Debris from Sidewalks

Scott1

Scott1

New member
How many of you pick up, sweep or wash away the debris left from the sidewalk when washing shopping centers?
The reason I ask is from an experience I had this weekend.The property manager asked me to remove as much of the caution paint at the curb as possible because they will be line striping. Along with the gum and dirt , it was alot of debris. I washed it away from the curb about 3 feet and left, thinking that the sweeper truck would pick it up. The next afternoon, I got an irrate email and was back to the center to sweep it up. I should have asked ahead of time and will always do so from now on. I always want to do more than expected and maybe I have not been. I have never had a complaint and many compliments. The bottom line is that property managers are super busy and want the job done with no hassles. I fully understand.
I wonder what your experiences have been?
 
Russ Spence said:
Unless other wise noted I would have cleaned it up and not relied on someone else, your right I probably would have asked first but that is how you learn as well, so now you know!
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Thanks. I will definately do that from now on. Do you sweep it up and dump it in the dumpster or wash it down the drain? I realize a smaller amount could be dissapated across the parking lot.
 
Removing paint from a curb or anything else is a guaranteed huge mess and I would consider charging for it. The regular debris we don't have much trouble with just pick up the large pieces.
 
Scott1 said:
Thanks. I will definately do that from now on. Do you sweep it up and dump it in the dumpster or wash it down the drain? I realize a smaller amount could be dissapated across the parking lot.
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vacuum it up is the easiest, I will have to be honest I dont have that much call for that type of stuff
 
Trash pick-up is part of the job in and around the work area. We don't pick up the entire parking lot but if we see some big stuff we run and get it. Under promise and over deliver.
 
Don't you guys coordinate with the sweeper with stuff like that? No wonder you guys think we are all lowballers out here.

"When does the sweeper come by?" Is a money loaded question and should be a big part of scheduling. While you're sweeping or vacuuming we're on to our 2nd or third center while the sweeper makes 10 second work out of your 30 minute cleanup.

I'm just letting you guys know how we do it. Wonder where I learned it from? Hint- it wasn't an org bootcamp!

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We're lucky in that our property managers are experienced and up speed on the process - we will report any excess debris washed into main roadway at front of building, but generally they have it taken care of by porters or sweepers after we are finished.

This is usually only an issue after we have done an initial clean... We pick up and dispose of trash when cleaning dumpster areas.
 
If my people make a larger mess and leave it they are fired, we are there to reduce trash and enhance the property appearance. Safety first and debris could cause and accident, no way woulsd we leave it.

We wash it out about a Car lenght accross front, then we push it into piles and the tech will remove this unless the sweeper has already gotten it. They will not leave the property unless its gone.

That paint from the curb will be bonded again on the parking lot surface and cause a larger mess and problem. You must remove it before it drys up. Sweep or vaccuum!!!! DO NOT LEAVE BLASTED PAINT ANYTIME....

I do not want calls and will not allow the sweeper who wants my pressure washing to leave the mess or worse take photos and report me. So they later win the bid because they upcharge them for the mess I created.

Scott1 said:
How many of you pick up, sweep or wash away the debris left from the sidewalk when washing shopping centers?
The reason I ask is from an experience I had this weekend.The property manager asked me to remove as much of the caution paint at the curb as possible because they will be line striping. Along with the gum and dirt , it was alot of debris. I washed it away from the curb about 3 feet and left, thinking that the sweeper truck would pick it up. The next afternoon, I got an irrate email and was back to the center to sweep it up. I should have asked ahead of time and will always do so from now on. I always want to do more than expected and maybe I have not been. I have never had a complaint and many compliments. The bottom line is that property managers are super busy and want the job done with no hassles. I fully understand.
I wonder what your experiences have been?
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I have done some of this kind of work before and I charge a lot for it as it makes a huge mess and here the sweeper trucks will not get it all up.

I have seen where another company did the work and the sweeper truck came by as they were still working so by the time they were done blasting the paint there was a huge mess and I am guessing that they thought that the sweeper would come back again after they were done to finish cleaning up their mess but they were wrong. I got a call to come clean up the mess because the company that did the mess blamed it on the sweeper and would not come back. I happened to be at the store close by and I drove by as this was being done so I got to see what was going on.

There are several ways to clean up this stuff but the easiest is to get it into piles or a large pile and vacuum it up and be done with it.

