[Ken]

I have been asked to quote for the external and internal cleaning of a new office development. Outside no problem but inside will be tricky. The offices used to be a main dealer car showroom, so the windows are wide and tall (maybe 4 metres..?), so there is no obvious way to use a ladder. So, would a Dragonfly thing be any good? Has anyone had experience of using one, and if so what were the results like? Or is a tall step ladder a better bet? I don't know how close desks etc will be to the glass until I go to look on Thursday.

I don't want to bodge something up to do them. I know the MD really well (we went skiing in January) and he is very particular. I've been told that the look they have gone for with the offices is "Aston Martin Showroom"!, so they won't be happy with anything other than perfection! There will also be a couple of other cleaners quoting, including one of the local "big boys" so I want to get the price right and do the job well!

Any thoughts appreciated! (And don't ask for pics or location, beating two other quotes is going to be tough enough!)

[bobby p]

i would use a wagtail flipper with the mop modified on a pole .

 look on to youtube, MyWagga ,and he has a whole bunch of really great videos showing just what you need for such a job.  be sure to use a different rubber in your wagtail ,pulex is what wagga recommends and i find thats best too . those wagtail videos are worth their weight in gold

[Pristine Clean]

Hi,

I would use a wagtail, for the internal clean to start with.

The dragon fly is a great bit of kit for regular internal cleans once it has been traditionally cleaned. (Purchase enough microfibre cloths)

For the lower windows the easy shine kit is good as well and I find it much quicker than traditional. Like anything it takes a bit of getting use to.

Dave

[Ken]

Ok, chucking with rain here this morning so went to see what's what with this job. It's pretty big!

The external glass is fairly straightforward, I would say that the panes are vary between 3-4 metres wide and 3 metres high, with a further window above that is 1 metre high. There are 6 no. of metre square windows on the sides. There is also a revolving door unit. So not too bad. This is to be done monthly. Total panels: 3 of 3x3m + 3x1m, 7 of 4x3m + 4x1m, 6 of 1x1m, revolving door unit (6 door sides, 8 curved sides, 4 door sides).

Internal cleaning is to be done 12 weekly, although should the main big windows need it they could be 4 weekly. Inside the big (3-4 metre wide) windows will have good access around them to the point where tradding them off a pointer maybe feasible. Having said that they cross piece isn't particularly hefty so I would be reluctant to put a pointer anywhere than in to a corner. I'd feel that I would do a better job than with a Vikan EasyShine or Dragonfly. However there is a mezzanine floor which overlooks the main office space and has full height windows (patio door size) running the full width of the building (16 panels!) Floor level must be 4-5 metres above the office floor. Apparently they have a fork lift with a cage which could be brought in to do them, I'd worry it would look unprofessional relying on their equipment, but I could pitch it that it would definitely enable me to do a top flight job. Total panels: 3 of 3x3m + 3x1m, 7 of 4x3m + 4x1m, 6 of 1x1m, 63 of patio door size panels, 16 of patio door size panels - high level. I would need to put some sort of dustsheet down to protect carpets etc.

I also have to quote for cleaning the fascia of the building which is also a little awkward. The top 2/3rds angles outwards at about 45 degrees, each panel must be about 2.5m including the overhang and there are 43 panels. Again this probably would be 12 weekly.

There was also talk of washing down the whole building (it's white cladding of some sort every 12 months).

The other aspect which I have to clarify is the access times, it's going to be a pretty busy office so they won't want me banging around during office hours I'm guessing...

Sorry for the long post, any ideas or guides to quoting would be appreciated!

[jamescsp]

we manage to clean inside & outside by using a ladder only, so I don't think there is any issue!

[Ken]

Forgot to mention that all the glass will be cleaned by the builders (?!) and then there will be a "Sparkle" clean before they move in, so the glass should be good from the get go...

[Ken]

we manage to clean inside & outside by using a ladder only, so I don't think there is any issue!

To be honest, unless you've seen the job, that's a ridiculous comment.

[Ken]

Done my quote, sent it through, let's see what happens!

Had a thought about the big main windows, why not use a big step ladder? Plenty of height, don't need to lean against anything, perfect. I could buy one but may just hire (£20 a day) for the first clean to see how it works out.

[geoffreyspecht]

use a pole simple