I was a landscape contractor for 20+ years before returning to the window cleaning business. I learned a few things in that time, much of it what NOT TO DO.  What needs to happen for a measure of success running a small business is outlined simply below.

• Settle in for the long haul and plan & implement with the “long haul” in mind.
• Determine to authentically carry yourself and present yourself as a “Professional,” and then deliver that.
• Be prepared to stand behind your product even to your “loss.” Promise and Deliver-Keep your word!
• Network and find marketing strategies that are effective. Keep accurate statistics on everything!
• Carry the insurance and employee work comp coverage required by law-operate in compliance.
• Look until you find the best people you can hire and then turn them loose
• Understand that people would rather pay a bit more and feel great about the finished product than save a few dollars and feel they didn’t get the best service possible.

Reasons to clean solar panels:

• Energy savings of 15-30% when the panels are clean
• Increase the life span of panels, protect your investment!
• Aesthetics- Panels look better when they are clean
• Neglect possibly voids guarantee

Some concerns to be addressed as cleaning of solar panels is being considered: 

• Mineral deposit buildup can occur with a simple “hose down” over time. Have you ever noticed the etched glass that occurs when a sprinkler head hits a window for a protracted period of time? Permanent damage can occur.
• Panels aren’t fully cleaned without purified water and a scrub, and if very dirty, a “solar panel cleaner” may be advisable.
• Electrical danger and falls from roof areas are a perennial concern for the “do it yourselfers.”

Research indicates:
The cleaner the surface of the panel, the more unobstructed surface, the more the sun has to “work with.” How often should you clean your solar panels? That depends on where you live-if there is a lot of construction in your area, if you live in a windy desert or if you have lots of particulates in your air you will probably need to clean them more often. Some areas need a monthly washing, while other areas can get away with twice a year.

The more often you clean, you might even be able to get away with just rinsing maybe with some “soft water,” assuming you don’t have built up bird droppings or caked on dirt. A good scrub down and that meter may be spinning backwards. If your meter is spinning forwards in the middle of the day with the sun brightly shining, it means either you have a lot of appliances on or your panels are not doing their job. If the panels aren’t doing their job, then you’re losing money. 

Dust on solar panels does a lot more than just make them look bad. According to Larry Greenemeier writing in Scientific American, “[a] dust layer of 4 grams per square meter can decrease solar power conversion by 40 percent,” citing research conducted at Boston University.

Next time I blog… “Some cleaning options”

At the time of the sale of the house…

People love the “feeling” of crystal clear clean glass.

On screen cleaning…

Mineral deposit damage…

Mechanical parts…final thoughts…

I’ve had a few people suggest my pricing is “high.”  Well, you know what Einstein said, “Everything is relative.”  Actually he probably didn’t say that but I bet he’d agree with it.

When I hear this I feel like it’s time to educate.  People who haven’t dealt with funding and maintaining a successful business typically have little idea what it takes. I’m tellin’ you, it takes a lot. Something like 85-90% of small businesses fail.

Here’s my reply to folks who feel my pricing is out of line.

I determine my rates by:
Determining what my costs are and factoring those into my estimate.
1. Mandatory sick leave (Mandated by the government)
2. Ever increasing workmen’s compensation and liability insurance costs
3. Expensive security checks on employees
4. Cost of standing behind our work, even to our loss.
5. Responsiveness to customer timetable and needs

Support expenses: Driving to and from prospective clients to look at the project, preparing quotes, upgrading and implementing new technology, finding new clients, maintaining existing accounts, preparing and disseminating marketing materials, researching/setting up/maintaining websites, and social media posts, repairs to equipment and vehicles, replacing vehicles, shopping and laundry, cleaning the office/vehicles/shop area, lights and water, doing accounts payables, receivables, purchasing.  I suspect you understand.   Thank you for the opportunity to provide the estimate.

