Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 03:51:25 pm

Title: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 03:51:25 pm
Everybody that calls just seems to want a one-off clean. Should I be trying to persuade them to have a reg clean, or just be glad of the work and charge double?
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sean Dyer on July 15, 2010, 03:53:11 pm
if you have the time charge for it at your hourly rate - simples
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 04:20:57 pm
I am, but I really want to be building a round.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Ian101 on July 15, 2010, 04:40:08 pm
im about a month in and not had this so far .... would I do a one off ?? at this stage if it was about £30 an hour then yes ... never know may convert at a later date to a regular ?
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Jackal on July 15, 2010, 04:52:33 pm
i dont do one-offs i always think where would we be if most people asked for one-offs,struggling make a living,but up to you if you do decided to carry on doing them charge more than double, i would anyway
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: EZclean on July 15, 2010, 05:09:45 pm
cant be bothered with em. same reason as above.

"so you want them cleaned but dont want them to be kept clean.....

better things to do
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 05:10:27 pm
i dont do one-offs i always think where would we be if most people asked for one-offs,struggling make a living,

That's how I feel, but I'm finding I convert them to a 4 weekly clean and they cancel before the second one & I've only picked up £12 for the first hard clean instead of £25 which really represents the work I've put in.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 05:11:31 pm

"so you want them cleaned but dont want them to be kept clean.....

Exactly what my mum said when I told her. (Dad was a window cleaner)
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: AuRavelling79 on July 15, 2010, 05:20:56 pm
I do if I get really good rate and I've a bit of spare time in the summer.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 15, 2010, 05:33:49 pm
Problem is that I'm just starting and 80% seem to just want a one-off. In truth I can't really afford to turn them down.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: EZclean on July 15, 2010, 06:05:10 pm
we'd be like carpet cleaners if we only did one offs.

obviously we could charge more

not for me

i want to clean clean windows
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: LSB on July 16, 2010, 10:09:08 am
i dont do one offs ( not deliberately , anyway ! ) ,
i manage to convert quite a few of these enqiries into 8 weekly .
however , if youre just starting out , and need the income , then do them at the correct high price ! , and be seen in these roads by the neighbours , hopefully getting you more work .
when youre busier , then you can say no to one offs , and mean it !
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: LQQK on July 16, 2010, 11:19:38 am
Ive got a one-off I priced  up yesterday.

10 windows and I felt guilty putting in a price of £22.00

It'll take 15 mins but she was happy to pay so why not.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: chopsie on July 16, 2010, 01:35:20 pm
I did one yesterday £20 8 windows and a patio door, I felt a bit guilty at the price, But then thought sod it, its a one off and she came to me and accepted the price
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 16, 2010, 04:27:56 pm
In future I will quote daft money for one-off and reasonable 8 week option with higher priced first clean so that if they cancel after 1st, I've at least got decent pay for first one.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Jackal on July 16, 2010, 04:50:13 pm
dont no how you go about it but next time just say i come around once a month wait for there reaction first if they say yes thats ok your in there,but if they look like they ready say p**s off say if you want every 2 months its a different price because it takes you longer about 30 - 50% extra ,as for 1 offs set yourself a minimum price id go for £20 at least.

iv had a few try it on before with one-offs and after a few months have come to me again saying they will go for monthly clean,i no at the moment you need the cash but to be honest these type of customers arnt what you want in your book more trouble than its worth sometimes.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Sseddon on July 16, 2010, 05:05:49 pm
dont no how you go about it but next time just say i come around once a month wait for there reaction first if they say yes thats ok your in there,but if they look like they ready say p**s off say if you want every 2 months its a different price because it takes you longer about 30 - 50% extra ,as for 1 offs set yourself a minimum price id go for £20 at least.

iv had a few try it on before with one-offs and after a few months have come to me again saying they will go for monthly clean,i no at the moment you need the cash but to be honest these type of customers arnt what you want in your book more trouble than its worth sometimes.

I like "I come around once a month". I will use that. I don't want one-offs and truthfully I think all window cleaners should turn them down, me included. Lots of good advice.

Thing is with WFP, first cleans are really hard, so a one-off is a major pain for a novice. I will turn them down in future I think or just put in a totally ludicrous £60 an hour price.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Mike_G on July 16, 2010, 05:59:31 pm
Be thankful they are decent enough to tell you they only want a one off clean I have done loads of work over the years which when you first quote they say "oh yes we would like them done every month" only to be told when finished "I will call you when I want them done again" Charge a few shillings more if you have time to do them, keep at it and the regular work will come along soon enough
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: Tom White on July 17, 2010, 12:52:58 am
I did one yesterday £20 8 windows and a patio door, I felt a bit guilty at the price, But then thought sod it, its a one off and she came to me and accepted the price

That's the idea if you can't persuade them to have a regular clean.

But my favourite customers are large, well priced domestic; rural accounts; with a long frequency of every two-or-three months.

I price these very well and because of the long frequency, they're always happy to see us.  So try using a longer frequency - but a higher price per clean - as bait.  Say something along the lines of, "Most window cleaners insist on every-four-weeks, but I'll do them every 8 (or something like that).
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: SPE on July 17, 2010, 11:27:13 am
was cleaning a 3 storey house the other day, a new regular.
neighbour opposite asks if I can clean hers 1 off, just a 1st floor bay (its a flat) ok I say as I have the equipment set up anyway, then another the same, so the outcome is that I earnt twice as much as I was expecting for an extra 10 mins work  :D
then yesterday I get a call from a shop in town who have been passed my number, go quote for it and will be cleaning it 2 weekly and signage washdown monthly, turns out the shop owner is a friend of the lady who asked for the one off and recommended me.
work is work and money is money whichever way you look at it, I've never really understood why some people flatly refuse to clean one offs out of principle, sure a regular customer is better but to turn down work could be a missed opportunity.

Stick at it Steve, I've a few repeat one offs now who will call me several times a year, I just explain to give me a weeks notice or so then I can fit them in. I dont charge as much as double, typically I stick maybe an extra fiver on and explain they are welcome to book me in at their convenience but if they wish to go on my regular round there will be a reduction in price.
Title: Re: One-off cleans
Post by: NJWindowCleaning on July 18, 2010, 09:20:01 am
I also did a one off clean yesterday on a three storey house with seven windows cleaned inside and outside and she never moaned at my price at all.
But like spe said money is money no matter if it is a one off or regular and i also find the one offs do pass your number on  more regular than a regular client do. And I have wonder why it is??
But so of my one offs have become regular clients they phone me when they need it doing and they are in places where i clean regularly.