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Chris,

You once mentioned that competition adds credibility to our markets and I agree that competition is good to a certain degree. We will continue to work at being number one and running our business based on our core values, which seperate us from the guys running around with a pressure washer doing more harm than good.

Hank

waxman18324 wrote:

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This info should be on the premium side .

Hank

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 I moved it, check this Chit out

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Roof Cleaning West Chester PA wrote:

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I have a lot more competition now than in 2010. My biggest advantage is simple, I out work every single one of them. If I don't answer the phone I definitely respond within 30 minutes. A 600am or 1100pm email gets replied to immediately. Estimates are scheduled within 48 hours typically. I offer a fair price and I do my best to close then before they even have an opportunity for a second estimate. My competition typically doesn't answer the phone and when they do it's e days later. Then 5 days later they go on their estimate. If I have a customer tell me they're waiting for other quotes, I email them my referrals along with houses we did that are close by and similar work detail. I follow up with a phone call 2 days later and most times the other companies haven't even scheduled an estimate. I wish I could say I'm smarter than my customer, but there's no secret trick. While they're watching football on Sunday or grabbing a six pack for happy hour, I'm working my tail off. Plenty of time for football in December!

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 That's the spirit! 

We also used to get the email, and send a bunch of pics, etc, etc, etc. It is a great idea! But we are so established, after cleaning roofs here in the Tampa area nearly 20 years, we don't have to do that anymore. In fact, I turn away work sometimes.

We are not the "roof cleaning company for everyone", just those who can afford the quality of service we offer, and are wiling to wait a week or 2 for it.

If they are in a big hurry, or are shopping for the best price, that would not be us 

Onarooftop wrote:

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"We are not the "roof cleaning company for everyone", just those who can afford the quality of service we offer, and are wiling to wait a week or 2 for it.

If they are in a big hurry, or are shopping for the best price, that would not be us no"




I agree 100%
That's the best attitude to have.
That would be a good poster to have in your office with your logo on it.

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 I am quite friendly with my local competitors Brink, and everyone here in Tampa knows that Chris from Apple Roof Cleaning will always help with good advice.

One day, I was working in an affluent area, and saw a local competitor/friend who was also working the area, cleaning roofs one street over from us. He asked what we were getting for roofs in that area, and so I showed him the invoice and the check to back it up, and he about chit!

He said "OK, but you are Chris from Apple, the best of the best, the one who taught everyone, and my company is new to non pressure roof cleaning, I can't get what you get, to clean a roof"

I toid him "You can't get it, if you don't ask for it" 

Many people new to the roof cleaning business automatically THINK they will steal business, by being cheap. This can work, with low end lunch box Joe type customers, but it will scare away the rich people, and those are the ones you want to cultivate!

Wealthy people don't buy the cheapest house, watch, or car, and they seldom buy the cheapest roof cleaning service either.

When a potential customer calls me, and says, "I am shopping (getting bids) for roof cleaning services, and wanted to check your availiability" I tell them " We are not the lowest priced roof cleaning service in Tampa, and you will have to wait your turn, since we are 1 to 2 weeks out, because we are the best at what we do".

In fact, we are often double the price of our local roof cleaning friends/competitors, who could clean their roofs tomorrow, yet people gladly pay double for our services, and often wait 2 to 3 weeks, for us to get to them.

Think about this for a minute. There is a Truck Stop here in Tampa, that sells Steaks. The Meat comes from the exact same supplier that sells to well known Steakhouses.

In fact, their Rib Eye Steak is the exact same cut of meat that you can get at Longhorn Steak House, here in Tampa!

There is never any line at the Truck Stop, and the price is less then 1/2 that of Longhorn Steak House!

In fact, it is prepared exactly the same way, because this Truck Stop hired the manager of a Longhorn Steak House!

Yet, on a weekend night, there will be an hour or more wait at Longhorn Steak House, for the exact  same Rib Eye Steak they serve at the Truck Stop, at more then double the price!!!!!!!!!

As you can see by the example I have given, it is all about PERCEPTION!

And, that is your job, to alter a customers perception of you, and your company.

To do that, you must first believe in yourself.

Hey Mike    I really enjoyed your post on how you run your bis , we are from the same mold , I found I will give such good service to the coustomer as far as call back right away , give estimate usualy on the same day , I call and confirm we are comming a couple of days before , then another call the night before , I show up on time in uniform , in a nice looking truck and trayler , And I give them a great job , I try when possible to do somthing extra , little that doesent cost me any $ or time but they love it , I try to make every coustomer a salesmen for us when we leave ,  I also send a thank you card a couple of days later , saying somthing on the card that we talked about  (there dog ) (car) somthing ,  with a couple of my cards ,  and if you operate your bis like we do  you beat 75% of the low ballers etc , keep up the good work , Dabber    est 1978

I remember this discussion some years back on here.

I have seen them come and go in my area. There is no question first in has the branding opportunity, but over time Chris is right make your money while you can.

I have had a few tell me they got cheaper quotes and I tell them " they can always get a worse job done cheaper." I don't drop my price.

I never quote in person or over the phone. All by e-mail. I send one quote they either go with it or I move on. No follow up.

Like I tell them I am not selling a service, I own the service, " I sell results."

Everyone knows you get what you pay for, though some don not like to admit it. LOL

Mike    You and I are alot alike , I do all those things , and I guess its working been busy year after year , started 35 years ago , allways done the highest quality of work , service will beat those guys to death , and  once they had you , you got them they would never go to anyone else , not because we have a majic formula , its because most people dont work hard , most DONT have the coustomers best interest at heart    (as we truly do , and they see and feel it) I try to make every coustomer a salesmen for us ,   PS Mike I also send a thank you card a few days after the job , and mention somthing we talked about , just a little note , with a couple of cards , you would not beleve how many times I heard   YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WHO EVER SENT ME A THANK YOU CARD IN MY LIFE BY ANY CONTRACTOR  thats why I do it         have a great holiday    Thank You    Dabber