A Few Questions about Gutters and X-Mas Lights

Hi guys. So I’ve started a cleaning company and have been slowly getting away from basic cleaning and offering more specific services, like window cleaning, construction site clean-up, hauling services, etc.
Have a 22’ ft and 28 ft’ ladder.
Am hoping to start with gutters and Christmas lights this next week. Thinking yard signs on the corners of intersections in the nicer neighborhoods here in Nashville.
CONCERNS/QUESTIONS:

  1. From reading on this forum it seems like most of the gutter guys use at least 32’ ft ladders. My little pickup truck doesn’t seem like it can safely transport anything above a 28’, unless I get something more compact (ladder wise). Been searching for an extension ladder in 3 sections. Can’t find one anywhere locally. Other options seem to be out of my budget (around $300-$400). Suggestions?

  2. Have you guys been able to do many gutter or X-mas light jobs at two stories with a 28’? Fair amount of walk out basements around here and some of the roofs aren’t walkable. Ask them to send pics and if I’m not able just refer them to another guy? Or would just having a 28’ ft take me out of too many possible jobs to mess with marketing and bidding when I could be concentrating on something else?

  3. Recommended training material for Christmas lights? (Marketing, safety, terminology, using hangers/clips, hot glue, staples, etc (have been piecing together info online but a lot is contradictory).

Any suggestions for the above or other advice for anyone wanting to offer these services is appreciated.

Ive only ever used a 20 and a 28’ ladder.

Tanner Larsen Cashing in on Christmas has good basics around all facets of light business but its a bit clunky… not sure if WCRA has anything better?

Im getting going myself on this right now, think I will sign up for WCRA membership and get some of there high quality direct mail pieces to target areas with leaves using the EDDM. Often whenever I would do a job in the past I would send a really cheep card through q-card phone app to the closest 50-100 neighbors… sometimes that worked well if it timed it right. I think EDDM would work really well though is my sense.

Im curious how yard signs would work at corners, ive thought of that but never tried it. Most of my work has come lately from referrals on nextdoor.com which i now actively ask for.

You have a pickup that can’t fit a 32’ ladder? Maybe you need different racks. If not having a 32’ ladder is the only thing holding you back then you need a 32’ ladder. Don’t look at the cost to get the ladder, look at how much business you’ll lose without having it.

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You may need a 32 at some point but in the time being until you can get one, just pull up the house on Google or Bing and see how tall the house is. Take on smaller homes

Thanks for the info guys.
Aaron: I’m on the fence about what to use for marketing. EDDM looks doable but not sure. Will check it out tonight, pricing and all that. Do you think q-card is worth messing with?
John: I’ll get a ladder rack and bigger ladder when I can afford it and need it. Will have to play it buy ear until then gonna take on smaller jobs like Mr. Clean advocates.

It may vary by city, but I signed up for Thumbtack back in the spring for both Window Cleaning and Gutter Cleaning. I would say get gutter cleaning leads at a 2 to 1 ratio compared to window cleaning. Not saying that is your answer, but you can sign up and see what kind of leads you get. You don’t have to pay unless you send a quote.

Just remember ladders are focal points to your business (access wise) if you cant access that “window,gutter, or hang holiday lights at peak of the roof” your losing revenue.

They pay for themselves fast.

Spend that ladder money on a ladder rack, then IF you need a 32’ rent it for this season.

q cards worked for areas with lots of trees for gutters… its cheep and doesnt look to great but it does work in my experience, i do it when ive done a house in the neighborhood with lots of trees and I say which house ive specifically done. it draws attention