New Property Torn Up

We just picked up a property that the previous power washer who was maintaining it had completely TORN UP! I mean etched concrete everywhere. This guy was an idiot. Using turbo nozzles to try to remove gum 0 degree tips. He even went as far as pouring caustic over bike tire marks to try to remove them from the concrete.

Here is my dilemma. We just picked up the property and now when we get done with our work it looks like we are the JACKASSES that ruined the property. It just frustrates me because this retard is now making my company look bad since there is nothing that can be done about him ruining the concrete before we got to it.

We talked to the manager about the situation and he knows it is not from us, but still don't like picking up properties that have already been destroyed by other companies. What do u guys think about this situation?

AZ PowerWash Pros said:

We just picked up a property that the previous power washer who was maintaining it had completely TORN UP! I mean etched concrete everywhere. This guy was an idiot. Using turbo nozzles to try to remove gum 0 degree tips. He even went as far as pouring caustic over bike tire marks to try to remove them from the concrete.

Here is my dilemma. We just picked up the property and now when we get done with our work it looks like we are the JACKASSES that ruined the property. It just frustrates me because this retard is now making my company look bad since there is nothing that can be done about him ruining the concrete before we got to it.

We talked to the manager about the situation and he knows it is not from us, but still don't like picking up properties that have already been destroyed by other companies. What do u guys think about this situation?

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First thing is you better document this prior to ever stepping foot on property. Next your making assumptions this guy who washed before you did this damage. (stop that before you get sued) just like you didn't damage this how do you know it was the prior service person?

As you endeavor into the commercial work get ready to see damage on just about ever property you wash.

I would say 50% is cause post construction clean up.

We video tape all new jobs to not only prove damage was not done but to ensure no further damage from our crews continue. When employees see property severely damaged they will often lower there practice because they think no one will notice.

If we loose a job to anyone that we want , video & photos will be forwarded to investors & owners not pm. Follow up ones 90 days later will follow. FYI

Enjoy that most pm because of years educating Mananger an there associations they are aware of this poor judgement an training others practice.

Most here will blame the strength of concrete, that won't fly when you jack up 40,000 feet.

Welcome to the commercial world.






Ron Musgraves text me for
questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute.com

Thanks Ron I will take a video, this was done by the last power washer, that's why the manager called us. He told us that they were ruining the concrete. I didn't get the company name though. Either way I took photos of a lot of the damage when I sent in the proposal but I will take a video too. I like that idea.

Post construction clean up is a major cause of etching, pitting and staining in newer properties.

If you've got a half way decent PM, they will know about the damage - they probably do not want to talk too much about it if it happened on their watch... Although the pressure washing contractor answers to the PM, the PM answers to owners and investors. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to protect their investment - if you do what you say you are going to do, document everything and be an extra set of eyes on property, you make their job easier. Become indispensable by being more than the company that cleans the buildings and concrete.

I've learned not to worry too much about damage done prior to our contract - it gets documented. But only gets voiced when it is an issue in how we can perform our service, or when the PM brings it up.

I started taking pictures of the damage and if I am walking the area with the GM, PM or owner I point out damage and explain it to them so I don't get blamed.

I don't do video but should start, it would be great to show the area then pan out to show where on the property it is so they know if they ever need to see the video of previous damage.

There is so much damage on post construction cleanup, it is just unreal what some contractors get away with, not just the pressure washing damage but the stains, messes left behind, streaks, puddles of mud, concrete dust, etc.....

Steven Button said:

Post construction clean up is a major cause of etching, pitting and staining in newer properties.

If you've got a half way decent PM, they will know about the damage - they probably do not want to talk too much about it if it happened on their watch... Although the pressure washing contractor answers to the PM, the PM answers to owners and investors. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to protect their investment - if you do what you say you are going to do, document everything and be an extra set of eyes on property, you make their job easier. Become indispensable by being more than the company that cleans the buildings and concrete.

I've learned not to worry too much about damage done prior to our contract - it gets documented. But only gets voiced when it is an issue in how we can perform our service, or when the PM brings it up.

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Be worried about the pm playing it off, because I documented one once the pm backed out after the deal was inked. The next company got a claimed filed. His insurance paid because the guy added to existing. They where hoping because it turns out there own in house crew damaged 98%


Ron Musgraves text me for
questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute.com

We take pics of everything.

