Just did a window cleaning bid this morning on a mansion. She’ll only hire us if we pressure wash a few areas on the house.
So I went out and got a pressure washer.
How do I charge???
Anything I need to know before I start?
Thanks
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A lot before you start … if you don’t know what you’re doing it can cost you big bucks if you make any mistakes.
I’m not trying to discourage you, it can be done, is not rocket science, but you have to be careful.
What kind of machine did you get ? What do you need to clean? Do you have any pics?
if it makes you feel better I only started power washing a month ago, and my average ticket per home has almost doubled because I up sell the POO out of it.
I never really learned how to price for power washing… I just started charging like I would window cleaning, I charged based on how long it would take/type of job. Typically make $65-$80 an hour power washing. I dunno if my prices are low or high compared to some people on this forum, but I found out that it is spot on for where I live. I called some buddies down south and they shoot for $80 an hour and that’s all they do is power wash
don’t listen to some people, just jump in, DO IT!
Matt, I was not telling him not to do it, just to be careful. I’d recommend everyone to start offering PW if you’re not doing it. I’m in your same situation, and I’m bad upselling, can’t get every house but beats to send the job to another guy to the have to go whenever he finishes to do the windows, IF they still feel like they need it or if the budget still allow them to pay for it.
Have had several houses the last few days when I got $400 for the windows and ended up with $700-800 with PW and gutters.
BUT, still you need to know what you’re doing, to keep it profitable, to cause no damage and to don’t look like a looser. Hope you get my point.
If you’re not grossing $100+ an hour power washing residential then you are leaving money on the table and verging on being a lowballer.
Thanks guys.
I just picked up a Workforce Pressure Washer from Home Depot.
2500 psi
2.3 gpm
So all the customer wants is some dirt removed from the stucco around the windows. Downstairs only.
I was playing around with the pressure washer on my concrete. I think I need to use a pretty soft wash on this house.
But how can I just do these window frames? Wont the rest of the house look dull?
Hey Colm,
I’m in your area and have done some pressure washing for general cleaning and paint prep. If you have any questions or need a house to practice on you can give me a call.
Mark
231-7891
You prices are LOW
Low for YOUR area, prices differ from place to place, so you can make that observation based on your location and business model, his reality might be different.
Just a little guide… Yesterday… pulled into driveway at customers house 8:30am… Left the driveway at 11:30am. Cleaned roof and Entire exterior vinyl siding. $994.00. Rode Harley rest of day.
$330/hr
$80/hr is too low. Only way to increase that is to increase speed or raise prices.
It really isn’t about the areas we’re in as much as it is about our attitude about what our service/knowledge is worth.
Hey bro be careful that stucco is not like concrete. You can blow that stuff right off the side of the house.
- power wash the house 1st so you dont have to reclean the windows.
- put the powerwasher on a low setting and 1st
- if the customer does not want the whole house done then just clean the frames around the sections she wants so you dont get her complaining.
You are correct with the softwash. Most cases I have found stuff will come off a home with just a garden hose. Sometimes PW is overkill. I would get an WFP RV brush and some bleach.
Thanks Ray! Finally an answer to my questions. This thread turned into a bickering fest for a moment there
Quick rundown…
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Its all in the technique.
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Search the internet for every little bit of info you can on powerwashing. You can severely screw up someone’s home by doing it the wrong way, ESPECIALLY roofs. Always point the stream DOWNWARDS on a roof.
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Use Clorox Plant Safe Bleach on siding, mild dilution in your bucket. Scrub it on with a brush at the end of a pole, let it sit for 3-4 minutes, and all the schmook will rinse right off. All Thompson’s products are nothing but bleach in different dilutions. Save yourself $12 a gallon.
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No matter what cleaning product you use, soak the plants / grass / etc. around the area before you start. Trust me.
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Washing a wooden deck? Start by hitting a VERY small area to see if the finish / paint is going to come off because of your washing. If so, try to sell a strip and finish job, triple your $$$. If you can’t upsell, then suggest a “soft wash”. Learn to do it the right way first though.
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Electricity is the devil. Be VERY careful around the home’s electric intake. That is, if you value your life.
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You can almost always back up; a powerwashing job with a window cleaning job. Their windows will look like hell after you’re done.
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Also, relating to sales, I am a window cleaner, but have done more powerwashing than windows this year. Thats what people want, heck, I’m not complaining at all. Charge what YOU want to get for each particular are to be washed. Don’t get greedy though, you won’t be able to land the job.
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You’ll very rarely need that 2400 PSI washer. Spend $150 and get a combo electric powerwasher / surface cleaner at Home Depot, maybe 1500 - 1800 PSI. Much easier to transport, finagle, and there’s less of an opportunity to screw something up because of the reduced pressure. That, and the surface cleaner makes decks / driveways / patios a breeze! I keep my little electric jobby in my trunk, and only bring the big boy out if I really need it.
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I just started doing Pressure Washing as well. I just picked up a Rigid 3000 2.6gpm rig from the Depot for $599.00 (Ouch) but wanted somthing that was going to last. Hate buying new tools just because I was a cheap skate in the beginning and didn’t spend the extra few dollars for the better tool up front. I know the rig you got and decided not to get it due to the reviews it had online. Please let me know how that rig works out for you. What’s nice about the rigid is that it has a built in Soap Dispenser. I have done a few jobs for $299 in Socal without a problem. That included just the basics, like a Patio Cover and ext. gutters only. In Ventura County you should have no problem getting that rate.
Has anyone tried using DI water with their Pressure Washer to clean high windows? Scrubbing the windows with normal soap and brush and then washing them off at an angle of coarse?
Colm- do NOT use the tips that came with your PW. You will blast the you-know-what out of the stucco (or dryvit).
Buy some larger orifice tips from Pressure Tek or wherever you get your supplies.
That’s all I’m going to say in this thread.
I don’t want to get lynched!
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+1
The black soap nozzle is probably the only safe nozzle you could use; and maybe not even that one.
Can you return the pressure washer and get your money back?
If he’s in Charlotte, like his signature says, he’s low. I’m a couple hours away in an economically similar city and we all gross at least $100/hr.
Nope. He is low for preety much anywhere. In some cases he would be called a low baller but not in this one because he did not know better.
I charge typically $125 an hour or so, approximately $350 on siding but still not sure about roofing yet still learning that area, what do you tend to use for roofing any recommendations?
when doing a house wash - do you guys first remove the screens?
