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

Back from cleaning gutters today!

I read every post here. And I decided not to vote. Not because of any reason but I like it and dont like it.

This standard will give a higher percieved value to the customer. Know what that means right! More money!!!!

Maybe I missed it, but was it said we must wear uniforms on the day of the wash? I dont know about you but the soap messes up your clothes!!! So I assume I have to bid in extra the cost for new clothing on each job? When we show up on a job my jeans look tyedyed, Shirt too! When I sell the job I look sharp.

However this goes, I have all the faith in our board members.

Alot going on here is a first time thing. I learned early on with Gutterdogs, You NEVER get nothing right the first time, If you do, you one lucky #@$$%!

I am all for setting us apart from other roof washers!! Higher percieved value = More money and more work.

However this goes I will do what I must to maintain my certification.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

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gutterdog wrote:

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Back from cleaning gutters today!

I read every post here. And I decided not to vote. Not because of any reason but I like it and dont like it.

This standard will give a higher percieved value to the customer. Know what that means right! More money!!!!

Maybe I missed it, but was it said we must wear uniforms on the day of the wash? I dont know about you but the soap messes up your clothes!!! So I assume I have to bid in extra the cost for new clothing on each job? When we show up on a job my jeans look tyedyed, Shirt too! When I sell the job I look sharp.

However this goes, I have all the faith in our board members.

Alot going on here is a first time thing. I learned early on with Gutterdogs, You NEVER get nothing right the first time, If you do, you one lucky #@$$%!

I am all for setting us apart from other roof washers!! Higher percieved value = More money and more work.

However this goes I will do what I must to maintain my certification.

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A side note on your comment. You want the customer to get the same thing from you every time they see you. So if you look good when you sell, you should look just as good when you show up to work. Otherwise they'll feel like they're not getting what they signed up for.

We wear dickies khaki pants and dickies button up short sleeve shirts. They take about 4-6 months before they need replacing and even then, they still look pretty good. In the winter, like now, we wear solid black Poly jackets with a logo on the front. My guys look just as good in the field as I do when Im selling.

Ok sorry for the Hi-Jack :)

 

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Something to think about? You wash houses too right?

 

Alrighty guys. Let me help clear a few things up.

1. We are not the government, but the government already has a certain amount of rule over all business and we are not empowered enough to contradict such rules.

2. All standards and business plans are evolving 'living documents' that are amended as needed. Some standards can take years to incorporate.

3. This was presented for Christmas time as a gift. I pretty much expect it to get voted down. Guess what happens then?? We get to talk about it and change it to something better!

4. I Vote no. I think we should write it as a blanket standard rather than a members standard, so that people may claim to adhere to at just as we claim to adhere to the arma statement. I also do not think it should contain anything about certification and instead be pledged to by all certified members and the education requirements for certification will only be stated in the certification process. I think those requirements should be easily filled from any number of sources that can meet the criteria, many of which could be found for no to little cost to the certified member. This is here to be decided on, no one is trying to force your hand. Let's take this really really good start, finish it off and send it on it's way.

5. Thank you to those recommending changes. That's how we can amend it now and vote it in later.

gutterdog wrote:

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Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

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gutterdog wrote:

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Back from cleaning gutters today!

I read every post here. And I decided not to vote. Not because of any reason but I like it and dont like it.

This standard will give a higher percieved value to the customer. Know what that means right! More money!!!!

Maybe I missed it, but was it said we must wear uniforms on the day of the wash? I dont know about you but the soap messes up your clothes!!! So I assume I have to bid in extra the cost for new clothing on each job? When we show up on a job my jeans look tyedyed, Shirt too! When I sell the job I look sharp.

However this goes, I have all the faith in our board members.

Alot going on here is a first time thing. I learned early on with Gutterdogs, You NEVER get nothing right the first time, If you do, you one lucky #@$$%!

I am all for setting us apart from other roof washers!! Higher percieved value = More money and more work.

However this goes I will do what I must to maintain my certification.

---

A side note on your comment. You want the customer to get the same thing from you every time they see you. So if you look good when you sell, you should look just as good when you show up to work. Otherwise they'll feel like they're not getting what they signed up for.

