Parking Garage Cleaning is requiring ...

Parking Garage Cleaning is now requiring a 10 million dollar umbrella insurance by a triple A endorsement. We have been notified that 10 million is the new requirement.

What dose this mean,.....


Not everyone is going to qualify for the new limits either financially or otherwise. They do not give a 10 million umbrella just because. You must meet the requirements of said policy.

This will weed out the want a bees more than any licensing will.

If you are thinking about dealing with EPA and Garage Cleaning, I suggest you start your resume now for your qualifications on the new application of the newer policies in the near future.

The requirements for qualifications are changing.

Jim@Garagecleaning said:

Parking Garage Cleaning is now requiring a 10 million dollar umbrella insurance by a triple A endorsement. We have been notified that 10 million is the new requirement.

What dose this mean,.....

Click to expand...

Too bad the state didn't have a 10 million dollar insurance to cover it's inability to pay state tax refunds......

Have fun with that Jim. And, by the way.....keep it there.

I'm goin' back to Cali, Cali, Cali, going back to Cali....I don't think so. - LL Cool J.

Jim, all that mumbo-jumbo was california talk for the california parking garages, right?

I did not get any memos for Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas or Kansas so I was wondering.

hahahahahahaha

Arent parking garages 99.9% concrete? What the hell you gonna hurt in a garage? Im sure it will weed out the wanna bees, along with a lot of capable companies that just cant come up with the cash. The way you talk about cleaning garages youd think you were designing, building and maintaining nuclear reactors in the middle of a downtown metropolitan area. I mean Jesus, its only a hunk of concrete where cars park that your shooting some water at.................absolutely mind boggling.

The way they explain it to me is this. "The insurance companies of the garages to be cleaned have been fined from pressure washers who did not reclaim properly to EPA/ State/ County/ City requirements". The State and the EPA is going after the deep pockets now and not so much after the washers. The owners of these multi million dollar structures are being held accountable for their cleanings. This is a huge change of direction where as before, the owners could hide behind the facts saying.." We did not know the contractor was incompetent".

The 10 million policy, and not just any policy... but an umbrella policy for pollution, " Class II Hazardous Waste " is unique and expensive.

This way if the contractor is incompetent, the EPA and / or State, County, City can go after the insurance policy where as before they went after the contractor who just goes bankrupt to avoid the hefty fines. Then next year, that same contractor starts another business under a different corp or a friends name.

It is important to know that this is the first time we ran into this. Currently a 3 million policy umbrella with a triple A rating insurance company, which is more expensive then a 5 million business insurance policy, is the norm. We will keep an eye on this, but usually if one area of the field is requiring this type of insurance policy premium, rest assure the industry, in time, will follow.

Jim, you need to make some videos of your guys working, that would be great. Your customers and potential customers could see what level of professionalism you offer and separate yourself from the wannabe's and hacks.

Jim, after one or two fines paid out the insurance companies will refuse to write the policies.

Here's something to chew on.

The authors of draconian environmental laws don't want you to be responsible. They want you to be GONE. They don't want environmentally responsible transportation. They want everyone on bicycles. They don't want any industry within their borders. (or in their waters)

They won't stop till you are gone. You are enjoying the benefits of being a forward thinker and staying ahead of the pack right now, but don't be fooled, you aren't appreciated by the ones making the laws, you are hated. That is why they keep making more and more strigent laws. It's not for your benefit - it' for your demise.

Your exhaust will be attacked next. Mark this post - within two years if your state is still in existence you'll be posting about how your exhaust has to be filtered.

Your state has committed slow suicide.

We've had this discussion before. You are a leader in the industry. Because of that you have a responsibility to fight the very same rules that give you an advantage, because you are playing with a tiger and you are going to be the next one to get bit.

That is like what I was telling you on the phone yesterday Jim, one day things might change to level the playing field and you will not like it too much or they might start to put the screw to you in a way that you wil not like it.

No matter what you have been told, the Government is not your friend, you are in a positon to take advantage of the playing field being smaller and less competition but things will also start to get worse, it is just a matter of time.

Soon there will only be parking garages for bicycles. No more oil stains to filter. The end is near...

Jim@Garagecleaning said:

Parking Garage Cleaning is now requiring a 10 million dollar umbrella insurance by a triple A endorsement. We have been notified that 10 million is the new requirement.

What dose this mean,.....


Not everyone is going to qualify for the new limits either financially or otherwise. They do not give a 10 million umbrella just because. You must meet the requirements of said policy.

This will weed out the want a bees more than any licensing will.

If you are thinking about dealing with EPA and Garage Cleaning, I suggest you start your resume now for your qualifications on the new application of the newer policies in the near future.

