This is so confusing...

[tres davis]

Apartments are definately NOT as profitable as water damage work. Trust me. But it does open the door for you to get a lot of their small to medium water damage jobs that they pay for out of pocket. Most apartments have very large deductibles so they aren't calling insurance unless it's a massive loss.

 

[sealcanvas]

To old to sell a house but young enough to run a suck mop

I'm confused.....


Residential? Here is my list of must haves to start out

• A 45 or larger truckmount
• Shark vacuum
• Devastator wand because you're old and the swivel will be your best friend
• A Hard Surface wand
• A full size Spinner tool
• PMF Hard surface hand tool
• Sapphire hand tool
• 10" CRB or a 175, you're old, get the 10..
• HydroForce, Multi Sprayer, ISP or small pump ups
• Tarps and corner guards
• Carpet Groomers
• Flat Mop and heads
• Omni Fans and DriPods
• Tid Bits
• A gym membership to cross train.
• Minty fresh breath
• Social Media understanding
• Money to live in for the first three years.
• MB.

Don't forget to at least consider www.sealadoor.com...just a personal opinion!

 

[sealcanvas]

Don't forget to at least consider www.sealadoor.com...just a personal opinion!

www.sealadoor.com ...too many "dots" sorry!

 

[Cleanworks]

Well, there is definitely a need for a professional cleaner here. I've hired 3 different companies to clean my carpets in the last couple of years and they were all just spray and suck guys. All have pretty good businesses. None knew how to get stains out, until I told them how.

Ex carpet cleaners are always the worst customers.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I've heard the same from a couple of my friends who live in that area. I'm not saying that it's twice as good to clean carpet vs. water damage only. I've just seen the overhead cost of expenses to be much higher.
@Desk Jockey , what's your input? What would you do if you had to start from scratch like Stevie Bs.

But Stevie, if you are still going to go full force into the Restoration, keep in touch. I have a good friend in your town that's an adjuster and can hook you up with some jobs and connections once you're fully prepared

I think you'll want to clean carpet not only to fill the gaps between losses but also to build a data base of potential clients.

WDR only is certainly possible in big cities. I've seen it done in KC by Powerdry (More Floods). Smaller markets you'll need something to supplement it.

I think the biggest question is where will your work come from. Having equipment isn't enough to make someone call you. In fact its usually not enough to having the training either.

Now when there is Area Wide frozen pipes or storm work the will call everyone and anyone but day in and day out it may be difficult to drive work to you.

Do you have a plan? You don't have to share it if you're oncerned about competition reading it.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Good advice, Richard. I have a marketing plan and the means to sustain it for quite awhile. I'm very wishy-washy at this point about doing WD only, but mainly because I'm not sure if I want to put that kind of responsibility on a 20 year old regardless of how exceptional he is. Matt's comments threw me off balance....again.
I've got a couple of more days before I have to make the final decision and that's it! I've got to spend some money on equipment before the end of the year.

 

[Mikey P]

How often does your area freeze?

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Once every 5 years.

 

[Mikey P]

Chavez?

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

LOL! Okay, I'm going to talk to Marty tomorrow if he isn't too busy. Get the NO BS low down.
I can take a hint.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Pass on the "only WDR".

Do it for your carpet clients and continue to build it through your marketing but it is a mean business. Once the marketing kicks in, it can be overwhelming.

For a young kid, its too much commitment. Emergency work comes at times when you least want it to. Friday at 5:00pm, Weekends, Holidays, dinner dates, movies. We spread the burden with an "on call" team rotation but for one guy. He will burn out.

Start with carpet cleaning as he builds that business add wdr slowly picking and choosing those that fit your schedule and ability.

If you loose a little to the tax man its better than buying un needed equipment.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Thanks Richard.

 

[rick imby]

I'm an ebay--Amazon guy---about 500k per year. The key is buying right and building good listings---Very simple customer interaction not much customer bull sh*t.

I have sold my bicycle shop to my youngest son---after he graduated from college and really really wanted the bike shop. It has been a huge success because the 4 years he managed it for me, he started with making all the employee decisions and then buying decisions and then advertizing decisions. And from the start I took myself completely out of day to day. From the start he got credit for good and bad.

I would never recommend the path you are going down. You the boss making the decisions, your money on the line, your son responsible for the work....
When things go right the old Bull (that is you) will take all the credit. When things go wrong that son of yours (dipshit) gets the credit.

You are already showing signs of indecision-----if you are building it for your son he should also be a major part of the decision...

Brutal honesty but I have been through it.

How about a Blatant plug for my ebay bicycle parts store... Grin

 

[rick imby]

To old to sell a house but young enough to run a suck mop

I'm confused.....


Residential? Here is my list of must haves to start out

• A 45 or larger truckmount
• Shark vacuum
• Devastator wand because you're old and the swivel will be your best friend
• A Hard Surface wand
• A full size Spinner tool
• PMF Hard surface hand tool
• Sapphire hand tool
• 10" CRB or a 175, you're old, get the 10..
• HydroForce, Multi Sprayer, ISP or small pump ups
• Tarps and corner guards
• Carpet Groomers
• Flat Mop and heads
• Omni Fans and DriPods
• Tid Bits
• A gym membership to cross train.
• Minty fresh breath
• Social Media understanding
• Money to live in for the first three years.
• MB.

So from the list am I guessing your SS370 is smaller than your next machine?
I'm really surprized the 360i with brush head is not on the list.

 

[Mikey P]

So from the list am I guessing your SS370 is smaller than your next machine?
I'm really surprized the 360i with brush head is not on the list.

damn, how did I forget that? ...seriously...

 

[BIG WOOD]

Another business structure that I think you should look at is one similar to @Mark Saiger up north. I don't see anyone in Athens doing that. I think you'd lead the industry over there with a setup similar to Mark's.

 

[rick imby]

@Matt Wood
Very few can pull off the Mark Saiger style of business. He spent many years as a loved Music (?) teacher in his area. Lots of contacts and people who knew someone that knows him. He is one of those guys people love to deal with. And he is non stop motion. I would question if he averages 4 hours of sleep. When he does slow down he picks up a video camera---I'm sure his wife was smart enough to put limits on his camera....

He was born to sell, meaning he is a sucker for anybody that can get him excited about a product. If it works he will plug it relentlessly without having to be compensated---He is the ultimate free chearleader. Think CRB/zipper/zipper ss/plug a door/etc

Never mind he was born to teach and share what he has learned.

 

[Mark Saiger]

@Matt Wood
Very few can pull off the Mark Saiger style of business. He spent many years as a loved Music (?) teacher in his area. Lots of contacts and people who knew someone that knows him. He is one of those guys people love to deal with. And he is non stop motion. I would question if he averages 4 hours of sleep. When he does slow down he picks up a video camera---I'm sure his wife was smart enough to put limits on his camera....

He was born to sell, meaning he is a sucker for anybody that can get him excited about a product. If it works he will plug it relentlessly without having to be compensated---He is the ultimate free chearleader. Think CRB/zipper/zipper ss/plug a door/etc

Never mind he was born to teach and share what he has learned.

Another business structure that I think you should look at is one similar to @Mark Saiger up north. I don't see anyone in Athens doing that. I think you'd lead the industry over there with a setup similar to Mark's.

I am professional dealing with and giving BS