Did you know that mold can cause structural damage to your home? If you have mold or mildew building up on your home's exterior, it can hurt more than your home's curb appeal. That's why you need to stay on top of cleaning with a power washing service.

Read on to learn about eight things to look for in power washing companies!

1. Cleaning Expertise

You don't want just anyone using a power washer. You want cleaners with extensive training and credentials to ensure they'll do the job right. After all, not power washing properly can cause property damage and more headaches down the road.

Maybe you're preparing to list your home for sale. Or maybe you want to spruce up your siding and sidewalks as the weather gets nicer. Whatever your motivation for power washing is, you should feel confident that the company doing it has the right experience.

Ask about training procedures. And ask the company to describe the cleaning process. They should be able to name all tools and procedures they will use.

2. Fair Prices

It can pay to compare costs when you're shopping for a power washing company. Never go with the first company you find. Instead, gather estimates from several companies to compare offerings and prices.

Understand the difference between driveway washing costs versus sidewalk cleaning. Or if you're cleaning siding to get rid of algae, ask about prices for doing the entire house versus just one side. And ask if there are discounts for bundling different services together.

Many reputable companies will offer free quotes. Ask to have all parts of the service, including labor, itemized on an estimate. You don't want to be surprised by any hidden costs when the bill is due.

Beware of companies that try to give you an estimate without seeing your property. This is particularly true if the estimate is verbalized but not written down. Also, avoid going with the cheapest company since they may do sub-par work that requires additional cleaning.

3. Clear Communication

When you're looking into power washing companies, don't settle for lousy communicators. Companies that won't return your calls or offer clear explanations should be avoided.

Instead, look for companies that will explain everything from their exact power washing process to their payment structuring. You want clear communicators who demonstrate they value you as a customer.

They should be prompt about responding to inquiries. They should be friendly, too. If you're made to feel like an inconvenience, take your business elsewhere.

4. Insurance Coverage

Before hiring a power washing service, be sure that they are insured. If they don't have insurance and a worker is injured on the job at your home, you could be liable for expenses.

It might feel forward to ask for proof of insurance, but it can pay off in the long run. You want to know that the company has coverage to protect both its workers and your property in the event of damage. You don't want to face a lawsuit!

5. Guarantee

A reputable company should stand by its work. Ask if there will be a written guarantee, such as a warranty. Guarantees may cover things like driveway washing or gutter cleaning.

Guarantees should be very explicit about time frames and what is included. For instance, a guarantee might state that the company will return within a year if grime returns to your property.

Some companies may offer these guarantees for free, but others may charge a little extra for them. Always ask before committing to a company.

6. Flexible Schedules

If you're busy with work and kids, it can be hard to carve out time for home improvement processes. When you're hiring a power washing company, you want to find one that can work around your schedule. Companies that only give you times when you're already at work probably won't be very flexible in other areas, as well.

Another issue to watch out for is that some companies take on too many customers. This can translate to long wait lists or even delays.

If you need immediate attention, finding a workable time-frame can be impossible. Look for a company that can arrive at a time that's convenient for you and your family.

7. Quality Equipment

What kinds of equipment and cleaning solutions will the power washing company use? This is a fair question to ask when you're looking to hire a company.

A company should have high-powered washers to tackle lots of jobs. Smaller power washers won't have the pressure to remove grime as efficiently. Cheaper equipment can break down more easily, too.

They also should be using biodegradable products to do the cleaning. Given that water will be falling on your trees and plants, you don't want your vegetation to be compromised by toxic cleaning products. Steer clear of companies that are unwilling to work with you on this issue.

8. Positive Reviews

Lastly, you want to hire a power washing service with a track record of positive reviews. When you do an online search for power washing Columbus, only add companies with reviews close to five stars to your short list of possibilities.

Further, you want to see many reviews rather than just one or two. Seeing dozens of reviews tells you that the company is reputable and its customers felt strongly enough to advocate for them. A company with a few reviews might be inexperienced.

You can ask the company for referrals, too, so you can hear from past customers. And you can check the website for testimonials. As another precautionary move, ask to see photos of projects comparing siding or sidewalks before and after treatment.

Look for the Best Power Washing Companies

The best power washing companies will have excellent reputations backed by strong reviews. They'll be good communicators and put your scheduling needs first. Look for companies that have the right credentials, fair prices, and warranties.

At Strong Cleaning Company, we offer an affordable way to keep your property clean in the Columbus area. We can clean anything from patios to warehouses. Contact us for a free estimate today!