Bob Jr of UglyShingles.Com for kicking this off!) Don't we want the newest Premium RCIA Members to go back and tell all their buddies on the 'other side' that the Holy Grail of roof cleaning threads really is here? smile

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Wow, there is some really great information here! I try to do one thing for each customer that is above and beyond. Not something that is extremely time consuming at no charge, but I might clean the front of the gutters on the front of the house so it shows better or I might clean the steps while I am waiting for the solution to do its job on the roof. I've found that these little things go a long way with a customer and they seem to appreciate it. I'd like to think that this makes us look much better to the customer and hopefully earns us their business for many years.

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Nov 22, 2010

Ok Ted I haven't been cleaning roofs long but I have an idea. When I talked to Drew at Lafferty to order my foamer he said it was rated for a 1 g.p.m. pump. My pump is bigger; but I talked to Drew for a while and figured I'd buy one anyway and try it out. I'll probably buy a smaller pump and see what happens. I don't think the foam shoots far, so the roof will have to be walkable. My idea is to use a painters sheild(a piece of metal that is on a stick) to catch any overspray. With the lower g.p.m. and shooting foam I think it would be possible to catch all the overspray. Let me know what you guys think.

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Phil Rogers wrote:

Wow, there is some really great information here! I try to do one thing for each customer that is above and beyond. Not something that is extremely time consuming at no charge, but I might clean the front of the gutters on the front of the house so it shows better or I might clean the steps while I am waiting for the solution to do its job on the roof. I've found that these little things go a long way with a customer and they seem to appreciate it. I'd like to think that this makes us look much better to the customer and hopefully earns us their business for many years.

Phil, I do the same! Question - do you 'just do it' - the something extra, or do you put it on your quote as a NC item up front, as a teaser to land the deal?

BTW - great to see you 'over here'.

edit to add a recent freebie pic. It'll make a nice email follow up, along with the before and afters since they have NOT paid me yet... furious

LOL

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 on Monday 22nd of November 2010 10:08:39 AM

Roof Cleaning Severna Park MD · guest

Hey Ted,

I just do it now, but I've tried putting the free service on the quote to help land the deal. I have done that before and found that the customer a lot of times wasn't very appreciative and expected it once he saw it on the quote. For instance, I was offering free gutter cleaning for each roof cleaning job since it is necessary anyway. I don't even mention that now, I try to charge for it, or somehow lump it into my price, but I just do it and let them know and they appreciate it more and think they got a freebie! Do you always show it on the quote?

I just noticed the before and after picture of the gutters. I just started that and customers seem to like that a lot!

It's great to be here!

-- Edited by Phil Rogers on Monday 22nd of November 2010 10:13:59 AM

Ugly Shingles LLC · Nov 22, 2010

Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 wrote:

I for one think we have a good thing going with this thread (thank you Bob Jr of UglyShingles.Com for kicking this off!)

SANITIZE PLAYGROUNDS......................oppps did I say that out loud :) Roof cleaning equipment does a dandy job at this. Contact your local school system and do some FREE playgrounds and watch the rest of the gate pour open. But is this what this thread is about? LOL
AC
Phil Rogers wrote:

Wow, there is some really great information here! I try to do one thing for each customer that is above and beyond.

Thanks Ted,
I wanted to post the dollar store pans so I thought I would incorporate it into a anything goes helpful thread...

AC & Phil
I have sprayed Homeowners PVC - plastic lawn furniture for free a few times to be the nice guy people are always amazed at how good they clean up!

Permalink · Guest

Phil Rogers wrote:

Hey Ted,

I just do it now, but I've tried putting the free service on the quote to help land the deal. I have done that before and found that the customer a lot of times wasn't very appreciative and expected it once he saw it on the quote. For instance, I was offering free gutter cleaning for each roof cleaning job since it is necessary anyway. I don't even mention that now, I try to charge for it, or somehow lump it into my price, but I just do it and let them know and they appreciate it more and think they got a freebie! Do you always show it on the quote?

I just noticed the before and after picture of the gutters. I just started that and customers seem to like that a lot!

It's great to be here!

-- Edited by Phil Rogers on Monday 22nd of November 2010 10:13:59 AM

Phil - I'm still getting 'dialed in' on the freebies (BTW - some folks would say we should always be up-selling additional services). Here's what I currently do:

If the HO has tipped their hand that they're getting other quotes, I'll add the freebie as a line item and then annotate it as NC. (Some times I'll add a price/cost value to the freebie,then strike it out as NC. ) My intentions are for them to weigh the value of the free 'additional service' as they compare prices etc. I only give away stuff that I can knock out fast and cheap, with no additional liability.

If I don't think they're getting other quotes (and I can typically tell, based on how they found out about us) then I just do a little something extra within reason. And they typically light up with a big smile. Under promise and over deliver as they say. smile

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Northern Virginia (571) 250 9650 on Wednesday 24th of November 2010 05:46:37 PM

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"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"