Hey Guy,as you know I have a pressure wash and painting business on the Island and now it seems that everyone and they Uncle does pressure washing here.Most person will go for the cheaper and less professoinal guy cause they cost them less but as we all know now problem will be back in no time.
Now I'm getting into the softwashing side of the business should I do a name change so I can set myself aside form the come by night pressure washing guys,or try to educate persons about the softwash process.
Seeking professional advice.
Laurie Benjamin said
Jul 4, 2013
Our culture is basically the same Nigel and when I started softwashing I had a hard time with the competition mainly because of the price. The reality is that in the caribbean Softwashing is not going to attract the average joe.. It should be targeted at the more high end customers. What I did was target business owners and large clients with properties or chains, in that way your effort is not just for a single building. The others would come Around eventually. At present, pressure washing is known as the only solution. You have to show otherwise.
Nigel James said
Jul 4, 2013
Thanks Laurie for the advice,I'm currently working on two quote for commercial buildings.What kind of warranty do you offer on your Softwahing cleaning? I'm thinking of a two years warranty.
Mark Fermoyle said
Jul 9, 2013
I think you'll still need to include "Pressure Washing" in your description until you are able to educate people about the differences between what you offer and what the others offer. Many, many people still don't know exactly 'what' SoftWashing is. You may want to incorporate it into you business name, for instance:
James Pressure Wash, "SoftWash", and Painting Co.
If you're in the phone book, maintain your listing under the heading of Pressure Washing so people can find you when looking at the list of providers.
Best of Luck!
Nigel James said
Jul 9, 2013
Thanks Mark for the advice.Guess I have to do some educating of the softwash process.
AC Lockyer said
Jul 9, 2013
Agreed, we advertised in the yellow pages (back when that meant something) in the pressure washing section, even for roof cleaning. Customers always looked there and once we got the call then we went into education mode.
AC
Ray Burke said
Jul 9, 2013
Yes, keep pw in your business description, then After the customer contact is made you can educate them on the superior differences about soft wash.
Laurie Benjamin said
Jul 20, 2013
Thats so true and ilearnt this the hard way...Who in their average mind, search softwashing.... I got mashed on google searches here in Trinidad and i am sure St Lucia is NO different..
Ray Burke said
Jul 20, 2013
even though 95% our our business does not involve a PW, we still use that dreaded term in our advertising!!!!
Hey Guy,as you know I have a pressure wash and painting business on the Island and now it seems that everyone and they Uncle does pressure washing here.Most person will go for the cheaper and less professoinal guy cause they cost them less but as we all know now problem will be back in no time.
Now I'm getting into the softwashing side of the business should I do a name change so I can set myself aside form the come by night pressure washing guys,or try to educate persons about the softwash process.
Seeking professional advice.
Thanks Laurie for the advice,I'm currently working on two quote for commercial buildings.What kind of warranty do you offer on your Softwahing cleaning? I'm thinking of a two years warranty.
James Pressure Wash, "SoftWash", and Painting Co.
If you're in the phone book, maintain your listing under the heading of Pressure Washing so people can find you when looking at the list of providers.
Best of Luck!
Thanks Mark for the advice.Guess I have to do some educating of the softwash process.
AC