[Mark Quick]

Looking for some advice please...

I have been pressure washing for a few months now and have started to pick up some commercial work, one of which is this restaurant.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Custom_House,_Penarth_Marina_-_geograph.org.uk_-_960335.jpg

I went in a few months ago and offered to clean their paving for free as I needed some good photos for my website and Facebook page...

They were really happy with the results and ended up paying me £200.

They have since asked me to give them a quote for cleaning the frontage of the building.

I have bought an X-Jet nozzle as I am starting to get some softwash work and I was planning on hiring a cherry picker... been quoted £350 inc VAT.

I don't want to go in too high as I'm not sure if they are getting other quotes and I would really like this one for my 'portfolio', not to mention the repeat custom...

ANY advice on pricing would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks in advance.  Mark 👍🏼

[Smudger]

good luck

if your planning to clean that properly and by that i mean the brickwork to remove carbon deposits etc then your thinking about the wrong chemicals and wrong application methods

without a close up detailed picture or site visit you can't expect to get realistic  price off the forum and will you have a license to have it on the road ?? ( traffic management etc )

no offence but you will end up in a world of hurt with no experience of this type of cleaning

Darran

[Smudger]

good chance its listed as well - so no doubt you will needs shed loads of paperwork

Darran

[Matt.]

I do bits of pressure washing but I wouldn't touch that with a Honda. I think it's more specialist cleaning which u may be able to hire a machine off thermatech to do the job with.

Agreed with smudger it looks a listed building

If u still think u want to do it, they will know you need a picker at minimum for a few days so just put it under costs or specialist equipment on ur quote

How will they react if u damage the building and will ur insurance turn there back on u as what u AV don't cover work on listed building ..... Make some enquiries first

Specialist cleaning that mate I would be wanting plus of a few thousands to entertain a job like that.
I only do commercial work meself  and if u small company and things go wrong it could cripple u

[Smudger]

Specialist cleaning that mate I would be wanting plus of a few thousands to entertain a job like that.
I only do commercial work meself  and if u small company and things go wrong it could cripple u


Spot on

[Mark Quick]

I guess this is a job that requires a little more than a softwash and a residual biocide.....?

[Mark Quick]

When I cleaned the paving, I cleaned some algae off the bottom of the walls using a 3:1 water hypo mix, without surfactant and it came up pretty good.

I figured with surfactant and biocide, I could get good results... No?

Thanks for your replies btw 👍🏼

[Mark Quick]

Looking for some advice please...

I have been pressure washing for a few months now and have started to pick up some commercial work, one of which is this restaurant.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Custom_House,_Penarth_Marina_-_geograph.org.uk_-_960335.jpg

I went in a few months ago and offered to clean their paving for free as I needed some good photos for my website and Facebook page...

They were really happy with the results and ended up paying me £200.

They have since asked me to give them a quote for cleaning the frontage of the building.

I have bought an X-Jet nozzle as I am starting to get some softwash work and I was planning on hiring a cherry picker... been quoted £350 inc VAT.

I don't want to go in too high as I'm not sure if they are getting other quotes and I would really like this one for my 'portfolio', not to mention the repeat custom...

ANY advice on pricing would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Thanks in advance.  Mark 👍🏼

good luck

if your planning to clean that properly and by that i mean the brickwork to remove carbon deposits etc then your thinking about the wrong chemicals and wrong application methods

without a close up detailed picture or site visit you can't expect to get realistic  price off the forum and will you have a license to have it on the road ?? ( traffic management etc )

no offence but you will end up in a world of hurt with no experience of this type of cleaning

Darran

it's mainly the black growth around the clock tower and the 'gables' that the client is concerned about

I do bits of pressure washing but I wouldn't touch that with a Honda. I think it's more specialist cleaning which u may be able to hire a machine off thermatech to do the job with.