We wear dickies khaki pants and dickies button up short sleeve shirts. They take about 4-6 months before they need replacing and even then, they still look pretty good. In the winter, like now, we wear solid black Poly jackets with a logo on the front. My guys look just as good in the field as I do when Im selling.

Ok sorry for the Hi-Jack :)

 

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Something to think about? You wash houses too right?

 

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Yes we do. and we use a stronger mix than most people because we use our dedicated pump and dont downstream or Xjet.

 

After reading some of the replies it is obvious that some points of this document are being mis-understood and things are being read into it that are not there or meant the way they are being understood.

Tom, you stated certification used to be easy and now it looks like it is too hard. What is the use of having a standard for operations and certification if it is the same as everybody is already doing? Just look at some of the people that are currently certified. Is this the image you want to be associated with by being certified? A prime example is now posted in the open section under "you guys are love this". I am ashamed to be in the same industry with people like that. This certification will rid the industry of a lot of this type behavior. There is no time limit to becoming certified, and it is NOT required to be a member. This is alot like graduating high school. You have the option of going to college or not. Do the ones that go to college usually enjoy more success in life that the ones that don't? See what I'm getting at? Certification is your choice, not mandatory.

Mike. you stated that you like and use TSP. Great. Is the TSP you are using the real stuff or the re-formulated stuff? If it is sold at Home Depot I can almost guarantee that it is the "fake" stuff, since Home Depot does business in states that have outlawed the real stuff. RCIA cannot, for legal reasons endorse the use of a product that is outlawed in many areas where our members and potential certification candidates live and work.

Mark, you expressed your dislike over the expense you think will be involved in certififcation. Background checks can be performed by you after you purchase a software pack for around $30.00 that will allow to check all your employees from now on. Is it worth $30.00? only if you hire some criminal who rips you off, or goes back and breaks in a customers house and gets caught, and they find out he works for you. Be great publicity huh? I looked all over and can NOT find anywhere that the program calls for 30 hours of OSHA training, travel, hotels, etc. I can see where somebody has that 30 houras of training and that will suffice for that part of the program. Recommended? Maybe. Required? Noway, we plan on offering everything you will need on our own facilities. (educational talk shows and webinars). Yes there will be some cost involved in getting certified. There was in the old program. Chris requested everyone donate $100.00 to the RCIA. Did that happen?? Very seldom.
Brett, you stated you were shot down over a suggestion. I don't think the answer you received was meant to shoot anybody down. Granted you may be very experienced in ladders, roofs and other topics involved in the industry. But most people are not. And even if you are, a refresher course every now and then will keep you fresh and alert. People tend to get a little lax over time.

So those are my feelings regarding the posts so far. Anything worthwhile in life requires a little effort on your part. What other organization have any of you been involved in the had rules and regulations you didn't agree with? Maybe the points in our certification should be changed from "members shall---" to something like, "Members, if you feel like it, should----". That would carry a lot of clout within the industry. It would be laughed at more than the old certification was.
The majority of the points presented are to protect you and RCIA. Now that we are a corporation, we can be held liable for anything that happens to you or an employee if that area was not fully covered in a certification program. Will all these points be able to be enforced?  We have NO plans on recruiting some people to be "RCIA POLICE". The only thing we can rely on is the honesty of our members that they are in compliance. At least they will know what is expected and how to do it.
Thanks
Gary

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

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Alrighty guys. Let me help clear a few things up.

1. We are not the government, but the government already has a certain amount of rule over all business and we are not empowered enough to contradict such rules.

2. All standards and business plans are evolving 'living documents' that are amended as needed. Some standards can take years to incorporate.

3. This was presented for Christmas time as a gift. I pretty much expect it to get voted down. Guess what happens then?? We get to talk about it and change it to something better!

4. I Vote no. I think we should write it as a blanket standard rather than a members standard, so that people may claim to adhere to at just as we claim to adhere to the arma statement. I also do not think it should contain anything about certification and instead be pledged to by all certified members and the education requirements for certification will only be stated in the certification process. I think those requirements should be easily filled from any number of sources that can meet the criteria, many of which could be found for no to little cost to the certified member. This is here to be decided on, no one is trying to force your hand. Let's take this really really good start, finish it off and send it on it's way.

