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esjesjesj
Mar 12, 2007, 08:01 PM
I want to know how to charge on pressure washing a wood fence? Is there some type of sq foot price.

Fr_Chuck
Mar 12, 2007, 09:07 PM
What type of wood fence and what are they doing, getting paint off ?

And to be honest on wood fence you need to be using lower pressure not to do damage to the fence. You can make groves in it if you are not careful. Looking at about 10 cent a sq foot average on most pressure wash where I used to be.

newaukumdon
Mar 12, 2007, 09:45 PM
I want to know how to charge on pressure washing a wood fence? Is there some type of sq foot price.
The size of the pressure washer is important, larger ones are fine as long as you put in a wider nozzle. As you increase pressure you will put in a wider nozzle (25-40 degree) this allows you to cover more area and retain enough surface impact to clean effectivley.

estimating the job is a difficult thing to do when just getting started, you need to have enough time behind the machine to estimate time. If it is a 5-7 hour job charge what you feel you need for a days worth of work for you and your machine. If only a couple hours charge accordingly. Professionals bid jobs because of the variables that are not associated with square foot bidding.

Don

Fr_Chuck
Mar 12, 2007, 11:09 PM
Actually I will disagree, at least in Atlanta, almost all of the professonals work off a sq ft price, for buildings, with percentages for two or three story ( and a lot of add ons for over three stories)

I worked with Hotsy and provided equipment and training for people in the industry for several years and even helped new people with ideas of how long certain jobs took.

And the type of fence, from solid to picket can make a difference, the poster was not clear about it.

But for just cleaning, items like wood decks or fences can often be done as easy with chemical and low pressure, for too many beginners do more damage than good to decks and fences

Also while the degree of angle spreads out the pressure, the proper way to reduce pressure is with a wand that that reduces your pressure.

** was not trying to get to technical on the question

newaukumdon
Mar 12, 2007, 11:33 PM
I understand that pump pressure is reduced at the wand in some instances and your past experience is most welcome. Most of the current machines do not have "dual lances" for reducing pressure they have a pressure control regulator. When dealing with large surfaces it is better to keep pump pressure up and get as much coverage as possible.

A 1500 PSI machine can give the same surface impact as a 4,000 psi but the smaller machine will be cleaning a 1" swath and the larger may be cleaning an 4" swath both with the same impact.

In the end "the larger the machine the faster it gets done" is generally the case and if concerned you will damage the surface, practice in a small area.

Don