Tag Archives: Professional

House Cleaning – The Professional Business

November 10, 2023   Matt

House Cleaning – The Professional Business

Most people get into house cleaning to earn some extra money. You may have family, friends and neighbors as your regular clients. Are you ready and motivated to take your part-time business to the next level?
Growing any business takes time and patience. And if you have a loyal client base now, set aside a portion of your gross revenue for advertising, custom business forms and your own products and equipment.
Expanding your business also takes planning. How can you start getting new clients without a large advertising budget? A small one-time investment in custom business forms is the first step.
So what’s wrong with not using business forms? Absolutely nothing if you’re satisfied with your client base right now and not interested in making more money.
But I hear from a lot of professional house cleaners that are struggling in their business. They wonder why they don’t get more of the jobs they bid on. They ask why people won’t pay their rate and instead want to negotiate the price down.
If you’re not presenting yourself as a professional business, your prospects assume you just need to make some extra money; you don’t have their respect and they think you’ll be happy to take whatever they offer to pay.
Now think about this for a minute. Who would you be more likely to hire: the plumber that shows up to estimate your job with a clipboard and custom business forms or the plumber that shows up with a flyer? Be honest with yourself; you are going to trust this plumber inside your home around your personal possessions. What if this person were to break or damage something? Do you think about this issue with the plumber with the clipboard and custom business forms, or is it more of a concern with the plumber with just the flyer?
Your prospects are judging you and forming an opinion from the moment you answer their call. And you know what they say about first impressions? It’s absolutely true in running a business. Not only are they judging you before they hire you, but they judge you again when you arrive on the scheduled service date.
– Use the Service Agreement to define your terms of doing business and to document the service for each client. This forms performs dual purpose as it is also your estimating form that you use during your in-home or telephone bidding. You will discuss the content with your prospect and then have them sign it, not as a contract, but to provide you and them with an understanding of your terms and the service start date.
– The Customer Checklist records your estimate for your new client and has all the cleaning tasks listed that you perform. This form alone can get you the job immediately or even later after your prospect has tried other services.
– The Work Order is created from the important notes you recorded on the Service Agreement during the walk through or telephone interview. It specifies the client, the address and phone number, information pertaining to pets in the home, client specific requests and directives, including important notes you documented about the home.
– The Service Checklist is used by you or your team on the scheduled service date. It is a reminder of the regular service tasks that are to be performed and is used to maintain quality. One of the biggest complaints from clients is that quality deteriorates over time. If you’re not using a Service Checklist, you’re not instilling trust in your clients, especially new clients. They will auto- matically check your work on every appointment to make sure you didn’t miss anything. And if you did, you’ll hear about it – quick!
When you start to use business forms for your existing clients, they will probably ask you why the sudden change. This provides you with a chance to tell them that you’re expanding your business and would appreciate referrals. This leaves them impressed and knowing that you are serious about running a professional business and will be more likely to make referrals.
Custom business forms speak loudly to your prospects and in the long run land you more jobs, referrals and larger profits!

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It Is Important To Hire A Professional To Handle Your Plumbing (2)

August 24, 2023   Matt

It Is Important To Hire A Professional To Handle Your Plumbing

This is your best chance to gain a better understanding about plumbing. It is more than important that you learn what there is to learn now, before any issues occur. Use the great advice provided in this article to establish yourself as being a sufficient plumber for you or your friends.

During the warm seasons, you will see that there will be many bird nests forming in and around your plumbing vent pipes. It is essential to clear these out, as they can have a devastating effect on the quality of your plumbing and the flow of water in your home.

Never flush menstrual products, such as pads or tampons, even if the box says it’s okay. These products can cause major clogs in your plumbing that cannot be removed with a simple plunger. Ensure that all women in your household understand the importance of placing these items in an appropriate receptacle.

Plunging is not the only way to unclog a troublesome toilet. If the water in the basin is sitting low and you know there’s a clog, try dropping hot water directly into the basin with a little bit of elevation, to apply enough force to help move along the clog.

Is your shower pressure weak due to clogging of the openings in your shower head? Here is a simple and cost-effective tip to take care of that problem. Pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place it over the shower head, and twist tie it into place so it can soak overnight. In the morning, remove the plastic bag and use an old toothbrush to scrub off the mineral deposits which are clogging the openings. This will help to restore water flow and increase shower pressure.

If you drop a small item like a ring or earring into a sink drain, hope is not lost. By carefully removing the U-shaped trap underneath the sink, you can probably retrieve the item. Be aware that the trap will be full of water, though, so have something under it to catch the spills.

To help you repair a leaky water line, you should hire a plumber. A leaky water line can be a problem because it could lead to a flood. The best way to fix this problem is to hire a licensed plumber who is trained to repair the leak.

