Colorado Takes a Stand on Reclaim

[John Doherty]

The state of Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment has finally published some guidelines for mobile PWs.

It's not anything we haven't seen before.

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/Perm.../powerwash.pdf

There will be a public meeting on Sept. 30, 2004 @ the Boulder County Chamber of Commerce, 2440 Pearl St.. in Boulder, from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Looks like the comment period is over (if there even was one), at this meeting they're just going to discuss the policies. They may be making a video next year, you watch it and it makes you certified, and added to a State certification list.

I'm not saying the sky is falling, but can further (or any) enforcement be on the way?

Regards,

JD

[One Tough Pressure]

So how much do they want so that you can call yourself "State Certified"?

[modhatter]

JD,

My son is thinking of moving to Colorado Springs. He is currently in southern FL. where we have lots of year round work (at rock bottom prices) I am concerned he might have a difficult time there finding enough work. The climate is dry so you don't have a lot of mildew growth, and then there are the cold winters. Can you shed any light on the subject for me?

Sonja

[John Doherty]

Let's see. I only cover metro Denver and North but conditions seem to be the same all over the state.

Hopefully we are getting out of the 6th or 9th yr of this drought (depends who you ask). Water restrictions at this point, Denver and Aurora limit you to 3 GPM equipment (Aurora allowed none until Sept 1) not sure on the Springs.



The arid climate takes mold/mildew etc. out of the equation, so you almost never see a house wash. We do get major UV damage to decks so that business is OK, but seasonal. Residential work is rare with the exception of decks.



Don't know anyone who does fleet work, so I can't comment on it. I'm not sure about the weather in the Springs temp wise but the average daytime temp in Denver in the winter is around 50 degrees, we can get a lot of snow but since it's so warm we don't have much ground cover of snow, it's usually gone in a day or two. We'll get 1-2 weeks of below freezing in Jan or Feb. If you don't have daytime work you are seasonal. I stick to construction flatwork so I work all year with a little slow down in Feb.



Maybe Gavin with Cyclone can add some more as he goes more far a field then I do. Let me know if he moves, I could use a good sub down in the Springs and I know some easy income helps when you're getting started.



Wish him the best of luck,

JD

[Gavin]

Sonja,

I've only been in business for a year but it has been a busy one. Not so busy I had to turn down work but busy enough to keep me steady. Last winter I was just starting out so I can't really comment on what it will be like this year. When I think of this business I think of it as seasonal and getting a good 8 months a year (of solid work) would be ideal (for Colorado). Anything more I would consider a bonus. I've only had 2 calls for "house washing". Deck & fence restoration, on the other hand, has been incredible. The UV's are really strong here and kill exterior wood pretty fast so work is plentiful.

As far as "rock bottom prices", that's not as much of an issue here as it is in FL as there is not really that much competition (at least not enough to affect my pricing). All that with minimal advertising. I am boosting my advertising next year by 150 times my current area so that along with my referal work..... I expect to be very busy. Some other work I've done ranges from washing Bucket Trucks, swimming pools, gas station canopies, paint stripping, concrete cleaning, awnings, dumpster pads for resturants, etc. Let me know if I can help further!

Gav