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Can a Steel Building be Moved to Another Location?

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Sometimes, moving is something that is necessary. Everything has to be packed up in order to be taken to the new destination. It all has to be loaded in a moving vehicle of some sort only to be unpacked when it reaches the new location. After everything is taken out of the building, you look back at it with sadness because of the fond memories you have, but that is something you must leave behind. Well, you’re at least leaving the neighborhood behind.

You stand there watching how these guys are putting the building on the back of an 18 wheeler and you can’t wait until it is delivered to the new location that your company acquired. There is more land and more steel buildings to be delivered to the location. Not too many people can move to a location that is ten miles away from them and actually take the building with them.

Depending on the size of the steel building, it can be moved in pieces and put together at its final destination. Sometimes a steel building may be like a storage container that is used as an office. Whatever the reason, there is a process to moving a steel building. It may seem like a mystery to some as to how it is possible to move something so large and so heavy, but the process is rather easy at times.

It doesn’t matter if the building is new and just being built or is an existing structure that needs to be moved, it has to be divided up into pieces. When it is a new building, the pieces are built, shipped to the building’s destination, and then assembled there. If the building is an existing structure, then it will be divided into the same pieces it was in when it arrived brand new. After this occurs, the following steps take place:

• The pieces are lifted by a building jack apparatus. The buildings are usually built with slots in which the building jack apparatus can be inserted.

• The jack then lifts the building up to a predetermined height, but instead of it being lifted onto the truck, the truck backs up under the lifted building. The jack then lowers the building onto the bed of the trailer.

• When the building meets its destination, the same method can be used to lift the building off of the trailer bed or the trailer bed may be hydraulic and can carefully slide the building off of the back of it. This step depends on whether or not that piece of the building can stand on its own. This process is repeated for all of the pieces. Depending on the size of the building, it can take several trucks to move the building.

However, when moving a steel building that has already been in place for a while, it is necessary to employ a company that has the trucks, the manpower, and the proper tools to move a steel building. Usually, those who actually manufacture them can provide moving services for people who need to move steel buildings, but such services do come with a cost. It is more or less going to depend on how many pieces need transported and the size of the building. These factors will determine how many trucks are needed, what tools are needed, and how many people need to be involved in the moving effort. It can be quite extensive. At least if anyone has doubts about a steel building being able to be moved, you can contradict them by telling them that you know the basics of how it is done.

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Source by Amy Nutt

Top 6 Jobs For Convicted Felons – White Collar and Blue Collar Jobs

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A felony conviction is usually seen from an employer’s standpoint a huge deterrent. It often causes other less qualified individuals get hired over you because of your conviction. It can even reduce the amount you’ll be paid because the employer knows that you’ll have trouble finding a job no matter where you go, causing you to get hired at a “discount.” Below is a list of jobs that statistically aren’t affected by having a criminal record. This list includes both white collar jobs such as an office clerk, medical assistant, and sales person as well as blue collar jobs such as a mechanic, plumber, and construction worker.

Top 6 Blue/White Collar Jobs for Felons:

6. Running a hot dog stand. Don’t underestimate the earning potential of this occupation. If you’re starting your own hot dog stand, the investment cost is very minimal and with some hard work can produce a pretty substantial salary. A descent location can produce about $100 per day in profits after deducting expenses and an exceptional location can produce upwards of $250 per day. Some of the most successful stand owners in New York City earn over $100,000 per year.

5. Working as an ice cream truck driver. Similar to running a hot dog stand, this has the potential to become very lucrative. If you plan on starting your own ice cream truck business it’s recommended that you work for someone else first so that you can learn more about the expenses involved and the hot spots in your area.

4. Entry level office clerks. Typically this position doesn’t require a background check to get hired and provides reasonable compensation. There is normally room to move up in a job like this, to an office manager, and eventually to a regional office manager.

3. Private Detective. The pay for this job is actually very good and most of the time they will gladly accept felons, especially the non violent offenders.

2. Truck Driving. If your schedule is flexible and you don’t mind driving for long periods of time, this is one of the highest paying jobs that you can get that does not require a college degree. Most start out at around $40,000 per year and with experience you can earn up to $60,000 per year.

1. Doing surveys online. These types of websites are often scams, but there are some very legitimate and honest ones out there. Keep in mind, any survey site worth it’s salt wont have any kind of paid membership what so ever. These sites wont make you rich but it’s a great way to earn money in between jobs and to supplement your income once you find a job. The great thing about these sites is that they don’t discriminate based on your record and add are a great way to keep your self occupied while your job searching.

