Hey guys, I just started my window cleaning business a couple weeks ago. Today I got a call from a hospital that saw my internet ad. I’m honestly wondering if I can even do jobs like this right now. All I have is a little giant ladder, a 30 ft Unger pole, a few wands, a few squeegies and the basic stuff. I’m thinking that you pretty much need at least a WFP to do a job like this am I correct?
Do you have any pictures? How many stories are there?
Anything can be done my friend. Fake it till ya make it man. What you do, is you call up other window cleaners that have wfp’s and get them to work with you. Have them meet you at the hospital and get them to tell you how long they think it would take, bid it, tack on some money for you and just supervise…save money and get a pole.
But dont let this one go.
No pics yet. I’ll see if I can get some and post them.
Is it over three stories? Do you have high-rise insurance? Are you trained in rope safety? WFP do not work on everything. I’m sure others may disagree with that, but that is our experience. You need to have the ability to get to all the places that your WFP goes. Otherwise, you may have a unhappy customer. That is impressive though, a few weeks in business and a hospital calls you. Just shows that a good ad trumps experience everytime! No offense, I am sure you’re an excellant window cleaner.
Actually, I found this link. The guy said It’s not above 2 stories. I don’t have a WFP right now. Hopefully from the picture it looks like I’ll be able to do this with just basic equipment. What do you guys think?
Wow, it looks like a retirement home. Yes, if you know how to clean a window that job should be very easy. Hope you get it!
Piece of cake. I think you have the right tools for the job. Your experience is the deciding factor. Even if you under bid it [not too much] or take longer than you estimated, you’ll gain a lot of practice for the next job. Plus its better to be working than wondering when the next big one will come it. I’d go for it!
Good luck!
I have a consultation to bid it this Monday. It’s 1.5 hours away. I’m thinking I’ll just charge like 2 bucks per window for those basic windows and just count them all up. Maybe 3 or 4 bucks for 2 story windows? Does that sound like a good way to bid it or are there better ways with this size of job in your opinion?
It looks like there are 2 buildings - yes? If that is the case, and the job is as big as it seems, then you should leave your “per pane” pricing behind. Instead, guess-timate how many days you believe it will take you and then change by day. A full days work for a WC can and should bring in $500-$700 depending on what part of the country you’re from.
For your first big job, if you think it’s 2 days, then add 1/2 day in just to cover yourself and bid the 2.5 days work at $1500.
But yes, I agree that you should get after this job too. Also, purchase two 24’ Garelick poles from WCR (one for your mop, one for your squeegee) and a Ledger and practice your pole work on jobs like this.
We clean a nursing home that has 3 stories, and we do it all from the ground with Garelick poles - saves us TONS of time over laddering everything. Pole work will easily cut your time in 1/2. WFP work will cut that time even further!
That’s great information Viking. I appreciate it. I actually have a 30 ft. Unger pole that I can take a section out of. I also have a 16 ft. unger pole. Do you think these will work, or is there something special about the Garelick poles. Are they lighter or something? Also, what size Ledger do you suggest getting. They have 22", 16", 7", 9" and Swivel? I’ll buy whatever you think will work best for the job.
Garelick is my pole of choice. There more ridged, lighter and last a long time! I hope you get this job!
The bidding advice I think is dead on! You wont need a wfp for this job, this is an easy job for easy money. You may be able to get more for it, especially since it is so far away. Try shooting for 3000.00. If its all gonna be done by hand, youre gonna wow them, they WILL be happy…if you bid on the high end, later on you can send some guys out there and not even have to lay a squeegee on the site! AND STILL MAKE MONEY.
Hope you get it.
Ok, I did the bid today. I bid it for 3380 for outside, inside and screens. There aren’t that many screens but does add a little. It was way bigger than I imagined. 99% of the windows are on the first floor. They have gotten 3 other bids and have one more. They will let me know by Friday. I learned a lot bidding this place today. One thing I learned is that I should have charged at least 100 dollars to bid this place if I didn’t get the job. It’s 1.5 hours away and took me about 2 hours to bid and talk to the guy. It basically took all day.
Keep us posted!!!
We do a medical building 2x year - all outs( i have some pics in my profile section) 2 stories which turns into 3 because of the sloping of the land, all ladder work. highest ladder we use is 40ft.We pole as much as we can. 3 of us 7 1/2 hours non stop about $1800.00.
That blding doesnt look like it would be too bad to do. Use poles where u can it does save time. Hope u get the job good luck.
Anybody ever have trouble collecting a late fee from a hospital? I put one on the invoice, but they sent the check short of the late fee.
Is there some reason hospitals can’t pay late fees or did they just short me?
that’s just the way it goes… no one is going to pay $100 for an estimate when all others dont do that.
Working for free for two hours would be worth it to get a high paying gig all year round dont you think?
We just did a $3775 Hospital two floors 24 man hour. We used wfp and pure water and zep line removal
