terms and policies
Service minimum policy
Quotes given are valid for 30 days. Prices are subject to change if the service(s) are in a different condition than what was seen during the estimate.
Cancellation Policy
In the event that you need to reschedule or cancel a service, we require at least a 72 hours’ notice prior to your scheduled date. If under 72 hours, all services $249.00 and below will incur a $25.00 cancellation fee. All Services $250.00 and above will incur a 10% fee calculated off the total scheduled services. This policy is in the best interest of our technicians who depend on a full day of work.
Payment and deposit terms
Payment Terms:
Payments are due upon completion for all services. We add a late fee of $30.00 if payment is not made within 10 days.
Any account unpaid after 90 days is subject to collections. Our collection agency reports to all three credit bureaus. Mailing fees and the cost of reporting to collections are added to the past due amount.
Deposit Policy:
A fifty percent deposit is mandatory for projects $3,000.00 or more. This is a good faith deposit due 72 hours prior to date of service.
Payment Methods:
Brazos accepts all major credit cards including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Additionally, Brazos accepts cash or ACH. Checks are not accepted.
weather policy
Due to the uncertainty of Texas weather, we do play most rain days by ear. If the weather is predicting an 80-100 % chance of rain, our office will call you the day before to discuss rescheduling options. When the weather is showing less than 80% or scattered, we sometimes wait until the morning of to see what happens. If it is actively raining, we will call you to reschedule exterior cleaning services.
We do try to complete as much interior cleaning as possible. For window cleaning, we often have homeowners concerned with a deadline of selling their home, needing windows cleaned before pictures and showings. Our standard answer is that a clean window that is rained on looks better than a dirty one that is rained on. Rain in the forecast does not affect our ability to wash roofs, houses, or exterior stone.
Service minimum policy
Please find a list of minimum job requirements: $250.00 for window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and smaller miscellaneous jobs. $250.00 minimum requirement for pressure washing. The minimum for soft washing is $500.00.
damage and worksmanship guarantee policy
Brazos Exterior Services’ requires notification within 72 hours of service to address presumed damages. This includes discontentment with cleaning, or any instance that would require a return visit or liability. Timeliness is crucial as many service providers, like pest control and lawn care, visit homes and often work in the same areas.
If we are not allowed to visit and evaluate the situation, there will be no reduction in cost or other means used to satisfy the customer. It is understood that customers have agreed upon an amount and it is unacceptable to “name the price” they are willing to pay unless mutually agreed upon with written documentation.
Brazos Exterior Services’ policy is to return and fix any human error resulting from our workmanship. We use these instances as teachable moments to prevent the same occurrence in the future. Allowing a visit helps us continually improve and hopefully leaves you with the cleaning you expect. Brazos honors our workmanship guarantee and will do anything within our power to deliver on expectations.
disclaimers
window cleaning disclaimer
Window glass manufactured quickly often has defects. It is common to find fingerprints and scratches between the glass. It is common not to notice these when a window is dirty. After cleaning, if you recognize these issues, contact your builder to determine if you have a warranty.
Acceptable partials for window cleaning would be something easily defined, like downstairs only or back windows facing the pool. We refrain from selecting random windows in various house rooms. All partial cleanings must also meet the company minimum.
Brazos is not responsible for these pre-existing conditions:
The adhesive on alarm sensors wears down over time. Our technicians are as careful as possible but lifting a window may make them loose or fall off. Brazos is not responsible for alarm sensor replacement, including alarm company visits to make the system work properly again.
Our routine cleaning does not include calcium removal and requires a separate window restoration quote. Calcium deposits appear when pool sweeps or sprinklers wet windows. This buildup often looks like irregular white shaped-spots and requires additional products and razors to remove. Lastly, calcium may not be visible on a dirty window, so it can be hard to notice until after cleaning.
Brazos is not responsible for window screens damaged or broken during removal due to being severely weathered or brittle with age. In addition, screens that fit too tight and become bent or damaged to remove or replace are not our liability. We safely remove hundreds of screens per day. You do have the option of removing and replacing them yourself if you prefer.
We are not responsible for blinds, shutters, magnets, or hardware that break, become loose, fall, or malfunction. To clean interior windows, they need to open. If you have aging blinds or shutters, we recommend you open them as we will not be responsible for repair or replacement. Blinds and shutters contain components that, over time, wither with sun damage or usage. We are often the first to manage them for prolonged periods, and Brazos is not responsible for repair or replacement for trying to operate them to clean the window.
Brazos is not responsible for unsecured windows. We must be able to open the window, clean the glass, and complete the cleaning with the frame and glass being secure in place. If there is a problem, we suggest you contact the original manufacturer or installer, as they typically have a warranty.
Window frames, hardware, latches, springs, or any other internal parts that risk a malfunction by opening and closing the window are not the responsibility of Brazos. Over time, these parts will wear out, become loose, or be stuck with settling, and anyone who opens the window is subject to them breaking.