When your applying for jobs always choose small companies over large corporations. Small companies are much more likely to provide jobs to convicted felons as they don’t have strict policies in place that ban this type of hiring. You should be keeping your self busy while waiting to hear back from any potential employers so you don’t get discouraged. Doing paid surveys are a great way to stay productive and since your earning money it’s something you can feel good about doing.

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Source by Steven Yon

Building Teamwork: Helping Your Team Take Responsibility for Their Results

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The end of the year in an organization is often a time of reflection and evaluation. As I look back over the decisions I have made over the past 12 months, I evaluate them to see how they have affected our company and what I might do differently. As I reflect, I am paying attention to that voice in my head that is tempted to blame our failures on other people (or organizations) while taking complete credit for our successes. If I want my team to work together effectively, I have to resist this impulse to assign blame or credit.

I recall an incident that occurred in my life several years ago that is emblematic of this tendency to blame other people for the unfortunate events that happen in our lives. I was in my car at a green light waiting for a pedestrian to pass so that I could turn right at a street corner. Suddenly a truck hit the back of my car. It was a US Post Office truck driven by an employee who proceeded to back up and drive away from the scene of the accident. Given that those trucks have a large identifying number on the back, this was not such a great idea. I wrote that number down and followed him straight to the post office where I told a supervisor what happened. The supervisor left to get the official paperwork. As the two of us stood looking at the back end of my car, he actually said to me in a accusing tone of voice: “Well, I hope you’re happy. You just made me lose my job.”

I remember that situation and his comment whenever I am tempted to blame someone else for the consequences of my own actions. To avoid that, I find it useful to ask myself: How have I contributed to this outcome? What would I do differently if I could do this over? The next time I face this problem what will I do?

When we lead teams, we can help them develop this habit of taking personal responsibility for their part in a difficult outcome. The trick is to do it without blaming them or ourselves. We can lay the foundation by talking through the issue or challenge with phrases such as:

  • As I think about what happened, I can see that I contributed by….
  • We all share responsibility for this outcome. For instance, I wish that I had….
  • The next time we handle this challenge, I plan to….

And we can also help our employees and co-workers take ownership of their part by asking questions such as:

  • Looking back, how do you think you played a part in this?
  • If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
  • What steps do you plan to take the next time you face this situation?

When people make clear statements that demonstrate that they are taking at least partial ownership of a challenging situation, we can reinforce their positive behavior by making statements such as:

  • I really appreciate your ability to look at this challenge objectively.
  • I think your assessment of this situation is right on target.
  • I trust that you will succeed next time. These are great ideas.
  • Thank you for talking this problem through so that we can work together to get better results.

As we model taking ownership and responsibility and as we recognize this same level of personal responsibility demonstrated by others, we reinforce a positive cycle that paves the way to healthy, collaborative teamwork.

So what will it be? A team that is at the mercy of lunkheads in other departments? Or a team that is confident in its ability to meet any challenge? It’s your choice.

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Source by Cynthia Clay

The 7 Automotive Fluids Necessary for Every Vehicle

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Every vehicle, whether car or truck, requires seven automotive fluids in order to increase lifespan and maintain optimal and safe driving conditions. These fluids can be purchased at any store that has an automotive department, or at a local auto parts store, at prices between 4 and 15 dollars depending on the brand and retailer. Since these fluids are readily-available and inexpensive to buy, there is no reason why you shouldn’t stay on top of them. Learn your vehicle’s factory maintenance schedule so you can know exactly when each fluid needs checked or replaced. Keep in mind that some fluids are best changed out by a licensed automotive technician, so be sure to find an auto shop you can trust for quality work and fair prices. Continue reading to learn the seven essential automotive fluids every vehicle needs to drive safely and stay in good condition for years to come.

Motor Oil

Engine oil is of course one of the most well-known and significant fluids for cars and trucks. It lubricates all the inner workings and moving parts of a car engine’s crank case to reduce heat-causing friction. Without proper lubrication at all times, parts like pistons, valves, and more, are subject to damage. This renders a motor useless.

