Hows work at the mo

« **on:** April 28, 2009, 02:27:51 pm »

Not had a bad month so far and even with the downturn seem to be in front as per the last few years..

Got some nice work booked in for may so things looking up at the mo.

Hows everyone else

« **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2009, 02:32:13 pm »

At just over £800, this is my second best week I've had so far..... (Since June 2008)

The thing is, I don't ever feel I've worked my nuts for a good return.... Am I doing something wrong

« **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2009, 03:30:56 pm »

Clinton I've been having a look at your site - looks good.

Can you tell me where you got the staingaurd pictures from, with the glass of wine being spilled?

Fraser

« **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2009, 03:50:39 pm »

April is 35% down on April 2008, However March was 52% up and May is already looking good.
Mark

« **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2009, 04:12:31 pm »

Mark

Are you still doing the 200 leaflets per day and if so, what kind of response are you getting?

Fraser

« **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2009, 04:21:47 pm »

steady growth through the year so far april has been a cracking month.

« **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:36:38 pm »

Every job I go to the customer (making small talk) seems to say I expect your quiet at the moment but quite the opposite, probably busist since starting.

Having said that this is only my 3rd year since starting so I'm more established now, getting repeat customers and have a better web presence.

« **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:40:30 pm »

Fraser - If you type in google 'carpet cleaning pictures' there's sites which have picture libraries some have been copyrighted and you're not able to copy them, but there's lots you can use. Great if you want to create a little flyer of your own too.

Barbara

« **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:44:26 pm »

works not good here, struggling but still optemistic. guess you just have to keep plugging away. got my first pub on the 11th so looking forward to that. all be it a 5.30am start.
derek

« **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:47:44 pm »

Last week was a bit pants, this week still working on and next week just a couple of jobs booked.

Getting more commercial now but not mega big jobs.

« **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:51:10 pm »

blimey derek, 5.30am start, hope the pubs not in a residential area or you might get a few things lobbed at the van, i was once still working at 10.30pm and little irish lady came out with a hammer and was all for going to work on the truck-mount, luckily i was just about to pack up anyway!!

colin

« **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2009, 05:53:24 pm »

country pub so i'm ok, i always mention the noise to the client if its a strange time. they have a neighbour but there about 50 metres away so won't be 2 bad for them.
derek

« **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2009, 06:37:38 pm »

Quote from: Fraser Thom on April 28, 2009, 04:12:31 pm

Mark

Are you still doing the 200 leaflets per day and if so, what kind of response are you getting?

Fraser

Yes Fraser, 200 per day min, done 600 today.
Getting good response now mate.
Stopping YP this year and concentrating on the postcards, far cheaper and far better response

Mark

« **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2009, 06:50:57 pm »

Quote from: Derek West on April 28, 2009, 05:44:26 pm

works not good here, struggling but still optemistic. guess you just have to keep plugging away. got my first pub on the 11th so looking forward to that. all be it a 5.30am start.
derek

Derek
Just don't get confused and think that the job is on 30th May starting at 11 o'clock....on the Viking lager

Mind you, you'll be ready for a free pint on the house by the time you've finished.

« **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:12:58 pm »

Clinton - Thanks for that. Kev has done some smashing sites.

Barbara - Thanks for the advice.

Mark - I was delivering 1000-1500 per week but getting a shockingly poor response. They're A5 flyers I use. Do you think it's down to the postcards you use that you get such a good response? I'd be interested to see a copy of one if you would be so kind.

Fraser

« **Reply #15 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:42:14 pm »

Same as you Derek a bit slow here too.
6 jobs this week and only 2 pre - booked ahead.
Been slow since start of January but I haven't walked the streets much yet.
About 4 hours leafletting so far this year and that got me 4 jobs so should really get walking.

John

« **Reply #16 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:43:42 pm »

No probs Fraser, take a look.
A6 Postcards full colour both sides, 300gsm card so quite thick, glossy finish.
Mark

« **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2009, 07:52:14 pm »

Try again :

« **Reply #18 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:33:45 pm »

Having read a couple of posts, I decided to go leafleting on the estate I live on with 150 leaflets.... First house the guy asked me in to price up, £80... Further on a £70 Job then a £120 job was booked in there and then... The first 2 said they'd be in touch. (We'll see) But not bad at all my any measures!!!!

