| If you are looking for a quick and thorough | | | | -three to six gallons per minute (GPM) of |
| way to clean your house's exterior, consider | | | | water flow. |
| pressure washing. Pressure washing is best | | | | |
| left in the hands of a professional. However, | | | | A rating of 2000 PSI and two GPM is |
| a pressure washing job done incorrectly or by | | | | residential-, rather than industrial-grade |
| an unqalified pressure washing contractor can | | | | equipment. |
| cause damage to your home or property. The | | | | |
| damage can be costly. | | | | 6. Ask providers to give you a demonstration. |
| | | | Not many providers will accede to this |
| Outlined below are ideas to guide you in your | | | | request, as it often requires much time and |
| search for a quality pressure washing | | | | effort to undertake. It does not mean you |
| contractor. Additional advice is provided as | | | | should never ask, though. Often, the provider |
| well on how to deal with the contractor of | | | | will respond by asking the client to be there |
| your choice when the cleaning work is in | | | | during setup instead. During this time, do |
| progress, and when it is completed. | | | | not think twice to inform the contractor of |
| | | | any qualms you may have about the work to be |
| 1. Equip yourself with a clear understanding | | | | performed. |
| of the risks involved in pressure washing and | | | | |
| how to minimize these risks. Taking the time | | | | 7. See that the estimates are formalized in |
| to educate yourself thus will enable you to | | | | writing. This record should protect both you |
| distinguish between the mediocre outworker | | | | and the service provider you are hiring. A |
| from the quality contractor. | | | | written estimate provides clarity to the |
| | | | desired service, details expected results, |
| 2. Arrange to meet the contractor in such a | | | | and itemizes cost of labor and materials. |
| way that they evaluate the site to be worked | | | | |
| on together with you. Establishing clear | | | | 8. Obtain References. Obtaining references is |
| communications at this point will help limit | | | | important. Make sure that referrals are for |
| the possibility of errors in the estimating | | | | pressure washing projects and not for other |
| process. | | | | contracted services such as deck cleaning or |
| | | | vinyl siding cleaning. Make sure to use the |
| 3. Consult. A sound pressure washing | | | | references once the contractor has provided |
| contractor will welcome the opportunity to | | | | them to you. Ask questions in regards to the |
| examine your site, ask questions and note any | | | | quality of the work such as project outcomes, |
| potential areas of concern. These contractors | | | | workmanship and professionalism. |
| will pay attention to your needs and decide | | | | |
| what type of service you need and expect. In | | | | 9. Guarantee and Financing Policies. Read |
| addition, they will also go over with you the | | | | over the financing or billing policies and |
| advantages and limitations of the service | | | | customer guarantee or satisfaction papers. |
| that they provide. As you meet with different | | | | Make sure that you understand policies in |
| contractors, be sure to question them on the | | | | regards to payment schedules and deposits. |
| specifications of the service, exact | | | | What type of satisfaction and guarantee does |
| procedures, outcome and potential for damage. | | | | the contractor offer on the finished project? |
| You will then be able to get a clearer | | | | |
| picture of the service and decide which | | | | 10. Coverage. Make certain that the |
| contractor to award the job. | | | | contractor has liability coverage. |
| | | | Professional pressure washing contractors |
| 4. Request for an outline of the cleaning | | | | will have coverage for their customers and |
| procedure. This summary of work steps that | | | | themselves. Liability insurance should cover |
| may come with the estimate or as a separate | | | | potential on-site mishaps, injury or property |
| sheet should prove to be a helpful tool for | | | | damage. |
| comparing the different pressure washing | | | | |
| services you consult with. | | | | 11. On-Site Inspection. During the pressure |
| | | | washing project, be present on-site to |
| 5. Question Equipment Status. Does the | | | | inspect the work and keep an eye on the work |
| pressure washing contractor own the equipment | | | | being done. You should be available to talk |
| or are they rented? Contractors that either | | | | with the contractor should any problems |
| own or lease their equipment are typically | | | | arise. |
| more reliable and committed to their pressure | | | | |
| washing business. Contractors who rent | | | | To sum up: Educate yourself about pressure |
| equipment may be an indication that they are | | | | washing and how it is done. Ask questions and |
| not as reliable. | | | | get references for each pressure washing |
| | | | contractor. Do a thorough cost comparison of |
| Most pressure washers that are for real will | | | | the project, materials and labor and use |
| be outfitted with apparatus that have at | | | | commonsense. Eliminate potentially poor |
| least the following specifications: | | | | quality pressure washing contractors. A |
| | | | qualified professional will be more than |
| -11 to 15 horsepower (HP) | | | | happy to help you through the entire |
| | | | selection process and provide you with the |
| -3000-4000 pounds per square inch (PSI) of | | | | necessary information you need to make an |
| pressure, and | | | | informed decision. |
| | | | |