One man show - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Islander Pro-Wash · Freshmen Member

One man show

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Steve,

There is a fine dance between the waste of additional payroll and the extra production an additional man can create. Mostly its against the law to be in the potential of a fall and not have a safety monitor (ground man)

AC

Ray Burke · Community Member

House washing can be done with one person, I do this all the time on smaller, simple houses. That being said, I find my time/value is typically maximized by having my ground guy on the surface cleaner/pressure washer. It's simple economics for me. If I bid a house @ 200, my first though is what add on services can I give to increase the net. After all, the most expensive part of the job is unrolling the hoses. If I can do a driveway in a hour for 75 while I'm already there washing the house, that is an additional 50 on my bottom line after paying the ground guy, wear and tear on the pressure washer, gas, etc. So, having a helper can really expand your profit potential. As far as roof cleaning is concerned, it can be done. I have washed many of them from the ground, and have climbed a few too while alone. I would never do it alone on a two story, or high pitched roof. I have also gotten myself in trouble with this too...knocking the ladder down, burning a pump up, etc. The ladder problem has been solved with ACs ladder stabilizer, which is the best thing since sliced bread. Still, the best way to clean a roof is to have a reliable ground guy to help you, but it can be done alone in the most basic circumstances.

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Good afternoon, I was wondering if your help aka ground guy gets paid hourly or per job. I have a lot of questions but still finding answers in threads. Thanks in advance.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

The ground guy is minimum wage. If you find one that is reliable and is able to communicate they will be able to bring value. As he creates value, you can increase pay. Focus on adding extra services and that will pay his wages. A good ground guy can communicte with the neighbors and bring in business. Maybe have a 3rd guy on truck for end of day jobs. He can unroll hoses, clean gutters and then knock on doors when people are home. Track your results/expenses

AC Lockyer · Administrator

magikman92 wrote:
Good afternoon, I was wondering if your help aka ground guy gets paid hourly or per job. I have a lot of questions but still finding answers in threads. Thanks in advance.

It is against federal wage an hour code to pay per job unless you follow regulation 7i

AC

Matt Lancaster · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

I work alone alot! But like AC said its a fine line I use my 17 yr old son on some jobs but for me its all about economics in PA you cannot carry workers comp on your self but if you have an employee its mandatory and im on a shoestring I have found a company called labor force that charges a premium but they carry the comp. its a win win on the big jobs especially if you hook up with a guy several times and he gets it. for now thats my option its too late in season to try to carry a man however in the spring this will be the first thing I do . Any one have a good agent for comp ?

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

matt call marc milison from kramer-Warner

Marc Millison

Insurance Consultant

Kramer-Warner Associates, Inc.

3545 Rhoads Avenue

Newtown Square, PA 19073

Phone: (610) 359-1422 Ext. 218

Mobile: (610) 675-8388

Fax: (610) 359-0437

Web: www.kramerwarner.com

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Hey AC why cant you pay your employees per job .. what is regulation 7i ... can you give me more information on that please

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

i think they then turn into a sub contractor if you pay per job. Then they must have thier own ins. and w comp.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

when we are slow i pay my guy a min of 350 and if we do 3 or less jobs i give him 150 cash as a bonus. 3 or more then it works out to about 40 per job extra.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

PA changed law within the last year and now sole ownerships are allowed to purchase workers comp for owner.

Josh Scavetta · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

so laws must be different per state. im going to call the CT employment office and check up on it. i fell like my employees would work much better and faster with more incentive

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

You are allowed to give them a bonus per job it is up to you how you would disperse it.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

From reading these posts one common thread always seemed to be a ground guy to water the plants....... after reading this thread it would appear a lot of us are a one man show. When it comes to roof washing yourself, what extra steps if any do you take to protect the plants? Just hose the plants down real well before and after, plus use plant wash in the end? What else can you do when you are by yourself?

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

I never go it alone, what if you get hurt?
It's not worth the risk. Although if you have to just bring along a water sprinkler to keep the plants wet during the cleaning.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Valid point and one that is always on my mind. I think it would be hard to keep someone interested in working for me when I can't guarantee any steady work. I'm looking at asking some high school kids I know to help me out...... would give them some extra cash and it would help me a lot.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Augment your roof mix with CH and SH and there is less chance of damage. Use one of the 4' tall oscillating sprinklers to keep glass and plants wet. Just be smart and don't attempt too big of a job. Make sure homeowner is home when working. Sometimes you got to start small. If its just you, you should be selling at a high enough price to afford a $12 - $15 hour person or someone retired. There are a lot of people out there that don't want to work steady. Most people aren't like you willing to work hard to succeed.

