Just do ur thing MPW. Maybe u did bite off more than u can chew with this one. See what kind of constructive advice u can get with research. U will b just fine. This IS a site to come and ask questions. Bystander may not think so. I haven’t been on here long, but I see way more condescending comments from him than helpful advice. There are some on here who will help u out.
Keep asking questions. That’s how u learn. As for me I plan on taking on smaller, more manageable jobs. This winter I will attend some classes and hands on training so that I am prepared for the beginning of next year to take on more difficult jobs. As I become more successful I’ll b sure to let guys like bystander know that u CAN start a pressure washing business with limited experience. We aren’t starting up a medical practice or law firm here. best of luck to u.
Asking questions is a poor way to learn. That’s not how any standardized school operates. I wish you well in whatever you do. My advice is solid when given.
But everyone should get a trophy even if they don’t participate. So let’s just sing kumbaya and hold hands because customers don’t care if people jump out there and destroy their homes due to inexperience. Everyone knows you learn more from google and you tube than by working for another contractor or volunteer work such as labor for learning.
I dont agree that asking questions is a poor way to learn. Obviously doing research and using the search function is going to get people here most of the answers needed, but asking more experienced people is a great way to learn. You learn from their mistakes, what worked or didnt work for them, best procedure. It can save a lot of money and problems in the future. People like you, Racer, Alex, Squid and others have a lot to offer, so I believe it would be very beneficial to ask questions.
You did not “piss anyone off.” What you did do was register on the forum and read for 34 minutes before asking a vague question that was impossible to adequately answer, and made you look like you were walking into a whole mess of trouble. The quality of the answer you get here always depends on the quality of the question. If anyone got the wrong impression of you, your competence, or your future in this industry, it’s because you gave the wrong impression. Stick around, read, learn and contribute. You are welcome here and if your pride survives, you’ll do fine.
My rule of thumb is this: If you had an employee who was at the same level of competence that you are at, would you send them out with your equipment to represent you, doing the work that you promised the customer? If the answer is no, then you should re-think doing the work until you are more confident in your abilities. For some reason entrepreneurs always over-estimate their own abilities. Nothing wrong with growing into your profession but it’s stupid to tackle jobs you aren’t ready for.
Then you are probably competent to do basic house washes. That’s all anyone can expect, but would you go out and commit your services to restore the marble exterior of a historic building just because they called you? That’s the difference.
No, but neither are we making french fries, rounding up shopping carts, or delivering pizza. Pressure washing is a skilled trade like mason, welder, pipe-fitter, or diesel mechanic. Just because it doesn’t require a college degree or a state license doesn’t mean that it’s easy or risk free.
Steve always has better wording than I do. I’ve made @squidskc upset with me and Steve so frustrated that I think he left for awhile, but we all respect each other. Add the required tact and niceties you den appropriate to my comments and then read them. I usually leave them out
Leave that mess to the window cleaners. Aka the doctors and lawyers of our industry. We’re out here pushing carts and need to stay on the reservation.
Joking aside, I could spend 10 years doing windows and still not be as fast as the slowest Steve, Alex, or Jordie. For me, watching good window cleaners work is like enviously watching surfers just before I fall off my boogie board.
I’m in the “if I spend money on cool stuff maybe I wont suck” stage of my window cleaning career. It doesn’t work for golf…maybe it works for this. I’ll tell ya one thing though… its oddly soothing cleaning windows. I enjoy the challenge and I really think it’s a solid in to big commercial accounts… that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
It’s pretty easy if you understand the basic concepts of (1) dirt is on the glass, (2) I need to suspend the dirt into a solution, and (3) I need to remove the solution with the suspended dirt without leaving any on the glass. That’s as simple and as complicated as it gets. The rest is just learning to work a faster than a fat kid chasing an ice cream truck.
best of luck to u.
even if they don’t participate. So let’s just sing kumbaya and hold hands because customers don’t care if people jump out there and destroy their homes due to inexperience. Everyone knows you learn more from google and you tube than by working for another contractor or volunteer work such as labor for learning.
