When you’re cleaning windows how clean do you get them? Do they have to be sparkling or if there is a little dirt in one corner will you go back over it? What about with a pole… when you have a job you have to pull out the pole for does that change it at all? If you use the pole and the one side has a couple small marks you can barely tell do you just do it over or leave it?
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Good question!
I think sparkling clean 100% grime free is what we are all aiming for.
There have been times that for whatever the reason we just weren’t able to do that. It’s the honest truth. I’d just explain the reason to the customer. Clients for the most part are very understanding if you talk to them. If they feel like you tried to cheat them or lie to them that’s where you will have problems.
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Luke, if you have a house that has all dirty windows do you just climb the ladder to each window you can’t reach and clean it or is there another way to clean it, scrap it, apply the steel wool?
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Honestly buddy I wfp the 90% of all our residential jobs. Its safer , faster and much easier.
Before it was all ladder work.
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It is a habit to get into to always tell the truth. Especially those hard to reach places, I have used ladders and at times the window is so hot that even with using the double hand technique its not fast enough. Especially on a 100 plus temp day. The customer will understand especially if they see how hard you are working. I have only used a 8 ft pole, but recently purchased a 24 ft it is gonna take some use to. But we all have to learn. Shooting for sparkling clean is always the goal. Time, effort, and dedication to being a professional will always have a happy customer though.
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Thanks, Cashman. I’m trying to find out though how you go about determining if a window is truly clean or not. I was cleaning my dad’s window that I was about eighteen inchest too short for the top of. When I got finished it looked amazing. I was so proud, but then I went up the steps, inside and it had all of these problems. If a window is above where you can see squarely and it looks good to you, do you leave it or you still get up there to look and make sure it’s alright?
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Stoneface, I always like to carry around Mr Clean Magic Erasers also. They will take off those minor imperfections after you finish up. For residential I like to use a step ladder also on windows that are just out of my reach. I personally use a 4ft step stool or ladder. It beats taking out a pole and trying to do pole work. As far as clean: it is important to make them clean, think of it as you are autographing that persons home saying yes Stoneface was here and Stoneface is making your windows glisten in the sunlight.
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@Stoneface keep it up!!! Everyday will get easier. You are learning the mechanics of the trade and each day you get up and practice you will see improvements. Never get frustrated with yourself, that goes for all of us.
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Pre-qualification is a good practice to do. If ya know the window is gonna be pita to clean because of neglect or serious blowout, point it out and undersell them. Leave no cause for disappointment. That way if you achieved what they had hoped for, ya will have gained a cheerleader. if not, ya lost nothing and still be paid for it.
If client appears to be a PITA, I just turn them down regardless cause I aint no miracle worker…
As for my cleaning, I pole everything, and try to avoid ladders if I can. I need to get a WFP. I utilize steel wool with a dry wall sander attachment. I also use Spray Away and surgical towel to do any detailing with pole after the mop/squeegee especially indoor. Works great BTW. I generally always make sure its clean edge to edge, corner to corner grime free. Charge more to ensure that you do a good job, this where prequalification comes in so you can tell custy the final price. I do this with all my upholstery/carpet cleaning. So important…
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