We will not razor any tempered glass unless the homeowner signs a tempered glass waiver. Tempered glass is known to scratch, and Brazos will not be responsible for replacement.
Construction cleaning crews, installers, or inexperienced window cleaners may scratch your glass. Brazos is not responsible for these pre-existing conditions. Our technicians will alert you of this on-site when discovered. We carry and use proper equipment, and routine cleaning will not scratch glass. Brazos techs cannot razor a window without a liability waiver signed. Razors would not harm window glass unless the glass resulted from poor manufacturing. Sometimes manufacturers rush production and bake small fines into the surface. If a razor slides over these fines, it can scratch your glass. The IWCA recommends the use of razors for construction cleaning. The problem and need for a waiver are that we have no control over the glass preparation.
Interior track cleaning is a separate service and requires lifting the window to clean the track where the window sits. The tiny crevices in the corners of tracks are sometimes impossible to clean perfectly; sometimes, what is visible is a hairline crack in paint or caulking.
The customer should disconnect security screens connected to alarms. These are often delicate and sensitive and can require a visit by alarm companies to have them working correctly once disconnected.
When we quote skylight cleaning, we are quoting exterior only. If you want to add an interior cleaning, you must request it when we quote. Please note that we do not use soap and squeegee inside skylights; we only cobweb the area.
Fogged windows and broken seals come with age, not by cleaning a window. The water or pressure used by our cleaners is no more than heavy rain. Windows will not leak unless they have broken seals, cracks, or if the frames have separated. Fogged or defective windows are not always noticeable until a window is clean. Brazos is not responsible for fogged windows, and we recommend checking on your warranty for replacement.
The customer should remove valuables and family heirlooms from the vicinity of the window.
We request that homeowners make each window path accessible before our arrival. If there is no clear path to access a window or heavy furniture in the way, our team will remove this window from the scope of work and subtract it from the invoice.
When we clean the exterior windows, this may make the interior dirt more noticeable. You can tell if you need an interior window cleaning by creating an x with your finger on the glass to determine whether there is a haze on the glass.
Sticker removal is an additional charge unless specified in the estimate.
The homeowner must inform us of any tinted windows. It is sometimes tough to see if tinting exists. Brazos will not be responsible for tint replacement.
Commercial window cleanings require windows to be accessible and free of clutter. We do not remove signs or anything electrical.
pressure and soft washing disclaimer
Brazos does not 100% guarantee that all stains are removable. The time, material, and previous products used are all factors weighed for stain removal success. We suggest a complimentary demo to predict the expectations.
Plant protection includes watering before, during, and after service. We also use a plant wash to replace nutrients and sometimes Tyvek, but we must use our best judgment because sometimes covering plants can cause damage quickly. The greenhouse effect can wilt plants within minutes during the summer temperatures. Our technicians take all the precautions they have learned and professionally trained with during their certification class. However, there is not a 100% guarantee that no harm will come to plants. Our estimator will discuss the risk during the evaluation.
When cleaning, we will do our best to move all debris to the closest drain if you have a swimming pool. It is inevitable in most cases that debris may enter the pool. If anything does enter the pool, this will require a twenty-four-hour lapse in use and a pool cleaning (not covered by Brazos).
We use neutralizers and fresh scents, but there may be an odor for 24-48 hours after service. If you are sensitive to smells you may want to plan to be away for the day or wear a mask.
The homeowner must unplug outdoor lights before our arrival.
Broken seals, bad caulking, or cracks that may cause windows or doors to leak are not the responsibility of Brazos. If you are aware of any leaks, please fix them before scheduling soft washing or bring these to the attention of your cleaners. If you are not home, please leave towels in front of doors or windows in our cleaning area.
Brazos is not responsible for tripped breakers or GFCI outlets. Most homes have two located in garages. These can become tripped with cleaning.
House washing from eaves to the foundation or whole house cleaning will dirty the windows. We rinse as part of the process but quote professional window cleaning separately.
The homeowner must remove small or hanging items from the patios before our team arrives. We do not include outdoor cushions with soft washing; these require steam cleaning and a separate quote.
gutter cleaning disclaimer
Brazos is not responsible for loose or damaged gutters.
We do not repair gutters; we only clean the valleys and flush the downspouts.
During the flushing portion of gutter cleaning, our technicians may discover a clogged downspout. If so, they will discuss with you the additional cost to clear them before proceeding. If it is a minor clog, they include this with the service. In most cases, an estimator cannot see this or know the severity. Unfortunately, clogs are mostly discovered during the flushing stage. Brazos does not unclog French drains. We recommend a plumber for this service.
Gutter face cleaning is a separate service. We do not guarantee 100% for stain removal. The time the stain has dwelled, the gutter material, and whether the face of the gutters has painted surfaces are all factors that determine how effective our process will be. We do offer complimentary demos so that you can predict the general expectation.