Hey, any advice would be helpful. I just had a proposal accepted to do a 80 unit condo complex. They are townhouse style, 4-6 to a building. The board obviously shared my proposal with the association owners. I received a forwarded email from one owner who says she had "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" and wants to opt out. I have already given her the whole spiel about bi-safe, bleach degrading in soil, low percentage solution, etc.
I was wondering if anyone knows what the algae is on siding. Is it GM? You know the blackish speckles that get darker then bleach out when you SW them. If I can show this woman that her condo has algae on it and and tell her what it is, give a demo with the solution, maybe I can salvage this.
Also, if anyone has experience with this situation, I would appreciate advice.
What I don't want is to have this woman work herself up into a panic over the smell while I'm there and end up in an ambulance or at the E.R. and blame us. (I work on an ambulance and can see this kind of thing happening.)
Michael Derose said
Apr 16, 2014
Some people are bleach sensitive. You could always pressure wash her building but you may need to adjust your price.
Zach Maynard said
Apr 16, 2014
Chad do you have any pictures of the growth it will either be bacteria or mildew. Either way she would have a healthier environment with it being gone.
Ray Burke said
Apr 16, 2014
Chad, I like Mike's line of thought. just PW her building whole building and keep her apprised of days you'll be working around her residence with SW on adjacent buildings. Use lots of "Rain Fresh" on those days.
Every good carpenter has more than just one hammer in the tool-box!
Chad Eneix said
Apr 16, 2014
Unfortunately, the management company and the board were sold on SWing, and they had a bad experience with pressure washing in the past. My initial thoughts are to try and win this person over with a demo, otherwise skip her unit completely and not guarantee the work on that building.
Tim Teed said
Apr 16, 2014
Pay her a hotel for couple of days. Depending on amount of organic you may have some wet feet smell. I did one lady's house with similar concerns and once inside it didn't bother her.
Barry Landis said
Apr 16, 2014
Even if she opts out on her unit, the fact that she has chemical sensitivity will still effect her by washing the other units in that building and possibly other close by buildings as well. Maybe the hotel deal isn't a bad way to go!
Huey Miller said
Apr 16, 2014
Barry Landis wrote:
Even if she opts out on her unit, the fact that she has chemical sensitivity will still effect her by washing the other units in that building and possibly other close by buildings as well. Maybe the hotel deal isn't a bad way to go!
I agree with Barry
We have worked for several chemically sensitive customers in our restoration business..............
They may seem crazy to you - some are - but it is very real to them. If she is truly sensitive even the odor of the rain fresh may be too much. I would approach the board and possibly try to PW her building. She needs to be kept up to date as to your schedule.
We are licensed for anti microbial pest control here in Louisiana. Every year we get a new list of the people who have been registered with the state by their doctor as being chemically sensitive. It grows every year. We HAVE to know who they are and where they live and it is a huge fine if they complain we sprayed with the wind blowing their way.
But, one of my biggest customer cheerleaders is a chemically sensitive individual
Doug G said
Apr 16, 2014
I agree with the comments of trying to opt out for her. I think the biggest thing you can do is communicate with her. These situations can become real bad real quick. Just talk it over with her and the board. Offer up the hotel, make her a friend, show her you are concerned with her AND her health. It beats a lawsuit anytime and makes for happy customers......communicate.
Chad Eneix said
Apr 19, 2014
Thanks all. Obviously I will try and communicate and make customers happy, etc. I was looking for advice from someone who has had this specific experience. Thanks Hughey, I don't know if Wisconsin has a registry like that or not, I will check.
I am going to try and win her over, and if not, offer up a hotel. I stopped pressure washing vinyl siding after about the 4th house I cleaned 17 years ago, and I'm not going to pressure wash this building. In fact, the board and the management company are adamant I do not pressure wash. It would also change the bid dramatically because of logistics and access. If she still demands to opt out, I will oblige, but I will let them know I have to skip her whole building, and she still has to be gone while the project is going on. Of course I will compensate her for this.
Edward Yackenovich said
Apr 19, 2014
CHAD ......DID YOU TRY TO HAVE THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY TALK TO HER...AND POSSIBLY LET THEM FOOT THE BILL OR SPLIT IT WITH THEM IF SHE IS IN NEED OF OFFSITE ACCOMMODATIONS..THIS IS ONE POINT I WILL BE ADDING TO MY CONTRACTS FOR FUTURE BIDS......
Hey, any advice would be helpful. I just had a proposal accepted to do a 80 unit condo complex. They are townhouse style, 4-6 to a building. The board obviously shared my proposal with the association owners. I received a forwarded email from one owner who says she had "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" and wants to opt out. I have already given her the whole spiel about bi-safe, bleach degrading in soil, low percentage solution, etc.
I was wondering if anyone knows what the algae is on siding. Is it GM? You know the blackish speckles that get darker then bleach out when you SW them. If I can show this woman that her condo has algae on it and and tell her what it is, give a demo with the solution, maybe I can salvage this.
Also, if anyone has experience with this situation, I would appreciate advice.
What I don't want is to have this woman work herself up into a panic over the smell while I'm there and end up in an ambulance or at the E.R. and blame us. (I work on an ambulance and can see this kind of thing happening.)
Every good carpenter has more than just one hammer in the tool-box!
I agree with Barry
We have worked for several chemically sensitive customers in our restoration business..............
They may seem crazy to you - some are - but it is very real to them. If she is truly sensitive even the odor of the rain fresh may be too much. I would approach the board and possibly try to PW her building. She needs to be kept up to date as to your schedule.
We are licensed for anti microbial pest control here in Louisiana. Every year we get a new list of the people who have been registered with the state by their doctor as being chemically sensitive. It grows every year. We HAVE to know who they are and where they live and it is a huge fine if they complain we sprayed with the wind blowing their way.
But, one of my biggest customer cheerleaders is a chemically sensitive individual
I am going to try and win her over, and if not, offer up a hotel. I stopped pressure washing vinyl siding after about the 4th house I cleaned 17 years ago, and I'm not going to pressure wash this building. In fact, the board and the management company are adamant I do not pressure wash. It would also change the bid dramatically because of logistics and access. If she still demands to opt out, I will oblige, but I will let them know I have to skip her whole building, and she still has to be gone while the project is going on. Of course I will compensate her for this.
CHAD ......DID YOU TRY TO HAVE THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY TALK TO HER...AND POSSIBLY LET THEM FOOT THE BILL OR SPLIT IT WITH THEM IF SHE IS IN NEED OF OFFSITE ACCOMMODATIONS..THIS IS ONE POINT I WILL BE ADDING TO MY CONTRACTS FOR FUTURE BIDS......