should I lower my standards??

D

dbgpowerwash

New member
I recently talked to a a guy over 40 gas stations in town. He was very interested in having them washed but only wanted the storefront done well and a rinse down of the rest (spray off the dirt). He said he wouldnt pay more than $125 a store. So my question is should I even consider this, the stores are fairly close and i think i can still make decent $$ but I dont know if I want my work looking like crap. by the way I have never done a gas station for less then $350?
 
You should really be asking yourself if it fits into your business model, are you making enough profit to stay in business, will the work be acceptable to both you and your customer (maybe do one store so you both are on the same page) and if removing gum is involved (get everything in writing of what you are going to do so if he tries to get out of paying or wants more work done later on for the same price).

If it is just the store front and front sidewalk only, not going out into the pump area, that sounds not too bad to me, just find out exactly what he wants done and do one store for that price and see what happens. Rinsing of the dirt from the rest....rest of what?

If he is talking about the pumps and pad, I would not waste my time because it will not look good and you are still dealing with pita customers for a lot less money.

How often does he want them done?



_________________
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
361-853-2513<O:p</O:p
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O:p</O:p
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O:p</O:p
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
 
I would have to agree with Chris. :)
 
He just wants the store front sidewalks done and a rinse around the pumps. thats what i was worried about, its gonna turn out terrible and i dont know if he understands that. but i agree, maybe if i just did the storefront.
 
You never know what he is thinking, maybe he is thinking that you are a quality contractor and you will not leave the area looking bad so he will get a better quality job for cheap.

He might think that it will come clean with a quick rinse and not even have a clue.

Tell him that for $100.00 each location, each month you will take care of the store front and sidewalks since the pump areas will need thorough cleanings which is more than double what he wants to pay. Maybe he will understand then, if not then I would walk, no sense in the aggravation trying to change someone's mind who is set in their ways.

They will find a new guy, a dumbass or someone starving to work for almost free and they will probably try to get out of paying them, here that happens a lot.

Let us know what you end up doing or saying.



_________________
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
361-853-2513<O:p</O:p
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O:p</O:p
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O:p</O:p
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
 
dbgpowerwash said:
I recently talked to a a guy over 40 gas stations in town. He was very interested in having them washed but only wanted the storefront done well and a rinse down of the rest (spray off the dirt). He said he wouldnt pay more than $125 a store. So my question is should I even consider this, the stores are fairly close and i think i can still make decent $$ but I dont know if I want my work looking like crap. by the way I have never done a gas station for less then $350?
Click to expand...


I think you know the answer to that?
 
he wants them done every three weeks. im gonna try and talk him into doing the whole thing the right way or just the store front, either way thanks for all the comments
 
I would do it for that if they were close.I would make sure its a rinse only type thing and go at it.I for one believe it is my job to tell the customers what I think and after that they are the ones with the money if he wants em rinsed then I rinse.

I find it hard to believe that there are 40 gas stations in phoenix that Ron doesn't wash already.HAHAHAHAHA
 
cajun cleanin said:
I would do it for that if they were close.I would make sure its a rinse only type thing and go at it.I for one believe it is my job to tell the customers what I think and after that they are the ones with the money if he wants em rinsed then I rinse.

I find it hard to believe that there are 40 gas stations in phoenix that Ron doesn't wash already.HAHAHAHAHA
Click to expand...


I hate gas stations, ask Russ Why?
 
dbgpowerwash said:
I recently talked to a a guy over 40 gas stations in town. He was very interested in having them washed but only wanted the storefront done well and a rinse down of the rest (spray off the dirt). He said he wouldnt pay more than $125 a store. So my question is should I even consider this, the stores are fairly close and i think i can still make decent $$ but I dont know if I want my work looking like crap. by the way I have never done a gas station for less then $350?
Click to expand...

By the way, I would not do it. There are alot of companys that do crap work making alot of money.

I see nothing wrong if your telling them they are getting below par work. If your not honest about it then its stealing.

And if your stealing and someone stencils you?????????
http://www.tokbox.com/vm/moclsjl0cc3h
 
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Think of it this way

every 3 weeks is 17 times a year
times even say $125 is $2125 per store per year
and if it is just 40 stores thats $85,000 a year

if your running at a 20% profit thats $17000
 
r3powerwashing said:
Think of it this way

every 3 weeks is 17 times a year
times even say $125 is $2125 per store per year
and if it is just 40 stores thats $85,000 a year

if your running at a 20% profit thats $17000
Click to expand...

I do think like that, I'm here to tell you it wont be 20%

If he makes $25.00 dollars per location on each service.

He will be at each location1.5 2 hours minimum to do the job correct. Thats if its only the areas he suggesting. More time if the guy expects a rinse on the other areas.
 
Oh, those must be the stations that I do not stop at because I don't want to track grease into my truck. Seems that the owners wear a lot of turbans, if it is the group I am thinking of. By the way, I like Sikhs,they are great people, they are just tighter than reasonable.
 
I think they most likely are the stations you are thinking about. I decided to pass on them, too much of a hassle to have to deal with
 
I know this is an old thread, but I would look into it. I have 42 that I do every 2 weeks. They pay lower than I would like, but they also realize that they get what they pay for. I surface clean maybe every 2-3 months and the rest of the time I rinse off and keep the gum up. Very easy, very fast, cold water. In and out. They move so fast that there is decent money in it.
 
Just make sure you and the owners are on the same page with the scope of work and put it in writing!!
 
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