Clean It Up
UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Art on October 30, 2005, 07:39:54 am
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Hi all ,this was something that dustdees posted about recently, was a bit suprised there were few responses, surely if you receive an enquiry about a job from an area you don't cover , it's better to be able to pass it on for the following reasons
1. You leave the customer with a good impression of your company, because even though you couldn't quote, at least you were helpful.
2. Others will hopefully do likewise for you. Which means work
3. Your own company can build good relatioships with others around you. We all have staffing problems from time to time so sub contracting labour off each other would also be an option.
Come on people. Think about it !!!!!
Regards Arthur
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You are quite right James. I have had a local company pass on my details to a customer they couldn't do. As it happens the customer was to far away from me as well. But the thought was there
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Well let's start the ball rolling ;D
I cover slough, windsor and surrounding areas
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12 people have viewed this topic and only one has replied come on people!!!
Does anyone want to give any views why this wouldn't be a good idea ???
Better customer service and passing on work and help!! Surely from a business point of view this has to be good :-\
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Nice One,
I'm glad that at least someone holds the same opinon as me.
Gwc Cleaning,Domestic Bliss & Cherub Cleaning have my details:
I have had work from GWC & Cherubs Cleaning(Ny COUSIN):
We now have a pact that if we can't do we pass it on!!
COME ON EVERYONE GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!
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Hi
I belive that you have to be very careful when passing on work as the company you mybe passing the work on to might not be up to your standards.
so its catch 22 if you know the company then thats fine but if you dont watch out dont like to be the doom and gloom but crap companys operate everywhere.
i was told by a freind on friday that i could not do her end of tennancy clean for her, as it had to be up to the high standard of the letting agents(JOKE) so all i did was the carpets for her after the place had been cleaned WELL i will tell you that if that house had been cleaned then i am santa....it was realy bad and we had to call back the company to re do the clean again on a friday night so it just goes to show that the is companys out there willing to rip you off
so please be very careful who s number you pass on....
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Hi Brookie,
Your absolutely right. Personally speaking i've worked very hard to gain and maintain high standards in everything my company does.
I for one wouldn't sub out or recommend just anyone as this would damage my reputation. But if companies are set up professionally ie h& s policy,risk assesments, uniformed staff, proper insurance etc.. then we'd be half way there. Then maybe a face to face meeting.
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Hello everyone,
I posted a similar post a while ago on the w/c section because I am geting w/c calls for area I dont cover from my YP advert.
I requested the company name, contact telephone number and specific details of what areas they were prepared to cover in the SE Wales area.
I did stress that the concept was not a recommendation but just an alternative number for the client to call and that it was their responsibility to check out they conformed to all the H&S guidelines on Insurances etc.
Wait for it................. yes, I had one reply.
Nowt queer as folk eh !!!!
Someone did suggest keeping a record of thes details on a locked subject for easy reference - maybe that's a possibility here too.
Good luck with your efforts Arthur,
Kind regards,
Sarah
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JAMES123,
Unlucky, I had a enquiry for Cookham Dean last week, but didn't know anyone that covered that area!!
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Hi Dustees,
Well my email is on there so anything else comes up give me a shout, Flat out at the moment but if can fit anything in i will. At the end of the day it's all money.
How far down towards my way do you cover?
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HI James
We will cover up to Henley on Thames, but if it's a big job and worth the travel we would consider it.
Cheers
Den
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It might help us all if everyone filled in their profile and possibly the type of work they did and how far we are prepared to travel for work. If we wanted to extend the idea further maybe setup a "Clean It Up" type of federation where contact information is exchanged between say a Window Cleaner and a Carpet Cleaner in the same area or someone that specialises in outdoor cleans like me, who does Pressure Washing and someone from domestic/commercial indoor cleans, the possibilties are endless.
Obviously it has to be properly thought out and some sort of compensation or mutual exchange arranged but what harm could come to small operations or large operations helping each other. Someone that just cleans windows will not be hurting his/her own business if that customer wanted their carpets cleaned or her drive washed, would it? The thing with a lot of people is they're too frightened to pass information onto others incase others might do better with "their" contact. Its fine if you can clean everything but few can, so by helping someone you will be helping yourself. We talk to each other every day on here and when we hear of a job we cant do comes up most people just wash their hands of it and let the customer do their own searching. If we took on some responsibilty and helped to find a suitable cleaner, your customer would have a higher opinion of you.
