[philsimm]

How much should I charge for cleaning overhead cladding extending from shops?  I use a wfp system and the shops are on a shopping precinct.

Can someone please advise as I am new to commercial work and have never quoted for this type of work before.

Do you price by the square foot or how?

[steve a]

i would price it by how long it is gonna take.  Oh and usually double the hourly rate for pole cleaning because most of the work you do with a pole is work which would normally need a second person to foot the ladder

[rosskesava]

If the price is worth and if you think it may be a usefull addition to your equipment, buy a 12 volt jet spray.

We bought one from Halfords about a year ago for (I think) £90. The only draw back is that you will need a water supply and I have no idea if that could be used with your WFP water supply as we don't use poles (yet).

We bought the jet spray for a £40 job but have used it countless times since so we have more than got our money back.

One other draw back using it overhead, no matter how you try you will get wet.

Also, make sure the battery can take the load. The first time we used it, we got back in the van and couldn't start it because the battery was knackered having connected the jet spray to the van battery.

[texas girl]

What you call cadding we call awnings.

I remember several years ago my exhusband cleaned some awnings for Blockbuster video.

From what I can remember, it was more costly than window cleaning.  I would consider how dirty it will be; maybe charge an initial cleaning fee( almost twice as much) the first time, then you would have a feel for the future cleanings based on time, effort, chemicals, etc.

My ex used a special cleaner designed for just that task; bought it from J Racenstein.

Also, you will probably need to do the cleaning during hours that they are closed, so as to not drip anything on customers. That is also worth a few bucks more.

I would not lower your charge; be bold; because they are going to expect a superb job; chances are there are stains.

Good luck; that can be a great added service.

Hugs,

Texas girl

[Ian_Giles]

Debbie is right in one thing, you will need to work early in the morning to avoid dripping and spraying water over everyone
Its hard to stay dry too, no matter the angle you try to work at, you will get wet!!
If it is about 8ft deep and 20ft long it won't take you much time, if it takes you 15 minutes I'll be surprised.
Price it up as if you are doing it off a step ladder, otherwise you will be way to cheap, this isn't work that is done more than a couple of times a year, so crank it up!

Ian

[philsimm]

thanks for all the advice received, we've weighed the job up and think we have a good idea on costing now and the time involved cheer lads and lassies

[karlosdaze]

What you call cadding we call awnings.

I think you call them UVPC sidings.
But philsimm named them wrong.

I've just done an awning today. I did a post on this some time back. You can stay dry if you work correctly, except when you are doing the insides or underneath. Take a spare t-shirt.
The job difficulty depends if the covering is vinyl or fabric/acrylic mix. Do not use bleach whatever you do. If you do not have the right chemicals do not attempt it unless you want to fork out for a new awning.
You could cause a considerable amount of damage from promoting plastifier migration to just pushing the dirt further into the a woven awning.
Is it colour safe? i.e. will the colours run when you wash it?
Have you done spot tests in inconspicuous areas to check the chemical you are using?
Do not use a pressure washer unless you can take the pressure back to under 60 psi otherwise you will stretch the awning. I use my waterfed pole.
Never wet the awning before applying the chemical.
Always work from the top down.
Never attempt to clean too much awning at once, a square metre at a time will suffice. Failing to do this will sink the chemicals into the awning and will set quite soild. At the same time you will have to let the chemicals do their work.
Work safely, these chemicals are slippery.
If the awning is ripped, get a waiver signed, you will only rip it more (this includes cigarette holes).
Finally you should expect to get 10 quid a square metre+vat.