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

Liberty SoftWash · Aug 13, 2013

Newbie wanting to get into the business

TJ Roofer · Guest

Hey guys/gals....Great board.

I am currently working as a roofing coordinator for my company and my boss has given me the option to grow a roof cleaning division. I am just starting out but figured I could pick your collective brains and avoid most of the learning curve and pitfalls.

I know what I know and I know that I certainly do not know much about this side of the industry.

Here is what I know as a roofer:

I know that I do not want to rely on a pressurized washing approach

I would much rather prefer to do a rinsed on application and allow the treatment to do the cleaning
Most of the treatment and staining we see is the black streaking from the airborne bacteria. We don't see much in the way of full on moss growth

I know that I will want something that is easy on plant life

The areas that we work in are very manicured and sensitive consumers
We are Certainteed shingle master so we will need to use whatever they allow for

I know that we will want to have a proper trailer set up (some of the ones that I have seen built are awesome)

Water storage and capacity is a must
Pressure washer for cleaning and rinse
Ladder racks

Future preventative measures

What are folks running in this area...zinc, copper, etc?

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

I will keep researching.

TJ

Art O · Guest

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Call me I am doing some consulting.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning By A&E on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 12:50:18 PM

Eric Wouldn't teaching a new member be a conflict of interest for you , being your a moderator here and there is a membership fee at the RCIA. Its kind of like, Why pay the RCIA pay me.

Maverick Contracting · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

I think the quota for cleaners in VA is full so the goverment wont let you start a new roof cleaning business!

J/K, but you should do what we all have done. use the SEARCH function on this site and research research research! then ask questions. BTW most of the most best answers are on the premium side. Its worth the small fee and you WILL make it back on your first cleaning.... unless you LOWBALL, yet jumping in before you know all the mistakes that can be made, one cooked bush can cost you more to replace than what a fair price would cost you to do the job!

Liberty SoftWash · Aug 13, 2013

Art O wrote:
Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Call me I am doing some consulting.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning By A&E on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 12:50:18 PM

Eric Wouldn't teaching a new member be a conflict of interest for you , being your a moderator here and there is a membership fee at the RCIA. Its kind of like, Why pay the RCIA pay me.

I get calls all the time and talk for free, everyone else is doing it.

Liberty SoftWash · Aug 13, 2013

No one want to use the search button and read so why not charge them if they don't want to teach themself.

Art O · Guest

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Art O wrote:
Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Call me I am doing some consulting.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning By A&E on Tuesday 13th of August 2013 12:50:18 PM

Eric Wouldn't teaching a new member be a conflict of interest for you , being your a moderator here and there is a membership fee at the RCIA. Its kind of like, Why pay the RCIA pay me.
I get calls all Its not just you Ericthe time and talk for free, everyone else is doing it.

Its not just you Eric. Once a week this is happening. Even Charlie is doing it. He gets $500 for the day of hands on training. Call him any time

24 hrs a day

TJ Roofer · Guest

Maverick Contracting wrote:
I think the quota for cleaners in VA is full so the goverment wont let you start a new roof cleaning business!

J/K, but you should do what we all have done. use the SEARCH function on this site and research research research! then ask questions. BTW most of the most best answers are on the premium side. Its worth the small fee and you WILL make it back on your first cleaning.... unless you LOWBALL, yet jumping in before you know all the mistakes that can be made, one cooked bush can cost you more to replace than what a fair price would cost you to do the job!

You might be right... biggrin The goverment is strong in VA.

I will keep searching and researching.

Sorry...didn't mean to stir a hornets nest or anything. I was unaware (still am for that matter) what the premium side of things is or that it was even and option. Do you join and is there like a certification that goes with it?

I agree with you about the cost stuff. The boss is letting me do this but I want to make sure there aren't any issues to go along with it seeing as this is my "baby"

TJ

Art O · Guest

TJ don't mind us. Most of us, but not all are good freinds and have been here a long time. Here is the RCIA Store.
roofcleaninginstitute.org/index.php/store/

waxman18324 · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute Of America

TJ,

When I started I read like there is no tomorrow and asked questions thereafter. I did this so I had some confidence in what I was talking about. Also, I would visit the websites of all our members to get an idea what I would want my site to look like. Another idea is to visit a equipment suppliers website to see the products firsthand that are discussed on the premium side of the board. Joining is well worth the cost.

