pressure washing - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 12-10-2006, 01:08 PM

any of you guys in the northeast? how much do you get the pressure wash a normal size house?

Richard · 12-10-2006, 01:25 PM

I charge per day and add in the machine rental (since I dont own one) and materials--

--ballpark somewhere around $500-600
--height is a big factor too

rservices · 12-10-2006, 01:45 PM

this is a great forum for PW
http://www.thegrimescene.com/

I know putting web site mite be against the forum rules but it is a contractor based forum, and very informative

PressurePros · 12-10-2006, 02:41 PM

TGS is a great board. We get between $395 for basic soap on/soap off to $750 depending on s/f and services. I have done property cleanings that included roof cleaning, flagstone pavers, driveways, etc and have exceeded $1500.

An average housewash can take under an hour and a half if you know what you are doing and have the right detergents and equipment. Most painters around here are hacks and vandals.

AAPaint · 12-10-2006, 03:53 PM

I get about $300 for a single story home in my area, but I'm expensive compared to most of the hacks pressure pro mentioned. Most pressure washing in my area consists of straight bleach rinse and nothing more. There are very few that understand what they are doing around here as well...

trumps101 · 12-10-2006, 08:46 PM

We get around 250 down here for single story and for tile roof 200

It seems like everyone in Florida has a power washer.

Richard · 12-10-2006, 09:12 PM

I'm thinkin' a "normal size" house is a smaller 2 story, so I guess it's all in your definition of normal size--Here in CT a 1 story is not "normal size"

Squrtgun · 12-10-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trumps101

We get around 250 down here for single story and for tile roof 200

It seems like everyone in Florida has a power washer.

I hope you aren't pressure washing tile roofs.There is an easier way and $200 isn't nearly enough.Most of the guys I know that do tile won't set foot on one for that price.
Why is it exactly that painters refuse to network with a professional pressure washing company for paint preps?
We have the equipmnet and the knowledge.I mean after all that is what we do for a frickin living.Are you afraid of losing a few hundred on the job?
Maybe I should pick up a couple of roller frames,brushes and start slinging paint.When my customers need a painter I tell them it time to paint,when they ask if we do it I tell them NO!!!!

900 sq ft house wash here in small town USA wil cost you $135 and the price gets higher the bigger it is/If they add concrete,roof,dog,kids or laundry the price reflects the additional services.I would say our average price is in the $350 to $500 range.

PressurePros · 12-10-2006, 10:01 PM

Normal for us would be a 2 story colonial up to maybe 3000 s/f of interior space. Takes about 2.5 hours from pull up to collect check with a 2-man crew. Our feet never leave the ground. Including hand scrubbing the gutter with specialty detergent and adding a wax/polymer for shine and mold retardant - average price would be about $550. Same size house in Florida might go for $250. Its very market dependant.

Owning a pressure washer does not, by any stretch make one a proffesional house washer any more than owning a hammer makes one a carpenter.

Squrtgun · 12-10-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PressurePros

Normal for us would be a 2 story colonial up to maybe 3000 s/f of interior space. Takes about 2.5 hours from pull up to collect check with a 2-man crew. Our feet never leave the ground. Including hand scrubbing the gutter with specialty detergent and adding a wax/polymer for shine and mold retardant - average price would be about $550. Same size house in Florida might go for $250. Its very market dependant.

Owning a pressure washer does not, by any stretch make one a proffesional house washer any more than owning a hammer makes one a carpenter.

I agree Ken.I have been in and out of cabinet shops and construction since I was 17.Pressure washing for almost 5 yrs(2 of those part time).
I can paint,but I hate it with a passion and would rather pass the money on to someone who is alreardy equipped to do it efficiently.
Twice in as many months I have approached painting companies to discuss a networking thing and both times they just didn't want to hear what I has to say.

