Gutter helmets

I did a standard housewash for a customer yesterday and today we’re here doing the windows. Prior to the wash she asked if I could pressure off the junk buildup these things collect so I did. Today however she (nicely) pointed out the black stains on top of the guards, and I’m thinking to myself this isn’t included with a regular housewash.

Anyone run into this situation?

When I email the estimate I give a brief description of what they can expect with a basic house wash. For the gutters I put something like “includes exterior face of gutters”. I know you said you do hand written estimates but I think I would give a brief explanation so they know what to expect. Some people will try as hard as they can to try and get a little more out of you.

I think I would go ahead and take care of her. In her mind she probably thought they were included just because they are part of the gutters. Just note it in your estimates from here on out.

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I have had customers who want one thing cleaned like a vinyl pergola and when I give the estimate and show up the day of the job some ask nicely if I can just quickly rinse off something or clean another thing since I’m there and if it’s small like one bird crap on the siding in the area I’m working I usually do. But then they start asking me to clean the chairs and then the window and then some landscaping rocks since I am “already there”. That’s when I politely tell them absolutely that will be an extra x amount of dollars let me just go ahead and get that written up and your signature here and then they usually tell me never mind.
Don’t let them bully you into doing extra work unless they pay and if you did something for free and they complain about it, just tell them that I gently rinse it off for free, it’s not included in the provided services that I listed in the estimate and if you would like a deep clean, i will happily write an estimate for it and it will be x amount of dollars. Sign here. That’s my go to anyways.

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I think the “gutter helmet” brand leaf guard is the worst product in gutter history. I identify houses with them and explain to the customer that I’m going to give them a basic wash off, but If they want them really clean it’s going to be an extra $2 a linear foot.

I can’t stand them, voids the ‘warranty’ if you put a ladder on it.:face_with_raised_eyebrow:

100% Agree. They aren’t worth crap and cost something like $20-$30/ linear ft to have installed. I die a little inside every time someone says they are getting them installed.

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