Start with the surfaces and the requested outcome
A request to “wash the house” does not define a complete job. The customer may mean siding alone, or expect the driveway, windows, gutters and patio in the same price. List each requested area and ask what result they expect.
Survey the material, condition, existing damage and access before choosing a scope. Photos can support intake, but record what still needs inspection. Do not promise removal of every mark or include a surface whose suitability has not been assessed.
This guide organizes the business agreement. It does not prescribe pressures, chemicals, treatment methods or drainage handling. Those decisions need qualified assessment and the applicable operating and environmental procedures for the property.
A scope worksheet for the estimate
| Check | Record in the scope |
|---|---|
| Areas | Named surfaces, boundaries and verified measurements where relevant. |
| Condition | Observed buildup, marks and pre-existing damage. |
| Assessment | Anything that needs a site check before a firm commitment. |
| Preparation | Agreed access, vehicle movement and customer responsibilities. |
| Optional work | Separate areas or treatments with their own price and approval. |
| Exclusions | Surfaces, tasks and results outside the agreed package. |
| Terms | Total, tax treatment, payment timing and weather arrangements. |
Keep the verified observations and the customer agreement together. “Driveway to the marked boundary” is clearer than “all concrete.” If the customer changes the boundary, review the price and appointment capacity before proceeding.
Use the estimate intake checklist to collect the enquiry, then finish the trade-specific assessment before dispatch.
Worked example: base service and optional patio
A fictional proposal lists an assessed house exterior at $360 and a driveway at $140. A separately assessed patio is offered at $120. The base total is $500 before applicable tax; the selected patio option makes it $620. These are example figures, not recommended rates or a promise about treatment outcomes.
The proposal identifies which exterior surfaces are included and leaves windows, roof work and gutter interiors excluded. It records the agreed preparation and the weather plan. The customer accepts the base package, so the crew’s instructions do not include the patio.
At the visit, the customer asks to add the patio. The crew checks with the office, which reviews available time and the approved scope before offering the change. A separate change agreement records the new total and decision.
Afterward, review actual costs against the same included work. A larger surface or unexpected preparation should inform your next estimate instead of becoming an unannounced charge.
A clear estimate introduction
Hi [name], the attached proposal covers [specific surfaces and boundaries]. It includes [agreed preparation and work] and excludes [other areas or outcomes]. The base total is [amount and tax treatment]; [optional service] is separate. Please review the access and preparation notes. We will confirm any changed scope or additional price with you before proceeding.
Show optional services as actual choices rather than slipping them into a vague package. Explain whether the appointment is confirmed or will be agreed after approval. If weather affects the plan, use the rescheduling guide to communicate a real next step.
narra’s pressure-washing workflow holds the agreed quote, property, visit notes and later invoice. It does not assess surfaces, specify treatments or calculate a dedicated square-foot price for you.
Before sending, read the proposal as someone who has never seen the property. Can they tell what will be serviced, what they need to prepare and what they are paying for? Resolve those questions before the crew arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Should I quote the whole property as one line?
You can use a package total, but define the included surfaces and boundaries underneath it. Separate optional areas and exclusions so the customer does not mistake a broad label for unlimited work.
Are example prices suitable for my business?
No. The figures show how a base scope and optional service relate mathematically. Set prices from your assessed work, verified costs and business requirements rather than copying the example.
What if the customer adds an area on the day?
Review the area, available time and price before proceeding. Record the approved change and update the crew’s instructions; do not perform additional work and surprise the customer afterward.
Does narra recommend pressure or treatment settings?
No. narra organizes customer, quote, job and visit records. Surface assessment, work methods and applicable operating or environmental procedures remain the business’s qualified responsibilities.