Cleaning without water???

[FreedomClean]

Ok, gang I need some advice, big time!
I got a job to clean a really nasty home. Bank owned duplex with lving areas up stairs and then on the main and lower levels. Two Kitchens, three baths. Around 3,070 sq ft.

When we went to look at it, we nticed that the water was not on. We were told that the water would be on today (Monday). Went over and the water was not on, but not a big deal as we had to clean the garbage out first. After we did that, we met the banker who owned the property and he was going to wait for the city to come in and turn on the water. We found out later that there is a broken pipe so that can't turn on the water. In fact they stated their intention to "leave it for the new owner". They want us to give them a new bid without carpet cleaning (since we stated we absolutley needed hot water for our carpet cleaner). This is really nasty. I'm not sure how to clean it without any water at all. On the other hand, this is the second cleaning for these people and new houses are coming to them all the time, given the realestate market right now. It could be a whole niche for us. I could really use some suggestions.

[Kevin]

Go to the hardware store and buy some 5 gallon buckets with lids and haul in your own water.. Or ask the neighbor if there is one, if you can run a hose, pay them 20 bucks or so for the day, if not an option for the carpet cleaning, if you do not have a portable maybe you can sub it out to a carpet cleaner in your area that does.

hope this helped

[FreedomClean]

Thanks, Kevin. That's kind of what I was thinking. Ton of water to carry around, but I guess that's my best option.

[Kevin]

Yah, its going to be a pain, but think of it as easier than digging a well

;D

Good luck!

[AmofOhio]

Yep,Kevins right. Buckets with lids.

When we clean repo's in the fall,winter and early spring, almost all have been winterized and have no running water.
I load buckets of water with me to clean with.

[FreedomClean]

Ok, Am I have a question. This is my first experience with this kind of cleaning. It could lead to more from this bank.
This is a 3,070 sq ft home with 3 bathrooms and two kitchens. The bathrooms are fairly nasty and the kitchens have a least one stove that would need to be done, not to mention fridges. I was thinking somewhere around 4 five gallon buckets and I understand I could always bring more if needed, but just as a general rule, how many would you think? Also, how does this affect your pricing...more or less because you have to haul in water? Thanks in advance for letting me pick your brain!

Mike

[tmoore]

we do new construction cleanup for a manufactured home company and we have ran into the same problem of no water. the problem wasn't that it was really dirty but we always carry water with us now when we go to a new job just in case. when we ran into this the first time we charged a little extra for having to take our own water due to the fact that the cleaning time would be long with no running water. I would try to figure out how much extra time it is going to take you carrying your own water and having to unload it and taking the time to get the water and charge accordingly.

[FreedomClean]

We recently had the same company ask us to look at another bank-owned home they wanted a bid on. Again, no water. I wrote into the bid that if water was not available, there would be an additional charge of $5 per gallon of our own water used. We'll see what happens. Probably the last I'll see of them!

[tmoore]

I actually think that is fairly reasonable, extra water is a lot of foot work. and then if you don't bring enough it is even more work. we charge $12 an hour for having to go back and clean when the water was turned on.