PressureWashingBossPro Blog — House Washing & Recurring Plans

Access Notes for House Washes: Spigots, Plants, Pets and Cars

The first ten minutes at a house decide how the rest of the stop goes. If the crew pulls up, finds the spigot, sees which plants to cover, knows the dog is inside and has a clear driveway, the wash starts right away. If they spend those ten minutes walking around the house looking for water, knocking on the door about the cars and wondering whether the hydrangeas matter, the day falls behind. Access notes are what make the first ten minutes go right.

Access Notes Live on the Address

How details move from the estimate to the job is covered in From Approved Estimate to Scheduled House Wash: The Details That Carry Over. Access notes are part of those details, and arguably the most practical part.

In PressureWashingBossPro, access notes are part of the job details and sit on the address. They show under the address on the office lists and on each job card in the crew app, every time the house is on someone's route. For a yearly plan customer, that means next year's crew sees the same notes this year's crew relied on, without anyone resending them.

The Spigot

Water is the first thing a washing crew needs, unless the rig carries all of its own. A good spigot note says:

• Where it is: “Left side of house, behind the AC unit.”
• Anything odd: “Handle is stiff, use pliers,” or “Second spigot in back has better flow.”
• Whether to use it: “Customer asks we use the front spigot only.”

A crew hunting for a spigot on a big house can lose real time. One line saves it every visit. If the house has no usable spigot at all, or the water is shut off for winter, that belongs in the note too, so the office sends a rig that carries enough water or calls the customer before the crew drives out.

Plants to Cover

Plants near the siding are part of every soft wash. General practice is to pre-wet plants, keep them wet and rinse them after, and cover any the customer is especially attached to. The access note tells the crew which ones matter:

• “Cover the hydrangeas along the front porch.”
• “Vegetable garden on the south side, cover and rinse well.”
• “Customer's prized roses by the back door.”

If a customer mentions a plant they care about, it goes in the note. That one line can prevent the most upsetting phone call a washing company gets. Always follow the guidance for the products you use when working around plants.

Pets

Dogs and washing crews do not mix well. Hoses, chemicals, open gates and a ladder against the wall are all hazards for a curious dog. Good pet notes include:

• Is there a dog? “Large dog in back yard.”
• Will they bring it in? “Customer will keep dog inside on wash day.”
• Can it get out? “Escape artist. Keep the gate shut.”
• What to do if it is out: “If dog is out, text office before starting.”

Cats, chickens and outdoor pet bowls belong in the note too. Move bowls away from the wash area and put them back.

Cars and Driveways

A house and driveway package does not work with two cars on the driveway, and a soft wash near a parked car risks overspray. The note says who parks where and what to do: “Ask customer to move truck the night before; second car leaves at 7am.” Automated reminders the night before can ask customers to move their cars, which is covered in Reminders by Text and Email for Recurring House Wash Customers.

Gates, Windows and Everything Else

Other things that belong in access notes:

• Gate codes and latches: “Back gate latch is on the inside.”
• Windows and vents: “Basement window by the deck does not close all the way.”
• Outdoor electrical: “Outlet on back wall has no cover, avoid spraying it.”
• Lights and fixtures: “Coach lights by the garage are loose.”
• Neighbors: “Neighbor's car parks close on the right, watch overspray.”

Keeping Notes Current

Access notes are only useful if they are right. When something changes, a new dog, a new gate code, a new garden bed, the crew should add it to the job notes, and the office updates the address. Customers can also text changes, which reach the office through two-way texting. Past notes on the job help too, because the crew can see what earlier visits wrote.

To see access notes with job details, the crew app and yearly plans, visit the PressureWashingBossPro house washing software page.