Hey all, question for the commercial SoftWash pros: I have the opportunity to bid on a Courtyard Marriot here in town. I responded to a request through Thumbtack for a pressure washing service, but pitched the softwash approach to the AGM. Met with her to walk the property today and as you can see from the pictures it really needs some love. They are gathering bids and are ready to pull the trigger right away so the building can look good for the upcoming peak season.
I am still new to the commercial side of softwashing, so I could really use some help with putting numbers together so I have a chance at approval.
The exterior sq footage is about 44,000. There is a also a 10' wall along the back to close off the pool and back courtyard area. The surface is mainly EIFS. The balconies were just worked on, so they said we don't need to include those in the proposal.
Other than help with what to charge, I need help with common issues or considerations I should make when approaching this project. Things to think about or be careful of. How many days/man hours should I expect to spend? With there being ~40' high walls, should I consider using a lift, or just rely on extension pole with spray attachment and rinse with booster pump?
For pricing, feel free to PM me or text me (760) 407-7162.
Make sure windows are closed, I wouldn't get a lift - just get a good booster pump, extension pole and a ladder as a backup and you are good. Try to avoid windy days, because the product can drift onto the balcony areas and potentially spot the windows (which you wont be able to rinse very well, unless you have a 40' ladder). Also check if there is patio furniture on the balconies that could potentially spot.
All in all, this looks like a slam dunk project that is fairly easy. I'll Text u pricing options.
Josh Agadoni said
Mar 16, 2017
Thanks, Brandon! Great thoughts. I was thinking $.25. I'll look forward to your text.
John Aloisio said
Mar 17, 2017
Josh,
We have washed two Marriot hotels in the last couple years and getting ready to wash our fifth Hilton Garden Inn in a few weeks. They are pretty easy cleanings, but require a designated person on the ground watching out for the public. You will need to put up plenty of Danger Tape (RED), not caution tape (Yellow). People seem to respond better to the Danger Tape, but you will still get some oblivious ones who just walk under it. The wind will be one of your biggest factors to watch. The chems will drift when spraying the high areas, and the ground guys need to aware and tell the guys spraying when to stop and start. You need walkie talkies for everyone as well, because yelling is just not professional and gives your guys an excuse to say they did not hear the commands. Water sources are always a problem when we do commercial, but both Marriots we did have more hose bibs than I have ever seen...Hiltons not so much, we use hydrants. I agree with Brandon, a lift really is not needed, and I would send a guy up on the flat roof to spray down and a guy up there behind him to rinse. Usually there are water sources near the AC units on a roof, for servicing them. The fact that you are not doing the balconies is HUGE!! They consume a ton of time and are a pain. I can PM you some pricing thoughts and you can call me anytime to talk, because I am getting long winded here. I will be on the office all day today, because it is like North Pole here.
Jeffrey Kirby said
Mar 17, 2017
Josh,
We consulted with John A (no charge, thanks John) on our first hotel softwash as well. We washed from the ground and the roof, and have done other projects like that as well. Much more thorough, and faster.
Josh Agadoni said
Mar 17, 2017
John & Jeff, I was hoping either or both of you would share your wisdom, as I know you've both been here before and had some solid victories. Thank you for taking the time to help me. John, I may call you today to discuss pricing. Thanks!
Chad Eneix said
Mar 18, 2017
Also, coordinate with the management about room bookings regarding the noise of cleaning. I have had a couple hotels want to schedule for slower days of the week, and they will book all rooms on one side of the building one day, and all rooms on the other side the next day. This also helps with parking. This usually means two shorter work days, but there is an up-charge, which they are ok with. If you or they don't want to do this, coach the hotel to ask customers if they are ok with a little noise for a couple hours during the day.
As for a lift, sometimes it is a toss up. I tend to use them more than other SWS pros. If the building design allows a guy to go up 25' or 30' and he just stays up there, driving the lift along and spraying and rinsing, and another guy is doing windows behind, sometimes this goes faster and the lift pays for itself. This assumes a drivable lift, not a towable you have to move around yourself with a vehicle.
Bring a couple squeegees to push away and standing water on hard surfaces that may have bleach in it and neutralize well. If it rains the day after you're done and 10 customers bleach out the bottoms of their pants walking through a bleach puddle, the management won't be happy.
Print a 6 or 8 half-sheet flyers with some info and explanation smell of the product, it's environmental and health safety, and what and why you're doing what you're doing. This is in case anyone has a complaint or asks about the smell or chemicals. Bring your initial contact flyers and put up your yard signs around the property, you will often get leads walking up to you asking about your services.
Hotels are very sensitive to complaints and bad reviews, all of the above helps avoid that.
Don't forget to bid any signs, benches, landscape stones, and Terra Wash oil spots on front drive under canopy. If you have a pressure washer, bid concrete cleaning with gum removal around entrances.
Josh Agadoni said
Mar 19, 2017
Thank you, Chad! So many good points. For those half-sheet info flyers, do you (or anyone else) have an example you could share with me? I'd like to get some more specifics on that.