I'll do another estate tomorrow I think

« **Reply #19 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:40:52 pm »

Mark

You do those yourself fella?

The leaflets I do are similar size and weight but getting crap/no return. I need a new leaflet me thinks.

Dan

« **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:40:59 pm »

Nice one, thanks Mark.

I think the key to leafleting is two things. Quality AND quantity. You need to have have a lot of either or, preferably, a lot of both!

Fraser

« **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:41:46 pm »

So Colin, can I assume you're not now going for that other career path ?

Regards

Pete (JS2)

« **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:47:26 pm »

£99 for a 3 piece suite and a 17ft x 12 ft lounge carpet ? , No wonder I'm spending so much time watching day time tv

John

« **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:49:15 pm »

Quote from: JS2 on April 28, 2009, 08:41:46 pm

So Colin, can I assume you're not now going for that other career path ?

Regards

Pete (JS2)

No way! I don't fancy having a boss

Cheers Pete!

« **Reply #24 on:** April 28, 2009, 08:55:57 pm »

Colin

Stick at it, once you get the repeats coming in from doing a good job it will get easier. I'm sure you get referrals as well.

I did about 300 today no calls. Did 3hrs at the weekend, no calls from those either. But it does average out.

« **Reply #25 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:13:12 pm »

Clinton how you getting on with your new machine?

« **Reply #26 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:14:55 pm »

Quote from: John Gregory on April 28, 2009, 08:47:26 pm

£99 for a 3 piece suite and a 17ft x 12 ft lounge carpet ? , No wonder I'm spending so much time watching day time tv

John

3 Hours work, better than sat at home twidling my thumbs watching Jeremy kyle, Doing £230 ish a day at the mo, not bad for April only cleaning about 6 hours a day and leafleting for 2 hours.
Lower profit, greater turnover, more referralls, more repeat work, so hardly any advertising overheads, van and all equipment paid for.
Especially at a time when people are watching the pennies, 2 of my closest competitors gone bust this year. Once the economy picks up i will be the only cleaner in the town with a bit of luck then il start charging more. For now im happy to keep plodding on.
You keep watching your daytime tv if that makes you happy

Mark

« **Reply #27 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:18:23 pm »

Are you on commission or something Clinton....?

« **Reply #28 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:24:19 pm »

Mark,

£30 for a 3 piece suite (Which we have all seen!) is taking the pee, but I agree that I would probably be happier cleaning a 3PS and lounge carpet for £99 than doing sod all!

Colin

« **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:25:11 pm »

You might be right Mark . but where do you draw the line with competive pricing and quality , I can remember a couple a months ago you posting that you spend 3 hours + on a suite .

John

« **Reply #30 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:37:32 pm »

2 1/2 hours as a rule John, for a suite.
The machine is already set up, im already moving the suite to clean it, so it only takes 30-45 mins longer to do the carpet, so lets say 4 hours tops. I only get 1 person per week asking for this paticular offer, just out of interest John how long does it take you to clean a suite and how much do you charge?
Mark

« **Reply #31 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:43:17 pm »

Quote from: John Gregory on April 28, 2009, 09:25:11 pm

You might be right Mark . but where do you draw the line with competive pricing and quality , I can remember a couple a months ago you posting that you spend 3 hours + on a suite .

