HIGH PRICES

« **on:** July 23, 2005, 11:54:01 am »

IVE ONLY BEEN A MEMBER ON THIS FORUM FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW (AND I MUST SAY ITS A DAMN GOOD FORUM)

I CANT HELP READING ABOUT THE PRICES THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE CHARGE ON HERE

I SEE PEOPLE CHARGEING OVER £10 POUNDS FOR 3-4 BEDROOM HOUSES ON HERE

IF I PUT MY PRICES UP TO THAT AMOUNT OVER TIME I COULDNT GET THAT MUCH FOR A 3-4 BED HOUSE FOR LOVE OR MONEY

PLEASE TELL ME HOW DO YOU IT

« **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2005, 12:25:43 pm »

IS THERE ANY CHANCE SOMEONE OUT THERE COULD SHOW ME AN EXAMPLE OF THE PRICE STRUCTURE THEY USE?

IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED

« **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2005, 04:45:17 pm »

Hi i dont charge anything under a tenner but i dont do "traditional "either only inside.

My prices reflect that i have 5,000,000 of liability,i am with the nfmw&gc and i have wfp without having to hire platforms etc.

There are no other cleaners in my area with the equipment i have but even if there was there is enough for everyone.

I have learned that the genuine people who want thier windows cleaned on a regular basis will pay 10 or over because they havent been able to get a reliable one in the past.

« **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2005, 04:46:19 pm »

« **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2005, 05:23:14 pm »

Shameless showing off of your equipment there Easyclean!

Stunning looking setup though.

Wouldn't mind that myself, but there's a few quid's worth there.

Roger.

« **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2005, 05:30:52 pm »

easy cleans just showing off now! lol :

« **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2005, 06:58:10 pm »

gac - how often are your cleans - I do monthly and charge ten and up with no probs - I tell them I am contactable (unlike their previous w/c invariably) and will clean every window every time (unlike....) - i also phone them up day before as reminder - that helps with payments and being professional - maybe try getting some new ones in at the higher price

« **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2005, 07:13:53 pm »

lol....thats not me showing off....this is and with cheezzy smile..lol

« **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2005, 07:15:33 pm »

Dayglo dude.

What a big hose you've got.

« **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2005, 09:23:56 pm »

I do all the same things as davindo, someone rings for quote i say if you are looking for a cheap cleaner with a dirty rag, then you have called the wrong person, but if you want someone that brushes all frames sills cleans glass then wies over frames , then i'm yours
ps got three new today bungalows £8 £10 £12 no prob and i will not need to up price for 2 years. SELL SELL SELL YOURSELF
paul

« **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2005, 09:25:40 pm »

no window cleaner should be earning less than £20 per hour with ladders, and if you use WFP it should not be less than £35 per hour.

If you're not getting that, then you need to review your business.

EASYCLEAN: is that a merlin RO in your van, and did Tucker supply that wit your system?

-Philip

« **Reply #11 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:27:45 pm »

How much? You wouldn't survive one hour here!!

Try them prices on most of my customers and they would set about you and mug you!

I work a tough area of Stafford where most people are single parents on benefits.

Occasionally, a misguided and uninformed driving school instructor will bring a pupil down for a three point turn in the narrow roads.

Having had the kids jump on top of the car and smash the windows, they don't come back!

They look after me 'cos they see me as "one of the family".

Baldeagle.

« **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:34:13 pm »

Quote from: Philip Hanson on July 23, 2005, 09:25:40 pm

no window cleaner should be earning less than £20 per hour with ladders, and if you use WFP it should not be less than £35 per hour.

If you're not getting that, then you need to review your business.

EASYCLEAN: is that a merlin RO in your van, and did Tucker supply that wit your system?

-Philip

WHAT £35 pr hr, i`m also from staffordshire same as baldeagle,he`s so right,you either have no competition or you live in a very well off area.

« **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:46:35 pm »

great forum but imzzzz inm afew minutes and ineed happy birydays please

« **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:52:00 pm »

Quote from: ron king alias sherlock 89 on July 23, 2005, 11:46:35 pm

great forum but imzzzz inm afew minutes and ineed happy birydays please

are you drinking?

« **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:53:49 pm »

ITS MY BIRTHDAY 7 MINUTES

« **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2005, 11:55:52 pm »

Quote from: ron king alias sherlock 89 on July 23, 2005, 11:53:49 pm

ITS MY BIRTHDAY 7 MINUTES

age?

