How to choose a facade cleaning company: 10 questions to ask before you sign

How do you choose a facade cleaning company? The important question isn't just how much it costs, but exactly what you get. Residents' committees, management companies and property managers often come across a quote that doesn't say whether windows are included, what happens with concrete or paint residue, or what happens if it rains on the day.

We've put together 10 questions worth asking before you sign up for facade cleaning, and next to each one we explain how we at Aquadrone answer it. Further down you'll also find a table of what you should see in writing in the quote, questions about the working day itself, warning signs worth knowing, and a list of what to prepare before you contact us.

How to choose a facade cleaning company: 10 questions to ask before you sign

1. Which method will you use, and why? We clean by drone, so no one hangs on ropes outside the windows. If there are parts of the building the drone isn't suitable for, such as a recessed balcony or an area that can't be reached safely, we say so up front. You'll find an explanation of the differences between the methods in our article drone vs rope access.
2. What exactly is included in the work? Our quote sets out which facades are cleaned, and whether the work covers only glass or also cladding, frames and sills. It's best to have everything in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
3. What isn't included? Just as important a question. Concrete and paint residue doesn't wash off, so with us removing it is a separate hand-scraping service. The service covers the exterior facade only, so the inside of windows and the inner side of balconies aren't included.
4. Which products will you use, and are they suitable for our facade? Stone, painted aluminium and glass each need different treatment. We use an environmentally friendly cleaning agent and adapt the washing method to the facade type. On composite panels such as Alucobond, for example, washing is done at gentle, low pressure, in line with the manufacturer's guidelines. See our articles on stone facade cleaning and aluminium cladding cleaning.
5. What water is used for the final rinse? On high-level windows that no one wipes, purified water prevents white spots. Our final rinse uses reverse-osmosis purified water, as we explained in our article on reverse osmosis window cleaning.
6. Are you insured? Can we get it in writing? It's a fair question before any work on a building. Ask us for written confirmation before you sign, and don't settle for a verbal promise.
7. If the work is at height, are the workers certified? With drone cleaning, no one hangs in front of the facade. If part of the work needs ropes or a platform, work at height in Israel is regulated by theSafety at Work (Work at Height) Regulations, and workers must hold valid certification.
8. What happens if there's wind or rain? With any method, bad weather stops the work, and that applies to us too. In that case we agree an alternative date with you, so it's worth telling residents in advance that the work might be postponed.
9. When can the work be done? You can arrange for us to work after hours too, to cause less disruption to residents, staff or customers.
10. What do you get at the end? At the end of every job, we give you a summary report with photos. The committee can show it to residents, and the management company can keep it as a maintenance record.

What you should see in writing in the quote

A good quote isn't just the bottom line. When you get a quote from us, make sure all of the following are clear to you. You can use the table below as a checklist:

What affects the cost of facade cleaning, and which factors make the work more or less expensive, is explained in our article What affects the cost of drone facade cleaning.

Questions about the working day itself

Beyond the quote, it's worth understanding what the working day will look like. These answers directly affect residents, so it's important for the committee or management company to know them in advance:

• How is the area below the facade secured? Will a pavement, courtyard or car park be closed? For how long?
• What's needed from the building? A water point, electricity, space for equipment, roof access?
• What happens to the rinse water? Where does it drain, and could it reach the car park or entrance?
• Who is the contact on site? It's best to have one phone number the committee can call on the day.
• What are residents asked to do? Close windows, move items off sills, not hang out washing, and sometimes move cars.

It's worth agreeing the answers to these questions with us before the working day. You'll find a ready-made notice for residents in our guide tocleaning a shared residential building's facade.

Warning signs in a quote

• A promise that everything will come off. No washing method removes every stain. Concrete, paint, stains deeply absorbed into stone and old limescale on glass need other treatment. A promise like that without seeing the facade is a warning sign.
• A price without seeing the building. A serious quote is based on at least a video or photos of the facade from all sides, as well as the roof and surroundings.
• Vague scope. "Facade cleaning" with no detail of what is and isn't included.
• Products that don't suit the facade. For example, acid on limestone, or abrasive tools on painted aluminium.
• No written certificates. When you don't get an insurance certificate after asking for one.
• Pressure to sign quickly. A discount that's valid "today only" isn't a good reason to sign up for work on a whole building.

Why we ask for a video before quoting

An accurate quote starts with a full picture of the building. That's why we ask for a video of all the facades, the roof and the surroundings, plus a short list of what's bothering you. That way we can understand the facade type, the site's limitations and what needs separate treatment, such as concrete or paint residue. If something isn't clear from the video, we ask you before quoting, and we don't promise a result on a part we haven't seen.

What to prepare before contacting us

A few simple things will help us give you a more accurate quote:

1. A video of all the facades. Including the roof, entrance and surroundings: trees, cables and adjoining buildings. You can send us the video on WhatsApp.
2. Details of the facade. What the cladding is made of, and whether there are maintenance documents from handover. This is especially important for a new building, as we explained in our article on new building facade maintenance.
3. A list of problems. Specific stains, pigeon droppings, construction residue, areas that bother residents.
4. Time constraints. Days and hours when work isn't possible, or events in the building.
5. Who approves. If a decision has to go through a residents' meeting, allow for that in the schedule. We set out the process in our guide tocleaning a shared residential building's facade.

Before you start: what to agree in writing

Before work starts, it's worth agreeing a few things with us in writing: the scope of work and exclusions, the date and times, what happens if the work has to be postponed because of weather, what residents are asked to prepare, and what the final report will look like. A short summary like this avoids misunderstandings and lets the committee or management company explain to residents exactly what's going to happen.

And if you want to start from the basics and understand what drone facade cleaning involves, you can read the full guide to drone facade cleaningor browse Our Services.

FAQs

How do you choose a facade cleaning company?

Ask the right questions before you sign: which method is used, what is and isn't included, which products and water, what happens in bad weather and what you get at the end. With us, the answers to these questions are set out in the quote, so you know exactly what you're signing.

Which certificates should you ask for before facade cleaning?

A valid written insurance certificate, before you sign. If part of the work is done at height, on ropes or a platform, also check that the workers hold work-at-height certification under the Work at Height Regulations.

Do you need to visit the building before quoting?

Not always. A good video of all the facades, the roof and the surroundings is usually enough for an initial assessment. Send it to us on WhatsApp, and if anything isn't clear from the video, we'll ask you before quoting.

What is usually not included in facade cleaning?

With us, removing concrete and paint residue is a separate hand-scraping service, because the drone doesn't remove it. The inside of windows isn't included either, as the service covers the exterior facade only.

What happens if it rains on cleaning day?

With any method, rain and strong wind stop the work. In that case we agree an alternative date with you, so it's worth telling residents in advance that the work might be postponed.

Why is it important to get a report at the end of the work?

A report with photos lets the committee show residents what was done, helps the management company keep maintenance records, and provides a basis for planning the next clean. With us, you get a summary report with photos at the end of every job.

Want a detailed quote? Send us a video of your facade, and we'll get back to you with a breakdown of what is and isn't included.

Send us a video of your facade on WhatsApp: 053-4641133