Paint prep is another thing that I charge a lot for and even more for the cleanup as I hate to get paint all over the place. Once you explain it to the people that want the job done, the mess it makes, how much to clean up the mess, usually they change their minds as they were probably thinking that someone would come in at a cheap price, blast the paint off and clean up the mess so the painter will come in and paint the place. Most of the paint prep jobs I have bid on in the past, the painters reduced their price on the paint prep but like clock-work the paint mysteriously cost more halfway into the job so the homeowners still end up paying for the paint and paint prep or the painters leave with 1/2 the job paid for up front and they still end up making money so the painters never lose. I don't bid on paint prep jobs anymore for house painting.
 
Ron Musgraves said:
If my people make a larger mess and leave it they are fired, we are there to reduce trash and enhance the property appearance. Safety first and debris could cause and accident, no way woulsd we leave it.

We wash it out about a Car lenght accross front, then we push it into piles and the tech will remove this unless the sweeper has already gotten it. They will not leave the property unless its gone.

That paint from the curb will be bonded again on the parking lot surface and cause a larger mess and problem. You must remove it before it drys up. Sweep or vaccuum!!!! DO NOT LEAVE BLASTED PAINT ANYTIME....

I do not want calls and will not allow the sweeper who wants my pressure washing to leave the mess or worse take photos and report me. So they later win the bid because they upcharge them for the mess I created.
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My thoughts exactly, NEVER EVER leave a mess in the way, toooo many people just looking for something to slip and fall on.
 
Hey guys, I am just curious how to pick up some shopping center work? I am in South Florida and the only guys I have seen doing it are half ass, out of the back of the truck type companies. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
 
Russ Spence said:
you mean like the one on the right?

haha I guess we are half ass!

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-
ak-ash4/253059_1920810513417_1636696083_1918086_390135_n.jpg
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I've walked behind you.......that's definitely not half an ass
 
Not saying your half ass at all. This is my truck and trailer and I am very happy with it. I have invested a lot of time and $$ into it. I have a Hydro Teck 9 GPM , 3800 psi, hot water machine, dual operator with a 8 gpm recovery unit, a 4 gpm gold water machine is attached as well. I have also invested on surface cleaners that range from 38" to 12". I am just in the process of ordering a second duplicate truck and trailer. I am just getting tired of these guys coming in and low balling jobs that ruin it for all of us out there. I am here for the long haul, and will stick it out. All I am asking for is a little support and advice. I post on this forum as a professional but I never seem to get professional answers, just a bunch of shit talking or joking around. I am really trying to develop my business and would appreciate any advice rather then ball busting. I know this sounds like I am being an a-hole but my time is limited. Thanks




119.JPG
 
GEPW4 said:
Not saying your half ass at all. This is my truck and trailer and I am very happy with it. I have invested a lot of time and $$ into it. I have a Hydro Teck 9 GPM , 3800 psi, hot water machine, dual operator with a 8 gpm recovery unit, a 4 gpm gold water machine is attached as well. I have also invested on surface cleaners that range from 38" to 12". I am just in the process of ordering a second duplicate truck and trailer. I am just getting tired of these guys coming in and low balling jobs that ruin it for all of us out there. I am here for the long haul, and will stick it out. All I am asking for is a little support and advice. I post on this forum as a professional but I never seem to get professional answers, just a bunch of shit talking or joking around. I am really trying to develop my business and would appreciate any advice rather then ball busting. I know this sounds like I am being an a-hole but my time is limited. Thanks




View attachment 17229
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If you attend tampa you will understand that's over kill for maintenance on shopping centers. I use 4 & 6 gpm units. We move faster and use less energy, people either over kill this or under do.

I guess you need to ask yourself at what rate do you clean per hour. Are you doing one time jobs or recurring?

Rig looks great!!!

It's all about what works for your market, most have to create a market.
 
Ken, relax... I don't know how long you've been around the boards, but you need to have thick skin at times - the guys in here joke around. You're asking a loaded question with regard to getting shopping centers - there is a ton of info on here, sometimes you have to look for it.

Your time may be limited... But everyone else on here is running a business as well.

Picking up shopping center work can be difficult - but it is typically the same sales process when selling to any other PM or GM. Use the search feature on here...

... Now, where do I get a gold water machine - bet that gets surfaces gleaming!!

How was the PM Expo in Orlando? Did exhibiting get you many good leads?
 
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