John

I have never posted that i spend 3 HRS plus on a suite, i have always said 2 1/2 - 3, must be someone else mate.
Mark

« **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:46:04 pm »

i take around 2.5hrs and charge at least £150 for a 3-piece, no way £99 and a lounge, that is far too cheap for my liking, it just brings everyones prices down OR can make you look like splash and dash, if you only get one call a week for that why bother? put your price up, take it leave it,

colin

« **Reply #33 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:47:27 pm »

I aim at about £20 = £25 a seating area . so £100 to £125 . I reckon 2,5 to 3 hours , sometimes longer

John

« **Reply #34 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:52:35 pm »

So were about the same then, i charge £85 - £95 normally the £99 is a special offer.
Mark

« **Reply #35 on:** April 28, 2009, 09:57:26 pm »

Quote from: colin thomas on April 28, 2009, 09:46:04 pm

i take around 2.5hrs and charge at least £150 for a 3-piece, no way £99 and a lounge, that is far too cheap for my liking, it just brings everyones prices down OR can make you look like splash and dash, if you only get one call a week for that why bother? put your price up, take it leave it,

colin

Im not bothered if we bring other carpet cleaners prices down, hopefully they will all go bust then i will get loads more work.
I am an established cleaner with years worth of customers, people know were not a "Splash & Dash" set up.
The economy is on its knees at the moment and people love a special offer, Remember its not what you charge but what you have left in your pocket at the end of the month that counts!!
Mark

« **Reply #36 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:03:29 pm »

did a 3+2+1+1 today
posh house (suite wasn't even dirty) so plastic sheeting and drop sheets everywhere, the carpet we were stood on looked like 10k's worth so very careful.
anyway, took 2 of us 2 hours, got £160.

normally i charge £90 for a 3+2 and same for 3+1+1

was trying to get £120 and all though i got it, they were few and far between. £90 means i get 50% now and at 2 - 2n half hours i'm happy with that.derek

ps....doesn't look posh but it was a massive house.

pps.. think its a bit out of order calling someone splash and dash for a suite and carpet. nothing wrong with that price in a sale. i charge £90 and i challenge anyone to find faults with my work.

« **Reply #37 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:07:58 pm »

Derek, Colin

Here here - if you did two jobs like that in a day you'd be more that happy (granted, it's hard work cleaning upholstery) but the financial rewards are there.

Fraser

« **Reply #38 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:11:01 pm »

derek/mark, i didn't say you were splashand dash just that there is a certain type of customer, ie good payers, who might think you are at those prices, i was not trying to knock you at all it's just my opinion that if you are too cheap then that is the only market you will get, the cheap end,

colin

« **Reply #39 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:13:35 pm »

I charge £ 30 per seat area and if I can't get that then I don't want it - too much like hard work - I bloody hate cleaning upholstery.

Steve

« **Reply #40 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:21:09 pm »

i could easily do 3 suites a day. don't find it that hard but then, i do eat spuds for my tea

3 times £90 = £270
x 5 days =
£1350.
beats stacking shelves
derek

ps.. £90 is for an easy clean suite, big baggy cushions or over sized and then i put my price up.

« **Reply #41 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:39:49 am »

Hi Mark

I wouldnt really worry about what others think, or indeed bothering justifying yourself. You do what works for you. If your punters keep returning then your quality must be okay.

Where I work there isnt much money about and my prices are lower still than yours, but I regularly earn @ £1.5k a week (mind you that is a 6 day week) and a lot of my work is recommendations and returning customers. Its not what you charge for a job but how you do it. I have many past customers say that they have had items cleaned before, for several times more than what i charge, but the quality has been p poor!!

Dan

« **Reply #42 on:** April 29, 2009, 09:00:43 am »

Hi Clinton

Yeah that's a good idea, bet you are looking forward to getting it, make you more productive and make more dosh.

Derek

If you were local I'd give you all my suite work and pay you £90 a pop.

« **Reply #43 on:** April 29, 2009, 09:03:05 am »

i'd take it as well,
beggars can't be choosers
derek

« **Reply #44 on:** April 29, 2009, 09:07:18 am »

You could fly down in your heli-mount.

I've certainly seen a drop in response across all marketing sources. You just have to do more of what works and find new ways to fill the gap.

« **Reply #45 on:** April 29, 2009, 10:51:54 am »

An old bit of marketing advice for quiet times........whatever you normally do.......double it !

« **Reply #46 on:** April 29, 2009, 03:36:53 pm »

Yes Clinton, Tm will be on the road 2 weeks On friday, will post piccies once its up and running.
Can i just ask, you guys that think Upholstery is hard work, what job you were doing in a previous life?
Mark

« **Reply #47 on:** April 29, 2009, 03:44:58 pm »

Mark when you say you deliver 200 leaflets a day do you knock on all the doors and hand them the leaflet personally or just put them through the letter boxes?

