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UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Grant Whyte on June 02, 2010, 11:11:40 am

Title: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Grant Whyte on June 02, 2010, 11:11:40 am
Hi all

I'm preparing a quote for a commercial daily morning clean - 6.30 to 08.30 am. 2 hours/day for six days a week. What is a reasonable hourly rate for an operative? I was thinking £6.25/h as a start. What do you think?

My pricing for the job is around £12.50 - £13.50 mark. I'm hoping to make 40% profit.  I'm in Kent working the Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Maidstone triangle.

Not new to cleaning but on my own for three months now.

Any feedback welcome.

Thanks

Grant
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Powerwasher on June 02, 2010, 01:18:33 pm
I think in Kent you could probably go a bit higher, then you could up the hourly payments for your operatives,pay peanuts....
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Grant Whyte on June 02, 2010, 01:30:17 pm
I'd like to pay a higher hourly rate, its about having the confidence to quote a realistic price that will deliver a quality service.

Grant
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: brianbarber on June 02, 2010, 09:08:40 pm
Hello

If youmwant deliver quality using staff, you can't pay 6.25.
I would start them on 7.00

Regards

Mr B
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: martin19842 on June 02, 2010, 09:47:18 pm
hi there

your 40% gross margin is potentially a little high, most commercial operations will aim at 30% gross margin.

regards

martin
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Pristine Clean on June 06, 2010, 05:48:04 am
Hi all

I'm preparing a quote for a commercial daily morning clean - 6.30 to 08.30 am. 2 hours/day for six days a week. What is a reasonable hourly rate for an operative? I was thinking £6.25/h as a start. What do you think?

My pricing for the job is around £12.50 - £13.50 mark. I'm hoping to make 40% profit.  I'm in Kent working the Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Maidstone triangle.

Not new to cleaning but on my own for three months now.

Any feedback welcome.

Thanks

Grant

Hi Grant.

So you cover Maidstone, Tonbride, and surrounding areas. Great now my firm has more competition...

Actually, We sometimes turn work away, mainly just to busy. So if you are interested in me passing on work (If I get any that we dont want). Let me have you contact details. And a list of what you can do, I.E. carpet cleaning, offices cleaning,

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Grant Whyte on June 06, 2010, 07:02:22 pm
Hi Dave

Nice of you to make contact, thanks.

We're very new and really small, only fourth month, just two occasional part time operatives, me and wife. Building up a residential client base - regular cleans ie. weekly and biweekly, windows/conservatories (trad & wfp), carpets and hard floors and of course EOT's.

Slowly opening commercial side, as you've picked up.

Also done a few Kitchen Deep Cleans.

Building on quality and reliability aside from the other important bits.

Would be nice to keep in touch.

All the best

Grant

www.handwerkclean.com
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: BDCS on June 06, 2010, 08:26:13 pm
"We don’t employ people who view cleaning as a stop-gap job. We want people who will stay with us to learn skills and progress. So all Handwerk Clean staff are given the prospect of a successful future with us.

They are supported and nurtured through our structured training and development programme. Employees begin as cleaning operatives. With training and the right attitude they can qualify to become cleaning technicians. The next and highest level is cleaning professional".

So Grant who is the professional and who is just the operative ? Surely the rate will depend on the ranking you have achieved through your training programme !

I also have several prestigious sites in that area - Barnfield park, Stilebridge, Coldharbour
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Grant Whyte on June 07, 2010, 10:52:57 am
Hi BDCS

Good points you make, nothing like one's own words to face a reality check.

I'd say Professional = Trained with recognised qualifications + experienced to manage problems and cope with new situations +  specialist knowledge and competence + ability to pass on the knowledge and experience.

What would you say a professional is?

Operative = proficient cleaner.

I strive for both.

Grant
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: BDCS on June 07, 2010, 09:50:44 pm
I'm not argueing - just wondering who's in charge you or your missus ?

 I'd say yes generally to the professional except the qualifications as I would rate experience over certifcates in this trade. I come from an engineering background and have gained no qualifications in cleaning but would rate myself as one of the best in my area - we all have a specialised subject but you would'nt be on here if you knew it all. You have to be able to carry it off having bigged it up at the quoting stage and having read your website I would assume you have a number of trained staff who have endured your structured training ragime. I am a "one man band" who calls on mates for skilled labour and have a cleaning lady for dusting and vacuuming tasks but firmly believe in the saying "pay peanuts get monkeys".

Are you aware of my sites in your area ?
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Pristine Clean on June 08, 2010, 06:58:45 am
Hi BDCS,

We cover alot of Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge, Bearsted, and surrounding area. I am not aware of your sites.

Do you have a sign written van? Can't say I've seen anyone presure washing.

When you say Coldharbour, do you mean the Police depot by the 20/20 Industrial estate in Maidstone?

I like you your website, Pest control link is dodgy you might want to look into that?

We are thinking of adding Pest control... looking at the exam requirements.

Dave
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: BDCS on June 08, 2010, 08:27:57 am
I look after the drains on the KCC traveller sites  :o and yes the vans signed, the site is still a work in progress
Title: Re: Hourly rates for Operatives
Post by: Pristine Clean on June 08, 2010, 10:08:20 am
So you know some of the gypsies at Coldharbour then?

I think they are great at that site, I know them pretty well.

Won't mention any names on here.


Dave