Need a little help

[grasshawg]

I have to bid a small warehouse Monday (6/5) and would like a little guidance before I head out there.
The lady said it's about 30 ft high, so I'll probably have to rent a lift.
Once I'm out there, I'll get some accurate measurements and update this thread.
Anyway, she said it's mostly cinder block that has old paint chipping off. They would like to repaint, thus the need for my serivces. It's not yet clear whether they want EVERYTHING stripped, or just the loose parts to be painted over.
I know cinder block is very porous, and too much pressure can damage, so I guess Im looking for a good effective paint stripper without harming the cinder. If they only want the loose flakes off, I can just blast 'em off with the fan tip and go home. That too will effect my bid.
Any suggestions on a good stripper, or a formula I can mix myself?
Could use an idea or two on the bid as well.
Sorry so wordy. Just trying to paint a clear picture of what I'm looking at.
Thanks everbody!
Randy

 

[north coast]

How old is the building and the layers of paint on the block? Should a lead test be done on a piant sample?

 

[grasshawg]

Thanks, Eric. The building itself has been there since I was a kid. (I'm 36). Don't knowhow old it actually is, or how many layers of paint there are. I'm going out there to have a closer look at it Monday morning, take some measurements,and hopefully have an acurate bid worked up by the end of the day.
Randy

 

[Asbestos]

One of my concerns would be lead paint. You want to find out about the regs in your area. at that age the building could absolutely have lead paint, also it is commercial which could increase the chances of Pb paint.



tell them it is going to be, say $35,000- $40,000

 

[jandjsales]

i've taken on similar paint removal jobs in the past, usualy they just want the loose paint blown off with a pressure washer, the thing here to consider is you can blow off all the loose paint today and tomorrow more of it will turn loose as it dries. loose paint also needs to be hit at all angles. i don't know of any safe paint remover that will work effectively on that large of a building. you may want to find out if you are required to pick up the paint you blow off, could be a problem if its lead based paint. you can put sulfuric acid on a spot, if it turns black its lead paint, with it being multiple layers you would have to check each layer. I am set up to do onsite sandblasting, i'm sure someone in your state is set up to do sandblasing or soda blasting, and can take the neccessary precautions and disposal of sand and paint. this maybe a job you can contract to them. sandblasting rates are usualy $125-150.00 per hour for someone with large enough equipment to take on such a job.

jeff

 

[grasshawg]

I've been lowballed

They did what people do--saved a few bucks and maybe sacrificed quality in the process.
I got tired of not hearing from them, so I called them up. They said, "Oh yeah, well, we found someone who will do the washing AND the painting for less than your bid." They weren't even going to call me to let me know.
Yeah, I'm disappointed. I told the lady she better be absolutely certain the washing is done right and not half-assed before it's too late and there's fresh paint covering up his wash job. Live and learn, I guess.
Thanks for all the help anyway, everyone.
Randy

 

[FCPWLLC]

The same happens here. The Painters low ball the pressuere washing thinking the painting is the money-maker. I understand Painters doing thier own prep work but do not understand why they don't feel that is also time and work that needs to be charged for.