Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: lcwalker on March 17, 2012, 09:08:50 pm
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One of my customers got a leaflet which offed to do his windows for£6.50p,I charge him over £20 as it's a big bungalow with a big conservatory.The leaflet said they do it the traditional way and are fully insured,there is no way anyone in there right mind would do it for £6.50 also it stated they do the frames aswell as I do.The customer took it as the price is just to get you intersted and then put the quote up,but these sort of things make me look expensive.Also it's not worth me canvassing in that area any more as I can't match them sort of prices.
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Some of my customers got a similar offer £4 per semi....havent lost one yet, if you do a good job and are reliable, your customers will not be taken in by a cheap chancer
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It always makes me smile when folk come on here stating the "fact" that there's no way anybody could make money charging less than they do.
So what if he's charging £6.50 to your £20; maybe you ARE expensive, maybe he's cheap. If he's happy earning what he's earning so what??
I'm sure the guy who owns the pound shop chain had the same argument when he started out lol ;D
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People do not always want the cheapest.
They wanted quality, be able to trust you, etc etc
I am not the cheapest but I offer a very high level of service. (not saying cheaper wc's don't).
You win some you loose some. The most important thing is to get out there and meet the potential clients face to face. That also makes a big difference
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It always makes me smile when folk come on here stating the "fact" that there's no way anybody could make money charging less than they do.
So what if he's charging £6.50 to your £20; maybe you ARE expensive, maybe he's cheap. If he's happy earning what he's earning so what??
I'm sure the guy who owns the pound shop chain had the same argument when he started out lol ;D
It would take the quickest wc the best part of 2 hours to do this the trad way,do you honestly think that a fully insured wc,would be happy earning £3.25p/£4.00p per hour.
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Not really; I certainly wouldn't, but the world is full of strange people; perhaps his last job was in an Indian sweatshop, making trainers for Adidas for a pound a day. If so he must feel like a millionaire and considered quite flash by his old work mates ;)
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
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I'm sure the guy who owns the pound shop chain had the same argument when he started out lol ;D
[/quote]It would take the quickest wc the best part of 2 hours to do this the trad way,do you honestly think that a fully insured wc,would be happy earning £3.25p/£4.00p per hour.
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Now WFP, but even on trad, mansions did not take anywhere near 2 hours, as an example we do large 5 bedroom house, charge a tenner, do 3 or 4 an hour, and little chance of being undercut, with wfp , as of £20, allways risk of undercutting imo
idealrob
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£6.50 is good money to someone who hasn't got any.
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
He's still going strong Bobby. ;)
BVC.
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It always makes me smile when folk come on here stating the "fact" that there's no way anybody could make money charging less than they do.
So what if he's charging £6.50 to your £20; maybe you ARE expensive, maybe he's cheap. If he's happy earning what he's earning so what??
I'm sure the guy who owns the pound shop chain had the same argument when he started out lol ;D
It would take the quickest wc the best part of 2 hours to do this the trad way,do you honestly think that a fully insured wc,would be happy earning £3.25p/£4.00p per hour.
That is one big bungalow to take nearly 2 hours..............
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£10 FOR A 5 BEDROOM HOUSE IDEALROB?? ??? ??? ???
do you honestly charge that?or was you just making that up as an example?
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One of my customers got a leaflet which offed to do his windows for£6.50p,I charge him over £20 as it's a big bungalow with a big conservatory.The leaflet said they do it the traditional way and are fully insured,there is no way anyone in there right mind would do it for £6.50 also it stated they do the frames aswell as I do.The customer took it as the price is just to get you intersted and then put the quote up,but these sort of things make me look expensive.Also it's not worth me canvassing in that area any more as I can't match them sort of prices.
I had similar last year; I clean a property I charge £22 and the customer received a leaflet saying they'd do it for £7. The leaflet was terrible, it was obviously made by someone who was Polish (or Eastern European) - obviously someone who English wasn't their forte.
I didn't lose any in this area.
We've also had another guy, a mate of mine calls him "Mr 50 percent guy" who offered to clean houses WFP at a silly low price; again, I didn't lose any.
I wouldn't worry at all. Customers tend to prefer the devil they know, to the one they don't know, even if they are cheaper.
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Well I think perhaps we are 2 fussy with frames and sills but I do like to do a quality job,it takes me and my partner around 45/50 minutes,it does have a large conservatory,so I surpose 1 person could do it in 1hr 20/30 mins,but that's still poor money.When I got the job my quote was around the same as his previous wc who had gave up,so he was happy paying my price.I don't fear being dropped by him as I do gardening work for him to,buy my point is it make me look bad being so much more than this leaflet person.
