Never did a job like this

H

hdgmwestplow

New member
Have a customer(1 story house) that wants there house hand washed(extension pole/ soft brush).This will lead to more jobs.
I have no idea how to bid a job like this
and no one else in town dose this so there's no way to check on prices.
Should I bid it by the foot or hour and how much?Should I use the same chemicals
as if I were using a pw on it?
I am really stumped.
 
What Kind of siding is the house and why do they want it hand washed?

I can't see how it would come out cleaner if you do it by hand. To me its like telling someone that they want there clothes hand washed instead of machine washed because they think it will come out cleaner.

These are modern times these people should wake up and smell the coffee. I would offer to clean it the way it should be cleaned(Not by the way they think it should be but by the way I(Professional)think it should be cleaned and if they still demand hand washed then let them find someone else who they could dictate how to clean like they don't know how to do there job.
 
I, personally wouldn't do it. I agree with Clean County. I would not let the customer dictate how I do my job--whether it be power washing or my other fulltime work. What does that say about their confidence in your professionalism? They think they know more than you do about cleaning houses?

Some customers drive me nuts, and I do what I want with it. The greatest perk of being my own boss! I'm not dogging you or your customer, but it sounds like I know the type.

In any case, price it high--tripling it sounds good to me. If your going to kill yourself make it worth your while. If they don't like it, tell 'em to do it themselves. Like you said, nobody else in the area will do it that way. Wonder why?

I've had a long day, can you tell?
 
if you want to do it your way(the profesional way) i would say well this is the price i charge to do a house your size, if i do it your way it will take me 3 times longer to do it and i will be losing the time to do the work i have scheduled so it will cost 3 times what i normaly charge for a job like this(the flat work you have booked could go else where),also it will be much harder to clean and the safty factor is a lot(LOT) higher.

be as nice as pie cos word of mouth and goodwill to your business money carn't buy or fliers/doorhangers.



these opinions have only been formed while lurking on this board.......so dont take them to be written in stone as i could be way off the mark :eek:

cheers paul.
 
You guys are right,guess it really wouln'd be worth the time and I really don't think they are going to pay $400+
to have there house washed.Guess that's why no one around dose this.Just thought I would ask.Thanks everyone.
 
I think you should do a small demo using the power washer and correct chemicals . If nobody is power washing maybe its wide open for business in that area. Do the demo quote your price and then quote them the cost to do it their way.
Bet you get the job!
Reminds me of the sign in the mechanics shop. Labor rate $49.95 per hour or $129.95 per hour if you watch and tell us how to do it!
 
If you don't think he'll pay $400 for you to hand wash it, then quote him $900 for handwashing and offer to powerwash it for $350
 
THANK YOU ARC, I'AM THANKING THE SAME WAY, DONT LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE. IF THE GUY DOSENT EXCEPT YOUR OFFER THEN SO WHAT!
 
Brush Washing

Here in Florida get alot of calls for brush washing also. There is one company that just sprays the chemical on from a big tank on a riding vehicle. Just runs around the houses with it. Then sprays it off with a hose no brushing. He has done thousands of jobs this way and has incorporated others to help with a franchise. He gives them his secret formula for a price and they pay him for his name.
Once you get the hang of it does not take that long to do. Just wet the house down good before spraying anything on. Brush & Rinse with a Hose. Vinyl siding is a breeze to work on especially if they do it twice a year. The Vinyl companies here push not to have it pressure washed voids their warranties.

If it is real bad will not do unless pressure washed.
Most of our business is all repeat calls. So I guess it pays for us.

Anna:)
 
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This is pure ignorance,i wouldnt work for people like that.I dont turn work down but i would charge so much that they would turn me down
I mean with the right chems you dont have to brush,the house is already clean after you apply soap,just need a rinse with a water hose.

Johny
 
THAT THE HOLE IDEAL JOHNY,

GIVE THEN A PRICE , TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT . THEY MAY CALL YOU IN A FEW WEEKS AND WONT IT POWER WASHED.

YOU KNOW , DO YOU WONT TO SUPER SIZE THAT HOUSE WASH !
 
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When I read the original post I too thought "tell the home owner to take a hike". However, after reading Anna's post maybe we have missed something. Perhaps the home owner has gotten feedback from his/her vinyl contractor that says "you PW, you lose your warranty". I went through a similar situation last month - home owner contacted shingle manufacturer, which gave instructions on how to clean roof without messing up warranty.

So perhaps the home owner is not being a jerk, but merely attempting to comply with the warranty stipulations? Doesn't change fact that you may want to walk away from jobs like this, but does present some possible rational.
 
If it's vinyl and they are worried about losing their warranty because of a powerwash, then don't powerwash--technically. But you sure as hell won't have to hand brush. Use the right chemicals and and vinyl can be rinsed with a garden hose.

Come on, guys! This is so basic! You guys trying to reinvent the wheel?
 
The only reason for Hand Brushing is to remove all the dried on bugs and mold that is really stuck on the vinyl. You have to live in Florida to see what the frogs and birds can do too. True the chemicals do the work but one pass with the brush really makes it shine. Even got a call from someone thinking you could brush wash a stucco house. Was insulted said he would pressure wash it himself. House Washing is fun if you have someone to put up with the customers that call. Anna:)
 
I had a woman contact me about brush washing her house also, her house is on a national list of old homes and there (I guess you would call it certification)guide lines state NO PRESSURE Washing, I gave her a day price quote, Havent heard back from her However, did hear she was at the rescue mission recruiting local intoxicated help. Best of luck to her!
 
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