Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Crystal-clear on February 11, 2011, 10:30:42 pm
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how do successfull domestic window cleaners deal with locked gates,ive started to get the hang of texting them to open it but when i gain a customer , i try to avoid stating that i can notify them in anyway, unless they insist.
I go down the if you are in its front and back if you are out its front only, most are happy but about 30% wish to be informed via sms or phone call, i dont really like doing it but i have to right now to keep me busy.
But sometimes i wonder maybe txting them could be the way to do it? i mean i did get a load of customers that said not this time so i just dumped them ,but on the other hand i do have alot of customers that i am texting and each time they are opening the gates the night before.and i am making more money with them cos i get to clean the full house.
Is informing before clean a similar case of filtering out bad customers?what i mean is out of 10 customers that you inform before clean would you always get a certain percentage that will cooperate ?
Im intrested to know if anyone has made a success by notifying customers before clean?maybe you have two vans on the go? and you are texting all your customers would like to know, even if you are working 5 days a week by yourself im intrested to hear if it actually works.
Thanks
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I have a round that i clean front and backs 100% everytime i call!
Y? text the night b4?
seriously
Why?
I keep a set of ladders in the van for getting over gates.
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dont u carry a ladder
split it , half over the gate use
back half to climd over ;D ;D ;D
dont bother txting , ringing ,
painting their sills, running their
errands i just clean their windows ;D ;D ;D
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text the night before..leave gates open and leave payment ..thats why for myself..no calling back or waiting for cheques
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hmm ladders with pole how will that work ? i mean with the hose, carrying the pole etc.. how will you safely walk over the gate :o ?
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text the night before..leave gates open and leave payment ..thats why for myself..no calling back or waiting for cheques
Interesting,dont you get sorry this time alot ??
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hmm ladders with pole how will that work ? i mean with the hose, carrying the pole etc.. how will you safely walk over the gate :o ?
climb up ladder
aving already put yr pole over easy ;D ;D
its not hard is it
sometimes the mind boggles ;D
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once or twice if it becomes a regular thing then i wouldnt text but so far so good .i have had a few dont bother this time iam on holiday.
.i arrange a place for money to be left under mats at front door or just the window sill at back of house...at some stage i would like to get my own containers done with logo and number on...
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hmm ladders with pole how will that work ? i mean with the hose, carrying the pole etc.. how will you safely walk over the gate :o ?
climb up ladder
aving already put yr pole over easy ;D ;D
its not hard is it
sometimes the mind boggles ;D
i guess u have your hose extended already from the reel which i do anyway, so just chuck it over the gate, and splash on? but what if it gets stuck under a tyre
then you need to climb over again DOH...
aint it time consuming too, using a ladder to climb over is there a special ladder you use for this or just a normal one and split it?
ladders on ladders off is a pain thou ;/ but i guess its better then calling/texting to unlock
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crystal honest its common place
on my round locked gates etc
iv 2nd guessed most ov my locked gates
know roughly ow much hose i need etc
i dont txt as a few will say ow leave em
this time as my budgies died or whatever lame excuse
they can find i operate a 4wkly cleaning
frequency not a as n when clean they know
which day ill be coming fr past cleans , ie say a tuesday
then it will be exactly 4wks to the day
ladders r split on van anyway
simples ;D ;D
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so you would say its common practise for a larger domestic cleaning company like say Mr pyors to keep ladders on the roof rack and climb over gates, how about Health and safty regulations , wont the hourly rate drop.?
i can see it working for yourself or i but if you wana employ one day your worker wouldnt like to climb over and im sure he wont have a smile on his face like we will considering what his hourly rate will be , im kinda thinking long term here.
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i do employ a guy
he as no choice
gates locked fetch ladder n
get busy lol ;D ;D ;D
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interesting maybe ladders is the way to do it ? wouldnt you prefer to charge 50%-60% for the front and not have the hassle of ladders?
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crystal im a window cleaner i
clean windows to how the
custy wants them cleaning
if they prefer trad ill clean em trad
my work is 75% wfp 25%wfp
suits me n my custys
i do tell em wfp is better some just
want dry windows its easy really ;D
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i just hate ladders mate had enof of them never wana see a pair in my life ;)
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impose a minumum charge then
if gates r locked charge full price
bet they get opened every time after m8
fact !!!!!
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but because i am still builing my round its not always on clock work yet, parts are but some isnt so it might be 8 weeks and 4 days or 7 weeks and 5 days
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its a gud idea to charge
min fee m8 think bout it
custys gate locked
price ov job say a tenner you
clean front n side for instance
charge a tenner , they will soon learn
where you based crystal ??? ;)
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Surrey
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money area then lol
not like my battlefield
council estates ;D ;D
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indeed , i live in london thou , but alot want a text or call night before , dont think they would even like me climbin over
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txt em then but state on yr invoice
or windows cleaned today that if no access
full charge will occur as youve txted etc
gotta run it as a business ;) ;)
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money area then lol
not like my battlefield
council estates ;D ;D
I bet u have no hassle oh why didnt you call me . oh like i said you have no access issues i have no need to call you........................... oh but i want to know ......