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If it takes 2 of you 50 mins for £20, then YOUR too cheap and maybe that's why the other windy gave them up.
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you will always get people who will charge low to get work, and it will work for them.
Personally I don't do this, I think, I charge what the work is worth.
From the amount of new customers who I get and accept my prices then I think I am on the right payment level.
Do I lose any to these cheaper cleaners, well I have lost the odd new customer (those who have only had a couple of cleans) but I have not yet lost any of my regulars.
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If it takes 2 of you 50 mins for £20, then YOUR too cheap and maybe that's why the other windy gave them up.
It's actually £23 we charge,so I surpose working it out hourly each it isn't much.But he does give us some gardening work aswell,so I can't complain.Just wondering what on average does a wc aim to get per hour?.
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
He's still going strong Bobby. ;)
BVC.
is that you then? i once saw you looking at your daylist parked up by the co-op on Nacton road, must be over 2 yrs back-i was buying my dinner , iv not seen u since ! did u get a call about the Holiday Inn ?
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
he is still going I know him. he has a different non sign written van now thats all.
lol just seen BVC'S post he knows him very well ;)
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
he is still going I know him. he has a different non sign written van now thats all.
lol just seen BVC'S post he knows him very well ;)
dan ,did holiday inn ring u up. dyou know whose been doing it?they rang me for a price
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No Bobby they didnt. have you got to quote it or did you get offerd a price through a subby?
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No Bobby they didnt. have you got to quote it or did you get offerd a price through a subby?
i just put a price in off top of my head . its a 3monthly job,jus wondered whose been doing it so i could ask if theyre bad eggs so i could pullout if they tipped me the nod
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£10 FOR A 5 BEDROOM HOUSE IDEALROB?? ??? ??? ???
do you honestly charge that?or was you just making that up as an example?
yes some we do, my mothers is large 5 bedroom, 4 large windows in kitchen 8' x 4' each , 3 lounges, inc 5 patio windows, but windows upstairs are small, takes less than 15 minutes with backpack, so 4 an hour and you have got £40, my son is happy with £30 an hour, because of WFP, you are able to massivly undercut the trad guys, and make money, without being undercut yourself, its a business plan that works for us and him, and we are in business, a fact that some forget
idealrob
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yes some we do, my mothers is large 5 bedroom, 4 large windows in kitchen 8' x 4' each , 3 lounges, inc 5 patio windows, but windows upstairs are small, takes less than 15 minutes with backpack, so 4 an hour and you have got £40, my son is happy with £30 an hour, because of WFP, you are able to massivly undercut the trad guys, and make money, without being undercut yourself, its a business plan that works for us and him, and we are in business, a fact that some forget
idealrob
This is where alot go wrong, you should price taking in all problems.
What if you could not use wfp, for any reason(stolen, drought order banning it, RSI in shoulders or neck) you would be in trouble.
Doing a six floor building the wfp can't clean it properly and you have to hire a cherry picker or scaffold tower, you would be out of pocket.
It is very rare to get it that wrong and on domestic you could get away with it, but if you ever go for high and large commercial it could cost big time if you don't forsee a problem you could get.
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yes some we do, my mothers is large 5 bedroom, 4 large windows in kitchen 8' x 4' each , 3 lounges, inc 5 patio windows, but windows upstairs are small, takes less than 15 minutes with backpack, so 4 an hour and you have got £40, my son is happy with £30 an hour, because of WFP, you are able to massivly undercut the trad guys, and make money, without being undercut yourself, its a business plan that works for us and him, and we are in business, a fact that some forget
idealrob
This is where alot go wrong, you should price taking in all problems.
What if you could not use wfp, for any reason(stolen, drought order banning it, RSI in shoulders or neck) you would be in trouble.
we do price to taking in problems, thats why we are Teessides longest established window cleaners, been running over 55 years, as for van or system stolen,we have a few, never be a drought order here, as we have the uk largest man made reservoir, if get RSI, will take prozac, and if all else fails go back to trad, with a pole for upstairs windows, might only make £20 an hour, but will cope, or eploy more staff
Thanks for your advice & thoughts
idealrob
Doing a six floor building the wfp can't clean it properly and you have to hire a cherry picker or scaffold tower, you would be out of pocket.
It is very rare to get it that wrong and on domestic you could get away with it, but if you ever go for high and large commercial it could cost big time if you don't forsee a problem you could get.
