Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: gavin pedley on September 25, 2010, 04:51:52 pm

Title: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: gavin pedley on September 25, 2010, 04:51:52 pm
I quoted for a care home the other day was £30 a month they have asked if we can do it quarterly. I work for the care company at the mo so know i will get paid no problem but they have asked for quarterly due to finances.


What should i do say no say yes and charge a little more or do it for that amount?
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: darren clarke on September 25, 2010, 04:58:51 pm
depends on how much work they give u   and will it take u mush longer,

i would just do it for the money, as u can guarantee someone will undercut u if you and try and put the price up
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: gavin pedley on September 25, 2010, 05:11:33 pm
Yes i was thinking that, it could lead to doing other care homes in the company they have around 40.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: the bfg on September 25, 2010, 05:12:27 pm
just do it,   surely your not one of those greedy window cleaners who feel doing quarterly cleans is beneath them ?

£30 a quarter is still £10 a month

you say they have asked for a quarter clean because of finances so surely you can acommodate them,   and as you say you wont have any problem getting paid.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on September 25, 2010, 05:16:00 pm
would definitely do it especially as opportunity to pick up more
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Paul Coleman on September 25, 2010, 05:16:29 pm
I quoted for a care home the other day was £30 a month they have asked if we can do it quarterly. I work for the care company at the mo so know i will get paid no problem but they have asked for quarterly due to finances.


What should i do say no say yes and charge a little more or do it for that amount?

Well I usually have a minimum of £40 for 12 weeklies but there are several exceptions.  With a possibility of extra work from that source it may well be worth a punt.
They won't increase the frequency even when/if finances improve.  However, you may be able to partly make up for that with extras once you get your feet under the table.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: gavin pedley on September 25, 2010, 05:26:50 pm
Thanks for the replys. I am defo not one of those greedy ones just only done monthly so far so was not really sure, i was thinking of doing it anyway but thought i would just see what you guys said before going ahead.  ;)
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: cml on September 25, 2010, 05:36:53 pm
Just a thought!

Greed is not the question it is whether quarterly cleans would take long due to the build up of excess dirt that would be removed more frequently during monthly cleans.  Therefore you might consider adding a small surcharge to your 30.00 i.e 10.00 to allow for this.

Quarterly charge 40.00 per quater.

Just a thought!
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Perfect Windows on September 25, 2010, 05:41:42 pm
I must be one of the greedy ones.

Increase the price, but do it sensibly.  The conversation with me would go something like:

"You've asked me to clean every three months; I'm sure you'll agree that there's a bit more to do if I clean them with that gap.  To some extent, monthly is keeping them clean, while at three months, I'll be cleaning off dirt.  In light of that, I'll have to add an extra £x to cover the extra time I'll be here".

That all sounds very formal, but I'd do it as a very light informal chat.  No-one has ever disagreed with that line.  Ever.  They will immediately understand that three monthly cleans must be more work than four weekly, and they will expect to pay more.  If it looked like I might lose the business I might move on the price, but it's never, ever been a problem.

I understand that saying that on here will bring out the "You're a greedy git" brigade, but I'm in business, not charity.  And your customers aren't fools.  They expect to pay more for more work.  Don't disappoint them.

Vin
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 25, 2010, 06:25:20 pm
Just pass it to me.

I used to clean there windows, when they were in Angarrack.

Never led anywhere, did them for about 3 years.

Dave
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Llaaww on September 25, 2010, 07:04:37 pm
Don't give it to him give it to me.  :D

Are holdin those shops down ok ??
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Moderator David@stives on September 25, 2010, 07:08:28 pm
Hi Lawrence

Just got those schools back, funny old game.

Give me a call next week I will give you a job in St Agnes
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Llaaww on September 26, 2010, 09:42:27 am
Hi Lawrence

Just got those schools back, funny old game.

Give me a call next week I will give you a job in St Agnes

Well held.

That job will sit well, only two more to go and I will have the full set  :D
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Londoner on September 26, 2010, 09:46:58 am
Just do it. what difference does it make if its quarterly. Money is money and its better in your pocket than not.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 26, 2010, 11:17:35 am
yes i do quarterley cleans @ 100% price increase!

4 weekly = 0% price increase

8 weekly = 50% price increase

So for example a 4 wkly £10 job is £15 for 8 wkly or £20 12 wkly (quarterley)
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Perfect Windows on September 26, 2010, 11:57:05 am
Just do it. what difference does it make if its quarterly. Money is money and its better in your pocket than not.

Follow that to its logical conclusion and you'll be the busiest fool on the block.  If they won't take a price increase for the extra work and they drop you, replace them with someone who values your time.

Vin
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: gavin pedley on September 26, 2010, 12:33:56 pm
Don't give it to him give it to me.  :D

Are holdin those shops down ok ??

Yes shops doing well thanks
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Londoner on September 26, 2010, 01:17:14 pm
Just do it. what difference does it make if its quarterly. Money is money and its better in your pocket than not.

Follow that to its logical conclusion and you'll be the busiest fool on the block.  If they won't take a price increase for the extra work and they drop you, replace them with someone who values your time.

Vin

Believe me I am no fool. Business is not about selling your services cheap but I have known a lot of people that hold out for a few extra quid and get nothing. If you have extra time on your hands take anything and everything, when you are bursting with work thats when you can pick and choose. But you have to get to that point first.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Wc Solutions on September 26, 2010, 03:48:41 pm
will take longer with the dirty frames ....

must be bloody small? £30!! i would go up to £45 ish.

£30 is for per month = 12 cleans a year.

but going down to only a hand full of cleans a year it will def take longer to get it back into 100% shape with glass and framework.

they will still save a few quid ...
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Richard Neal on September 26, 2010, 03:54:05 pm
Youre the man looking at the job Gav, if youre happy with £30 then the job is yours, if youre busy then try higher if you dont mind the chance of loosing it
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 26, 2010, 05:27:23 pm
How long will it take is the question? Over an hour and it becomes marginal at £30.

I have a small block of ten flats including communal entrances. Which I charge £53.50 on every quarter. It takes me an hour and twenty minutes plus one invoice which takes about 5 minutes to produce plus a stamp and a walk to the postbox.

So an hour and a half of which ten minutes is in the evening during non-productive time. I think it is nice work but wouldn't drop below £50. A fiver a flat every quarter is good value for the custies and for me.

No, I lie ... if I was pushed I might do it for £45. I can do it in the rain. Or start at 8.00 am. Or after 5pm. That's useful.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Londoner on September 27, 2010, 07:14:28 am
£30 is still five times the minimum wage. Better than you would get working in Burger King or Kwik Fit, and a lot better than nothing which is what you get if you say you are not going to do it for £30.

Business is an auction.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on September 27, 2010, 07:31:01 am
but when you run a business the price you charge is not just for your wages is it!
the price you charge should cover all over heads & expences!
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: Londoner on September 27, 2010, 07:42:35 am
It depends on what stage of development your business is at. If you are still growing take anything and everything. A job is a job. You only get picky when you can afford to be.
Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: andyjm1 on September 27, 2010, 08:24:13 am


Business is an auction.

Not always, I've got jobs where I happen to know I was the only quote.

Title: Re: Quarterly clean should i or not?
Post by: the bfg on September 27, 2010, 09:10:31 am
It depends on what stage of development your business is at. If you are still growing take anything and everything. A job is a job. You only get picky when you can afford to be.













I couldn't have put it better myself,   well said that man