And…

People ask “How much does it cost to clean each window?” These factors also go into how much it costs to clean a window:  How much dirt on it? 1st floor or 2nd,? Fallbrook or Pt. Loma? Inside and out cleaning, or only exterior cleaning?  Screens on the windows? How dirty are they? What condition are they in?  Are most of the windows large or small in size or a mixed amount of small, medium sized and large? On the inside are the tracks relatively clean or need some real attention? Are their obstructions to working inside? Obstructions outside?  House on a canyon that effectively makes it a 3 story house? If windbreaks…do you want them cleaned? Are they “quieter home” program windows? Are they tinted? Is the cleaning part of a post construction cleaning? Do we have to walk on a tile roof or other “dangerous” arrangement?  This is a partial list but it helps one to understand the difficulty of quoting a per pane price.

If we are “too high” I encourage people to shop around but before you commit make sure he/she protects your floors/furniture/window treatments, make sure they are trustworthy and safe to have in your bedroom, will stand behind the work and repair or replace items that may be damaged during the work.

I hope that helps. ☺

I recently had a lady say “I hear you’re ‘pricey’… can you tell me why?” I was a bit surprised, even taken aback, but I took a moment, thought about “why?” and then made these points with her.

1. We deliver!  We have a byword “We promise and we deliver”  We do all we can to be people, a company, that keep it’s word and it’s word is it’s bond.
2. We stand behind the work we do.  If we break something, miss something, fail to perform in any way that is in fact a falling short on our part…we make it right, even to our loss.
3. Fair wages for the Team Members.  To get people who will stay for years they have to be compensated, treated fairly, have opportunities for growth, and work in an environment where morale is high.  We pay well because our Team Member produce, and they produce while maintaining very high standards.  We get 5 star ratings on nearly every job and that won’t happen with poorly paid inexperienced Team Members.  They have to be paid a fair wage or they go elsewhere and turnover costs can be significant in this business. Experience matters to our customers.  They can rest easy and have confidence when they sense experience and see vehicles and equipment consistent with a professional operation.
4. Safety is emphasized and it costs to stress safety and abide by the law in regard to safe operations. This emphasis protects the Team Member, our companies viability, and your interests.
5. Responsiveness:  Another byword for us is “Responsive and Responsible.”  It takes planning and resources to live up to this commitment.  We are known for being problem solvers, the “go to guys” when someone needs action on a project.  Again, It takes planning and resources to live up to this commitment.
6. We are kind of “old school.”  We use modern technology and equipment but bring a mentality to our customers that puts customer service and satisfaction ahead of profit.  That approach makes us a little “pricey” sometimes. But, like I’ve said many times, “I have learned that people would rather pay a bit more and feel great about the finished product than save a few dollars and feel they didn’t get good value.”

Thanks for reading. ☺

People frequently call and ask “How much to clean my windows?” and I can never tell them without a lot of questions from me and even then I probably need to go see the property. Here are the questions I need answers too.

• Is it a single story or 2 story building?
• Inside and outside window cleaning, or only exterior cleaning?
• Will I have to climb on the roof? What type roof is it if I have to go on the roof?
• When were the windows last cleaned outside?
• When were the windows last cleaned inside?
• Are the tracks quite clean or very dirty?
• Are there screens on the windows, if so what percentage of the windows have screens?
• What type of screens are they? (Some screens have locking mechanisms)
• How many large screens and how large? (Large screens are difficult to handle and clean)
• Are most of the windows large or small in size or a mixed amount of varied sizes?
• Are their obstructions to working inside (dressers/beds/knick knacks/etc.)?
• Are there trees/ large shrubs (obstructions) outside that block ladder usage?
• Can we use our pure water system and avoid ladder climbing?
• Is the house on a canyon that effectively makes it a 3 or 4 story house?
• If there are windbreaks or skylights…do you want them cleaned and how many? Outside only?
• Are the windows tinted? What type of tint is on them?
• Is the cleaning post construction or post remodeling cleaning? (post construction-TOUGH)
• Do we have to walk on a “dangerous” arrangement like a ledge 3’ wide to access any windows?
• Fallbrook or Pt. Loma (The distance issue)?