Cheers

Andy

« **Reply #48 on:** April 29, 2009, 04:55:52 pm »

'Hard work' is just a perception.

I used to train 20 hrs a week in my spare time to run Iron man Triathlons, but to me it wasn't really hard work.

Cleaning a suite isn't 'hard work' it just seems hard work in my head relative to cleaning a carpet.

The other factor is what you charge. if I got £250 for a suite then I wouldn't find it 'hard work'.

Given the choice would you clean a carpet or clean a suite?

« **Reply #49 on:** April 29, 2009, 06:48:10 pm »

Quote from: Mike Osbourne on April 29, 2009, 04:55:52 pm

Cleaning a suite isn't 'hard work' it just seems hard work in my head relative to cleaning a carpet.

Mark

Thats what I meant

Steve

« **Reply #50 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:19:24 pm »

i hate cleaning suites too!! like you steve. i always out price any call that comes in regarding suite cleaning. don't arf rag me though when the customer agrees to the price

i know for the rest of the day i'm gonna be bent double like a chimp

charlie

« **Reply #51 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:30:41 pm »

Quote from: Mike Osbourne on April 29, 2009, 04:55:52 pm

Given the choice would you clean a carpet or clean a suite?

thats not a fair comparison mike.

what would you rather clean a suite for X amount of money or carpets to the value of X.
X being the amount you charge for a suite
sound like a maths teacher now.

derek

« **Reply #52 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:32:20 pm »

You'd have hated my job today, 6 sofa's (Removable 2 back cushions and a large seat cusion... Piece of cake!) bench seat for up to 20 people and a mish mash of 7 single easy chairs and two double's..... 9 hours and I'm knackered!

They want me to do it on a regular basis too as they were so chuffed... I'll see doing a 3 piece suite as a doddle now!

I actually prefer doing suites.... But I am a weirdo..... so a Mosher once told me $:-\$

« **Reply #53 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:38:35 pm »

got three corner benches in the pub i'm doing a week monday, can't wait
derek

« **Reply #54 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:39:31 pm »

I charge £ 60 for a 2 seater sofa - in the time it takes me do it properly I could earn £ 100 cleaning carpets, thats why I dislike cleaning upholstery and thats what I mean when I say its too much like hard work.

Steve

« **Reply #55 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:54:24 pm »

A 2 seater would take me an hour, make no wonder you would rarther clean carpets if your doing £100 an hour Steve
Mark

« **Reply #56 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:55:18 pm »

Quote from: sccc on April 29, 2009, 03:44:58 pm

Mark when you say you deliver 200 leaflets a day do you knock on all the doors and hand them the leaflet personally or just put them through the letter boxes?

Cheers

Andy

No door knocking just popping through the letterbox
Mark

« **Reply #57 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:59:25 pm »

Quote from: markpowell on April 29, 2009, 07:54:24 pm

A 2 seater would take me an hour, make no wonder you would rarther clean carpets if your doing £100 an hour Steve
Mark

You'll have to give me some tips Mark - Takes me more than an hour

« **Reply #58 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:13:50 pm »

how i'd do it
sheets down
remove cushions
vac down the back and sides
prespray both cushions
then agitate with soft brush
leave to dwell while....
prespraying carcuss
then agitate with soft brush
set up truckmount
attach drimaster
set up room dryer (on its side)
extract cushions
extract carcuss
place room dryer on carcuss with cushions around
pack trucky away
pack dryer away
get paid

for a 2 seater, about 1hr to 1hr 30 depending on, if i have to get a few stains out or re do a cushion if not good enough.

no i don't vac fabric, and nothing you guys say will change my mind on it, really don't see the point with a trucky and a drimaster but i'm sure some will say otherswise. 8)LAH LAH LAH i can't hear you LAH LAH LAH LAH LAH LAH

derek

« **Reply #59 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:16:36 pm »

I don't mind doing them in places where there's lots of other things to clean and they like keeping them clean. The big picture is if you do a good job on the suite you are in there, but turn it down you can't really expect to pick and choose cleaning their carpets.

