Pressure Washing and Exterior Care for Killington and Okemo Vacation Rentals

Pressure washing in Killington, VT is mostly about rental season. Ski condos and vacation homes in Killington and around Okemo in Ludlow need three things: trash bins cleaned between guest turnovers, decks and walkways washed so they look good and aren't slick, and siding treated for the mildew that grows in shaded mountain lots. The best time to do the big jobs is in the shoulder seasons, after mud season in late spring and before the ski season starts in late fall.

We're based in Rutland, a short drive down Route 4 from Killington, and work on rentals in both towns. Here's how we'd plan a year of exterior care.

What vacation rentals in Killington and Ludlow need

Trash bins between guests

Rental bins work harder than a normal household's. A full house of skiers or a summer group of eight fills the cans with takeout containers, bottles and leftovers, then leaves. The next group opens the lid to whatever was left behind. Bad bins also show up in reviews.

A regular bin cleaning schedule keeps that under control. Our monthly plan is $30 for a cleaning every four weeks with two bins included, and extra bins can be added. Busy rentals usually want monthly, at least in summer.

Bears and guests who don't know the rules

Killington is bear country. Vermont Fish & Wildlife has asked Killington residents to put garbage cans out only on the morning of pickup, and said that tying down lids isn't enough; a bear-resistant can or other bear-proofing is the better choice (Mountain Times, May 2023). The department's FAQ also recommends storing garbage containers in a shed, garage or basement until pickup day (Vermont Fish & Wildlife, Living with Black Bears FAQs).

Guests from out of state won't know any of this. Put it in the house rules and on a sign inside the door: where the trash goes, which day is pickup, and to keep the lids latched. A clean bin helps too, because there's less smell to draw a bear in. Our guide to keeping bears and pests out of trash has the full checklist.

Decks, steps and walkways

Decks and walkways are the first thing guests see and the place they're most likely to slip. Shaded wood and stone grow a green film that gets slick when it's wet. Winter brings sand and salt tracked up the steps from the parking area.

• Stone and concrete walkways can be power washed.
• Wood decks and stairs should be cleaned with low pressure or a soft wash. High pressure tears up the wood and leaves it rough.
• Railings and hot tub surrounds are where guests put their hands. Worth including.

Siding mildew on shaded mountain lots

A lot of rentals around Killington and Okemo sit under tall trees on slopes, and some walls barely see the sun. Those walls stay damp and grow mildew and algae. It shows up as green or black streaks, and it shows up in listing photos.

Siding should be soft washed, not blasted. If you're not sure why, our article on soft washing vs. power washing explains what high pressure does to vinyl, wood and roofs.

When to schedule exterior cleaning around peak season

Killington and Ludlow have busy winters for skiing, busy summers, and a fall foliage season that brings visitors too. The quieter stretches are the shoulder seasons. Here's how we'd plan the year:

For the bigger jobs, book early. Shoulder-season dates go first, because every rental owner wants the same weeks.

Before a listing photo shoot

Listing photos stay up for years, and a green-streaked wall or a gray deck shows up in every one of them. If you're about to reshoot your listing, clean the exterior first:

• Soft wash any siding that shows streaks, especially the side facing the deck.
• Wash the deck, railings and stairs, and let them dry fully before the shoot.
• Clean the front walk and entry steps. The approach is usually the first exterior photo.
• Wash the bins and park them out of frame.
• Rinse outdoor furniture and the hot tub cover if they'll be in the shot.

Winter entries: salt, sand and slush

Ski season is hard on entries. Guests track sand, salt and slush from the parking area up the steps and onto the deck, and boots full of it get kicked off at the door. Over a season that leaves a crust on stone and concrete steps and grinds grit into wood. A good wash once the snow is gone in spring clears it out. If you get a mild stretch midwinter, a quick cleaning of the main entry keeps things presentable between storms.

Working around guest turnovers

A few things make rental work go smoothly:

1. Send us the calendar. We'll schedule the larger jobs on vacant days. Bin cleaning at the curb on pickup day doesn't need the property empty.
2. Tell us about access. Gate codes, where the bins are kept, and anything we shouldn't touch.
3. Leave room to dry. Wood decks need to dry after washing before guests walk on them or furniture goes back.
4. One contact. If a property manager handles the place, we'll deal with them directly once the owner approves.

What drives the price

Bin cleaning uses our standard plans: monthly $30, every 2 months $40, quarterly $50, or a one-time deep clean of two bins for $65. Power washing and soft washing are quoted per job for free. The price depends on the square footage of decks and walkways, the type of surface, how heavy the growth is, how hard the area is to reach on a sloped lot, and how often you want it done. Combining several surfaces in one visit is usually more efficient.

Pressure washing in Killington, Ludlow and nearby

See our Killington page and Ludlow page for what we do in each town. If you manage a larger lodging property or a condo association, ask us about commercial work too.

Get the place ready for the next season

Book bin cleaning on the booking page, or send photos and your rental calendar through the contact page for a quote on decks, walkways and siding. You can also call (802) 558-3533, Monday through Saturday, 7am to 5pm.