Beware: Pressure Washing Companies' Sneaky Tactics
Preying on Residential and Commercial Clients - Don't Get Scammed
1) No Insurance:
Pressure Washing can cause incredible problems if misused. Having an insurance policy for the pressure cleaning company is necessary for residential and commercial customers. Without insurance, clients are left with many opportunities for risks. As a responsible business owner that risk is unacceptable to my customers and business.
- Property Damage:
One of the most pressing problems, when a pressure washing company operates without insurance coverage, is the likelihood of causing property damage.
Pressure washing machines can be deadly and may damage paint, damage siding, or even crack the cement if used unwisely.
Without insurance, the company may not acknowledge it as their responsibility, putting the financial burden on you. A company that has insurance is prepared and willing to take responsibility.
- Personal Injury:
This is the main issue hiring a person who does pressure washing versus an established business that does it professionally. With a bigger company the employees have been trained in every aspect. Training takes the guesswork out of encountering new cleaning situations resulting in a better job getting done and always with safety in mind. A company that has personal injury insurance they are being responsible and not putting the customer in any legal danger.
- Lack of Accountability:
Since they don’t have the insurance to cover losses or claims, they can cut corners or rush to finish the job to make more profits. Therefore, customers may receive poor-quality cleaning services or incomplete solutions, resulting in dissatisfaction and wasted time and money.
We get penalized if my company makes an insurance claim. (Insurance gets more expensive each year). Through training and culture we do the best work that can be done. With a culture of safety we never have insurance claims.
The reason for the lack of accountability if a company doesn't have insurance is because they will make excuses if they are at fault. The last thing you want to do is hire a handyman who does this as a side business.
2) No Use or Knowledge of Chemicals:
Chemicals play a central role in pressure washers, mainly when used to deal with stubborn stains like mold and mildew.
However, the wrong use or ignorance in chemical applications can lead to lower cleaning effectiveness or surface erosion and increase health or environmental risks. See video for details. (IMPORTANT)
- Ineffective Cleaning:
The chemicals added while pressure washing the surfaces aim to intensify the cleaning procedure. Different surfaces and smudges involve specific chemicals and methods for the best removal.
Various chemicals, particular to the types of stains and degree of soiling, allow the pressure washing company to choose the best solution, thus affecting the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Pressure washing is mainly about what chemicals are used. Not how much PSI is used. People who are not trained solve every problem with high water pressure. That is incorrect and leads to damage of property and an incomplete job.
- Damage to Surfaces:
The chemicals that we use for exterior cleaning are very strong. Applying a cleaning solution to concrete kills organics, but applying the same solution to wood or aluminum would destroy it. Especially in today's age everything is so expensive. It's best to do it the correct way the first time. Hire a professional.
- Health and Environmental Risks:
The chemicals used in pressure washing may lead to problems with human health and the environment if not used carefully.
Harsh cleaning chemicals used in cleaners could emit toxic gasses into the air, which may cause breathing problems or other health problems for workers and nearby people, respectively.
Subsequently, producing chemicals not adequately contained or disposed of can also pollute water sources and affect the ecosystem. There's a lot of legal consequences that a company can get you wrapped up in. No one wants that!
3) Not Completing the Job:
Among the most demanding situations for customers when they contract a pressure washing company is what may happen if they fail to do their agreed-upon task.
There can be a range of reasons why a service provider may not meet their clients’ expectations. Receiving a pre-work inspection will streamline communication so the proper expectations can be met. Sometimes we inspect a job site and there are challenges, it's best to know about these challenges even before work begins.
- Incomplete Work:
One of the things that, unfortunately, some of the pressure washing services do is take a down payment and then not provide the service as stated.
They may be the first to begin a particular work but finish it in the shortest period possible with a wide range of explanations, including the failure of the equipment, time constraints, and the sudden occurrence of problems that are not foreseen.
Most of the time we only take deposits if we are working out of town or another state. Or if a special order has to be placed in order to buy sealant or a speciality chemical.
- Low-Quality Work:
Some pressure washing services providers can sometimes complete the tasks; however, in such situations, the work may be unsatisfactory and does not meet the client’s expectations.
Low quality work happens when the proper chemical or equipment was not used. Or is a handyman was hired.
- Get the exact stipulated written contract specifying the scope of work, which includes the particular surfaces to be cleaned, the kind of cleaning agents that shall be used, and the specified time to complete the job.