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ye that was my question should i text or not,. at the moment its working with the front if out. but im loosing an extra load of money
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gotta charge for yr time m8
youve turned up tried to arrange access etc
gotta be strict m8 ;)
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Gav's way easier,
I say 30-40% i text and are good at remembering to unlock, some say leave or going on hols (pi55 me off a bit)
If custy forgets i do get over with ladders anyay 99% of the time; and just write on bill accessed back with ladder.
The only real issue i have wih texts is it causes 2 problems.
1) If it rains unexpectedly, and you can't get jobs done you've text, you have to contact again to reschedule.
The way i get around this is not to do too many custy's who need text's messeages in one day
e.g 3-4 custy's text, rest show and do.
Weather forecasts about 70% accurate bbc (imo) so if weather looks abit hit and miss most of the week, will deffo get text custy's done as few a day, everyday mixed with the custy's not needing contacting.
Better to do text on dry days but hard this time of year!
2) I feel that text-ing everyone would be a nightmare as it sets your day in stone, and sometimes for me it can be more profitable not to work this way.
e.g custy asks you "while your here can you do conny roof?"
So as before some text custy's (30% 0f your day) rest show up and do.
So when i pick up a new custy, unless padlocked, show up and do.
Padlock=text but if locked still use ladder to get over if possible.
Have made a gate unlocking gadget (i copied from someone on here)
Decorators pole with nail scissors jubilee clipped on end; lean over flip bolt/s up and slide open ;)
If that don't work, use ladder get over, unlock, open to make easy, when done just put top bolt on if can to stop, climbing over again.
Gonna get wd40 for them stiff bolts ;D
Oh yeh custy's with combination padlocks usually leave in unlocked positon so store combination in my phone.
so when they forget i just unlock it myself, use to as for padlock codes but custy's seem a bit reluctant to give, if there out and gate locked i just say i climbed over ;D
just remember to lock again.
have had some custy's show up while i'm cleaning and say "you've unlocked gate?"
I just say i've noticed the code was *&^% last time, no ones changed code yet an i still text em.
Sorry for lenghty reply crystal hope some is useful.
Lee
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sorry noticed typo :D
use to ASK for padlock codes but custy's seem a bit reluctant to give, if there out and gate locked i just say i climbed over
just remember to lock again.
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Those poles are for cleaning windows - not vaulting gates ;D .
I do have a few who I will either text or phone but only a very few and only if the job is one of the more worthwhile ones. I won't climb gates. I spent quite enough time on the acupuncturist couch getting my back sorted thanks. Splitting ladders is time consuming and not for me. My ladder is only on my van for the occasional job. I do carry a stepladder and a long crowbar though. This enables me to lean over and unhook bolts that are quite a way down - so long as there is no padlock. Also, where a lock is near the top, I do ask for (and usually get) a spare gate key.
Remember, if there is no access without some action by the customer, your round will be severely depleted at peak holiday times (late July - late August). You will need extra customers to cover this or take a hit on your income.
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You carry step ladder and crow bar Paul, nice one ;D
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i used to split the ladder but started to txt em the night before, getting ladder off van is too time consuming, if you have a trolley system its gonna be two journeys, easier to txt the night before.
I would say 80% rememeber to leave em unlocked, as for the other 20% who forget, ive started charging full rate, ie same price for fronts as fronts and backs.
So its better they forget ;D
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i text a few but its only a few.these are ones where its hard to climb over with ladders.sometimes all i need is my single 8ft pointer to open a gate or if i cant be bothered going back to the van ill climb on a wheelie bin and jump over!(but only if i can then unlock the gate from that side!) ;) ;D ;D
i also have a few bigger stand alone jobs that i phone the night before as i need access through large double garages.
luckily for me i usually only have a couple a day that i have to unlock or jump over.most custies either open the gate for me (obviously if their in!)or their easy to open without ladders.
if its dangerous or virtually impossible to climb over then its front only im afraid! ;) ;D ;D ;D
dazmond
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You carry step ladder and crow bar Paul, nice one ;D
;D . I know. It sounds awful, doesn't it?
I used to use a claw hammer to hook around those bolts but some were out of reach. That's when I bought the long crowbar.
The only thing I ever use it for is hooking around bolts to undo them. It's ideal for that.
My accountant had raised eyebrows when he first saw it in my accounts but when I explained he put it through. It's a 100% work item and therefore a valid business expense.
I have sometimes wondered if the old bill might have a comment if they ever looked in the back but I decided that I just shouldn't concern myseldf about that. It's a tool that I use for my work (albeit in an unorthodox manner) and I have every right to carry it in the back.
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When quoting, I split the quote – the price for cleaning everything that is always accessible (i.e. front and side of house) and the price for cleaning everything that is behind a locked gate (i.e. rear of house).
A lot of people are concerned about keeping the front windows clean but are less concerned about the rear. This suits me, as there is less hose to drag about and cleaning the front windows only is usually quite straightforward.
I’ll offer to clean the ‘rears’ by appointment (higher charge) or if they ask me while I’m doing the fronts. Either way, I look upon it as ‘extras’ that are over and above my normal earnings.