This is a partial list but it helps one to understand the difficulty of quoting a per pane price.  We will gladly provide a written estimate at no charge and then you can determine if it makes sense for you.

​Cobwebs aren’t just unsightly, they can quickly be a large-scale problem. Whether it’s one spider or hundreds of baby spiders, they can quickly call your window eaves, window frames and doorways home. And don’t be fooled, these problems don’t stay outside. Open windows, torn screens, open doors, vents and more can be an invitation for a spider to come inside and weave their web. Don’t let your property become a home for spiders, take care of those cobwebs! 

Follow these steps for a clean and simple cobweb removal: 

• Purchase an extension pole and a web removal at any big box store to remove the cobwebs. You can also use a long handled broom, too.
• Go around your property and knock down any webs you see. Be sure to pay attention to the underside of your roof and window frames, as spiders tend to favorite these areas.
• Keep your eye around areas of your property for the next week or so, and knock down any cobwebs that reappear.
• You can also use the extension pole and web removal inside to get to any hard to reach cobwebs. Search for angled areas, like the corner of your ceiling.

​Take care of those spiders before they become a nuisance on your property. Remember, one spider can quickly turn into hundreds. Don’t let the cobweb problem turn into a spider infestation. Get out there and remove those cobwebs today. 

It’s not raining yet, but it’s never too early to start preparing for the winter rains. One thing to think about is your rain gutters. While the leaves lining your rain gutters may not be a problem now, they can cause problems later.  Debris such as leaves and asphalt single grit not only clog your gutters, but also causes them to bend under the weight of too much water. This will eventually cause the rain gutter to pull away from the fascia boards. 
​
Don’t let a small overflow of leaves lead to an expensive and annoying home improvement issue. Now is the time to get your rain gutters cleaned! If you’re cleaning your rain gutters yourself, there’s a few key steps to follow. These will not only guarantee a clean rain gutter, but also will protect your home from other problems. Follow these steps if you’re a do-it-yourselfer:

• • Disconnect the downspouts from the drainage system if they are connected. This will help avoid the debris from clogging your properties drainage system.
  • Start by getting on the roof with a hose to rinse off the roof prior to cleaning. The first rain of the year moves debris on the roof into gutters, so this will help lessen the debris that rain gathers. You can also use a leaf blower, just make sure to wear eye protection and a mask to avoid dust.
  • Next, work your way along the edge where the gutter is attached and pull out what you can with a gloved hand. Put all debris in a trash bag.
  • Reattach the downspouts and clean any debris off the ground.

If you’re not a do-it-yourself, know you can always call Blue Ocean Window Cleaning. We offer a variety of services, specifically gutter cleaning, to help you prepare your home for winter. Call us today to get those gutters clean!

We’re all familiar with pressure washing but do you know exactly what should be consistently pressure washed? Today, pressure washing can be used to clean a lot more than clean the driveway. Here are a few areas you may not have realized can benefit from pressure washing: 

• House roof, especially prior to gutter cleaning
• House sides, especially prior to the window cleaning
• Trash can enclosure and the trash cans
• Garage floor
• Stair areas outside
• Roof top decks
• Gutter undersides and fascia boards supporting the gutters
• Post construction initial cleaning

Caution is necessary when using a pressure washing system. Different nozzles are used for different applications. One nozzle may be needed to cut gum loose from the concrete and another for simple a good rinse of the side of a house. Caution: Use the wrong tip on the wand and you may mar a surface or remove the paint where it wasn’t intended. There are attachments that can be added, like an injector that mixes liquid cleaner with the water, a long extendable pole that allows one to reach at least 2 stories up, and some units can give you hot water to the job site. Be aware too of the fact that you may need to reclaim the water that will be used in the system.  California law requires that the water go into a landscape or be collected and then put into a landscape. The water should not go into the drainage system tied to the city’s drainage system.  Fines will be assessed if you are caught doing such. This challenge will necessitate a wet/dry vacuum to collect the runoff so it can be moved to a landscaped area.