Catching hard water stains during the estimate

I would say at least every fourth house I do has oxidized frames that have leached their yucky whiteness onto the windows. Unfortunately, it just looks like very dirty windows until I actually clean the dirt off and all of it stays behind. However, at that point I don’t want to go the homeowner and say, “Yeah, that’ll be another $100 or your windows will look like crap.” Ideally, I would like to catch this beforehand. Any advice?

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I find my customers understand when I explain it to them at the end of the job. Just had it yesterday. I let them know that next time we can try some chemicals or something else if they wish.

Here’s the thing - you are agreeing to window cleaning, not restoration. I illustrate it with having your car washed and detailed. Scratches, stains and things damaging the clear coat will remain. Paint restoration, buffing, etc are the next option. I’ve never had a customer that didn’t understand.

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I know the feeling… I just need to look closer at the windows and even if there is a hint of possible more expense, I have to bring it to the customers attention. So if the windows are really dirty, not cleaned in years I have to bring up the fact that there may be hard water stains needing extra time/money, which I won’t be sure of till I clean them. If I don’t then it’s on me to eat it.

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When you give your quote, include that if you run into any unforeseen problems as you are working you will stop and discuss it with them as some things make cleaning the windows a nightmare.

Also, when you first do your walk through (you do a walk through, right?) wet your finger and run it across the frames. Does your finger show white? There’s a charge for that.

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don’t worry about it if you don’t catch It before hand. It’s not your fault. Kindly explain to them the situation . Even show them … use a steel wool , An scrub in front of them if need be.
Let them know it’s a restoration type of Cleaning you need that requires chemicals , which unfortunately is more labor , so it will cost more.

Not your fault.

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Just have on your quote what your service includes and what it doesn’t , All of my customers know before hand that its a general window cleaning and removal of hard water stains is not included

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