Depending on the make and model of your particular vehicle, the schedule for oil changes will vary slightly. Check your owners’ manual or consult a trusted local mechanic for information about your vehicle’s factory scheduled maintenance. Generally, motor oil should be changed every 5,000 or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is red in color and very similar to motor oil in terms of its function. This is because it cools and lubricates the inner workings of a vehicle’s transmission. This keeps the vehicle’s gears in good condition, allowing for easy gear changes and functionality. Generally, this fluid should be changed one time per year. Again, check your owner’ manual, or download one online, for specific maintenance schedule information.

Radiator Fluid/Coolant

Your vehicle’s coolant is a must, since without it, your car is sure to overheat. Radiator fluid, also called coolant, is a 50/50 combination of solution and water, and can come in a variety of colors depending on the brand and type you buy. It keeps the engine from overheating by circulating through the engine and collecting heat, returning it to the radiator, and then dispersing this heat outside. This should be changed as needed, depending on how often you drive and your driving habits. Generally, coolant should be changed every 3 to 5 months, or 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

Brake Fluid

In terms of passenger safety, you might say brake fluid is the most important for a vehicle. Brake fluid allows for proper hydraulic functioning of the car brakes. When you push down on the brake pedal, the brake fluid compresses, sending hydraulic force to the brake pads and shoes, which provides the friction needed to stop a vehicle. Generally, brake fluid should be replaced every 2 years, or 30,000 miles. Check your owners’ manual for details.

Power Steering Fluid

Power steering fluid is pressurized by a small hydraulic pump that is powered by the vehicle’s engine. It allows the vehicle to turn easier. This fluids enhances the steering mechanism of a car or truck. Without it, it would feel as if the steering wheel weighs 100 pounds. This fluids needs replaced generally every 4 years or 60,000 miles.

Battery Fluid

If your vehicle has a “maintenance-free” battery, then you will not be required to check its fluid levels. But for older model cars and trucks, batteries have individual cells that need to be refilled with battery fluid. This fluid, of course, maintains the car battery’s power, allowing for turning the ignition and starting the engine. Battery fluid should be changed generally every 6 to 8 months or 7,500 miles.

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Most often forgotten or overlooked, windshield wiper fluid is an essential part of driver and passenger safety. This is a fluid anyone can re-fill themselves, as needed. Simply by this well-known blue solution at a gas station or auto parts store. Refill as needed.

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Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski

Trailer Sway 101

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Yaw, more commonly known as sway in the RV industry, is a bad word for trailer owners. The definition of yaw or sway is a side-to-side movement. Nothing will ruin the way you feel about camping faster than the first time you experience trailer sway.

You have tent camped for years and now you decide it’s time to move up to a pop-up. You go to your local dealership and find a pop-up with the perfect floor plan for you and your family. The sales person knows that it will be close to the maximum weight that your vehicle can tow. He really needs a sale because things have been slow. Rather than risk losing the sale he decides not to explain the added expense of the proper hitch work to safely tow your new trailer.

You’re all packed up for a weekend getaway. You made all of your pre-trip checks and you’re ready to go. You load the most precious cargo you have, your family, into your tow vehicle and head out on a new venture. Everything is fine when you leave the house. You take the on ramp to the interstate. You’re cruising at the speed limit enjoying the music on the radio. Suddenly out of nowhere a transfer truck going twenty miles over the speed limit is passing you as if you’re sitting still. The pop-up is pulled into the draft created by the truck. In an attempt to correct this totally unexpected event you over steer and the trailer begins to go the opposite direction. Not really sure what to do you hit the brakes and turn the steering wheel to the left, then to the right. Now, that one-ton trailer behind your sport utility vehicle is veering sharply from side to side and begins to affect what little control you have over the vehicle. The results are catastrophic.

Ok, since this is just an article, let’s start over and fix this before you even realize there is a potential problem. You purchased your pop-up from a reputable local RV dealership. At the risk of losing the sale your sales person explains that you will require some specialized hitch work to pull your new trailer safely. You are a bit skeptical, feeling like they just want more of your money. Besides, your father never needed any of this stuff. He just hooked the trailer unto the ball and went.

You decide to give the sales person the benefit of doubt and listen for a minute. He shows you in his book that your tow vehicle is rated to tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds. Then he explains what you must factor in to that tow rating. It includes the weight of your new camper, any after market accessories, like the roof mounted air conditioner and battery the dealership is going to install, all of the cargo and personal belongings that you load in the trailer and in the tow vehicle, and the weight of the passengers in the vehicle. Now all of the sudden the sales person has your undivided attention. You had no idea that all of this had to be considered.