To some extent you have to do some homework and make sure the people you are in tandem with are properly insured, are as good as they say they are and possibly examples of their work or references from previous customers. Think how much money we can save each other on advertising if we helped each other. There is only so much we can do. A friendly professional exchange would help many small and large businesses alike.
What do you think?
Paul
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Paul,
That's exactly the kind of response i was looking for. Anyone got anymore opinions or ideas on this?
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hi there
james 123,
we work on a contract or sub contract basis, and our specialist division will work nationwide, as we will project manage the full job.
i have several relationships with people on clean it up, and am more than willing to pay finders fees on work found. And the people that i have raletionships with know that.
I am always of the opinion that nobody should ever turn work down, there are a number of cleaning companies operating that are now building up a good client base,and are building a good reputation for themselves, so when a job comes along that they cannot do then we are more than willing to help out.
To the extent where we will do joint site visits and meetings to ensure that the client appreciates the seriousness that we take our role.
As cleaning is the last trade through the door, then usually time is of the essence, if a place is opening or being occupied then the deadline has to be met.
to give you and example we got a lead from here on a wednesday evening, we did the site meeting on the thursday evening, and completed the work overnight on the friday.
regards
martin
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Just to add to my previous post on how we can help each other. When at the customer's place of business or home be vigilant and ask questions such as, Is there anything else you might need help with? for example I noticed while washing your drive your windows could benefit from a professional clean. I know this window cleaner who works this area and is part of a the "federation", he/she is a real professional. When would it be best to make an appointment for you to have an informal chat with them? Would during the week or weekend be best?
They give you a time and date, call you your business buddy and off we go. It takes seconds, it shows you care and they are more likely to use them if they come recommended by another professional.
The amount of work I add on to the original job I do is how I keep myself busy. I normally start with the drive and end up doing the patio and/or walls as well. When I'm doing the patio I often get my gardener friend a small maintenance contract as well. It does work for you personally and for others as well. You just have do your job well and then use your charm to get any add-ons.
Unfortunately for me the autumn is here and as I do domestics my workload has slowed down but any opportunity I get to help anyone I will do my best.
Paul
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Paul,
Whichpart of london do u cover?
Martin,
Was thinking more of a network thing, maybe i misunderstood your reply but you seem to be more on the lines of commision for getting you jobs.
Moost of the work i do is short notice late nights weekends, really anything that gets the job completed to the clients deadline. But i'll keep you in mind .
Arthur
PS I gather from your posts your main business is builders cleans?
What part of the country are you based?
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I'm based in Chingford which is on the borders of East and North London. I'm minutes away from the M25 and can get to most London and Home counties quite easily. In my last business I was working in transport so driving for me is not a problem. Do you have anything interesting in mind?
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Paul,
Is it only pressure washing you do?
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With regards to cleaning, yes.
I'm quite new to this I have only been in business for about 6 months. I also carry out some light maintenance and offer a sealing service. I went on one of these sealing courses and had instruction on how and when to apply the sealant. I have used my training on a few jobs and have, without blowing my own trumpet too much, done a pretty good job.
I'm always prepared to turn my hand to most things and if I think I can do it with some level of competence I'll will give it a go. I won't however take on anything that is beyond my level of ability or if I dont have the right equipment. Hence, why I believe in this exchange idea as being good for all involved.
Paul
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Hi,
without reading all the posts apart from the first few it is my thought that window cleaners generally have a full book & are not looking for new work. Besides a customer looking for a local cleaner will look local. I think anyone partaking in this network will receive little or no work at all.
Just my thoughts.
Kevin WINDOLENE.
