I have a lead that wants their aluminum siding washed as well as deck some concrete, windows etc.
I read on here that most typically avoid aluminum siding and I’m not trying to get myself in a hole.
Here are some pics, should I turn it down?
I downstream vinyl homes not sure if same applies here.
run away
Ok noted.
Anyone else with any feedback?
What are their expectation? Shining new ? Green and black gone? Aluminum side will be oxidized bad before you start and very thin paint. Now if they are going to paint it after you finished go for it with even thinking about but get that in writing.
I’ve passed on some with failing paint….but have done some in decent shape that turned out great. I used a lighter mix.
if there’s easier work, run…if it’s oxidized badly (and what aluminum isn’t at this point?), run…if you insist, cut your ratio in half, apply more times if needed, stand further away while rinsing twice as much…but I’ll let someone more technically savvy confirm that strategy if you insist on punishing yourself…
Defintely easier work. Got 4 weeks of easier work on the schedule lol
I sent her an email that we don’t do aluminum siding she asked: What are the specific reasons you don’t clean aluminum siding? The white color btw is baked on aluminum siding, so white will not come off… please let me know the reasons thanks
Does she mean that it’s oxidized badly?
She probably means it’s powder coated or enamel paint if it’s ‘baked on’.
Frankly I’d go out there and run your finger across it. If paint doesn’t come off on your hand, go for it just rinse like a banshee.
Tell her you can fit it in third week of Sept. (or whenever is a few weeks after you know you’ll be slow…), that way you either have it when you don’t have easier work…or she gets someone else… you win either way
Then it’s done. The reason you aren’t doing aluminum siding is because you sent her that email.
You could explain to her, and this probably should have been in the rejection email, something along the lines of:
Telling a client “no” doesn’t make you a bad person or company. Set a bar or standard that you feel both you and the customers will enjoy and do your best to meet that. Price accordingly. I often times tell my clients that I want to be the Chik-fil-a of house washing as I am always smiling, offering limited menu items and striving to make my clients satisfied. I don’t need to market to every client or all of their specific needs/wants, nor do I need to offer to wash everything out there. Chik-fil-a’s customers know that there are cheaper options for fast food and that there are better/more expensive options for fine dining.
If you want to wash that client’s house then by all means go ahead and put in the time and energy to figure out how to do it correctly and go for it. But, you’ve already told her no and you don’t want to set the precedence that you can be swayed by the client.
I’m just gonna turn it down, I got myself into a mess with a current job that I am doing and I don’t want to take on another problem.
Appreciate the replies.
Well written
I’ve done several aluminum sided homes. Most were rentals that the owner just wanted to clean up as best they could as there were spots with the paint completely gone. I always set expectations and let them know the possible outcome. To me it depends on the overall condition. A 50-80 year old house that needs new siding is just that. They can risk streaks/bare spots from oxidation runoff and get a much cleaner look or they can save their money and put it towards new siding.
You’ve done more work not doing the job. Just say no and hang up. I’ve found it best to not answer the phone and let your voice mail fill up. Win win 
That has to be one of the most IBS posts I’ve seen in a while. Good stuff!
Want a job?..this is literally part of both my interview process and day 1 training 
One of the things I do is I team up with a painter and deoxidize aluminum siding so he can paint it. Try and find a person to team up with periodically if you have any interest in this. I’ve washed aluminum, but I have also people that it needs to be painted. Aluminum washing experience will kind of teach you which to tackle and which ones to walk away from. As @Cougar_Bait said, you have to set the expectations if you take it on. I wouldn’t quote an aluminum job without looking at it first, especially the aluminum that has already been repainted.
I have two already!