5. Thank you to those recommending changes. That's how we can amend it now and vote it in later.

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Bill, I must say, your ideas were a welcome read now that I'm home and reading what has been posted since I was here earlier. I like the "blanket" idea but still think there is so much that can be removed and we still will easily stand out.

I do hope this can be "a really really good start, finish it off and send it on it's way."


Also, there have been quite a few who have become certified cleaners and certified instructors recently under the old standards (congratulations to them!) of which I am still unclear of how that process takes place. So, those of us who haven't met those old standards to be certified now are to be certified by people who haven't completed the new standards? I find that one a bit difficult.



AC stated that there was little classroom time and how he disliked being in the classroom. This list shows a lot of must haves and many hours to comply.

41.Members shall be required to attend a "First Aid and CPR" class taught by and documented at their local AmericanRedCrossCenter or some other qualified training center, such as police or EMS facilities.. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

42.Members shall be required to attend a "ladder safety and inspection" class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

43.Members shall be required to attend a “Personal Safety Equipment (PSE)” class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

44.Members shall complete a “fall protection training and certification” class. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

45.Members shall complete a DOT safety review. This is a free service. Once the review is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

46.Members shall complete proper training for “application of roof cleaning solutions”to ensure that the roof life is extended and no damages occur. Member must also explain the recommended procedure for collection of "run-off" cleaning solution. Classes for this type of training are available. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

47.Members shall receive hands on instruction by an RCIA Certified Master Instructor in the field or applicable lab environment. Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

48.Members shall attend small business workshops and or utilize entrepreneurial centers in their area.Once the class is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

49.Members can receive all of the above training from their employer and or a vocational school if the training programs are on file with the RCIA. Once the employer or vocational school training is successfully completed documentation shall be provided to the RCIA certification committee.

50.Members shall complete a total of 12 credits (6 Hours) of annual Continuing Educational Units, (CEUs) for recertification yearly. Receipts, Certificates, Accreditations or alike will need to be scanned and forwarded by e-mail to the RCIA Certification Committee before recertification can be completed.

 

The cost is not going to be that great, A lot of the required training will take place on our talk shows (free), and any webinars that are going to be charged for will go towards the cost of certification.
Gary

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

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gutterdog wrote:

---

 

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

---

 

gutterdog wrote:

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Back from cleaning gutters today!

I read every post here. And I decided not to vote. Not because of any reason but I like it and dont like it.

This standard will give a higher percieved value to the customer. Know what that means right! More money!!!!

Maybe I missed it, but was it said we must wear uniforms on the day of the wash? I dont know about you but the soap messes up your clothes!!! So I assume I have to bid in extra the cost for new clothing on each job? When we show up on a job my jeans look tyedyed, Shirt too! When I sell the job I look sharp.

However this goes, I have all the faith in our board members.

Alot going on here is a first time thing. I learned early on with Gutterdogs, You NEVER get nothing right the first time, If you do, you one lucky #@$$%!

I am all for setting us apart from other roof washers!! Higher percieved value = More money and more work.

However this goes I will do what I must to maintain my certification.

---

A side note on your comment. You want the customer to get the same thing from you every time they see you. So if you look good when you sell, you should look just as good when you show up to work. Otherwise they'll feel like they're not getting what they signed up for.

We wear dickies khaki pants and dickies button up short sleeve shirts. They take about 4-6 months before they need replacing and even then, they still look pretty good. In the winter, like now, we wear solid black Poly jackets with a logo on the front. My guys look just as good in the field as I do when Im selling.

Ok sorry for the Hi-Jack :)

 

---

Something to think about? You wash houses too right?

 

---

Yes we do. and we use a stronger mix than most people because we use our dedicated pump and dont downstream or Xjet.

 

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A stronger mix. And you dont downstream at 20% or xjet at 40% mix? Why would you make it stronger? I'd make it weaker with a dedicated pump?

 

Hey Marcus! I understand if you are already certified, you hold that till this time next year.