- As a fair rule, you should only pay in full after completing the expected work. Rather than that, come to an agreement that covers a part payment during the contract signing and another one when the assignment is finished and evaluated correctly.
- Ask the company for proof of past skills and experiences by demanding references or online reviews from former clients. Then, the company's ability to fulfill its obligations and complete the job on time should be evaluated.
- Engage the pressure cleaning company with integrity throughout the working relationship, handling issues on time and adequately communicating the job description.
4) Bad Equipment:
The degree of pressure washing is determined by the quality and health status of the equipment used to clean up.
- Ineffective Cleaning:
Usually, inadequate tools could do better in terms of the efficiency of cleaning. Using obsolete machines or because of some defects, pressure washers may require more power or great precision to oust stains, dirt, or other irregularities from surfaces.
For commercial work it's really important that commercial grade equipment is used. Equipment from Home Depot or Lowes is not going to work. For larger jobs Gallons Per Minute is the most important aspect not PSI. Water flow is speed in rinsing.
- Increased Risk of Damage:
Along with uneven cleaning, low-quality tools will also hurt the surfaces and might cause damage to different properties.
Careless use of high-pressure water from narrowly focused nozzles of a misadjusted power nozzle can scar and etch concrete surfaces or cause severe damage to wood or vinyl-sided delicate surfaces.
The price of dealing with the consequences is much more extensive than what a respectable company would pay for fancier and up-to-date equipment.
- Safety Hazards:
In addition, poor equipment is a direct cause of poor cleaning quality and results in the deterioration of health for the workers and clients, posing safety threats to them.
Defects in machinery or personnel not wearing safety gear may lead to injuries or electric shocks, fractures resulting from falling from ladders, or wounds caused by flying pieces of the material.
5) Upselling When It's Not Needed:
In common with most service providers, pressure-washing companies mostly resort to up-selling strategies to maximize customer benefit.
By upselling, the customer can opt for other services or upgrades he would not have initiated. What is more, bringing some goods into question not because they are harmful but because deceptive tactics and strong selling methods are used will cause discontent, wasted resources, and feelings of being scammed.
- Exploiting Client Ignorance:
There is one method in which the pressure cleaning companies will deceive their clients by exploiting their shortage of knowledge regarding cleaning techniques and solutions, I.e., through upselling.
With such an extent of information, the clients should be more acquainted with the most efficient methods for removing stains or dirt accumulation and fall-perfect oils into the hands of unethical corporations.
Another way in which home services companies may misrepresent unneeded maintenance is by exaggerating the severity of minor stains and issues to the extent that homeowners opt for costly treatments and ultra-specialized services.
- Overcharging for Services:
This comes back to knowledge of chemicals. Knowing how to professionally clean is in most cases less expensive than only using water. For example there was a gym in my city that wanted the exterior brick to be cleaned. One quote was from a painter that said it needed to be repainted. My quote was to kill the mold inside of the brick. My quote was more affordable because I knew how to address the core issue. The organic growth living inside of the brick.
- Pushing Unnecessary Products:
Besides overselling services, some pressure cleaning companies may sell their clients high-cost cleaning products or treatments that are way above the basics.
Always get a few quotes when it comes to bigger jobs. The cheapest option is not always the best choice.
Limited or Nonexistent Warranty
A warranty is the main component of any service agreement on which clients can rely, and it mitigates against defects, incomplete work, or unsatisfactory work results. By using the correct chemicals, the project stays clean and the customers get’s their money's worth.
Subcontracting Without Disclosure
Limited disclosure occurs in contracting if a pressure washing company hires subcontractors to do the job without telling a customer. This transparency gap may make things like product quality, communication, and accountability doubtful. Here's how subcontracting without disclosure can result in scams and what clients can do to avoid them.
Misleading Advertising and Marketing
Misleading ads and marketing are widespread in many industries, including pressure washing. Companies like that may mislead customers by using unrealistic promises and might gamble by offering misleading information about the fundamental nature and essence of their business. This goes back to communication. For example, oil stains that have been on the driveway are not going to come up 100%. They have been there too long. It's critical that expectations are managed through great communication.
Final Thoughts
By establishing an accountability framework that promotes transparency and an agreement to an industry code of conduct, clients can deal with the pressure-washing market knowing that their properties and finances are protected from unscrupulous activities. I hope this blog gave you insight into what clarifying questions to ask any pressure washing company. I'm Eldon Williams, the owner of Burleson Power Washing. If you have any questions, give me a call anytime.
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