If the opportunity presents itself to consult with one of our experienced members I see no reason why you shouldn't.

A combination of the above would only be a benefit.

Like Art said we are all friends here and I've received not only advice but viable leads from these guys/gals.

Hank

Guest

TJ Roofer wrote:
Maverick Contracting wrote:
I think the quota for cleaners in VA is full so the goverment wont let you start a new roof cleaning business!

J/K, but you should do what we all have done. use the SEARCH function on this site and research research research! then ask questions. BTW most of the most best answers are on the premium side. Its worth the small fee and you WILL make it back on your first cleaning.... unless you LOWBALL, yet jumping in before you know all the mistakes that can be made, one cooked bush can cost you more to replace than what a fair price would cost you to do the job!
You might be right... The goverment is strong in VA.

I will keep searching and researching.

Sorry...didn't mean to stir a hornets nest or anything. I was unaware (still am for that matter) what the premium side of things is or that it was even and option. Do you join and is there like a certification that goes with it?
I agree with you about the cost stuff. The boss is letting me do this but I want to make sure there aren't any issues to go along with it seeing as this is my "baby"

TJ

TJ - I appreciate your candor on this board. Welcome.

Here's what I'd suggest:

Look up some of the companies in Richmond that are doing this and ask the owner if he/she is interested in a business agreement. If so, take them to lunch (individually of course)

Explore an agreement where the existing company subs for your company. Dot the i's and cross the Ts with insurance etc of course. You know the drill.

Ensure that the existing company sends repair work etc to YOU, for a modest piece of the action.

Everyone wins.

Don't ask me how I know

Roof Cleaning West Chester PA · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

best advice I can give you is tell your boss you retire! Make this your own business. Why make money for someone else when you can be your own boss?

Aug 14, 2013

Hey Eric stop cutting in on my business! I am now doing it for $400....... No calls Between 11pm and 7AM EST!

TJ Roofer · Guest

Roof Cleaning West Chester PA wrote:
best advice I can give you is tell your boss you retire! Make this your own business. Why make money for someone else when you can be your own boss?

My boss is effectively letting me set up this business inside his umbrella.

We are creating a separate entity that will be mine and I will be paying him a small pass through fee on each closed out job for the first two years.

He is good dude but I don't think he knows what the potential growth of the business is.

RCIA Founder

TJ Roofer wrote:
Roof Cleaning West Chester PA wrote:
best advice I can give you is tell your boss you retire! Make this your own business. Why make money for someone else when you can be your own boss?
My boss is effectively letting me set up this business inside his umbrella.
We are creating a separate entity that will be mine and I will be paying him a small pass through fee on each closed out job for the first two years.
He is good dude but I don't think he knows what the potential growth of the business is.

LOL, don't tell him either, how good the roof cleaning business can be biggrin

TJ Roofer · Guest

Note to self...keep mouth shut.

Liberty SoftWash · Aug 15, 2013

Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
Hey Eric stop cutting in on my business! I am now doing it for $400....... No calls Between 11pm and 7AM EST!

Lol!

Art O · Guest

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:
Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
Hey Eric stop cutting in on my business! I am now doing it for $400....... No calls Between 11pm and 7AM EST!
Lol!

What no midnight hours? What kind of a roof cleaner are you!

Advantage Roof Cleaning · Aug 17, 2013

My boss is effectively letting me set up this business inside his umbrella.
We are creating a separate entity that will be mine and I will be paying him a small pass through fee on each closed out job for the first two years.
He is good dude but I don't think he knows what the potential growth of the business is.

What happens after the first two years of this arrangement?

Pristine Roof Cleaning New Jersey · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

YOU GUYS ARE FUNNY lol........... I say end the site, Stop teaching & charge $200 a year so we can bitch at each other...............pep's come in & fail but damit i bid that job & he got it ...........& hes gone 2 months later.....

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"