Not all companies are created equal…
We sized ourselves up before refreshing our brand to Lead Dog. And, focused on the pros and cons of working with local service businesses in many industries around Chicagoland.
Service companies operated with many deficiencies in regards to operator training, customer information handling and business shortfalls.
We started thinking, do customers understand the regulations? Do they care?
Security
Lead Dog’s modern platform offers customers the best experience in the industry. An option to estimate, schedule and pay all online without ever speaking with us! Because our customer interface is web based, we took the additional steps to invest in the best protection of your information. The instant you provide your information to Lead Dog, your details are protected by an encrypted SSL certificate. (See image below)
The tech giants Google and Apple confirm to viewers their information is secure with Lead Dog by displaying a “Secure” or “Lock symbol” in your browsers url bar. ‘Secure Connection : Your information (for example, passwords or credit card numbers) is private when it is sent to this site.’
Encrypted Payments
We also knew by offering electronic payment options through email, it was our responsibility to protect payment information. Your credit card payment is encrypted into multiple pages of code through a certified level 1 PCI compliant processor offer by the industry leader, Stripe Payment Processing.
Estimates
Many service companies struggle to return calls, show up on-time for estimates or blow off your plans for higher paying opportunities. This might leave you out to dry while you took time off work or rescheduled plans to meet.
Lead Dog offers residential customers the flexibility to receive instant estimates any time of the day. Schedule any time of the day. And, get their service completed without being home! Our system will always keep you in the know with reminders for upcoming services and provide any last minute tips. We make things smooth… it’s really our goal!
Insurance
Without insurance, customers may have no means to financial reimbursement to cover repair bills for damage to the property.
Insurance policies have limitations and gaps in coverage. Many in our industry have policy changes when working at heights above 4 feet. This height is not random either. OSHA safety regulates contractors to require fall protection at heights where insurance coverages are impacted.
Lead Dog carries multi-million dollar policies covering liability, vehicles and workers.
Lead Generation Sites
Chances are you did not find us through sites like Home Advisor, Angies List or Thumbtack. We find these services counter-productive to finding reputable contractors. Although, we do have profiles created without memberships to their services.
Why? A business does not need:
- Proof of Insurance
- Proof of Good Standing with the State (Employment Law)
An ability to pay for your account is all you need. These sites may promote inexperienced contractors without insurance and the understanding of state required documentation.
State
The State of Illinois has strict regulations to protect consumers. Some relative to services cover:
- Required document deliverables to the customer (scope of work/estimate)
- Terms and conditions provided to the customer. Including all applicable state statute verbiage.
- Your rights to cancellation
- Report deception or fraud
Just to name a few. Many contractors do not provide documents to describe what is going to be done, when and how it will be paid for. And, any other specifics such as rescheduling and canceling. The Illinois Attorney General’s office does not agree with this practice.
Licensing
The State of Illinois does not license the exterior cleaning industry (many states do!). License claims from contractors are either inflated, deceptive or an endorsement for a regulated profession such as plumbing.
Regulators
EPA
Lead Dog uses advanced equipment, policies and a personal commitment to protect the environment. We will not allow oily wash water to flow into drains that lead to the same river and lakes your family enjoy. You have our word!
DOT
Information is available in our trucks at all times for every chemical, truck fluid and any other material on board. As required by the Department of Transportation in the event of an emergency. We are only allowed to carry certain weights of chemicals as well.
OSHA Safety
Our daily commitment to our employees is they return home the same way they left. We are certified by OSHA in numerous categories including aerial lifts.
Sales
Lead Dog’s mission is to lead as a simple resource to turn to. We were started by an engineer with a love of science stuff… not exactly car salesmen. We know you will hear, “We are the only company who cleans this way!” An established power washing company will have all the equipment necessary, years of experience and ability to give you the results you expect.
Chemicals
Chemicals are delivered by truck to our facility 300 gallons at a time straight from the chemical plant. We know the exact concentration we are applying at all times. Chemicals can lose 80% of their strength in just 1 month. Store bought products sit on shelves for weeks, after sitting in hot warehouses for months waiting to be delivered. Contractors have no clue what strength their ingredients are when purchasing at a local hardware store.
Remember…
The power washing industry uses aggressive chemicals and pressures that can cut concrete. An inexperienced carpet cleaner may miss a spot while an inexperienced pressure washer can rip surfaces apart. There is an additional level of trust a customer considers when cleaning their exterior. You also trust them to manage your information!
