New Member Feature: War Pony Exteriors
War Pony Exteriors proudly offers various cleaning services to homes and businesses throughout Springfield, Eugene, and the surrounding areas. They are fully equipped and have the experience to make properties shine by removing mold, mildew, algae, moss, lichens, cobwebs and dirt from a property’s exterior. War Pony will clean and maintain driveways, patios, sidewalks, siding, roofs and gutters, decks, fences, and even garbage cans and other trash receptacles. To welcome War Pony Exteriors as a new Chamber member, we recently talked with Nathan Gricks, co-founder and operator, to find out more about him and the company.
Where and how did you get your start?
War Pony Exteriors was launched just as we started to emerge from COVID-19. I expressed to Katie Brown (now my business partner) that I wanted to start my own business – that felt deeply satisfying. I started researching business ideas based upon my interests, and pressure-washing caught my eye.
I wrote computer programs and ran CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) robots for years. I love detail-oriented chores like organizing the refrigerator, vacuuming, and laundry – from beginning to end. To be done properly, these tasks require discipline, a perfectionist mentality, protocol, and SOPs. The same applies to pressure washing.
Katie grew up in Eugene. She left at 19 to explore big cities and came back to Eugene at 32 to open the first of multiple restaurants, Red Agave. Katie has started multiple companies and has a deep love for entrepreneurial pursuits and the community at large. She saw what a difference we could make, so we became partners.
What should the community know about War Pony Exteriors?
War Pony Exteriors is a lean and mean operation. Katie handles interfacing and makes connections. I handle the walkthrough before and after the job and perform the work on-site myself.
What makes War Pony Exteriors unique?
We are a boutique business in a very niche market. Most companies that offer pressure washing don’t list it as their top-tier service. Pressure washing is typically at the bottom of their service ladder. If you were to check out most pressure-washing companies online, even locally owned, they provide painting, landscaping, fencing, roofing, etc. as their business model and offer pressure washing as an added service – “if needed,” so to speak – but it is not their forte. It’s the “redheaded stepchild” of the construction trade and we at War Pony Exteriors want to bring a white-glove touch to a blue-collar industry.
What is the most difficult business problem that you had to solve?
There’s more than one example, but they have a similar theme: understanding and know-how. Too many times we’ve been called out to a job in order to try and fix a mistake made by another company. None of these companies were “pressure-washing companies,” but rather “companies that offers pressure-washing.”
For instance, we had a client call to see about cleaning their nine-month-old concrete sidewalk and back patio. The company they hired to paint their home dragged their drop cloth on their sidewalk and patio, leaving a trail of paint that they didn’t seem to notice. When the client pointed it out, the painter said he had a pressure washer at the shop. The result was he didn’t use the proper tools or pressure to clean the affected areas and proceeded to (what we call in the industry) “snail-trail” the concrete surface by using too much pressure and the wrong tools, leaving long “snail trails” embedded in his newer concrete. These we cannot fix, but that’s the importance of calling someone who has pressure washing as their prime and only focus. That’s where the understanding and know-how comes into play.
Before and after: Applebee’s on West 11th Avenue in Eugene
What do you like most about your work?
I love the instant gratification, and that every job is different. I love being outside and refreshing a property, whether it’s a business or a home, ridding my clients of potential slip hazards and organic growth that is not only unsightly but also damaging to their property and their health. Health is a big one!
What happens is: all of these organic materials like mildew, algae, moss, lichen, molds, even black mold accumulate during the fall and winter months. When spring hits, everything starts to dry out and harmful mold spores are released into the air. So when you start opening your windows during the spring and summer months, those spores are entering your home.
Do you have any advice for others?
Get your house soft-washed and your solid surfaces pressure-washed. Seriously, you don’t even have to hire us – just hire someone that knows what they’re doing and get your home or business cleaned. You and your family will feel better, your employees and patrons will feel better. It’s important to take care of your property to ensure the health and longevity of your investment.
Before and after: a backyard patio and stairs
Anything else you’d like to share?
Our motto is: “the longer you wait, the worse it gets.” It’s a war of attrition and rarely does someone notice the slow crawl of dirt, debris, and organic materials building up. One of our favorite reviews: “…it felt like someone brushing their teeth for the first time in 10 years.” – Emily J.
We want to hear that response every time.
War Pony Exteriors offers various cleaning services to homes and businesses throughout Eugene, Springfield, Coburg, Santa Clara, Junction City, Veneta, Leaburg, Fall Creek and Creswell. From one-time washes to a scheduled cleaning plan, War Pony Exteriors will get your property looking pristine!
For more information and to schedule a free estimate, visit their website HERE.
