I am a window/gutter cleaner who is just getting set up for washing. Went to a complex today for a gutter estimate and they asked for an additional bid to wash all concrete, siding, and breezeways in the complex.
I’ve never even washed a house, though I have researched for two years so I feel confident about the basics of siding and concrete. But there are tons of logistical issues here: How do I manage tenants walking out of their apartments while SH is still dripping over their doors? How do I keep tenants from walking over a pad with SH pre or post treat and then tracking bleach over grass, into apartment, or into their car?
I also have a very small vehicle that cannot carry more than perhaps 60 or 70 gallons of bleach max. I estimate one of these large buildings might take around 60 gallons downstreaming; that means I would either have to reel my hoses up again and run down to the pool store for another 60 gallons of SH between every building, or else do a building a day and stretch the job out for something like 15 work days (there are 14 buildings total).
This would be an amazing job to land, as I figure the total price is going to be a pretty penny; I don’t want to lose it but I suspect this might be unwise for a newbie to take on? Very grateful for counsel from the experienced guys on here, especially those who have experience with large commercial.
One building should take one guy 3 hours max and 5 gallons of bleach if it is a typical 3 story, 2 breezeway, 24 unit building. Not many properties are going to let you check out for two weeks washing buildings.
Ok. No, these are more like 7 breezeways on about 6 of the buildings. Yeah, I figure they wouldn’t like it taking so long. How long does it usually take you on a plex from start to finish?
I have never seen 7 breezeways on a building. Most was 4 and the building was 300ft long. I can’t imagine a building with that many breezeways. That would be a city block long. Got pics
I’m going to go back out and get some pics, and will post them in next few days. Yes, 6 of the buildings are huge. I might have overestimated but not by much, I think. The other 5 or so are smaller and probably have 3-4. Hope I’m not remembering wrong.
Have you secured liability insurance? Where will your water come from? Do you have the equipment necessary to do the job and more importantly do you know how to use it?
And finally: Can you afford to finance the project until the property managers acquiesce to cut you a check? I don’t know why @Innocentbystander didn’t say it, so I will:
Agree 100%, I have learned everything I know from a couple of these guys that responded to you. You’re not ready for a job this scope. I’ve been at a couple of years(residential and small commercial), out of my scope.