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Climbing gates is so unproffesional these days. Besides what would happen if you slipped and twisted your ankle or similar? Also what would you do if the owner had just bought a rottweiler or similar.
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I have a round that i clean front and backs 100% everytime i call!
Y? text the night b4?
seriously
Why?
I keep a set of ladders in the van for getting over gates.
It takes more time to go back to the van, get the ladders out, hop over gate, hop back over again, put ladders back in van then it does to send a single text the night before.
I send 4/5 every night and rarely have a problem. If they forget teh front gets done at 70% of the total price. That usually sorts them out and they start remembering.
I use o2 and have 100 free texts and use their web intefact to send one text to all that need one that night. Takes seconds.
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crystal honest its common place
on my round locked gates etc
iv 2nd guessed most ov my locked gates
know roughly ow much hose i need etc
i dont txt as a few will say ow leave em
this time as my budgies died or whatever lame excuse
they can find i operate a 4wkly cleaning
frequency not a as n when clean they know
which day ill be coming fr past cleans , ie say a tuesday
then it will be exactly 4wks to the day
ladders r split on van anyway
simples ;D ;D
Gav, what do you do if you miss a day or two? Surely your whole month is off kilter then?
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ye that was my question should i text or not,. at the moment its working with the front if out. but im loosing an extra load of money
If you charge more for the front than just 50% you will do ok on your hourly rate. Personally I have a few that do forget. I look forward to them because it is either £10.00 for 20 mins to do the full house or £7.00 for 8 mins to do just the front.
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ok great this was my point climbing is unprofesinal ,time consuming and dangerous,mike i am kinda working like you at the moment front and sides you are making good money but depending on driving it is over all better to clean full houses.
i work 5 days a week or at least that will be the plan , so rain will not stop me i wonder how larger domestic cleaners do it say someone with 2 vans or more? i want to think long term and offering front and back if you are in or just fronts if you are out seems a little bit unprofesinal ,increeses driving time and income ,and i am not sure if its the way to go, i know the advantage of not texting/calling before clean but the customers i am texting at the moment seem sweet,
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We text or call all customers the night before. Its very rare that we get a not this time as when the customer is signed up and again after the first clean, they are told that this is done for courtesy and for access. I can not remember the last time i climbed a gate? Also you will be surprised how many customers say they have been meaning to call for prices on certain extra's. But hey, what works for some and all that!
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niceandclean hi mate.
You are txting all access gate problem customers? you mentioned sign up, so you dont work on good will you work on a contract?
do you run more then 1 van?
cheers.
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dont u carry a ladder
split it , half over the gate use
back half to climd over ;D ;D ;D
dont bother txting , ringing ,
painting their sills, running their
errands i just clean their windows ;D ;D ;D
;D ;D
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niceandclean hi mate.
You are txting all access gate problem customers? you mentioned sign up, so you dont work on good will you work on a contract?
do you run more then 1 van?
cheers.
All customers are informed of us turning up, even if there is no access issues. We have a few jobs that have 2 days or so notice as well, and a few that are informed via email. When i have new work canvassed, the canvassers tell them that they will be called to inform them of the first clean, and also for each and every clean thereafter. They are signed up and i get a dupilcate sheet from the canvassers along with a customer signiture of what has been agreed ect. On the first clean we hand out info sheets on the company, how we clean, cleaning in all weathers ect and it also says about why we contact them.
I have 3 vans, one being me.
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Intresting and you dont get "not this time" i guess you dont because of a contract you may use. ?
Do you actually pick up the phone and call them for EACH clean or is it a call then after that a text?, gosh that is interesting if its working ! im sure 30% of my customers would have me for breakfast.
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Yes, we actually pick up the phone and talk to the customer or their answerphone machine ;D
Some are text and a few are emailed. We generally run tight schedules, so alot of customers know that we are coming give or take a day, so if they are going to be away some will call us to let us know, so we either miss a clean or some want us to re-book it. Or if its access problems and they still want it cleaned, they get a family member, friend or neighbour to let us in.
We don't have a written contract for domestic customers!
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Niceandclean.
Doesnt it p you off if you get say 3 out of 10 that say not this time ; :o ?
since you run more then one van are you not worried about overheads?
the thing is if say mrs blogs says miss me this time 2x in a row and you clean next door next door can find out too and ask you to miss them too.
Why dont you just turn up and only text/call if you have too ?
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interesting maybe ladders is the way to do it ? wouldnt you prefer to charge 50%-60% for the front and not have the hassle of ladders?
hassle of ladders, I love how wfp windies are so lazy now, I did a house next door to a wfp guy, I beat him by 5 mins, we had some bantar, and it was all good, he did admit that trad is faster when your young and fit! I just jump over the gate/fence and lift ladder over, I can't even understand how this thread was even a topic at all, surley it's just simple to jump over 90% of gates!
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i texted 5 custies last night and 4 remembered to open the gate with one forgetting(again!) ::)just cleaned the front of hers as its a big gate thats bolted and padlocked so didnt climb over.
by the time ive got my ladders off and faffed around splitting them and carrying hose and pole over and back over when ive finished i could of cleaned another house!so thats the reason!! ;) ;D ;D ;D
dazmond