I am bidding all the concrete walkways and patio areas around the whole building as they need some love, too. Also putting in a line item for rust stain removal coming from a handful of vents and metal parts on the siding of the building.
-- Edited by Josh Agadoni on Sunday 19th of March 2017 12:39:36 PM
Josh Agadoni said
Mar 19, 2017
I'm finalizing the proposal, but I'm lacking some good before/after shots of similar work. Would anyone be willing to lend me some of their images for this? Only need a couple good ones. Email is josh@puretecproservices.com if anyone is up for helping me in this way. Thanks!
Hey all, question for the commercial SoftWash pros: I have the opportunity to bid on a Courtyard Marriot here in town. I responded to a request through Thumbtack for a pressure washing service, but pitched the softwash approach to the AGM. Met with her to walk the property today and as you can see from the pictures it really needs some love. They are gathering bids and are ready to pull the trigger right away so the building can look good for the upcoming peak season.
I am still new to the commercial side of softwashing, so I could really use some help with putting numbers together so I have a chance at approval.
The exterior sq footage is about 44,000. There is a also a 10' wall along the back to close off the pool and back courtyard area. The surface is mainly EIFS. The balconies were just worked on, so they said we don't need to include those in the proposal.
Other than help with what to charge, I need help with common issues or considerations I should make when approaching this project. Things to think about or be careful of. How many days/man hours should I expect to spend? With there being ~40' high walls, should I consider using a lift, or just rely on extension pole with spray attachment and rinse with booster pump?
For pricing, feel free to PM me or text me (760) 407-7162.
Thanks!
I would bid it at .25 per sq. ft.
Make sure windows are closed, I wouldn't get a lift - just get a good booster pump, extension pole and a ladder as a backup and you are good. Try to avoid windy days, because the product can drift onto the balcony areas and potentially spot the windows (which you wont be able to rinse very well, unless you have a 40' ladder). Also check if there is patio furniture on the balconies that could potentially spot.
All in all, this looks like a slam dunk project that is fairly easy. I'll Text u pricing options.
Josh,
We have washed two Marriot hotels in the last couple years and getting ready to wash our fifth Hilton Garden Inn in a few weeks. They are pretty easy cleanings, but require a designated person on the ground watching out for the public. You will need to put up plenty of Danger Tape (RED), not caution tape (Yellow). People seem to respond better to the Danger Tape, but you will still get some oblivious ones who just walk under it. The wind will be one of your biggest factors to watch. The chems will drift when spraying the high areas, and the ground guys need to aware and tell the guys spraying when to stop and start. You need walkie talkies for everyone as well, because yelling is just not professional and gives your guys an excuse to say they did not hear the commands. Water sources are always a problem when we do commercial, but both Marriots we did have more hose bibs than I have ever seen...Hiltons not so much, we use hydrants. I agree with Brandon, a lift really is not needed, and I would send a guy up on the flat roof to spray down and a guy up there behind him to rinse. Usually there are water sources near the AC units on a roof, for servicing them. The fact that you are not doing the balconies is HUGE!! They consume a ton of time and are a pain. I can PM you some pricing thoughts and you can call me anytime to talk, because I am getting long winded here. I will be on the office all day today, because it is like North Pole here.
Josh,
We consulted with John A (no charge, thanks John) on our first hotel softwash as well. We washed from the ground and the roof, and have done other projects like that as well. Much more thorough, and faster.
As for a lift, sometimes it is a toss up. I tend to use them more than other SWS pros. If the building design allows a guy to go up 25' or 30' and he just stays up there, driving the lift along and spraying and rinsing, and another guy is doing windows behind, sometimes this goes faster and the lift pays for itself. This assumes a drivable lift, not a towable you have to move around yourself with a vehicle.
Bring a couple squeegees to push away and standing water on hard surfaces that may have bleach in it and neutralize well. If it rains the day after you're done and 10 customers bleach out the bottoms of their pants walking through a bleach puddle, the management won't be happy.
Print a 6 or 8 half-sheet flyers with some info and explanation smell of the product, it's environmental and health safety, and what and why you're doing what you're doing. This is in case anyone has a complaint or asks about the smell or chemicals. Bring your initial contact flyers and put up your yard signs around the property, you will often get leads walking up to you asking about your services.
Hotels are very sensitive to complaints and bad reviews, all of the above helps avoid that.
Don't forget to bid any signs, benches, landscape stones, and Terra Wash oil spots on front drive under canopy. If you have a pressure washer, bid concrete cleaning with gum removal around entrances.
Thank you, Chad! So many good points. For those half-sheet info flyers, do you (or anyone else) have an example you could share with me? I'd like to get some more specifics on that.
I am bidding all the concrete walkways and patio areas around the whole building as they need some love, too. Also putting in a line item for rust stain removal coming from a handful of vents and metal parts on the siding of the building.
-- Edited by Josh Agadoni on Sunday 19th of March 2017 12:39:36 PM