Richard, your friend just needs to take his truck to macco and have a decent paint job put on it, doesn't have to be a top notch job but at least all one color, needs a new trimmer for Sure, the mower looks like it just needs a good bath, as probably does the rest of his stuff, shoot find a kid and give a few bucks to wash all the equip once a month.
Yeah that truck is in a dire need of one solid color...
I guess when it's all said and done appearance is important but maybe not the all consuming answer for business. Accompanied with great work and good customer service it will definitely carry a business far.
we deal with the upper high end customers.mainly white collar workers, or people that inherited money.
looks do matter here, and they are an important factor.
people want a good looking truck, does not have to be new but clean looking, one paint color, no rust showing. same thing with the trailer, weather enclosed or open, for the frame and wheel covers to look clean. not rusted, scraped, or mismatched paint.
equipment has to look half decent, washed once a week or every two weeks.
no rust visible.
Based on my short experience, appearance does make a difference. I have older trucks and older equipment but I try to keep everything looking as best as I can.
Keeping your word and calling customers back is also a reflection of your business.
It really comes down to "It's all important" that's why it's so hard to grow, because as you grow you start trying to proritize(sp) things and stuff that was important when you were solo and only had a small amount of accounts to deal, but were able to control start falling down the list of importance, yet in the end it was these things that you paid attention to that got you more customers.
It's amazing what a little soap, water, and elbow grease will do to older equipment! Even new equipment that has been worked a few days - to a week benefits from a wash.
I wax my mowers 2-3 times a season to give them some shine. My 05' 757 Z has almost 3000 hrs - and it still looks good because of maintenance and cleaning regularly.
It really comes down to "It's all important" that's why it's so hard to grow, because as you grow you start trying to proritize(sp) things and stuff that was important when you were solo and only had a small amount of accounts to deal, but were able to control start falling down the list of importance, yet in the end it was these things that you paid attention to that got you more customers.
personally I'd like to think I landed every single account based on my excellent quality at an affordable price.
just because you have the newest and cleanest equipment doesn't mean you do the best work. I've seen guys who have the cleanest rigs in town yet the quality they turn out can't even compete with the guy who is pulling a trailer full of equipment purchased at home depot with his buick la saber.
I'd say maybe half my clients got a look at my rig before they hired me. the other half I was either in just my truck on a weekend or not even my own vehicle.
I've been out with family or friends on a day off and at them stop at a place so I can do an estimate.
personally I'd like to think I landed every single account based on my excellent quality at an affordable price.
just because you have the newest and cleanest equipment doesn't mean you do the best work. I've seen guys who have the cleanest rigs in town yet the quality they turn out can't even compete with the guy who is pulling a trailer full of equipment purchased at home depot with his buick la saber.
I'd say maybe half my clients got a look at my rig before they hired me. the other half I was either in just my truck on a weekend or not even my own vehicle.
I've been out with family or friends on a day off and at them stop at a place so I can do an estimate.
I was saying that it's a package deal, everything is important, not just a clean rig, that is only part of the equation. Obviosly, quality is right at the top of the list along with superior service.
There are hundreds of companys around me that also do great work. Its cut throat out there. You have to stand out. Having clean equipment, trucks, trailers and uniforms are very high on my list. Acting and looking professional is important to me. Posted via Mobile Device
It's amazing what a little soap, water, and elbow grease will do to older equipment! Even new equipment that has been worked a few days - to a week benefits from a wash.
I wax my mowers 2-3 times a season to give them some shine. My 05' 757 Z has almost 3000 hrs - and it still looks good because of maintenance and cleaning regularly.
I would have to say a 7. I think appearing neat, maintained, and clean is more important than new and loaded with money. I drive a somewhat humble rig, yet I have awesome customer retention and gain plenty of new work.
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