He shows you the weight label on your new trailer. The unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) is 2,100 pounds. The air conditioner weighs 100 pounds and the deep cycle battery weighs 50 pounds. To be safe he estimates that you will carry about 300 pounds of cargo, and then adds another 300 pounds for your wife and two children. You are amazed how fast things add up.

Now you have 2,850 pounds instead of the 2100 pounds that you thought it was. It isn’t over yet. Your sales person starts to explain that every state has different requirements on how much a trailer can weigh before it requires trailer brakes. In your state the weight is 3,000 lbs., but your dealership has brakes installed on any trailer they order that weighs over 2,000 pounds. He explains that even though your vehicle is rated to tow 3,500 pounds the brakes on the vehicle were designed to safely stop the vehicles weight, not an additional ton and a half being pulled behind it.

He takes you to the parts department and shows you a brake controller and explains that this is what activates the trailer brakes and the dealership will install it when they do the wiring for the trailer lights. You like the features that he explained about the brake controller. The fact that you can manually adjust the amount of braking action so that when you hit the brake pedal the tow vehicle and the trailer work together to stop the weight in a reasonable amount of time. What you really like is the part he explained about the manual override lever that activates the trailer brakes without using the vehicle brakes.

He said if you’re on a steep grade and you don’t want to prematurely wear out the vehicle brakes you slowly slide the lever and the trailer brakes will slow you down. But what really sold you on it was when he explained that if the trailer starts to sway you could gently move the lever, activating the trailer brakes, to help straighten the trailer out. He went on to explain that trailer sway is one of the biggest potential problems that you can encounter while towing a trailer. He points out some of the factors that contribute to trailer sway.

o First and foremost poor trailer design contributes to trailer sway. When there is too much weight behind the trailers axles causing the tongue weight to be less than 10% of the trailers weight it has a natural tendency to sway.

o Incorrect tire inflation

o Improper weight distribution hitch adjustments

o No sway control on the trailer

o Crosswinds

o A transfer truck passing from the rear of the trailer

o Descending inclines

o Towing speeds

o Tow vehicle not properly matched for the trailer

o Improper loading, overloading and poor weight distribution

He took the time to explain that for the trailer to pull properly the manufacturer recommends that the tongue weight resting on the ball mount should be 10 to 15% of the total trailer weight. He said if it is more than 15% they have what is called a weight distribution hitch that takes the additional tongue weight and distributes it to the axles on the tow vehicle and the trailer where it should be, and if it is less than 10% when you load your cargo you distribute it to add some additional weight on the tongue. He looked up the pop-up you were buying in the brochure and the tongue weight was 305 pounds. With the air conditioner installed and your cargo loaded you would be between the 10 to 15% range. He explained that a weight distribution hitch was more commonly used with heavier trailers and in some cases with pop-ups depending on the tow vehicle, but in this case it would not be required.

The next thing he asked was if your vehicle had a receiver. You reply, do you mean a hitch? He explains that the part that is bolted to the vehicle is called a receiver, and he shows you a chart that has several different classes of receivers depending on the amount of weight you will be towing. The class II receiver was rated for 3,500 lb. gross trailer weight and 300 lb. max tongue weight. For a small difference in price he recommended a class III receiver rated for 5,000 lb. gross trailer weight and 500 lb. max tongue weight since your trailers tongue weight exceeded 300 lbs.

With that done he said let me show you the one component that our dealership strongly recommends to anyone purchasing a pop-up. He walked over and picked up a part from the shelf. This is called a friction sway control. We mount one end of it to the ball mount and the other end to the tongue on the camper. You adjust the amount of friction by turning the lever clockwise for more friction and counter clockwise for less friction. He explained that you turn it in 1/8″ increments until you get it adjusted where you feel comfortable. This will not totally eliminate sway, but once the forces of sway are in motion it will dampen the sway and help you control it when you’re towing your camper.

Well, he said, that about does it. For less than 10% of the price of the pop-up you can get all of the hitch work done and ensure that your family is safe when you go on a trip. At this point you’re convinced that the sales person has your best interest in mind and was not just trying to make more money.

