[TVCS]

Hello folks.
Been asked to do a post builders clean on a cottage.  It is going on the market soon so they want me in asap.  The chap said he got my number thro a friend who is aregular of mine and highly recommended us. 
When I asked when I should visit and supply a quote he simply said don't worry just do it.
Now, as I have not done a builders clean before I thought I'd better ask the pro's about it.  The chap said that he masked off all the windows prior to any work being carried out and so they should be in fairly good condition.   
On a normal clean I price per window, so much for upstairs and so much for downstairs.  I recon I will try and hazard a guess as to how long it will take and go with a good hourly rate.

If anyone feel they can add anything that I may find usefull to know about this type of cleaning all info will be greatfully received.

Cheers
Ant.

[gary evans]

Ant we do a lot of this, we charge between 4 to 6 times its normal value depending on condition & frames etc.

You have to be careful with scratchs, removing all tape, silicon, plaster, cement & paint. Some are vey clean & no problem but some are wworth a lot more.

Dont forget the rebates on every frame.

Gary

[Helen]

get written confirmation of exactly what the customer wants, it may not just be the window! Builders cleans can mean top to bottom of house plus insides too!
Stick to your guns, you want to site visit, do not price/work without seeing it, what if there is problems with access etc etc? Get a price agreed pre work.

[East coast window cleaning Services]

yeah i do biulders cleans for laings and wimpey homes 2 times a week can be hard work but pays well. like the other post said be careful not to scratch glass like i say to anyone who does then provivding you use the right chemicals u be ok

[Pittmonkey]

I’m also thinking of the option of builders cleans.
I know this may be a big of a long winded answer for someone but,

What do they normally consist of?

Or can you stipulate what service you provide ie: Windows, frames, facias and gutters.
What else would they want cleaning? and would you need a Power Wash set up?

The research I’ve done on chemicals and equipment so far include:

Oil flow (Is this for stickers, paint, silicon and other marks etc?)
MDR
Scraper
WFP & Trad equipment.

Any more help, info would be really appreciated.

Thanks
Wayne

[East coast window cleaning Services]

on the first clean o dont even take my wondow cleaning stuff with me.

1st clean there likley to have concrete/render over them as well as sticker marks or glue residue.
So i take window cleaning spray, type 10/20 winzer wurth, Bricky acis (only use if concrete is that bad) hand brush to dust down befoe u clean (helps whack the conrete to small peices) unger blades, scowrer (for frames) and cloths.

2nd clean i take all the same and me tradditional stuff.

But i would point out one thing there are so many health and safety courses and exams you have to take before you be even able to go on site. and u need a min of 5m liablity cover for most large building firms

[TVCS]

Thanks for the replies. 
This is just a builder who has done up a cottage.  So I wont be on a builing site so at the moment my liability of 2 m should cover it. 
I will be visiting the site on monday with the chap and I will get down in writing exactly what he wants cleaned.

As far as scratches go I did a new customer last week, an oldish lady with a huge house.  When I priced up I pointed out that most of the windows had lots and lots of scratches.  She told me the old window cleaner charged her extra for removing some paint from the glass.  It turns out he used a stanley knife and scratched the paint off with the tip of the blade.  I'm not joking but every window was scratched. Its a £30 clean so there are quite a few windows! 
Anyway back to the post in hand.  If they are heavily soiled with snots of compo I take it a weak brick acid solution is ok to use.   
Once again thanks for the replies people. 

Ant
TVCS

[East coast window cleaning Services]

Water the brickie down and dont leave it on the glass to long as can f*** the rubber seals up around the glass. 50/50 shoud be ok into a spray bottle just shut up eyes when spraying and wear gloves (hurts like hell if you got cuts on ya hands) lol

[TVCS]

Well people, I got the job.
Had a look on monday and had a good walk round with the builder.  Got everything down in writing that he wants doing. 

Put in what I think is a good price and he was pleased with it, Just shy of £100.
The builder said he thought it was going to be more but at the end of the day most of the windows were very clean, insides and out. 
On some of them the only real soiling was evidence of the tape they had used to mask the windows off.  i tried one and it came away nicely with a blade but if anyone knows of a good product for the removal of such things please do let me know.  The windows are made up of 6 little pains so I figure it will take the 2 of us 2 - 3 hours to do the lot.    The chap said that providing we do a "half decent job" we will get all of his builders cleans in the future. 
So thanks again for the advice and tips.
Ant
TVCS

[TVCS]

Did the clean today.

It did take the 2 of us a tad longer than planned.  I estimated 3 hours but it took 6
Not the best hourly rate I've ever earnt but anyway, all part of a learning curve so next time I feel I'll be on the money so to speak.

What really slowed us down was the silicone.  when I visited the property I didn't notice that much of it.  This was partly due to the normal dust and crap on the glass.  There was very little paint and no compo at all.  The silicone remover I used was no good at all.  If anyone can recommend a brand then please do.

At the end of the day the owner was chuffed to bits with the end result.   walked round the property with him at the end and he was genuinely well happy which is good. 

So after my first builders clean I have not been put off and will hopefully be in a better position to price up the next one.

[East coast window cleaning Services]

10/10 for your honesty there TVCS