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Post Info TOPIC: Evolution of a New Business


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Evolution of a New Business
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I have read most if not all of the great posts by the gurus of roof cleaning on this site. Very impressive.

Thanks for all of the help and advice. I have posted a small donation and will add to that as soon as I am able. I have also voted for a paid and closed forum.

We are planning to start roof cleaning soon. We have been working on the website, business plan, marketing plans, prospect, vendor and strategic partner databases, licensing, financing, etc. My last day on the road will be this Thursday, June 7th. Then a short trip to Nebraska for a family visit and start working on the 13th.

Here is a short list of what I have to do next week.

1. Get a truck.
2. Get a trailer.
3. Build a rig.
4. Clean my roof.
5. Clean a church or non-profit roof.
6. Get a paying job from those two freebies.smile

I know it will be tough to start but we are excited and ready to do whatever it takes.

David, let me know if you would like a volunteer for a few days.

Wish me luck.

I will keep you posted on our progress.

Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies
770-354-7030
rob30518@yahoo.com

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


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Sounds like you have got a good business plan together. Don' forget the insurance. Good luck getting started in the business.

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Prestige Pressure Washing and Roof Cleaning
Roof Cleaning Dayton Ohio
Pressure Washing Dayton OH

888-477-9274
         Proudly Cleaning Ohio & Indiana since 2007
4633 W Wenger Rd.
Clayton, OH  45315



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Thanks Shawn.

Yep. Insurance. And also Health Insurance, since I will be leaving my present job on May 18. Does anyone have any suggestions for health insurance?

At first I was thinking about a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup, but I have decided get a 1/2 ton pickup. I think that will be OK for now. I have a couple of friends who are car dealers. I spoke to them today about getting a truck. Also one of them has some trailers I am going to look at next week.

I might be home tomorrow. I hate being on the road and not really able to do anything except on the computer and the phone.

Once I get home, things will start coming together really fast.

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


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I spoke to my nephew today who is a director of a children's home. They have several buildings with algae. The chapel has a slate roof. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look out for on slate? Will Apple Sauce Cider be OK?

I will be doing the children's center as a donation and to get some good pictures for my brochure and the forum. If they will let me do it.

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


RCIA Founder

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Mudpuppies wrote:

I spoke to my nephew today who is a director of a children's home. They have several buildings with algae. The chapel has a slate roof. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look out for on slate? Will Apple Sauce Cider be OK?

I will be doing the children's center as a donation and to get some good pictures for my brochure and the forum. If they will let me do it.




For Slate I suggest JUST SH/Rubbing Alcohol and Water only.
Soap/TSP can leave a discoloring film on the slate that takes forever  to rinse off.
IOW Apple Cider w/o the dish soap!

Personally, I like a Flat Bed Truck over a trailer but you really need a one ton.
a 1/2 ton is fine with a trailer but 3/4 ton even better because of bigger brakes/radiator/etc.





 



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Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida

711 Westbrook

Brandon, FL 33511

813 655 8777

See our website here 

Click here for more information

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Chris what about wood shakes { wooden shingles }on a roof, I think I read on here the Sh will discolor it pretty badly?

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Charlies Roof Cleaning

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQDTM0TQ_PI 

                SERVING BOTH NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY

               FREE ESTIMATES / SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!

                       516-763-4108   /   631-433-6449





 



Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

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Also don't walk on a slate roof.

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It will discolor cedar shakes, so will the sodium precarbonate you should use. Rinse with oxalic acid after washing to return the color. SH is too harsh for cedar. SP is the answer. Mike wrote alot about this.

1/2 ton is too small. Take it from me after 4 yrs my 1/2 ton van needs all new suspension as a coil compressed and a rear strut support broke. Both front shocks bent. The front bearings went bad, and no I wasn't even carrying water.

For towing it would probably work though

-- Edited by Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 on Saturday 16th of May 2009 12:14:39 AM

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Accuwash LLC

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Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:

Chris what about wood shakes { wooden shingles }on a roof, I think I read on here the Sh will discolor it pretty badly?




WE do not see many wood shakes here in Tampa.
I lived for 14 years out in Seattle - plenty wood shaake roofs there.
We used Sodium Hydroxide and Pressure to clean them.
yes SH WILL lighten up the wood IME.
Wood Shake Roof Cleaning is NOT my area of expertise no

I DON'T like them disbelief

Too easy to go "roof surfing" when a shake busts loose furious

 



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Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Florida

711 Westbrook

Brandon, FL 33511

813 655 8777

See our website here 

Click here for more information

Here are more of our services

Watch a short video

 




 



Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

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unlike this bozo

http://www.creepygif.com/image.php?i=598



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Wow I needed that! A little off topic but, that was hilarious!

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Today was my last day as a truck driver.

Thanks for the info on the slate.

I don't want to walk ANY roof. Or rinse.

I will look for a bigger truck. Money is tight. Once I get this show going I can always upgrade later.
And I am assuming that I do not need to carry water so I will only get one tank for starters.