You’re all packed up for the first weekend getaway with your new pop-up. You make all of the pre-trip checks that the dealership explained to you and you’re ready to go. You load the most precious cargo you have, your family, into your vehicle and head out on a new venture. You take the on ramp to the interstate. You’re cruising at the speed limit enjoying the music on the radio. Suddenly out of nowhere a transfer truck going twenty miles over the speed limit passes you as if I you’re sitting still. You feel a slight movement behind you. It was just enough to remind you that you’re pulling the pop-up. You look at you’re watch and tell the family that you should be at the campground in a couple of hours.

Knowing how to react when a trailer begins to sway can be the difference between your safety and disaster.

Happy Camping,

Mark

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101

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Source by Mark Polk

Trucking Fuel Surcharge – Brief History and Basic Methods Used

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Fuel surcharges first appeared around 1973 following the first Arab oil embargo. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) began computing a National Retail Diesel Average in order to compensate transportation carriers for the up and down fuel prices created by the OPEC oil crisis. They went away for a couple of decades but returned as a permanent addendum to motor carriers’ rates around the middle of the 1990’s. At this time diesel fuel prices rose to the extremely high price (in those times) of $1.15 a gallon. As a result a group of retail diesel outlet representatives was formed in order to report their retail diesel prices to the DOE on a weekly basis. The DOE then used those figures to compute an average Diesel price and the number that is arrived at is then considered the National Average diesel price for that week. This average ended up becoming the baseline fuel surcharge rate that the transportation carriers use to bill their customers. Of course once it is set for the week if fuel were to increase then the carrier would lose; however the opposite would happen if fuel were to go down, then the customer would benefit. Either way, in the long run this seemed like the best case scenario to ensure that line haul rates could for the most part stay the same while the fuel surcharge could be kept separate in order for both the shipper and the carrier to keep the rates and billing transparent.

Whether it is a 3PL(third party logistics) provider or an asset based trucking company the majority use a fuel surcharge calculation based on the DOE national average. (tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp) Some may want to use a regional fuel average if their freight is contained to a certain part of the country. The reason for this is that the fuel prices could differ greatly on the West Coast versus the East Coast. For example, if a customer only shipped to the Southeastern states and those states had a much lower fuel average then they would not want the higher West Coast rates averaged in. Some shippers are now opting for an approach which seems to be the most transparent yet. This method is based on the daily fuel prices along a certain route and allows you to compute the most accurate average (updated every 24 hours). The link to their website is fuelsurchargeindex.org Another fairly common fuel surcharge method is one in which the carrier and customer agree to a surcharge percentage based off of the line haul or base rate. As you can see the methods vary and this is something that you, the shipper, will determine when analyzing your particular situation.

Recap:

Fuel surcharges were a result of the Arab oil embargo and the OPEC oil crisis around 1973. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) began computing a National Retail Average in order to compensate transportation carriers for the up and down fuel prices created by the OPEC oil crisis.

Fuel surcharges became a permanent addendum to motor carriers’ tariffs around the middle of the 90’s, when diesel fuel rose to the extremely high price (in those times) of $1.15 a gallon. This gives us our base rate.

Fuel surcharges are still calculated using the same methods. Two of the most popular are cent per mile and a percentage of the base rate or line haul. There is no set way in which the fuel surcharge has to be determined. The only thing set in stone is the DOE’s national average.

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Source by Eric Broderick

Bob the Builder Promoting Family Values

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Bob the Builder is a character from the children’s television series created by Keith Chapman and originally broadcast on the BBC in 1997. Bob has been watched by millions of children around the world and has been favored by parents for his positive influence on children and family values.

Bob the Builder is a great example for children to follow and the stories not only entertain, but illustrate what real life is all about. Sure, Bob encounters problems working on the construction site, but he always has a positive attitude to complete the task at hand with a solution. With the help of his friend and business partner Wendy and his machine talking team of trucks and equipment, Scoop the yellow backhoe loader, Muck the red bulldozer, Dizzy the orange concrete mixer, Roley the green steamroller, Lofty the blue crane, Zoomer the purple snowmobile, Travis the cyan tractor, Tumbler the yellow and green concrete mixer, Benny the pink excavator, Jackaroo the blue pickup truck, Packer the red pickup truck, Skip the yellow skip loader and Scrambler the blue bike the job is always completed enthusiastically.

The adventures of Bob the Builder and the gang encourage kids to learn about teamwork, leadership, patience, respect, resolving conflicts, friendship and co-operation with others as they work together on the construction site and play together, all important skills and values to teach children.

