Screen cleaning can be a great add on service in the window cleaning industry. In most cases the job can be done quickly and requires minimal tools. With that being said, it is important to review the job before jumping to committing to cleaning the screens. You can also go the extra mile and offer screen repair.
With a better understanding of the condition of the screens, you can make a better guess on if it is worth doing the service or how careful you may need to be when cleaning. Many window cleaners will talk with the homeowners and give them heads up about the condition of the screens. If they are worn down and torn already, it is best to warn them the cleaning may cause more damage to the screen that you are not liable for. Some homeowners will know of the risk and still hire you for your services, others may reconsider.
When you are looking at the home for a quote on the windows, there are a few things you can look for yourself to get a better understanding of the screen condition.
What to look for:
- If they are severely damaged by the sun. Sun damage can impact the strength and integrity of the screen.
- If they have any large holes. This is a good indication that while cleaning there will be more holes created and will need to be extra careful.
- If they have bent or damaged frames. This will make it difficult to remove or put them back after cleaning.
- If they are accessible. If you are only doing the outside of the home and they need to be removed from the inside, this may be worth reconsideration.
These questions may save you from taking a job that is not worth it. You can also ask the homeowner a few questions to help analysis the situation. It will be better to be over informed than under when going into a job.
What to ask about:
- Have the screens ever been removed? Or ask when the last time they have been removed, this may help to know how long they have been there and if they will be able to be removed.
- Have the screens ever been washed? If they are older screens and have never been touched, it is safe to assume there may be some issues with cleaning the screens.
- How old are the windows? This may not be easy to teel by looking but can impact your decision on cleaning the screens.
You may feel most comfortable turning down screen cleaning jobs if there is a high risk of working with the screens. Either way, you will be more informed on how to tackle the job. If you want to go above and beyond, many window cleaners will offer screen repairs. This is something some homeowners can do on their own but can be tedious. You can up sale them and say it is best to have all the screens repaired at one time to match. Or they may choose to only repair torn screens. Either way, this may be another add-on service to consider offering to make more and keep your customers happy. Learn more about screen repair here.
Please reach out to our Detroit Sponge team if you have questions about screen cleaning. They may offer advice on tools and business tips. Call, email or shop for screen cleaning products on our website!