Ok so I think I bit off more than I could chew - first older residential where some windows were replaced and have some silicone. And I under-bid it as I knew the contractor / was giving him a deal as I knew he could throw me a bunch of ongoing work (dumb mistake & stupid… I figured it was ongoing and told him "since I’m just getting in the market $4 a pane… I’m a dumb overeager idiot apparently… Lesson learned). I hate ladders and being a noob my balance doesn’t feel right trying to scrub a couple of the upper story windows. I just want to finish this job right. Curious if anyone knows a quality window washer in the Dallas / Fort Worth area willing to come over and #1 show me how they do it - I’m willing to learn #2 hit about 12-16 or so high windows in-n-out for $200. I am taking care of everything I can reach. This is going to end up as no profit, chalked up to experience & lesson learned :mad:
Yep
you did yourself and other’s no favor… magic eraser for silicone
Never assume your going to get work for being cheap for one bid… I’ll just assume you’ll be super cheap for all the other work i need done. Then i get it done for cheap haha
Been there, done that. As long as you’re willing to learn, (It sounds like it.) DO NOT GIVE UP!
Move on.
So you bid $4. per pane? Hope that is per side. Take your time and learn.
$4 per both sides… I am kicking myself now. Thanks for the magic eraser tip, that’s what I have been using. Apparently the first contractor put the windows in backwards and the second one had to come in reinstall and flip them around… So the mess was about double/triple the silicone… I spent about an hour on the outside of 3 windows with magic erasers it was so badly covered in silicone. Also these are low-e so I don’t trust myself with a scraper on them.
Learned:
#1 Never quote over the phone if possible, or leave a clause for super dirty
#2 Never bid low it does you no favors.
#3 CCU SUCKS… Especially for a first residential job… From now on I pledge to bid high on CCU in hopes that someone else gets it, and if somehow it’s me I laugh with my sore arms all the way to the bank.
[MENTION=20262]Bunkerboot83[/MENTION]
Try to peel as much off as you can. Before scrubbing with eraser. I have found sometimes they fall apart easy. Also look @ goof-off/ goo-gone or similar product. I don’t use goof-off hate the smell and it’s toxic!! Also use a small 1-2" razor and wet the area… But i also avoid ccu like the plague. Lots of guy’s add in 50% more for ccu.
National avg double hung almost 12 in/out exterior only most shoot @ 60% . Me i shoot @ 80% on most. Add your factor’s in. Landscape,2 story,how dirty, window access,how much ladder work… Some charge 1.50 per ladder climb. How long will it take you? And what is your per hr goal? Some shoot for 75,some 60… Figure out your per hour… After you do more rez you’ll get a better idea of how long the job will take you.
look @ Ettore porcupine sleeve. To add to your equipment list. Very good to power through junk on window’s
cheers john
dont quit it . keep at it like a dog with a bone and you WILL finish it and learn from it
what doesnt kill you will make you stronger (as the song goes)
To remove silicone use the magic eraser with Oil Flo or try the old school method of using dry 0000 steel wool and baby powder on the dry window. It drys out the silicone and it clumps up and falls off.
Thanks for all the advice guys. I’ll reply more later but it’s done… 14.5 hours and $250 bucks later… My first residential…
Stuck to it. Here’s some pics of it all but one window done in these.
I would say that was a $500 job easy on the low side…
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