The lessons that young children learn are the building blocks of character and integrity that will shape them as they grow and will stay with them throughout the rest of their lives. The characteristics of Bob the Builder are a great example to children and prove essential in later working life where building relationships with fellow workers, fostering teamwork in working environments and getting the job done are all important assets in your abilities to succeed in both personal and working life.

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Source by Leanne Ronalds

Used Auto Parts – Craigslist Versus Pick and Pull Junkyards

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When many vehicle owners need car, truck, van, RV, or jeep parts, they usually turn to their local junkyard. Many of these junk yards have a pick and pull policy. Meaning, you can buy the part for cheap, but you must find that part yourself and remove it from the vehicle in question. Although it sounds like a lot of work, it is a great way to find cheap auto parts. Another way is visiting Craigslist.org. In fact, which is the best approach?

Unfortunately, not all junkyards in the United States sell used car parts. This is unfortunate, as these pick and pull yards have shown us that even the oldest cars and those in the worst shape still have salvageable parts. If you do not have access to one of these auto establishments, it is best to visit Craigslist.org. To get started, select your state and then the nearest city. Browse or search the website to find car, truck, van, RV, or jeep parts.

One of the many benefits to using Craigslist to find cheap car accessories is the search function. You don’t have to spend hours sifting through a junkyard to find what you need. Instead, you sit at home on your computer and perform a search. To find the best deals and what you need, search with targeted phrases. Search with the make, model, or part you need. For example, Honda Civic fenders, Mercedes hubcaps, Geo Tracker door, Dodge Ram tailgate, and so forth.

At most pick and pull auto yards, you are charged a set price for each part. This is good if you only need one or two items. However, many buyers want to have an entire junk car on hand for parts in the future. At an established auto yard, this can cost you thousands of dollars or more. On Craigslist.org you are likely to find better prices. You may get a junk car for as little as $100! These cars don’t run and the seller doesn’t want to bother with needed repairs, so they sell the vehicle as a junk car and sell it for next to nothing. The only downside is you may need to rent or borrow a car trailer to tow it home.

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Source by Adnan Masood

Starting A Concrete Cleaning Pressure Washer Business

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Concrete cleaning can be a lucrative business to start. Here are some tips which will help you do it right.

First and foremost there is one thing you need to understand when you are cleaning concrete and that is that concrete cannot always be restored to its virgin state after it has been stained. You can always get stains lighter or bleached but completely removing it is very difficult. So when talking to a customer explain this to them otherwise they will be asking for a job that just can’t be done unless the entire concrete slab is ripped up and re-poured. Now with that in mind let’s talk about equipment that is needed for this type of work. Remember safety is always important when working with a pressure washer. Some times there are chemicals involved in cleaning some stains. Thus, you should always use some type of eye protection. Also, when you are using chemicals you need to wear jeans to protect your legs.

Chemicals made for concrete are very strong and should not be toyed with. Would a person rather work with dry feet or wet? It is recommended that you get rubber waders or some type of rubber boot. They will keep your feet from getting wet and keep them from getting burned by the 250 degree water. Orange cones are also important to have for this job. These help make people visually aware that you are there if you are in a high traffic area or where there are a lot of contract workers at say a newly constructed house that needs the concrete cleaned. This makes everyone around you safe and you are helping prevent accidents. Of course you are going to need a Hydro-Twister for this job. You can technically do the job with a wand but it will take a lot more time and water, not to mention you can cause streaking if you are not using even strokes across the slab of concrete. Most of the new car wash trucks come with them now but if you don’t have one and or you need a second unit and go to buy one be sure to get the larger of the two. There my be only a 5 inch difference in surface coverage but it is well worth it when you are trying to save time without cutting corners.

Remember this business is all about time relevant to money. You want to be making at least a $1 a minute when doing concrete work at a minimum and aim for $100 to $200 per hour. If you are not achieving this income level then you work too slowly or you did not bid correctly on the accounts you are taking. You need to have a work order form. This form should have an area for time it took to do the job, how many people were on the job, gas to get to the site and mileage to get to the site. If you need a sheet like this the trainers (Jason & Rand) in Scottsdale will be more then happy to fax you one. Call them at 1-602-432-1308.

