I have an inside track to clean a 14 building apartment complex. The head of maintenance used to work for me years ago and has even given me the other guys quotes. Here is my question. The apartments are 4 floors high and there is no way to get a lift truck to the areas that need to be cleaned. They want 3 quotes {Roof, Siding, & Gutters). I just cant figure out how to get up that high with just ladders. We have a 36 ft ladder but that is not enough. Roof is too step to walk. They have only been able to get one quote and only for the roof and that was $19K, they told me they had someone else clean the siding a few years ago but was not happy with the work and that they paid $86K then. Now you see why I want this $100K job but I just can not see how I can get 4 floors high for siding (5 floors high on the ends) but especially the roofs. HELP!!!!!
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All Washed Up 505 Carriage Hill Drive Forest, VA 24551 434-841-9889 David@AllWashed.com
I have learned one thing well in business; I don't want every job. I have passed up many jobs that were easier than this one! I am busy pretty much all the time and if I lock my time up in these enormous jobs, I lose as much money on good jobs, that I'd want, but have to pass up. Plus, when you get started on these big jobs, you often will regret it by day 2 or 3. I did 28 2 story condos once. Residents coming and going, cars parking downwind from chlorine in the air-just a lot of trouble! I was stuck there 11 days. made big money, but hated the work and hassles. I suggest you walk away, unless you really need the money.
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Serving Englewood Rotonda North Port Cape Haze Venice Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Boca Grande Charlotte and Southern Sarasota Counties in Florida.
That roof doesn't look too steep to walk at all, especially with a good safety tie-off or anchor system. Would a 35' tow-behind lift get in there? We use those all the time, and three guys can man-handle them and manually move them around. Your pump system should shoot 20-30 feet, so even working off a 36 foot ladder shouldn't be a problem.
If the roof is too steep to climb, get ladder access to a valley and climb up that way and work off the peak, with one foot on each side of the pitch for stability. YOu could even look at renting a scaffodling system to gain access to the roof, if you don't like the ladder idea.
A high dollar job like this will take some $$$ investment in materials. I tend to secure the bid first and then worry about how to get up there. For 100,000 you could afford to have a helicopter drop you off on the roof in the morning and pick you up in the afternoon.
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Ray Burke
Spray Wash Exterior Cleaning
850.528.3226
visit our website Soft Washing and Pressure Washing
cant you rent a boom lift? we use them alot. and they will easily get you to all the areas... and i agree, in that pic, it doesnt look too steep to walk.
By the pictures it looks like those roofs are walkable. You can probrably use an articulating boom lift ( 65 footer) and lay plywood down so the grass dosent get torn up.
The benefit on a job like this is do a good job and you'll most likely have the work every few years. Then it will be easier considering you figured it out the first time. Possibly lead to more work like it as well.
Articulating boom lifts rent for $300-$500 a week in my area, depending on the type and size. They will deliver the lift and then pick it up for you. A good pair of roofing boots will definitely help you feel more confident on those roofs. (cougar paws are what we use). And fall protection is always a good idea. If you're a little unsure, teaming up with someone in your area who has done a few of these could be a really good thing. It's like paid training. The job goes faster, everybody is safer and you gain a ton of knowledge in the process. Good luck with it!
Get Ray to send you the plans for the basket he made that was hung from a crane to clean church steeples. $100k job like that and you would still make out like a bandit after paying hourly crane rates, material and labor costs.
I agree with others, those roofs don't look too steep to walk on to me either. If you could soft-wash the buildings, instead of pressure washing them = no plant worries-or people walking through drip-age, it wouldn't be that hard of a job. The lowest roof level appears to be about 35' to me. If you get a 40' ladder, you should be fine! If that don't reach, put it in a pickup truck bed. Been there, done that. Again, if you are already busy, walk away from the job. It WILL BE a headache!
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Serving Englewood Rotonda North Port Cape Haze Venice Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Boca Grande Charlotte and Southern Sarasota Counties in Florida.
Go rent a 60 ft ladder. Those roofs are walkable all day long. Washing- Use a 10-12 ft step ladder a 6 ft extension wand and a 0030 tip to shoot the high areas on the exterior. Oh, and $100k for that job? I need to move. Lol
NO kidding....wish we could get HALF those kinds of rates in Florida!
From the pictures and description I saw, I would "guestimate" our bid would be around 40K.....and we still would likely not get that job if price was the only consideration.
-- Edited by sweetwaterfish on Saturday 29th of September 2012 08:28:04 AM
Promise you there would be people here in florida that would tackle that for less than 20K...they would do a crappy job, but they would do it cheaply!
-- Edited by sweetwaterfish on Saturday 29th of September 2012 08:29:46 AM
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Ray Burke
Spray Wash Exterior Cleaning
850.528.3226
visit our website Soft Washing and Pressure Washing
Go rent a 60 ft ladder. Those roofs are walkable all day long. Washing- Use a 10-12 ft step ladder a 6 ft extension wand and a 0030 tip to shoot the high areas on the exterior. Oh, and $100k for that job? I need to move. Lol
NO kidding....wish we could get HALF those kinds of rates in Florida! From the pictures and description I saw, I would "guestimate" our bid would be around 40K.....and we still would likely not get that job if price was the only consideration.
-- Edited by sweetwaterfish on Saturday 29th of September 2012 08:28:04 AM Promise you there would be people here in florida that would tackle that for less than 20K...they would do a crappy job, but they would do it cheaply!
-- Edited by sweetwaterfish on Saturday 29th of September 2012 08:29:46 AM
Here in SW Florida my guess is the winning bid would be not over $2000.00 a building. Heck, each one is no more than a days work, if that. Plus, ours would have a thousand $ worth of plants to protect and work around. I see nothing at these?
But, I know I would pass on it. I have work every day anyway, so why take this on and deal with all the comings and goings of residents etc?
I didn't know a 60' ladder existed? 40' is the longest I have ever seen?
-- Edited by Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 on Saturday 29th of September 2012 08:52:00 AM
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Serving Englewood Rotonda North Port Cape Haze Venice Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Boca Grande Charlotte and Southern Sarasota Counties in Florida.
Go rent a 60 ft ladder. Those roofs are walkable all day long. Washing- Use a 10-12 ft step ladder a 6 ft extension wand and a 0030 tip to shoot the high areas on the exterior. Oh, and $100k for that job? I need to move. Lol
Sure enough! Been in business since 1978 and never saw anything over 40' being used! Werner 560-3 60' Aluminum Round Rung Extension Ladder - 250lb Rated
List Price: $2,810.25 Our Price: $1,449.91 Sale Price: $1,355.56
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Serving Englewood Rotonda North Port Cape Haze Venice Port Charlotte Punta Gorda Boca Grande Charlotte and Southern Sarasota Counties in Florida.