« **Reply #60 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:59:41 pm »

In my very first December it was getting busier and busier as the month progressed with earlier and earlier starts and later and later finishes.

Got to the last Friday before Xmas on Monday. Each working day that week had got longer and longer and by Friday I was on the first job at 6.45 and got in at 22.35 hours. I'd cleaned 5 three piece suites, at least one carpet in each of those houses and been to three other properties to clean carpets as well.

Apart from being so shagged that I went down with a bad cold I was thrilled with the day's money (about £400 but it was 10 years ago). But it did give me a real dislike for 3 piece suites.

I'm doing 3 three piece suites next Friday but thankfully they are all in the some room together with the room carpet, money will be about £500 and probably about 4 to 5 hours for the full job. Oh, and I'll get given lunch as well.

Maybe upholstery isn't so bad after all!

« **Reply #61 on:** April 29, 2009, 09:38:46 pm »

Clinton

Yes, it's easier and quicker result prob better too.

I may go back to using the portie for easy cleans and synthetics though.

« **Reply #62 on:** April 29, 2009, 11:09:06 pm »

If you look at Marks flyer and his prices they are cleverly pitched.

With a footnote 'Minimum £45 spend' his most expensive room price is a lounge priced at £40, below the minimum spend.

So by getting to clean 2 carpets he can achieve a higher per job/household spend and how much longer does it take you to clean a bedroom or H/S/L ? 20 - 30 mins ? I'd much rather make £65 - £85 in the same house than doing 2 seperate jobs at £45 - £55 for single carpet jobs with all the traveling and packing and unpacking. Well done Mark, a good flyer with offers does work if you get out there and deliver them.

Putting out 100 - 200 a day is better than spending 8 hours solid leafleting, that's when you start making excuses to go home and thats why you end up with a pile of flyers in the dining room that are starting to curl up on the edges :

Paul - Kinder Clean

« **Reply #63 on:** April 29, 2009, 11:12:32 pm »

« **Reply #64 on:** April 30, 2009, 08:55:33 am »

Clinton,
I had to get the TM because i have the contract to clean all the enterances in Asda stores in yorkshire.
I cleaned all the wakefield store in Jan, foyet and offices and now they want me to do all the other stores once every 12 months, i will be lm the offices once i get them clean, but i need the tm for the foyets
Mark

« **Reply #65 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:33:13 pm »

thats great Mark - how did you manage to get to do work for Asda - did they contact you ?

« **Reply #66 on:** April 30, 2009, 02:18:14 pm »

Prochem Apex Diesel mate, got the first store,(wakefield) through yellow pages, took 2 days.Area manager visited at the end of the 2nd day and was impressed with the results and was offered the work there and then. Its took 2 months to agree prices and get everything sorted, my brother has been laid off from work, so he is coming on board with me.There is 18 stores on the job sheet, Starting in May.Will be doing 2 per month Jan - OctMark

« **Reply #67 on:** April 30, 2009, 04:03:50 pm »

mark
are they hard floor or carpet?
and if you don't mind me asking how much per store?
email me if its something you don't want to advertise derek@affordablecleaners.co.uk
derek

« **Reply #68 on:** April 30, 2009, 08:51:49 pm »

Derek,
Sent e-mail, let me know what you think, i will ring you this weekend mate. Where you based we can meet up for an hour half way at sometime if you wish.
Mark

« **Reply #69 on:** April 30, 2009, 09:27:04 pm »

you have mail
i'll buy you dinner, and the wife
you are married right?
derek

« **Reply #70 on:** April 30, 2009, 10:15:21 pm »

How much you selling her for Mark?

« **Reply #71 on:** April 30, 2009, 10:58:26 pm »

Quote from: Derek West on April 30, 2009, 09:27:04 pm

you have mail
i'll buy you dinner, and the wife
you are married right?
derek

Yes Derek i am, speak soon mate