What you need to know when you know you want your home or property to look as good as new.

What you need to know when shopping for exterior cleaning services

Maybe you’ve noticed that the dark streaks on your roof are getting bigger and darker.

Maybe you’re tired of seeing the dark stains on your driveway.

Maybe the greenish haze on your siding is getting a little bit greener and a lot more noticeable.

If so, you need to find an exterior cleaning service that can take care of the problem for you. But how do you know where to look, who to trust, and what to ask for?

A quick search on the internet will turn up plenty of options. Narrowing down the choices and ultimately choosing the right team to partner with doesn’t have to be hard.

Here’s the thing. Pressure washing can damage your home or property. Soft washing involves strong cleaning agents that can kill or damage plant life. Whether you need soft washing or pressure washing, you need to be sure that you’re choosing a partner that you can trust to do the job without causing any damage.

The Basics

There are certain things that every home services contractor should be able to provide if you request them:

• General Liability Insurance
• Commercial Vehicle Insurance (What if they ding your car while backing into the driveway?)
• In Pennsylvania, exterior cleaning services that earn more than $5,000/year are required to register with the Attorney General’s Office as a Home Improvement Contractor.

The “Should Haves”

Experienced contractors who take good care of their clients should be able to provide you the following:

• References
• A portfolio of previous jobs
• Terms and conditions that set clear expectations and define responsibilities

The “Nice to Haves”

There are certain things to look for when you speak to or meet with a contractor that will let you know what sort of partner they will be:

• Do they provide a no-obligation consultation or an on-site evaluation before they ask you to sign an agreement, schedule the job, or make a deposit?
• Do they provide you with options, explain the differences, and make recommendations based on their experience?
• Do they listen to you and ask questions to be sure they understand your goals for the project?
• Do they set clear expectations?
• Are they responsive to calls, emails, or texts?

Find a Pro You Can Trust to Perform Your Pressure Washing and Soft Washing Services

When you find the right contractor, you can relax and put your trust in their experience and expertise. Finding a partner you feel comfortable working with is the first step to getting the results you’re expecting without any unexpected surprises.

Both pressure washing and soft washing are effective techniques in exterior cleaning. Knowing when to use one versus the other is something that any qualified professional should be aware of. There are numerous cleaning solutions that can be used in combination with either high- or low-pressure cleaning. Does your contractor explain their processes and methods? Do they answer your questions? Are they the partner you and your home deserve?