| Always be prepared with ample product and supplies in tow! Making trips back and forth to the store or shop is a waste of time and money. |
| Always perform a splash test on a representative portion of the wood surface to be coated before bidding a job. This prepares you for the cleaning process. |
| Mask all areas that you do not intend to clean or coat. A few minutes of masking can eliminate hours of overspray clean-up. |
| Always box two or more gallons of the same product together to ensure uniform color appearance. |
| To determine whether a coating is a water or oil-base formula, apply denatured alcohol to a clean rag and rub lightly on the painted or stained surface. If the alcohol softens or causes the product to become tacky, it is a water-base product. If there is no change to the surface, it is an oil-base product. |
| Don't forget to call your customer if you will be late for a scheduled appointment. |
| Always be professional! First impressions count, and can make or break your chance for maintenance call-backs in the future. |
| Don't forget to take a "before" and "after" photo of all your jobs. A picture is worth a thousand words when attempting to sell your service. |
| Talk to your customers about their expectations. Did you explain the guarantee for water repellency? Did you discuss color? Remember that a coating's color appearance will be influenced by a wood's species, age and surface porosity. |
| Always announce your presence before beginning a job. |
| Always be conscientious of your customer. Chances are they are watching your every move. |
| Before leaving a completed job, ask if anything else can be done. Asking this simple question can lead to another job. |
| Ask permission before using a yard sign. |
| Advertise at local home and garden shows, as well as in your local newspaper and telephone book. |