Same situation happened on one of my monthly's in AZ. This was a restaurant where in between cleanings the bus boy/dishwasher poured straight muratic acid on the sidewalks leading from the kitchen to the dumpster pad. Later found out he figured it would clean the coffee stains and etc that were leaking from the garbage bags that were being dragged from the kitchen to the dumpster pad. What a mess. The GM at the restaurant did not say a word to the Regional Manager or my contact person (the boss) in L.A. about it at all.

I show up for the next cleaning and see this mess. Didn't touch the concrete at all but immediately called my guy in L.A. I sent him pics on the spot of everything and told him that I am not touching the sidewalks until he confirms that I had nothing to do with the muratic acid being applied.

Long story short....the GM was fired. Sidewalks were replaced with new mud.

Newlook said:

We take pics of everything.

Same situation happened on one of my monthly's in AZ. This was a restaurant where in between cleanings the bus boy/dishwasher poured straight muratic acid on the sidewalks leading from the kitchen to the dumpster pad. Later found out he figured it would clean the coffee stains and etc that were leaking from the garbage bags that were being dragged from the kitchen to the dumpster pad. What a mess. The GM at the restaurant did not say a word to the Regional Manager or my contact person (the boss) in L.A. about it at all.

I show up for the next cleaning and see this mess. Didn't touch the concrete at all but immediately called my guy in L.A. I sent him pics on the spot of everything and told him that I am not touching the sidewalks until he confirms that I had nothing to do with the muratic acid being applied.

Long story short....the GM was fired. Sidewalks were replaced with new mud.

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Good story


Ron Musgraves text me for
questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute.com

When I first started in business I got into post construction clean- up of residential glass of very high end homes. Got a call from a builder out of my area that had a few very expensive glass replacement issues. He brought me in to figure out why the glass was getting damaged(widow cleaner is always blamed even though he's the only one who doesn't damaged the glass).A piece of glass or window is handled over 100 times before it gets cleaned by different tradesman. After reviewing the past issues I knew who was scratching the glass. So I went to watch the painters start prepping the windows. All windows had nail holes puttied and ready for sanding. All windows still had grime and dirt on them and no protection from the abbrasive sand paper. I got there a little late but stopped the process. 6 sets of French doors sratched very badly. While sanding they hit a portion of the glass . You didn't see this until the end after it was cleaned. Problem solved and new procedures needed. Couple of years ago I'm completing a huge hardwood deck job new construction. On this house the deck was the last thing to be finished because it was used as a work surface during construction. So I see the owner, builder, and an insurance person there( window cleaners). They were examining the windows( 60k claim for damaging the glass). So I but in and tell them window people didn't do it. He tells me to but out! So I ask a couple of questions fast . Are all scratches inside the house? All where nail holes could be sanded?. Who's the only people who know how not to scratch glass? They where pissed off but not the insurance guy!!!! All scratches inside , no scratches on composite framed windows allby nail holes.

Great info Jim!

We have a method of acid washing that can blend in all of those etch marks. Seal it so it stays that way and makes your cleaning much easier the next time. I can't give away our trade secrets but we're in CA. If you would like to bid it we can help do the job. Call me if you're interested.

760-774-5306

This is a Major Thread for Learning

I'm a firm believer that we do professional work if we can't make it look like a professional did the work. I won't put my name on it . You can never fix the last guys work and your new customer sees all cleaners through a dirty lense.

Diamond Jim said:

When I first started in business I got into post construction clean- up of residential glass of very high end homes.

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From my window washing life. 7 years ago I got a call because a client wanted to put in opening glass panel wall 10'X32' that was also a digital TV. As you could imagaine I wanted to be in on it from the start so I didn't get blamed for any damage to a 10'x32' TV screen. Turns out that once you put the digital screen inside the window it starts to darken if you are looking through it at more than a 30 degree angle. Considering the wall was 40' wide at lease half of it would be obscured,and ruin the view which was the reason for the glass wall in the first place.

The glass/tv bid was 50k by the way. Less than I thought it would be but more than my first house.

Rodger

Great Post, good information all the way around.

Ron, from your earlier comment on a PM making a claim because they were added. What is your policy on added insured? In my Window Washing business I only add one or two builders I trust. I'm moving into flat work cleaning and have only done work for one small PM so far and they haven't asked yet.
Thanks
And if I come down to visit family this winter can I ride with your guys for a week or two? Free hose monkey!

Sure


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Just shot a video about this


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