The requirements for qualifications are changing.

Click to expand...

Hav'nt heard that for the parking garages around here!!

I wish you would change the title of the theard to Parking Garage Cleaning in California!!!

Or better yet change it to "Unreasonable parking garage cleaning requirements in california designed to make sure only one company is able to do it but does absolutly nothing to help the parking garage, garage owner, citizen or environment"

Hey guys, some make a very good point. Diesels are being attack right now.But for Mobile Diesels on trailers or small equipment , for right now, are exempt from any of these new laws coming down the pipeline. Will it happen.... Yes..... Based on Lake Tahoe environmental laws which is controlled by the state of Nevada and California.

You want to see restrictions... go there.

As for Mikes comments, Look Mike, in your part of the country, the environmental laws are slowly enforced. Sometimes years behind the western US and or Texas. This articles is just saying that it may be coming. If the powerful insurance companies are requiring this type of insurance to protect their client's property, rest assure that premium insurance cost will be past on to us to keep their property owners protected and their property owners premiums down.

Someone has to pay.... that entity is the contractor who is cleaning the class II hazardous waste. The contractor is now going to have all the reliability. I feel thats they way it should be. After all we are the ones cleaning the stuff and filtering it. If we screw up, our insurance should cover us.

CURRENTLY YOUR AVERAGE BASIC INSURANCE DOSE NOT COVER YOU FOR THIS TYPE OF CLEANING UNLESS YOU HAVE THEM PUT A CLAUSE INTO THE POLICY. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN DUE TO COST RISING UP 400 TO 900 % OR SIMPLE BECAUSE THE AVERAGE PRESSURE WASHING POLICY DOSE NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO INCLUDE IT. This type of liability is in a different classification, a different policy pricing. In fact, this new type of insurance will separate the average pressure washing company who washes buildings and a Costco from the ones who washes Refineries, Gas Station Pads and Garages. This will be a different field where this type of industry will be cleaning class II hazardous waste, hydro carbons, mercury, transmission fluids, heavy metals etc. These items are not usually found in a building wash or cleaning a Costco store front. These store fronts and building washes are what the average pressure washer dose so most of us do not need to worry.

Going to the refineries, garages and Gas station pads will be a different environmentally type of pressure washing. A unique branch off from the norm in the industry. That pressure washing field of specialization should be held 100% liable for cleaning and discharge according to the laws of the US. If you chose not to comply, cannot comply or cannot afford the 5 to 8k a year for the insurance, then you should not be doing that type of cleaning. With these upper classification type of insurance, if you spill or do not filter the thousands of gallons of class II hazardous waste properly as you agreed to in the contract that you signed, then you will be fined and your insurance will pay. Likely, that will be the first and last time you spill because your insurance will go sky high or you will be canceled... just like your auto insurance.

Look it, NOBODY is forcing you to clean a refinery or gas pad / garage. You make that choice. If you want the high paying jobs, you need to play by the rules the industry sets.

Thats what we do now. I am on a construction site and I have to deal with so many Dept's of the government. I take their advice, say thank you sir, write their name and time down on the pad and DO WHAT THEY SAY. I always talk with them in the presence of another person and have them sign a change order. We are compliant and we get paid very well for being a company who say yes sir to all the political rhetoric and requirements set forth by the government and the owners of the parking facility.

If you do not want this type of stress.... and believe me there is allot of stress, then get out of the kitchen.

A new field in pressure washing is coming. Now is the time to set your company in a position to acquire the jobs that no one may qualify or sees the money one can make and takes months to get their ducks in a row to even bid.

This year, there was 6 parking garage contracts.... We always was the most expensive, sometimes by as much as $32,000. We got the contracts. Price is not the only consideration anymore.

And no Mike, I am not going to post my checks on this board anymore. Did that , done that. If you need proof, I am getting a check for the job site we are on right now. I will be happy to send a copy to you via email. Trust me, this is not a small check, it is for 5 days/nights of work with one pressure washer and one filter..

Thats funny Jim because two days ago the UAMCC was contacted to bid on 7 garages and over 150 bus shelters right here in the Bay Area and the below insurance requirements came right out of the bid packet. I am going to call this city and see why they are not requiring contractors to get the 10 million umbrella policy you speak about.