For your wand you need to use a green tip for steam and a yellow or 15-degree tip for breaking up dirt from an area or pushing the dirty water from an area. You need to have an extra one hundred feet of pressure hose with you on the truck. This extra hose needs to be available when you are at a job site where there are many contract workers and space is limited. More then two hundred feet of hose will be required to get to places like the back yards of houses. You will also need two hundred feet of garden hose. More often than not you will have a job that requires more than 200 gallons of water or multiple jobs on a single day that will use more than 200 gallons of water. You have to remember that hard water is not really all that important when doing concrete. Soft water is good for doing vehicles to help prevent hard water spots but is not necessary for concrete. Plus, it is not worth the time to refill your water tank just do concrete. If you have a regular concrete cleaning customer you may just want to tell them you will use their water and you will decrease their bill by about fifty dollars a month to help cover their water bill.

You need a push broom or hand brooms to help move lose dirt before starting the job. On larger jobs you may want to consider a blower, the type that are used for lawns. This will help move more dirt faster. You need a floor squeegee for helping push water out if you are in a garage or other area where water should not stand very long. The half-moon shaped floor squeegee works best. Plus it helps identify an area that you may need to go over again or chemically treat to get the stain out. A flat-ended shovel is important to have if you have concrete that has spilled on the flat slab already or small rocks that have accumulated on the concrete. If you spray the concrete when these little rocks are still on there and you hit them just right; they may catch a nearby window and cause damage. You could break up the excess concrete with the pressure wand but once again this is wasting time and money that you could be making at your next job. A very important item to have is some type of cover plate. This plate will be placed in front of doorways or floorboards when you are using the wands to get around the edges of the concrete. A lot of the competition does not make this additional effort when doing a job. This is what makes us the best because we care about the work that we do.

The truck should be set up so that you can use a garden hose and external water supply should we need one for concrete or other types of jobs. The trucks should come with quick releases between the tank and the intake tube to the pressure washer. There should also be a valve that is turned so the water is running from the black tank that now holds the external water that comes in. There needs to be a connection for a water hose that is on top of the black small tank. The inside of the tank can be fitted with a floater in it so water will not run over when you are not depressing the trigger and letting out water. When cleaning concrete always use 3000+ PSI and 250+ degree water. These two elements are key to cleaning concrete effectively and correctly. Now let’s talk about chemicals for a minute.

To clean rust there is a product made by Simonize (that can be ordered from Howard at AAA Pressure Washers)

http://www.aaapws.com

that is called Concrete Cleaner and Etch. This chemical is an acid and can be very dangerous. To apply this chemical you can spray it with a metal hand held spray canister. If you use a sprayer that has plastic parts to it, the sprayer won’t last more then a one or two times before the parts melt and it is useless. The chemical should be mixed 50-50 with water. If you are using it on colored concrete try a test patch first because this stuff bleaches and lightens so it might make it lighter than the original concrete. For removing oil or grease stains Simonize SC-260 can be used. It is a granule type chemical that looks like kitty litter. To apply it you need to wet down the area to be treated first then spread a thin layer of it over the spot. Take a brush and agitate it to work it in. Let it set about fifteen to twenty minutes before removing it. Make sure you are very through in removing the granules. This next chemical should be used for emergencies if at all possible. This stuff is very thick and should be applied with a roller brush that is an adhesive type roller. Let it set for fifteen to twenty minutes and then remove it being very careful not to get it on you or any of the other chemicals for that matter. To develop the most efficient use of time at a concrete job site one person should be sweeping up loose debris from the work area while the other is setting up the equipment. Be sure all the corners are swept well because this is the area where most lose dirt seems to end up. Remember that when you hydro twist an area that you are simply lifting the dirt and stains.

You need to go back over the areas afterwards to move the dirt away from the concrete. After you have used the hydro twister on the area you then need to cover all siding up with your cover plate or what ever guard you find works best and proceed to hand wand any trouble spots and the outer edges of the concrete. Finally, when working where a lot of contractors are working be sure to be polite and try to work around them. You never know who they have contacts with. They may refer you to some one else. Concrete is a great “filler” account if it happens to be raining. You can always do concrete in any type of weather and it pays very well for what you to do for the job. So remember, concrete work is always good to have.

For ideas on marketing it might be a good idea to go to;

http://www.concretewashguys.com

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Source by Lance Winslow

How to Start a Pet Transportation Business

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Pet Transportation Services are needed as the number of pets in the U.S. has grown tremendously over the past few decades. According to the U.S. Pet ownership and Demographics sourcebook, there are an estimated 60 million dogs and 70 million cats in American homes today. Apart from that, households which own pets have been recorded to spend 36% more in 2001 as compared to 1996. With this, owning a business that caters to the pet market, including a pet transportation service has lots of potential for healthy growth.

