Power Washing Business Waiver

I’ve received several questions concerning the use of a waiver specifically for when power washing homes.  First lets discuss the use of waivers in the cleaning business.

Sometimes when new to this or any other service business we can be over whelmed with the liability when working on someone’s home or property.  It is always good to remember that the “last contractor” to work on any specific area of a home generally “owns” any problems that may exist in the future.  At least this is true in the view of the home owner.  For example, if doing carpet cleaning, you inherit any returning odors or stains on the carpet, if painting, you will be blamed for that rotted old window sill falling off the house and if you are power washing, you could be blamed for the shrubs that die by next season.

Now if that thought scares you, maybe you shouldn’t be getting into business for yourself?  This is a fact of life that all cleaning contractors face.  But there are ways to protect yourself to some degree if not completely.

First, always take the step of getting simple liability insurance for your business.  It is relatively inexpensive for the cleaning fields (never list your business as ‘handyman’) and is worth the peace of mind.

The next step is to consider using simple waivers.  Now for the record, it is very doubtful that any waiver, even if signed before the work is started will prevent you from being liable for any errors you might make.  If a customer is inclined to sue you for damages, he’ll probably have no difficulty doing so.

What the waiver does is politely warns the homeowner of some existing problem that might exist and enables you to discuss it with the home owner so he can make an educated decision if he wants you to perform the work.  If nothing else, his signing a waiver prevents him from ever saying the problem didn’t exist before your service or that he or she had no idea of any possible damage that could occur.

Personally speaking, although I’ve been doing all types of cleaning and residential painting for decades, I sometimes forget to discuss certain things with the home owner when creating an estimate.  Many things we take for granite due to experience is not at all evident to the home owner.   Using a simple check list or waiver when starting work ensures that you will discuss all important points before you start work.

I’ve discussed this at length in my business plans but simply said, from my experience, customers simply love added attention to detail.  It adds to your professional image you are trying to project.  I’ve uploaded a copy of a simple waiver I use when power washing vinyl sided homes.  Anyone is welcome to copy and adapt it to their own company use.  I suggest not developing anything with “too much” detail or you might scare off customers.  By the same token, the customer will remember you had discussed these details with him since he signed the sheet.

How to use a simple release:

From past experience, I never make a big deal about it.  I simply show it to the customer, go over the steps I’m going to take in cleaning his home.  I briefly mention why I use “safe” cleaners and ‘low pressure’ and then ask them to sign it.  I always tell them I keep this in files to keep my insurance company happy.  The real purpose is it is proving you have been authorized to do the work.  In the past 20 years or so I’ve been using this system, I can’t remember ever having a customer balk at signing.

Of course if they do hesitate signing, it might just indicate they already have something in mind relating to insurance or repairs.   I discuss this in the business plans to some degree.  Lets just say, I wouldn’t want to work for anyone that was of that mind set.