I do want to offer house cleaning. Can I do everything non-pressure or should I get a dreaded pressure washer?

Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies
770-354-7030
rob30518@yahoo.com
Fayetteville, GA


-- Edited by Mudpuppies on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 08:40:00 PM

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

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Everything can be done non pressure.

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even flat work. I am just starting roof cleaning now but I been pressure washing for part time for 1 year half. So I know you wash house with roof setup but how do you wash drive and side walk with out your surface cleaner and pressure wasdher.

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Squeaky Clean Pressure Cleaning
Winter Haven Fl

Christopher Francis
863-521-4892



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I would like to hear more about doing these houses with no-pressure. Are you guys using lighter SH solutions? That stuff can eat the enamel off of aluminium, and how do you remove nests and cobwebs, maybe a brush ?? I am curious, as I pressure wash things every day. Alot of it is high flow low pressure, but pressure non the less. What about decks?? Don't I still need 500+ psi, to actually remove the dirt rather than bleach it out?? Maybe I should just mix my limeolene alot stronger and see if that makes things easier. It already melts most dirt right off the house. Even things like that can still eat the enamal of aluminium if applied to strong, and all my chems need to at least be rinsed off. Do I need to rinse the NO pressure house wash off with a hose?? If it is SH solution, wouldn't it be bad for the siding, seeing as SH eats most plastics and metals? especially if it isn't rinsed off??

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Bill Booz

Accuwash LLC

Cell-240-425-2845

 



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What a week.

Bought a truck, a pump, some hoses, nozzles, ladders, goggles, respirator, contractor bags, etc. Trying to get the logo and website done.

What happened to the old days when all you needed were business cards and a telephone?

I'm having a hard time finding SH. Nobody at Univar will answer the phones or email. B@*$ds!

I finally heard from a guy at Ashland who says he will check his suppliers for me. Hopefully I can get some the first of next week. Any ideas or suggestions would be great. I want to wash NEXT WEEK! Every where I drive I see algae!

Bob at Pressuretek said any larger than 40 nozzles won't give me enough distance on my spray. So he sold me 0040, 1530, 2530, and 4030. But I also got a big Firemans Nozzle at Sam's Club. So I think I'll be OK if the nozzles are too small. I just need to get STARTED!

I am going to have to start with my rig in the back of my pickup. I will be using two 55 gallon drums as they are cheap. Hopefully they will get me through the next couple of months and I will upgrade.

My vacation is up Saturday. I am going to work tomorrow to give my notice. A little scary, but it's now or never.

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


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Now that the search is finally working, I have found some answers.

Like the 55 gallon drums are a LOUSY idea!

Thanks Chris for your wisdom. I'll go bigger!

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


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Finally heard from Univar! Actually the salesman, Philip sounds like a nice guy and apologized for their initial poor communications skills.

I'm going today to pick up some SHC at 1.95 and TSP at 1.62. I am sure he will do better when I get the quote from Ashland or start buying a LOT!

I am also going to look at tanks.

Maybe I can do my roof on Sunday.

Get busy Rob!

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Rob Wallace
Mudpuppies, LLC

mudpups.com
770-354-7030
rob@mudpups.com
Fayetteville, GA


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Damn Rob. GO GO GO..... I think it's great you are picking up and running. Do you have a customer yet?? Did you give your notice??? Maybe clean on weekends for a little while before you give your notice? Well I guess that dosn't work if your driving all over the country...

ok

If your answers are yes yes no. Then GO GO GO Get on that marketing hard core. It's awesome that you have a plan and are rather prepared. But do take your time on the jobs.
Get out there and let the world know who you are!!!

I see financing is on your list of things you are currently working on.
Lack of Knowledge, Lack of drive, and lack of cash are the 3 biggest killers of businesses. Looks like you have the first 2 covered. The RCIA has the knowledge and you are picking it up quick. You seem really motivated. The cash can be hard man. I started with 2k and 3 shareholders lol, and very little knowledge. All I had was drive. Now it is Just me and soon to be a new entity with my wife and me. Thats what lack of cash and knowledge did to me ( and drive for the other guys, 1 was only with me for 6 months). Brought me back to square 1 after four years. Now I have alot more Know-how and at least alot of equipment and some cash. We are getting funding this time as well.

All this is true and proven by lots of people who have tried.... I hope you are talking to your local SBA. They can help ALOT!!! They can help you prep to approch investors and banks for capital, they can also help you understand alot about business. Also find your local SCORE chapter if you have one. These are retired Executives who donate their time to help guys like you. Morgan found them for us. They will meet you face to face and tell you the real deal.

Thanks for sharing your experience here instead of just doing it in silence. Telling people here what you are doing might just save you from a serious mistake. Also you might even teach a veteran something, that you pick up. And other new guys can see lots of different accounts of different rigs and systems.

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Bill Booz

Accuwash LLC

Cell-240-425-2845

 



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confuseNice "PEP TALK" Bill,  it was down to earth smile

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Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985
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