« **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2005, 12:01:02 am »

Straighten up and fly right...
Yeah No County outside the rich south east/west is makin bacon in the same way.
But, hey, its all relative.
Horses for courses
Pj

« **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2005, 01:56:39 am »

Seriously guys, its my mission to make sure that NO pro window cleaner earns less than £20 per hour, and I'm prepared to share how to do it.

Staffordshire is not a downtrodden or deprived area, and even if it were, there are always householders who will pay for a good service. Window cleaners who come on these forums generally have a more serious attitude to the business of window cleaning than a general 'ropey joe' window cleaner we see too many of, and I'm pretty sure that most of us here could easily command at least £20 per hour using ladders.

Window cleaning is changing, and we who are pros can rightly distinguish ourselves from non-pros who think window cleaning is easy money. Let these types have customers who are not prepared to pay a fair price, and we will take those customers who appreciate a good and professional service.

A high price gives an implication of quality, and people are always prepared to pay for good service. Present yourself well, and price becomes a secondary issue.

-Philip

« **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2005, 03:21:21 am »

Totally agree Phil.

I pull down $100/hr here. Two reasons why:

1. The places I work I saturate, so I don't lose time driving or setting up.

2. I price my work to make that for me (that's pro speed)

I definitely charge more than many w/c here. The reason I get the work is because of professionalism; quality of work; reliablility.

There is becoming a greater demand on professional services because more folks are working and lack the time to care for property maintenance, etc...Those who maintain these qualities edify our profession. As more pro w/c succeed with their business and in creating a positive image, our trade will get more recognized, valued, and viewed as a household need (or commercial/industrial).

I encourage everyone to set the bar high...for your service, image, and price. Demand the best from yourself and your customers. I wish you the best!!!

« **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2005, 08:18:56 am »

The old debate about prices and areas just goes round and round. Of course you are tied to what the area you work can stand in terms of prices.

There is no reason though why you can't find another area or another part of town. Start canvassing for one day a week in another part of town and deliberately wack up your prices. After all you've got nothing to lose.

Higher prices mean more customers will say no but not all of them will say no and gradually the round builds up.
The higher the price the longer it takes to get the customers obviously but the rewards are so much greater that its worth being patient.

Once you have set a price its very hard to put it up significantly so the only option is to go and canvass elsewhere.
If you have a "six pound " round already go and canvass up an "eight pound" round somewhere else. In the mean time keep working the old round and move over gradually.

Good luck

« **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2005, 09:13:39 am »

And loyalty to the customer?

Where does that fit in?

Baldeagle in Staffordshire.

« **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2005, 09:46:45 am »

Whats loyalty?
In any given year a number of your customers will die, move house etc ( or just drop you for no obvious reason.)

Also there will be a number of customers that mess you around and you give them the elbow.

You can always keep your favourite customers but I'm afraid loyalty doesn't pay the bills.

« **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2005, 10:10:14 am »

I can understand that those customers who are inconsiderate enough to die are extremely dis-loyal, and those who move house without considering me deserve a good smacking for having the temerity to do so.

But I've never lost anyone for any other reason, nobody has "just dropped me", thats why I'm loyal to them.

I suppose it's all part of not being a "Cowboy" window cleaner, isn't it?

Baldeagle in Stafforshire

« **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2005, 10:35:53 am »

Hiya mate.

Read between the lines on some comments & advise your getting
(not just this topic) the help & advise i've received this last few months has been brilliant.

As regards to pricing of jobs it's so easy to advise "Newbies"---stick a minimum price of £10--£15--£20 or whatever, but if you notice most of this advice is coming from cleaners who's been W/C
for (100) years & can dictate these prices.

When you're starting out you are desperate to get all the customers you can & like me tend to go with the flow & charge what your area allows.

So what i'm saying is when you've as many customers as you need & making a decent living & paying the bills you can (within)
reason charge what you like.

I really do envy the prices some of you are charging but i for one
can't get away with it.----YET!!!
Regards Ray.

« **Reply #25 on:** July 24, 2005, 12:51:42 pm »

hi philip yes it is a merlin and no tucker didnt supply .the reason i have it in the van is when im doing large blocks of flats they let me fill back up what i use as im usually there for 4-5 hours.great bit of kit best investment.my water bill has gone up by 200 per 6 months but my resin costs have gone down by 2,600 for the same period.It also allows for pure water on demand everyday without the hasssle of ordering and changing resin cylinders.