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The first Greensmith decking makeover

greensmithhastings

Updated: Nov 14, 2019

I had been made redundant from my office job in June 2018 and after three interviews and three near-misses I realised that I probably wasn't going to step back into an office in the Hastings area.

About to enjoy the best autumn in living memory at the end of September we were sitting on a friend's deck celebrating their birthday. I couldn't help but notice that it hadn't seen any TLC in a long time and thought 'I'd love to set my jet washer on this' and an idea was born.

With a large deck at home I know the importance of looking after it and generally spend a couple of weekends every other year giving it a thorough wash and, after a good spell of dry weather, giving it a couple of coats of decking oil. Preferably whilst listening to Test Match Special on the radio.

The day after the birthday celebration I posted a few before and after photos of my recent home decking makeover on Facebook, a few friends shared it, and within 24 hours I had my first customer - CR in Hastings.


 

CR's deck was relatively new and still in excellent condition, but although her garden faced south-east its aspect was such that the sun found it hard to fully burn off any dew or rain, meaning that it was an ideal breeding ground for algae.

On Monday 24th September at 9am I kicked my business into action and began washing the deck. The results of a jet wash are instant.

On 27th September I arrived early before CR went to work to complete the coating of the deck and learned a valuable lesson. A particular corner of the deck was so shielded from the sun that it wouldn't dry. It was a nice day but at this time of the year the sun only climbs so high and CR's neighbours had houses and trees fiercely guarding the corner. Luckily I had my radio and so could listen to the final day of the cricket season whilst I waited... and waited. I even used a hairdryer on it. We got there in the end, but I had spent almost a whole day to do a job that should have taken only three or four hours. (I only charged the time the job should have taken - not the hours spent waiting).

Another lesson I learned on this job was that balustrades take a whole lot longer to wash and coat than flat surfaces.

However, my first job was under my belt and I had my first happy customer.




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