Agreed with smudger it looks a listed building

If u still think u want to do it, they will know you need a picker at minimum for a few days so just put it under costs or specialist equipment on ur quote

How will they react if u damage the building and will ur insurance turn there back on u as what u AV don't cover work on listed building ..... Make some enquiries first

Specialist cleaning that mate I would be wanting plus of a few thousands to entertain a job like that.
I only do commercial work meself  and if u small company and things go wrong it could cripple u

[Mark Quick]

I have also been asked by a property management company to quote for cleaning the perimeter walls around a small housing development.

It's approximately 240 linear metres of yellow brick at an average of 1.5 metres (360 m2).

Again, I don't want to price myself out of this one, as I know they will be getting other quotes and I am aware that getting my foot in the door with these kinds of folk could drastically improve my business prospect... Thoughts??

Thanks

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Mark , don't try to run before you can walk... as the lads have advised that will be a listed building which is protected by law
Gain more experience about the different types of soiling ,
the different types of surfaces to be cleaned
and the various cleaning methods to be applied to  carry out the works in question

Ed

[Mark Quick]

Thanks for your feedback Ed!

Perhaps I am out of my depth here but I just thought, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.

My attitude has always been in for a penny, in for a pound.

On that basis and the basis of the guys advice, I will do my research and take it on!

I have public liability. I'm glad you guys pointed the listed status as that had not occurred to me and I will make enquiries...

Re: Running before walking. I am a Tree Surgeon by trade (Full Arb qualified) and also ran a landscaping business for 6 years, so although I appreciate your feedback, I have done a lot of research and I am confident in my abilities.

I will quote and keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks again for your feedback 👊🏼

[FRESHER]

To be honest you have probably already broken rules by applying chemicals without planning permission.  It’s definately that way in Edinburgh.   http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/4510/listed_buildings_and_conservation_areas.pdf check your council website.
Your opening your self up to a world of sheeit here.  Sub it out to one of the bigger boys for a cut but work along side to learn, do it right and protect your own business and the building it’s self.  Hopefully you have a great advert for your business to take you to the next level, do it wrong and your just another cowboy.

[Aqua Power Solutions]

Thanks for your feedback Ed!

Perhaps I am out of my depth here but I just thought, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.

My attitude has always been in for a penny, in for a pound.

On that basis and the basis of the guys advice, I will do my research and take it on!

I have public liability. I'm glad you guys pointed the listed status as that had not occurred to me and I will make enquiries...

Re: Running before walking. I am a Tree Surgeon by trade (Full Arb qualified) and also ran a landscaping business for 6 years, so although I appreciate your feedback, I have done a lot of research and I am confident in my abilities.

I will quote and keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks again for your feedback 👊🏼

Mark with respect you can be a brain surgeon , but obviously you have limited experience in this field
Good luck on this project
Ed

[Jonny Swirljet]

I've always relied on my gut instinct about taking on new work. Sometimes i get directed/warned by my spirit guide not to answer the telephone to a prospective customer - and when i have gone against that advice it's turned out to be a griefy experience for me.

If this project is giving you sleepless nights then drop it. The next few months will bring you lots of enquiries regarding driveway and patio cleaning and you can learn your trade on less taxing and stressful work.

If you did turn the job down and a contractor specialising in this sort of cleaning took it on then ask to work for them for a few days for nothing to gain the experience you seem to need.

This is only my opinion

[Mark Quick]

Mark with respect you can be a brain surgeon , but obviously you have limited experience in this field
Good luck on this project
Ed
[/quote]

Very helpful Ed 😂

[chris scott]

Thermatech , HF acid, Metaclear , Algo clear  and a Cherry picker...you will have to shut the place down to clean it. Nice job if you get it

[Denise l]

Do a test area 1st to see how it comes up and the timing. You will probably have to clean it out of hours; Sunday before and after trading so you won't be able to do it all in 1 day. Cherry pickers are same cost for 3 days or a week, so take that into account for time.

[Norbert]

The Old Custom House is a grade 11 listed building, if this is any help to you.
https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/300013350-customs-house-penarth#.WsvQ92eosdU
Regards Phil.