It’s important to know how to turn off the water in your home in case the worst happens. For example, if your bathroom sink started leaking, do you know how to stop it? Walk around your home and find all the shut-off valves for each set of pipes and write them down. Create a map so you can always have a reference if necessary.

In conclusion, you want to take the time now before there is an issue to learn about plumbing so that you know what to do when something occurs. When you are panicked or when your home is at risk, you will not be in the best mode for learning. Hopefully this article helps you immensely.

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Gardening And Landscaping: Doing It Yourself Or Calling In A Professional

March 14, 2022   Matt

Gardening And Landscaping: Doing It Yourself Or Calling In A Professional

With the hustle and bustle associated with daily life in the 21st century, many people have become intensely interested in developing a living environment at home that is soothing, calming and peaceful. Towards this end, an ever growing number of people have come to recognize and appreciate the benefits of gardens. Indeed, the life enhancing benefits of plants and flowers is significant.

As a consequence of an increasing segment of the population who expresses an interest in developing that perfect home garden — complete with lush plants and colorful flowers — many people are faced with the question of whether they should plant and create their own garden spaces or whether they should call in a landscaping professional.

In considering whether to “do it yourself” (when it comes to creating a garden and undertaking landscaping) or whether to hire a professional, there are pros and cons to be found on both sides of the proverbial fence. Of course, as mentioned previously, the 21st century is a point in time when many, many people maintain very full schedules. In other words, they simply do not have the time to spend creating that prefect garden or landscape for their homes. Obviously, for such men and women, a professional landscape artist provides the perfect solution.

On the other hand, precisely because life is rushed for so many people, gardening can be a great release and relief. People can obtain a much needed break from the machinations of their daily schedules by spending quality time working the soil, planting flowers and tending to garden plots and patches generally.

You may be one of those people who would like to undertake the creation of your own flower and plant gardens on your own. However, you may feel that you lack the necessary “green thumb” to develop an eye-catching and visually appealing landscape. If that is the case, if you are a person who would like to take up the creation of flower gardens and landscaping on your own but feel you need some guidance, help and assistance is available.

There are now a group of gardening and landscaping professionals available to consult with you in the development and creation of attractive outdoor scenes. These consultants work hand in hand with you; they provide definitive expertise and assistance in aiding you in the design and implementation of an attractive landscape complete with stunning flower gardens and vibrant greenery.

In the final analysis, there are benefits to be had both by understaking your own gardening and landscaping course or by calling in the aid of a gardening consultant or a full-service landscaping operator. When all is said and done, you will end up with gardens and landscaping that you will make you proud and that will make your home all the more appealing.

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Professional Help with Your Computer May Be Cheaper Than You Think

June 11, 2021   Matt

Professional Help with Your Computer May Be Cheaper Than You Think

We all deal with them, those little computer problems that aren’t quite big enough to warrant a call to the Computer Guy. You know, like every once in a while your camera won’t transfer its pictures the right way. Or like the times when all of a sudden your computer shuts down for no apparent reason and with no warning whatsoever. Don’t forget those odd “Run Time Errors” with the crazy numbers in them. I love those.

The worst part is, you could probably fix some of these things yourself if you just had a little help or guidance. Calling a professional, while sometimes necessary, can be both a greater inconvenience and of course a greater cost. It may take forever to contact them, and when you do get in touch with the help desk, they always make you reboot the thing twelve times before you get any real advice.

Let me be clear on a couple things before we continue. First, I am a professional computer technician and have been working in the industry for over 15 years. There are numerous occasions where a professional is needed to help with or repair your PC. It is often my advice to have your system evaluated at least one every three months. On top of that, there are many things a novice should not try on their PC for fear of causing more harm than good. Not everything is this way though.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Your best way to help maintain your computer is by staying informed and educated. I’m not suggesting everyone run out and get a Computer Science degree, but I am suggesting you use some of the top notch free resources that are available to you. The largest these days is of course the internet.

Don’t get nervous yet, I’m not suggesting you look up some super hi-tech article and study it until you know it inside and out. You don’t have to. The net is full of people who already understand these things and are more than willing to pass some of that understanding on to you. They do this in forums.

Forums are a wonderful thing. A lot of forums are actual cyber communities of people who love to talk about various topics. They have people of varying skill sets, all interacting in a friendly supportive way. I know there’s a free computer support forum out there with people in it just waiting to answer some of your questions.

So next time those pop ups are driving you crazy, and you can’t reach your favorite help desk, stop by a computer support forum. You’ll be surprised at how good an experience it can be.

-Dave

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Find The Right Plumbing Professional

May 16, 2021   Matt

Find The Right Plumbing Professional

Maintaining and repairing your own plumbing is an essential part of home improvement, but understanding it and buying the right equipment can be tricky. There are lots of things to consider for your particular plumbing job. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you get started with your own plumbing jobs.

