Josh Wash

Information may not be reliable

Pressure Washing / Bird Proofing / Water Leak Detection
Window Repair / Home Repair / Gutter Cleaning

Josh-Wash Web Site Table of Contents

Page One: (You Are Here.) All the Questions Answered

Page Three: Consumer Protection Guide to Hiring a Window Washer

Page Four: How to Become a Window Washer... or Look Like One

Page Seven: Cal-OSHA OPOS Requirement (Building Owners, Please Read!)

We are delighted to announce that, as of May 31, 2002, Josh-Wash will be incorporated under the new owner and CEO, Mr. Long Nguyen. Mr. Nguyen and his wife, Michelle, will continue to serve our customers with the same honesty and personal touch Josh-Wash has grown to be known for!

Hi, I'm Josh from Josh-Wash. I started this business in 1989 right after I finished my MBA program at USF. It is such a great feeling to know that everybody loves me and everybody needs me... well, as long as they have dirty windows.

I just built this web site to answer some of the questions you may have. Hey, I've been the one answering the phone everyday past 12 years... I know what you want!

Question #1: Are you guys insured?
Of course! You can get our insurance information from ISU North American Insurance Agency at 1-800-477-7401. Because of some law, we can't send you our insurance certificate ourselves. But, anyway, here are the policy numbers. Workers' Compensation: State Fund 1528853, Liability: SIMC 13215.

Beware of the window washers who have no workers' compensation, or whose job estimates are too low... They are usually owner-operators or independent contractors. And since they are not covered for their job-related injuries, you would be liable for their medical cost! (PL and PD insurance only covers you and your properties... not the guy on the ladder.) I heard it from an old lady who hired an individual window washer off the phone book. He fell off the ladder and this poor lady had to pay all his medical expenses. So, please say "No" to the little guys.

Question #2: How do you get up there?
Well, we have many ways to get "up there." We'll try the ladders first, up to about 30 feet. Then use the ropes, harnesses and boatswain chairs to come down from the roof (up to 130 feet, Cal-OSHA Limit). Sometimes if the budget and the location allow, we use the man-lift (Some people call it a "cherry picker."), up to about 60 feet.

Question #3: How much does it cost to get our windows washed?

And a high rise job? Let me give you a rough idea... If I send two guys and spend a day, it'll be about $800. 3 workers and a supervisor for a day would be about $1,200. 7-story, 30-unit apartment building would be around $2,000 for the outside windows. 30-story Financial District high rise would be $10,000-plus. Please call me for more information.

Question #5: How do you wash the outside from the inside?
Well, it's actually another trade secret. But, what the heck... This is how we do it. (Please don't try this at home!)

Question #6: What's your availability?
Please call me, and I'll let you know. Generally, we'll be able to show up on the next day. But in the peak season (May - October), please give us a week's notice.

Question #7: Do you guys do pressure washing?
Yes we do! Personally I love pressure washing more than anything. (It's like playing with a Super Soaker, you know.)We can use 1,500 psi to rinse the wall, or 3,000 psi to rip the paint off your house. We also use brushes on top of the pressure washers... There's nothing like good-old elbow grease, you see. Oh, check out this guy's web site to read about pressure washers.

Question #8: My windows don't open!!??
We can fix that! How do we do it? Well, once again, here's another trade secret revealed. (I hope other window washers still like me...) We use a putty knife and a rubber hammer to cut the paint between the window frame and the sash.

Oh, speaking of the putty knife, don't you ever try to scrape the paint off the glass with it! Painters always do that... Have you ever seen a lot of scratches on the edges of your window panes? That's caused by the hell-bound painters' putty knives. (And... God forbid... sand paper!)
Question #9: Can I get some references?

Estimate / Fee Guide/ Consumer Protection Guide to Hiring a Window Washer
How to Become a Window Washer ...or Look Like One/ Handyman Division/ Picture Album
Cal-OSHA OPOS Requirement/ "Special" Trucker's Knot