This is due to the fact that many Americans move around the country yearly and thus would require pet transportation services to move their pets as well. On a smaller scale, pet transportation services can also cater for local residents who require these services to transport their pets to and from the vet, within a local area or even to the crematorium for pets which have died.

Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:

Starting a pet transportation business really depends on the scale that you want your business to be. If you want to start on a smaller scale, all you really need is probably a pickup truck that has been modified to be safe and suitable for the transport of animals. Of course, you will need to set up an office or operate from your home with just a telephone, email and a fax machine. All of these will cost you less than $20,000.

On a larger scale, especially when you are considering cross border transportation, you will probably need to invest on a larger truck that can accommodate a few pets at the same time. Apart from that, the insides of the truck will need to be made suitable, safe and clean for pets, with adequate ventilation and cleaning facilities. In order to make this business viable, you may need to quickly expand your business to include sales agent offices in various locations. This way, you can build up business volume in order to increase profitability. All of these may cost you anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000 in initial start up costs.

Financing can be obtained from investors who may be interested in the potentials of such a business. Other than that, lending institutions such as banks can be approached to obtain a loan for the business. As with any business start-up, an impressive business plan must be developed for potential investors and financiers, indicating the potential growth as well as the estimated annual costs and revenue of the business.

Pricing Guidelines for Service:

The pricing strategy for a pet transportation service business fluctuates based on the fixed and variable cost of the business, as well as the nature of the service provided. Local transportation services may start with a minimum charge of $20 to $40 for the first 20 miles and an additional $10 for every 10 miles after that.

As for interstate transportation or transportation between cities, the distance between the origin and the destination will be the major price determinant. With this, prices may range from $100 and up, depending also on the size of the animal and the pet carrier.

Advertising and Marketing:

As you are targeting pet owners, the best marketing approach would to advertise in locations where pet owners would go. Reading material for pet owners as well as events that are attended by the same target group. Placing brochures within pet stores and probably awarding pet stores with commissions for every customer they recommend to you would be a good idea. Advertising in pet magazines or getting a write up on your services would be helpful. Of course, classified ads in the Yellow pages are a must in order to make it easy for customers to locate you.

Other channels of promotion would be participation as a vendor in dog shows or exhibitions. Doing this will help increase awareness on the existence of the business. Additionally, working with associations such as the American Kennel Association would create and improve visibility to pet breeders and pet store owners. Especially when you participate in events organized by these associations.

Launching a website and allowing potential customers to get instant price estimates from your website would also be a great idea.

Essential Equipment

This business requires a fair amount of equipment, in which the most important would be the vehicle that is used to transport the animals. Apart from that, other equipment such as crates, kennels and carriers may be required as some customers do not have these items with them. The size and usage of these crates must be according to the guidelines set by the Independent Pet and Animal Transport Association (IPATA).

Handlers and drivers will need to be employed to care for the animals while they are in transit. Other equipment required would be built-in sinks within the vehicle to allow for easy cleaning and water refills.

Recommended training, experience, or needed skills:

There is no extensive training required for a pet transportation service business. However, good and responsible drivers and animal handlers need to be engaged. It would be best if you have a background and experience in handling animals during travel so you can train your staff and ensure that they are handling animals in the correct manner. Apart from that, your staff must also know what to do if they encounter problems during the journey, and should also be equipped with the latest kennel and vet location information in case of emergencies.

Apart from that, the business owner must be well informed on all legal requirements pertaining to pet transportation. For example, there are IPATA guidelines on the size of crates and wire crates that are required by law. Moreover, all pets must be accompanied by an inter-state travel certificate that has been certified by a veterinarian.

Income potential:

The income potential of this business is dependent on how large the business grows to. A larger business with multiple offices and destinations will be able to sustain a higher sales volume. With this, the pet transportation business will be able to generate at least a six- figure income each year.

Target market:

Pet owners, pet stores and animal breeders.

Success tips:

A pet transportation business requires investment and a passion for welfare of animals in order for it to be successful. As it is also a niche market, lots of marketing and advertising need to be invested into the business in order to create the awareness of the services.

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Source by Randy Wilson