HUDSONVALLEYEXT · 12-11-2006, 12:48 AM

The reason why i'm asking is I don't think were charging enough. For 2 story house it takes us 2.5 hours with 2 guys. We don't clean the black off the gutters just wash the house. We charge $300 I think we should be charging more like $400. One customer told me other people all gave him prices around $500. I don't want to go too high and lose jobs

Joewho · 12-11-2006, 12:59 AM

If it's a one day wash, prep job, 300 plus cost of materials and equipment.

If its a vic or queen that has peeling paint, more.

Zip · 12-11-2006, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squrtgun

I agree Ken.I have been in and out of cabinet shops and construction since I was 17.Pressure washing for almost 5 yrs(2 of those part time).
I can paint,but I hate it with a passion and would rather pass the money on to someone who is alreardy equipped to do it efficiently.
Twice in as many months I have approached painting companies to discuss a networking thing and both times they just didn't want to hear what I has to say.

Squrtgun you haven't been in touch with the best yet. I'm in Cordele. azip@bellsouth.net

Richard · 12-11-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUDSONVALLEYEXT

The reason why i'm asking is I don't think were charging enough. For 2 story house it takes us 2.5 hours with 2 guys. We don't clean the black off the gutters just wash the house. We charge $300 I think we should be charging more like $400. One customer told me other people all gave him prices around $500. I don't want to go too high and lose jobs

Do you own or rent a washer? What are you paying your help per hour? Are you working in a daily overhead charge? Call me crazy, but when I power wash a house, it never takes me less than 4 hours (by myself)between renting the washer, travel, setting up, washing, tearing down, taking off duck suit...so I charge for a whole days rate--I'm sure I'm not the only one doing this--you have to charge what's fair for you (hopefully somewhere near your local industry standard) and make sure you have food on the table and lights on. Oh, I'd rather be higher than low ball everyone. Then my family doesn't eat.

Oh...I always clean gutters and a lot of time the house has mildewed brick, rock, or concrete that gets done--I'm not one of those hacks, I'm thorough, although I dont do it everyday, so efficiency isn't my selling point, finished product is--people love my before/after pics of washing--I usually land every job with them

PressurePros · 12-11-2006, 07:53 AM

Paintguy, feel free to shoot me over an email. In peak season each of my crews does 2-3 housewashes per day. I can share with you the procedures we use. I guarantee you I can cut 300% off your time with a few simple changes to your routine. Since you seem like a guy that likes to a job properly, I'll share with you, just not here.

pressurepros@mail.com

furiousstyles · 12-11-2006, 09:17 AM

Not for nothing Pressure Pros but the reason I read this forum is to help imrove the product I deliver to my customers. This helps all of us in the long run. Precisely who on this forum and for what reason are they not worthy to benefit from your experience and wisdom?

PressurePros · 12-11-2006, 09:56 AM

I understand your point furious, but my reasoning is this..

Not only do contractors come here but homeowners as well as my competition. Its taken me a few years and a good amount of research, contractor networking and chemical development to refine my technique. If you developed a faux technique that was unique and very profitable for you (and was the primary reason people hired you for a job) would you share that technique with your competitors or on this forum? I honestly don't want every painter in my area to know what I am doing. I see them on ladders spending a full day washing a house. Thats great because they have to bill for an 8 hour day. That allows me to stay profitable while performing a superior job.

In business, not much is free. I'm not proposing selling a pamphlet or chemicals just keeping things on the QT and sharing with other like minded professionals. I don't think thats too much to ask.

Squrtgun · 12-11-2006, 10:25 AM

Guys,
I can assure you Ken is the real deal.He has been sharing info on the pressure washing sites for a few years.The down side to this is as he stated,HO's come here and competition comes here.
There are some things that I don't/won't share with others on the web,but if someone callls me I may.

furiousstyles · 12-11-2006, 01:47 PM

I can see your point of view too. Some days im just a little more full of piss and vinegar than others. I'm sorry if i offended you. Your points are more than valid.

rws · 12-12-2006, 12:36 AM

I wonder where this guy lives? All the painters in his area are hacks and vandals?Iraq?I was amazed that most people dont know what they are doing in Jacksonville too.