When you think of an exterior cleaning company, you probably don’t have the highest expectations.
Maybe the crew you usually hire shows up late, or without all the equipment they need to get the job done properly. Or, maybe they charge a premium price for a subpar quality service.
Either way, many exterior cleaning companies will fall short of your expectations. On the surface it seems simple, but there’s a lot that goes into selecting the cleaners for your property. From how a company charges to whether or not they are insured, it’s tough to decide on a good professional company.
Browse our step-by-step guide below to learn more about choosing the best cleaning company for your needs.
Some companies don’t come out and give you a free estimate (we do, by the way.) It’s important to have an idea of how big or complex your project is. To do that, you’ll need to evaluate your property.
The best gutter cleaning companies will do minor adjustments to your gutter system, like replacing and tightening down screws and hardware. This helps keep your gutter system attached to your roof and functioning normally. But, replacing your whole gutter system, or even segments isn’t a service typically offered by cleaning companies. When a gutter system is too far gone, it’s better to forgo gutter cleaning and get a new system.
Here are two strong indications that your system needs major repairs or replacement:
When choosing a gutter cleaning professional, it’s a good idea to see if they offer an estimate. Reputable companies will be honest about the condition of your gutters and if they should be cleaned or replaced.
Pro Tip: If your gutters are overflowing and you’re certain that there aren’t any clogs, this could also indicate improper installation, damage, or that the design may be preventing water from flowing correctly.
Selecting the best window cleaning company really isn’t a matter of choosing a random search result online. Different companies charge in different ways and numerous factors go into that decision. Before you make that first phone call, ask yourself these questions:
If the exterior of a building isn’t maintained, years of organic material, dirt, and muck can build up in layers on the surface. It’s unsightly, and it’s a breeding ground for many unwanted pests or growth. You can get a rough idea of how much work will need to be done by walking around the property and testing different areas to see how easily debris is removed with a simple cotton cloth.
Additionally, you’ll want to determine what type of exterior is on your home or business. In some cases, soft washing, not pressure washing, is best and this can impact the cost of pressure washing your home.
The best pressure washing companies will do more than just one service and will be able to bundle all of your exterior cleaning needs together for a reduced rate.
With so many companies in the industry, choosing a professional exterior cleaning service can be difficult. There are a few ways that you can search for a reputable company. Here are some of your options:
Once you have a handful of companies in mind, you’ll want to prune that list even further by browsing review sites.
Review sites have the benefit of comparing companies side by side and offering up the most positive, or the most critical, reviews. This allows you to see relevant information quickly and without a lot of extras. Labor Panes, for example, is rated five stars by many different review sites.
Pro Tip: Many people may not leave a review on a review site simply because it isn’t convenient. Try searching Facebook, or other social media outlets, to see if users have left reviews on their page, as posts, or on their profile.
Here are some things to look for and consider when comparing reviews for cleaning companies:
This is particularly applicable to listings with fewer reviews. Given the number of ways that customers can share their experiences—social media, Google, and Angi’s List, to name a few—a listing with fewer reviews isn’t necessarily indicative of service. Regardless if a listing has five stars and a few hundred reviews or one star and ten reviews, you’ll want to glance through and see what others say.
Reviews should be similar to what you see on social media and on other review sites. This ensures that the company is consistent in its quality of service. It’s also a good indication of if a company has paid for reviews. If four out of five sources say that their service quality is low, but one site paints them as the best in the business, something isn’t right.
These words and the accompanying phrases are always good signs when it comes to a cleaning company.
You’ll want to look at the dates as well. Cleaning companies that aren’t insured or are less professional don’t tend to last as long. If reviews are mostly positive and span years rather than months, it’s a good indication that they are one of the best exterior cleaning companies in your area.
The truth is that mediocre service typically delivers mediocre reviews. Look for reviews that make you think that person would recommend the company to a family member looking for quality cleaning services at an affordable price.
Some reviewers forgo leaving a review if their experience was less than ideal or if there were issues. This is where social media pages come in. Using reviews and comments on the business’ page, look for examples of problems in service and how they handled it. Keep these questions in mind as you read reviews and comments:
If the answer to any of those questions was yes, it isn’t a great indication of that company’s professionalism. Issues arise on jobs. While it shouldn’t happen often, it does happen occasionally. It’s important to know that the company you’re considering hiring will resolve the issue promptly, in a courteous, professional manner, and that the problem didn’t come from inexperience or equipment not equal to the job.
By now, your list is probably down to just a few businesses. As you browse websites and read content designed to impress you, there are a few things to ask companies that you don’t always see in reviews or clearly explained on their site.
First, you’ll want to ask the company these seven questions and see how their answers line up with what you’ve learned about them. These questions, while intended for finding the best window cleaning company, should apply to any business you’ve contracted to do work on your property. It’s a helpful list to keep on hand as a homeowner or property manager.
Here are two more things you should ask prospective exterior cleaning companies:
Some companies are better equipped for complex needs or commercial properties. For clients with specific needs, ask about their specializations to cut out companies that can’t satisfactorily or safely clean your property. Your top searches should specialize in both trades, which are commercial and residential. This usually guarantees more versatile, skilled, and experienced cleaners. Additionally, it’s helpful if they offer multiple services. A company that does gutter cleaning, window washing, and pressure washing is less of a hassle to work with.
Any cleaning company, but especially exterior cleaning companies, should be willing to back its work. For example, if you’ve noticed that we missed a spot or you aren’t happy with our service, let us know within 48 hours. We’ll come out and fix it free of charge. Good companies prioritize your satisfaction (and their reputation,) so they’ll take steps to make sure your experience with them is a positive one.
What makes us different from other exterior cleaning companies out there?
We go the extra mile to provide quality services you can depend on so that when we leave your property, you feel good about the service we perform.
And, to ensure that you receive the best service, we insure our employees and service, and we train our employees in safety and cleaning techniques so that we can do the job efficiently—and without risking our safety or damaging your property. In case something does happen, though, we’re insured so that you can rest easy.
Explore our locations below to find the one nearest to you, or use the contact button at the bottom to schedule a free quote!
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