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

Jeff Thompson wrote:
Valid point and one that is always on my mind. I think it would be hard to keep someone interested in working for me when I can't guarantee any steady work. I'm looking at asking some high school kids I know to help me out...... would give them some extra cash and it would help me a lot.

I woudn't even think about doing a job by myself. Having ground guy, makes life so much better.

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

Having multiple men on a job is not only safer, easier, more productive, but also make for a more professional sell to the customer. It makes it easier to justify a higher cost for the job.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Tim Teed wrote:
Augment your roof mix with CH and SH and there is less chance of damage. Use one of the 4' tall oscillating sprinklers to keep glass and plants wet. Just be smart and don't attempt too big of a job. Make sure homeowner is home when working. Sometimes you got to start small. If its just you, you should be selling at a high enough price to afford a $12 - $15 hour person or someone retired. There are a lot of people out there that don't want to work steady. Most people aren't like you willing to work hard to succeed.

Thanks for all the imput on the question. My sons are away doing their thing but their friends are still around. It would not be a problem asking someone to come out and give me a hand. It really isn't about the money more so than the problem I see is in scheduling. If I don't have a person working full time, it's hard to schedule a job when I don't know what days the part time help would be available....but I guess that's easy enough to figure something out. I agree, better to have someone with you when on a roof....just used to going it alone.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Jeff,

You should go on the 3 / 3 Owner Operator Model. Three Days working Mn - Wd, and three days selling Th - Sa. You can easily complete $4,500.00 in production a week working Mn - Wd and set up your part time help for those days.

AC

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
Jeff,

You should go on the 3 / 3 Owner Operator Model. Three Days working Mn - Wd, and three days selling Th - Sa. You can easily complete $4,500.00 in production a week working Mn - Wd and set up your part time help for those days.

AC

Great idea.

AC, a little off topic, but what is the current code for your modules? I'm going to take some. The lead tec modules.....I'm okay with doing the eight modules, but I'm not sure if I will be able to meet up with a pro staffer for 8 hours of hands on....is that a deal breaker for me getting certified?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Jeff Thompson wrote:
AC Lockyer wrote:
Jeff,

You should go on the 3 / 3 Owner Operator Model. Three Days working Mn - Wd, and three days selling Th - Sa. You can easily complete $4,500.00 in production a week working Mn - Wd and set up your part time help for those days.

AC
Great idea.
AC, a little off topic, but what is the current code for your modules? I'm going to take some. The lead tec modules.....I'm okay with doing the eight modules, but I'm not sure if I will be able to meet up with a pro staffer for 8 hours of hands on....is that a deal breaker for me getting certified?

Jeff,

The discount code is here, http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t50787812/2012-2013-seasonal-discount-codes-softwash-systems-training-/

Let's set up an apointment to discuss the other point by phone. The rules are the rules but I am here to help.

AC

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

The hard thing is scheduling with the weather. It is windy. I've got several nice jobs sold and all of the houses are on exposed lots with lots of wind. They say march comes in like a lion and out like a lamb...still waiting

Huey Miller · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Hey guys getting in on this one a little late

The federal law of sub contractor/employee has guidelines that ask questions like do you tell them when to report to work/the job and leave. Are they paid by the hour, the job, commission? Do they provide their own tools, vehicle, insurances, licensing and taxes

As for paying them by the job you can pay by the job as long as you are with holding taxes and they are making at least minimum wage for all hours combined in a pay period or pay them what ever you both agree if the pass the sub contractor test

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

AC Lockyer wrote:
Jeff Thompson wrote:
AC Lockyer wrote:
Jeff,

You should go on the 3 / 3 Owner Operator Model. Three Days working Mn - Wd, and three days selling Th - Sa. You can easily complete $4,500.00 in production a week working Mn - Wd and set up your part time help for those days.

AC
Great idea.
AC, a little off topic, but what is the current code for your modules? I'm going to take some. The lead tec modules.....I'm okay with doing the eight modules, but I'm not sure if I will be able to meet up with a pro staffer for 8 hours of hands on....is that a deal breaker for me getting certified?

Jeff,
The discount code is here, http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t50787812/2012-2013-seasonal-discount-codes-softwash-systems-training-/
Let's set up an apointment to discuss the other point by phone. The rules are the rules but I am here to help.
AC

No worries AC. I understand and rules are good. I'll take the modules and when I'm done we can figure out where to go from there.

Matt Jennemann · Junior Member

Ground guys are never a bad thing to have.