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wwoodee just so you know mate, idealrob currently has one of the largest office window cleaning contracts in teesside. ;D
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£10 FOR A 5 BEDROOM HOUSE IDEALROB?? ??? ??? ???
do you honestly charge that?or was you just making that up as an example?
yes some we do, my mothers is large 5 bedroom, 4 large windows in kitchen 8' x 4' each , 3 lounges, inc 5 patio windows, but windows upstairs are small, takes less than 15 minutes with backpack, so 4 an hour and you have got £40, my son is happy with £30 an hour, because of WFP, you are able to massivly undercut the trad guys, and make money, without being undercut yourself, its a business plan that works for us and him, and we are in business, a fact that some forget
idealrob
I have no problem with that. I'm out to make money, any which way. Once its in my pocket it all looks the same. Principles? I can't afford the luxury.
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
He's still going strong Bobby. ;)
BVC.
is that you then? i once saw you looking at your daylist parked up by the co-op on Nacton road, must be over 2 yrs back-i was buying my dinner , iv not seen u since ! did u get a call about the Holiday Inn ?
I try to keep my head down, as it caused a bit of a stink at the time. Couple of wc's thought they knew Kung Fu and a few dents put in the van that werent there before. Got a tidy little round out of it though. :) Don't really do commercial, Just enjoy smashing the fiver houses all day.
What van you got mate? ill give you a toot.
BVC.
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maybe im doing it all wrong but imo it dont matter if its 2 bed or 10 bed my price is per window iv got some 4 beds that are easier than some 3 beds with them not having bay windows and no side windows etc,and they are from £7 each,and people seem to charge more for a detached house than a semi but alot of my estate ones have same amount of windows not all but some do so same price
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a wfp guy put out 1000s of leaflets in town saying its 5 quid a house any size . this was about 2 yrs ago and he has a flashy tranny van and big ladders too-strange iv not once seen him cleaning Anywhere ,only seen it driving on the main roads-what thats about i dunno
He's still going strong Bobby. ;)
BVC.
is that you then? i once saw you looking at your daylist parked up by the co-op on Nacton road, must be over 2 yrs back-i was buying my dinner , iv not seen u since ! did u get a call about the Holiday Inn ?
I try to keep my head down, as it caused a bit of a stink at the time. Couple of wc's thought they knew Kung Fu and a few dents put in the van that werent there before. Got a tidy little round out of it though. :) Don't really do commercial, Just enjoy smashing the fiver houses all day.
What van you got mate? ill give you a toot.
BVC.
who did it annoy ,what colour vans????? i mostly work on the council estates ,havnt ever seen your tranny there . i drive a navy partner , old" T " reggy
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The worst one had a blue berlingo multispace and chrome signwritting.
Had bacon and egg all round his chops. ;D
bvc.
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The worst one had a blue berlingo multispace and chrome signwritting.
Had bacon and egg all round his chops. ;D
bvc.
;D
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If they done it in my area I would make a leaflet saying " WE re clean half done £ 6.50 window cleaning"
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If they done it in my area I would make a leaflet saying " WE re clean half done £ 6.50 window cleaning"
what for £13 ?
The story i heard that was better, from USA, and a local hairdresses/barbers , had a good business, and a major chain opened over the road, with adverts for everything for $10, and business slumped, he phone the best marketing guru i ever got to meet, Stan Golomb, and he said get a big banner made that says
"WE FIX $10 HAIRCUTS"
business got back to good
But seriously, just becuse its cheap, doesnt mean its rubbish
Idealrob
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It sounds very familiar to a guy that operates near me.
His leaflet reads 'FROM £6.50' and the small print says full price given once they've seen the whole house.
He subs out all the work, can't get guys to stay with him and has a terrible standard of cleaning.
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One of my customers got a leaflet which offed to do his windows for£6.50p,I charge him over £20 as it's a big bungalow with a big conservatory.The leaflet said they do it the traditional way and are fully insured,there is no way anyone in there right mind would do it for £6.50 also it stated they do the frames aswell as I do.The customer took it as the price is just to get you intersted and then put the quote up,but these sort of things make me look expensive.Also it's not worth me canvassing in that area any more as I can't match them sort of prices.
The window cleaner wouldnt be charging 6.50 for the bungalow that you clean for 20.00. The price on his leaflet will be a leader price and he will up sell once he sees the conserv etc and meet your customer. But having said that, his up selling might just bring him under your price a bit.
Its a standard marketing strategy.
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[/quote]It would take the quickest wc the best part of 2 hours to do this the trad way,do you honestly think that a fully insured wc,would be happy earning £3.25p/£4.00p per hour.
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why you keep going and going about that FULLY INSURED
Liability only cost £20 - £30 a month, even charging £5 a house you can make it in half day.
So even with his price he can be FULLY INSURED as well as you are.