Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Andy Hinson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

How?

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

With no workers comp, maybe GL insurance if it is current and paid and cutting a lot of corners. And probably won't be in business for long at those prices.

Andy Hinson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

They have been mailing these for years. Thought about calling to get a light bulb changed

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

That's crazy. We have some morons in NJ also.

Barry R · Veteran Member

Some people aren't going to like this but fact's are facts...Window cleaners have wrecked havoc on roof cleaning and house washing prices.

I actually hired two window cleaners to help me during a busy stretch last year (long story). The first job I took one of them to was a roof clean + house wash + gutter scrub. He was blown away by the fact we were driving off in under 3 hours but his heart was smashed when I showed him the $1k check.

He had gabbed non stop from the moment we got into the truck, all the way to the job, during the job and as we pulled away. But after seeing the check...he was quiet as a church mouse. I asked him what was wrong and wasn't prepared for his reply...(paraphrased from memory)

I woke up this morning a business owner, I thought I was on my way to fame an fortune. As I drove to your shop, I thought about how impressed you'd be with my pressure washing skills. By the time we had cleaned half the house without using pressure, I realized I knew very little about how to clean a house. I was still confident, because I had a solid business plan. Then I seen your check. You got about 4 times more than I would have charged and did it in less than half the time. I don't feel like a business owner any more...

Many of these guys are out there cleaning windows for 20-30 dollars an hour. They think they are setting the world on fire making $60-$70 or even $80 an hour. It's not intentional low balling...It's just a poor understanding of how to price work in a seasonal profession and cover the overhead, growth and profit to stay in business.

I remember a phone call I had last year with Thad, talking about the WCR....I asked him to please tell those guys to address the window cleaner low balling...more education!

I know there are some smart window cleaners...not suggesting all of them are low ballers....just that as a whole, there are more of them than new PW'er start-ups. IMHO...window cleaners upselling house washing are the greatest percentage of the low balling.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Well said Barry! So many cleaners out there have a $20/hr mentality.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Window Cleaners

mistersqueegee · Approved Window Cleaner

I call it the Groupon effect. With so many doing those ridiculous Groupon deals to get business it results in a depreciated value for cleaning services. And of course it affects soft washers, roof cleaners, and window cleaners alike.

Chris Mozick · Approved Exteior Cleaner

It's a shame I lose a lot of business because of these cheap cleaners. I feel quality is worth every penny.

mistersqueegee · Approved Window Cleaner

Almost forgot about this one. One other reason for this is the ease of start up in window cleaning. You can start up for much less than a box store pressure washer costs.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

SprayWash wrote:
Well said Barry! So many cleaners out there have a $20/hr mentality.

That is working for beer money. In the 70's when I was starting my remodeling business I charged more than $20.00 per hour.

Barry was dead on with this comment: "It's just a poor understanding of how to price work in a seasonal profession and cover the overhead, growth and profit to stay in business."

-- Edited by BlueRidge on Sunday 15th of February 2015 07:09:49 AM

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Cooking up crystal Meth is a good main source of income I guess.
Washing windows and low balling roof cleaning is just for shitz and giggles.