Tennis Court Pressure Washing Project Recap

By | November 30, 2017

Tennis Court Pressure Washing Project Recap:

We recently completed pressure washing the JL tennis courts.  It was a bigger and more expensive job than originally anticipated, and I’d like to document the experience for future reference.

When I solicited bids for the project last year, the quoted price was $1,200 – $1,450.  The Board had sticker shock over this price.  When I asked our go-to tennis court contractor, Signature Tennis, if his price reflected reluctance to take on the job, he said “yes.”  The board discussed doing the project with volunteers and rented equipment to save money, reasoning that some “dirty” jobs carry a price premium that we thought was avoidable.

We had difficulty, however, coordinating a work day, and accepted a lower bid from a local contractor with tennis court experience.  The job is now completed, and the final cost was $725.   Research has assured me this was a reasonable expense given the condition of the courts combined with the cost of labor, equipment, and fuel.

Given the cost of pressure washing, it is important that we prioritize leaf removal and periodic maintenance.  Please contact the board if you notice a problem on the courts going forward, so we can address it in at timely manner.

Pricing Background and Research:

Research into costs and contracts for pressure washing revealed pricing typically calculated on a per-square-foot basis.  Standard pricing in this area ranges from $0.10 – $0.12 psf (our courts are 120’ X 120’).  There is often a premium added for removing mold and algae growth.   Tim Croft with Cobb County Parks and Rec confirmed that Cobb has a contract for their courts at $0.09 psf, after receiving bids as high as $0.15 psf.  Our lowest bid last year reflected $0.083 psf, and our final cost was $0.05 psf.

A double court like ours is typically a 2-3 day job.  Pressure needs to reduced to 1,100-1,200 psi (equivalent to about 900 psi at the nozzle).  If we attempt to perform periodic cleaning on our own in the future, volunteers should be aware of the necessity to adjust the pressure.

 

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