Attachment One - Insurance Requirements

Contractor shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, maintain and keep in full force and effect, the following policies of insurance with minimum coverage as indicated below and issued by insurers with AM Best rating of no less that
A-:VI or otherwise acceptable to the City.
A. Commercial general liability at least as broad as ISO CG 0001 (per occurrence) $1,000,000
(Must include operations and completed operations coverage) (aggregate)1 $2,000,000
B. Business auto coverage at least as broad as IC CA 00012 (per accident) $1,000,000
C. Workers Compensation 3 Statutory
Employer’s Liability $1,000,000

Jim@Garagecleaning said:

Parking Garage Cleaning is now requiring a 10 million dollar umbrella insurance by a triple A endorsement. We have been notified that 10 million is the new requirement.

What dose this mean,.....


Not everyone is going to qualify for the new limits either financially or otherwise. They do not give a 10 million umbrella just because. You must meet the requirements of said policy.

This will weed out the want a bees more than any licensing will.

If you are thinking about dealing with EPA and Garage Cleaning, I suggest you start your resume now for your qualifications on the new application of the newer policies in the near future.

The requirements for qualifications are changing.

Click to expand...

And so the Plot Thickens.................................................................

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Newlook said:

Thats funny Jim because two days ago the UAMCC was contacted to bid on 7 garages and over 150 bus shelters right here in the Bay Area and the below insurance requirements came right out of the bid packet. I am going to call this city and see why they are not requiring contractors to get the 10 million umbrella policy you speak about.


Attachment One - Insurance Requirements

Contractor shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, maintain and keep in full force and effect, the following policies of insurance with minimum coverage as indicated below and issued by insurers with AM Best rating of no less that
A-:VI or otherwise acceptable to the City.
A. Commercial general liability at least as broad as ISO CG 0001 (per occurrence) $1,000,000
(Must include operations and completed operations coverage) (aggregate)1 $2,000,000
B. Business auto coverage at least as broad as IC CA 00012 (per accident) $1,000,000
C. Workers Compensation 3 Statutory
Employer’s Liability $1,000,000

Click to expand...

those are close the reguirements here

RMedbery said:

Arent parking garages 99.9% concrete? What the hell you gonna hurt in a garage? Im sure it will weed out the wanna bees, along with a lot of capable companies that just cant come up with the cash. The way you talk about cleaning garages youd think you were designing, building and maintaining nuclear reactors in the middle of a downtown metropolitan area. I mean Jesus, its only a hunk of concrete where cars park that your shooting some water at.................absolutely mind boggling.

Click to expand...

Well carlos, this was not a city job.... it was a private parking structure. City jobs are not requiring as of yet those policies of which you may know. This is only one garage that caught me off guard. The owners said that their insurance is requiring it. This is only one company....

THE POINT HERE IF WE ALL READ IT is this....


If one large insurance company is asking for it today, then others will follow in time. Look, I do not like to pay more money for insurance than the next guy, however... it is here and if your city dose not ask for it now, sooner or later they will.

By the way, the city dose not carry private insurance. They can do what ever they want.

Newlook said:

Thats funny Jim because two days ago the UAMCC was contacted to bid on 7 garages and over 150 bus shelters right here in the Bay Area and the below insurance requirements came right out of the bid packet. I am going to call this city and see why they are not requiring contractors to get the 10 million umbrella policy you speak about.


Attachment One - Insurance Requirements

Contractor shall, at all times during the term of this Agreement, maintain and keep in full force and effect, the following policies of insurance with minimum coverage as indicated below and issued by insurers with AM Best rating of no less that
A-:VI or otherwise acceptable to the City.
A. Commercial general liability at least as broad as ISO CG 0001 (per occurrence) $1,000,000
(Must include operations and completed operations coverage) (aggregate)1 $2,000,000
B. Business auto coverage at least as broad as IC CA 00012 (per accident) $1,000,000
C. Workers Compensation 3 Statutory
Employer’s Liability $1,000,000

Click to expand...

Boy that's low..... We always carried a 3 million UMBRELLA until yesterday. I know that some of us here on the BBS ( Eastern ) that I talked to today have been required to carry a $4 million umbrella policy on some of their jobs.

The above requirements must be for a lower paying cleaning jobs.

If in California Bay Area, you know Carlos that you, by law, have to get permits from the SD in the area as well as notify the SRWQCB as well as the county on top of the city jobs. A proven filter with blue prints must be submitted to these Dept's.

Now water usage may be an issue as well. And the fire dept must be notified for the obvious reasons.

Carlos, may I suggest that you make sure before you put the UAMCC on the books for credit of this job, that you check out who is representing you from the cleaning. The last thing you want is to give this bid to someone who is not qualified, they get busted with your logo on the front page as the organization who recommended the job. That would not look good for the UAMCC.

So far over 180k in fines from people doing a parking garage incorrectly as of January in one district alone. Even strapped SF is looking to cash in.

Let me know if I can help....