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Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your input, You ever considered on builders cleans there's a great deal of work on window cleaning, and i'm pretty sure there would be occasions when sub contracting this out would be viable, as Martin stated builders cleans are done to tight deadlines,and windows can be a pain
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hi there,
123 james,
i am a business man, our core business is that or builders cleans within a 80 mile radius of cambridgeshire, our diary is out to december already and beyond. So the vans are out 5 days a week doing that.
the specialist work is nationwide, i dont exoect to get something for nothing, and therefore the relationships that oi have, have a financial benefit to all. I am not expecting 'people to get me jobs'
what makes me despair more than anything, is when cleaning companies turn work down. We are all business people, well i hope we are. and we all survive on sales.
therefore if an opportunity is offered to a business and they are not in the market to carry out the work, then i am more than happy to pay finders fees on successful bids, its only business!!!!!
regards
martin
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Those who can honestly turn work away because they're too busy wouldn't mind helping those who might need a little help occasionally. I never said it was for everyone but try not to put a negative slant on something that might help someone albeit it just once.
As a newbie, advertising costs to announce your arrival could be quite high and the response pretty poor. If by some strange circumstance you are party to some information that might help someone who is less fortunate, who then can put some food on the table is that such a bad thing?
I'm pretty new in this business but am fortunate to have had a pretty good summer after a poor start and I'm not afraid or too proud to do anything to pay the bills. Others might not be as articulate or confident when starting up but it doesn't mean they can't do the job, they just need a lucky break.
I wish you continual success and hope you can see what I'm trying to say.
Regards Paul
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I think it's a good idea to send work to us little fish when you big fish have taken on all you can. Surely as someone else said, It looks better if you unable to supply the service the client is looking for. To then pass on another companys details afterall you have still been helpful.
Not asking for the big fish to get us work but just merely pass on want you cannot do.
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I think that this is an excellent idea.
I think that the majority of people on this forum are probably a step above the standard cleaning company - by this I mean that they take the time & trouble to visit this forum and contribute, either by asking for or giving advice/information etc. For example, based on our local YP there are approx 100 cleaning companies in our patch, probably more but I have yet to "notice" any of the competition here. Maybe they are just keeping a low profile!
I have only been active on this forum for a few months but already there are a number of people who by their postings impress me and I would be glad to put work their way if the situation arose
I have updated my profile to indicate our geographical spread and I must really sort out our website to give more info on our services - domain name lying idle for nearly 12 months waiting for me to write the content!
Mick
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Hi Martin,
Didn't mean to offend, i probably could have worded my reply a bit better than i did.
Before i started the thread you were one of the people i was hoping would give some input, as you always seem willing to help any newbies with problems
Regards Arthur
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hi there,
no offence taken mate, and thank you for hoping for input from myself.
in all seriousness, we are looking at something in the future, where we will offer to partner people on a profeesional footing. We will show people how to win this bigger business, and how to achieve what they want to achieve.
there are several things in the melting pot at the present time, and clients would need ongoing "hand holding" cause once we have fully imparted our knowledge, methods, and ways, then they can repeat this over nad over to expand there business into whatever they want it to be.
i was just on the phone to a chap from preston this afternoon.
and bearing in mind that i did an overnight last night on a commercial kitchen contract, and then ended up on site at lunchtime today sorting a FLOOD job, then the phone rang and i gave this chap some instant advice.
as you said i am more than happy to help out, but i do think that we can do a lot more by offering a very useful service to cleaning companiers and businesses across the country and service spectrum.
regards
martin
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If any body has any work in the South Dorset like pubs, houses,holiday lets caravans. We clean carpets and can pressure wash decking in pubs, and houses PLEASE GIS A RING 07765164970 or Email through www.bournevalleyservices.co.uk
We will be pleased to help
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I think it's a good idea to send work to us little fish when you big fish have taken on all you can. Surely as someone else said, It looks better if you unable to supply the service the client is looking for. To then pass on another companys details afterall you have still been helpful.
Not asking for the big fish to get us work but just merely pass on want you cannot do.
why doesn't a little fish grow to be a bigger fish and eat that big fish you were talking about? Its not hard you just have to know how!#
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Well I do recommend people I know quite often. As an oven cleaning business we get enquiries to do general house cleans...not our thing! It works both ways as we get jobs from domestic cleaning companies. On that matter, anyone need help with a dirty oven in Cheltenham/Gloucester/Stroud/Tewkesbury/Cirencester areas....let me know.
Kelvin