Many people deal with clogged toilets. However, if your toilet will not flush every time, the water rises to the top, and there is bubbling effect occasionally, this can be due to a much deeper blockage in the main pipe. The main pipe must then be cleaned in order for your toilet to work properly.

If you are the kind of person who likes to listen to music when you work, then you should be sure to avoid using headphones. A radio is a much smarter choice, as it will allow you to hear the music you want, without distracting you from hearing important sounds.

Before starting any plumbing project be sure to turn off the main water supply. Water damage can be one of the most expensive things to repair. To minimize damage turn the main water supply off as well as any shut off valves near where you are working. This will save a great deal of hardship later on.

If your sewer is backed up, there are things you can do to troubleshoot and clean, including renting equipment like a main line cable. However, often times this does not fully take care of the problem. A professional needs to assess the issue then, using a camera method, and thoroughly cleaning the main line.

Make sure you allow a slow drip over the night when you experience the coldest of winter weather. A general rule to follow is, if there is snow on the ground, leave the water dripping. This keeps a constant flow and reduces your risk of waking up to frozen pipes that can cause a great deal of damage.

Many people complain of low water pressure. While there are several things that can cause this, one must not be overlooked when starting your investigation. What kind of pipes do you have? If your piping is galvanized, you are better off just replacing your piping which will eliminate the issue.

Make sure any plumber that you hire can handle the type of job you have. There are many aspects to plumbing and many contractors can do almost all of them, but some are better suited to doing work involved in specific areas. If need a plumber for your septic system, get one that specializes in septic systems.

Making sure you know all of your problems so you can have them fixed by one plumber visit is very beneficial. Having them all fixed in one visit takes a lot of money off of your bill because you don’t have to pay for the visit multiple times so make sure you make a list first.

As you read, plumbing can be an incredibly important aspect to your current and future home improvement and so is understanding all the different techniques and equipment. This is so it makes it easier for you to understand what you need for your plumbing jobs. Following the tips in this article is a very good starting place.

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Take advantage of the Knowledge of a Landscaping Professional

March 24, 2021   Matt

Take advantage of the Competence of a Landscaping Professional

Hectic house owners that respect the exterior look of their home as long as they do the interior can rely on a landscaping service provider for style suggestions and also to deal with outdoor tasks.

An accredited landscape contractor has actually been specially trained to satisfy all landscaping requires– whether for service objectives or cosmetic. Every little thing from driveways, patios, and also decks; to grading the yard, and total landscape style. Garden fish ponds enhanced by a pond bridge, wooden “playscapes” for children, walkthrough yards, and placement as well as selection of trees, shrubs, and also various other plants to balance the backyard and also boost aesthetic appeal.

The Benefits Supplied by a Landscaping Service provider

Like other certified specialists, different landscape professionals will certainly have specific locations of experience and also expertise. For circumstances, work with a skilled landscape lights service provider to mount outdoor lighting attributes. They are educated concerning different sorts of landscape illumination, and also when as well as exactly how to make use of each for maximum benefit.

Couple of homeowners are savvy regarding the most effective method to enhance landscape attributes using shape illumination, uplighting, grazing, moonlighting, or backlighting techniques. An accredited landscape specialist, nevertheless, recognizes how to manipulate the benefits of these kind lights attributes.

Landscaping Tips

If extra time is a problem, employ a landscaping service provider with experience creating easy-care landscapes, significantly minimizing maintenance efforts. Mower-friendly grass lacking yard peninsulas and islands that reduce mowing, as well as need great deals of transforming as well as maneuvering.
Go with a low tide landscape style making use of drought-tolerant plants as well as ground cover to preserve water and decrease maintenance needs.

Little lawns can be made to look larger making use of the experience of a landscape contractor developer accustomed to the “forcing the viewpoint” method. Angling plants towards each other, reaching the rear of the landscape. Making the yard appearance much longer and much more spacious, while including visual interest as well as boosted elegance.

The Right Landscaping Service Provider for the Right Job

A certified professional with a landscaping contractor permit can raise the external elegance of a home, appropriate landscape issues, and bring equilibrium to the backyard– increasing actual estate market value of the home. Select the best professional for the appropriate job.

Some are extra skilled with correcting landscape defects and also making use of plants enhancements to improve as well as stabilize to the backyard. The know-how of an additional landscaping professional may be concrete driveways, walkways, and also customized bordering the landscape border.

A building and construction service provider landscaping specialist might be best for constructing an increased deck, split-level patio area, or a variety of various other functional outdoor tasks.

Word of place referrals, neighborhood licensing authorities, as well as Web resources such as www.handycanadian.com are your finest sources for discovering a certified landscaping specialist in your area.

Thoroughly picking a certified landscaping specialist makes certain exterior feature success, contributing to the appearance as well as value of your house.

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