We have a winner! Lampson LTL-2600.
I’ve heard of Big Blue and how it collapsed. Whenever we have to take a rigging class they almost always talk about and show the video. It gives me the chills every time see it especially seeing the man basket on the smaller crane in the background. I heard the lead operator refused to make the lift because of the wind gusts and the backup operator was talked into it from company men.
Now this is helpful! This seems like a fair price! I see me bidding water towers in the near future lol
I own a JLG1250AJP
I try to specialize in the tall stuff. Feel free to PM me
Well it may be happening!! Just got the call that a town wanted me to wash the water tower!! They requested a quote and I informed them it would be several thousand dollars. They said we have the budget for it and want it done so “get us a price”
WOOOOOOO
I’ve yet to do a water tower but do a lot 80+ feet buildings. Like I said in the post I do enough if it was worth me buying a 125’ and I’ll rent the 185 on occasion. Advice, it’s a huge insurance responsibility going up that high and working. Whether you mention the job to then or not is up to you. So charge for it. Not a lot of ppl go after them real hard, I’ve noticed most companies “throw money” at these type projects hoping not to get it… and advice on once you start, tie that hose off to the basket very very well. If it was to accidentally come untied it’s heavy enough it would jerk a man out of the lift before he had a chance to let go. And remember you’re right on that thing as your spraying so you can’t tell if you’re “striping it” or cleaning one )spot/side) better than others but from the ground they will stand out worse.
Great info. We need more professionals with your knowledge here. Thanks for all the helpful posts!
After watching that video I want to do a water tower now just to say I’ve done one even a small one LOL
I know what you mean. I definitely want to do some. I’m going to put a bid in on our town’s tower next spring. I was able to look online and see what they paid to have it washed last time. It was $4500 back in 2016. It’s 100’ tall. That seems to be like the going rate. The example posted above was like $15k but that was for two 150’ tall towers and one tank. Since they’re 150’ that’s actually cheaper per square foot than doing a 100’ tall tower for $4500.You can get a 90’ JLG for about $1000 per day delivered. It shouldn’t take that long to clean it so that’s a nice profit for the day. Shop around for the lift. I checked a few places and one place wanted $500 more per day for the same size lift.
Man I figured you’d make crazy money washing a water tower…I can wash 15 houses at $200 each and walk away with $3000 without having to rent a lift or take on that liability of being that high up.
I wouldn’t touch a tower for 3k
5-6K each or I’ll sit at home.
If you go off the estimate above and what my town paid not sure they’d pay $5k-$6k. Reason I say that is even that estimate posted above probably averages out to the $3500k range because they were 150’. Seems most are 100’ or at least is smaller towns. Our town paid $4400 for ours so about $3400 after renting a lift. You can’t really go off 2 jobs for an average rate though. $3k isn’t bad for a days work. It’s not easy finding wash jobs that pay that in a day. It would be easier moving a lift around a water tower with a touch of your hand than dragging hoses around houses. 
The only reason I won’t is I know things happen with weather. At 1k a day for a lift if you get everything scheduled and lift delivered knowing anyone’s luck winds will sustain at 30mph or it will rain. Leaving a 3-4K Profit window ensures if you are weathered out or for some reason need 2-3 days you won’t loose money.
I think we’re on the same page because a $4500 estimate puts you at over a $3k profit.
I was more referring to the washing 15 houses for $200 comment at 3k. I would bid an average size tower at 4.5 if all the conditions were right. Ease of water. Level sturdy ground all around. Not wanting it done during monsoon season. Ect…
a 2,500 ton versa crane TC36000 fell here in Houston a few years back. I think it was bigger
