Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Herve garrot on March 13, 2014, 12:47:05 pm
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hi I would really appreciate any advice. In January I was given a commercial job : cleaning a bloc of flat 3 times a year for £90 each time . I was asked write a letter to say I would clean the windows 3 times a year for £90 each time . now after the first clean and having to ask for the money. I just got that e mail: I've sent you a cheque today of £90 for the window cleaning done on the 2 nd February. Please note the leaseholders don ' t find it necessary for the windows to be cleaned and therefore please don't carry out window cleaning in the future at this property. Yours sincerely. NOW DO THEY HAVE TO PAY ME for the next 2 clean even though they don't want my services any more ??? What can I do? any help really appreciated. thanks
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I will add that they reckon the job was carried out properly.
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Absolutely no. Why would they pay you for no work?
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what about breach of contract?
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Had they agreed £270 for 3 cleans in a year maybe you'd have a case. They didn't, they agreed £90 per time - which is what they paid you.
It is a bit rubbish but I reckon you'll just have to live and learn - price with the chance of it being a 1off in mind.
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Had they agreed £270 for 3 cleans in a year maybe you'd have a case. They didn't, they agreed £90 per time - which is what they paid you.
It is a bit rubbish but I reckon you'll just have to live and learn.
+1. Was just about to write almost exactly the same
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If you have not had a contract drawn up and had them sign it there is nothing you can do.
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what about e mails asking me to confirm in writing that I'll clean windows 3 times a year? does this count as a proof ?
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Unless u had them sign a contract then nope
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I disagree with earlier posters. You don't have to have a signed contract to form a contract.
If I say to you "I'll clean your windows for £20" and you say "OK" then if I go ahead and clean in the reasonable belief that you wanted me to then we have formed a contract and you must pay. It applies whether done verbally, in sign language, by jungle drums, written in blood or by email.
However, it doesn't sound like you have said "We'll do three cleans and on the basis that we will clean three times, we have priced at £90 per clean". Neither have you said "We'll clean your windows every four months for £90 per clean and you must give us eight month's notice if you wish to cancel". Nor have you said "We'll clean three times for £270". If you've said any of those, it's a different matter (but may not change your best course of action).
So, in the absence of those, you would have a great deal of trouble getting a court to agree that they were in breach of whatever contract you did form when you carried out the clean.
I'd suggest that you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and walk away a little wiser. It's not worth trying to enforce IMO, however correct or aggrieved you may feel. Spend the time you would have spent chasing this up in finding a better customer. And make sure you tell every windy in town who the management company are so there is a consequence for them; if they find it harder to recruit a cleaner they may think twice about shafting them.
Vin
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what about e mails asking me to confirm in writing that I'll clean windows 3 times a year? does this count as a proof ?
I kinda see something with this, wouldn't hurt to mention they wanted it confirming you would clean 3 times a year?
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thanks vin . What you say makes a lot of sense. it's just that it really got to me as regardless of my work I would have still carried out that work based on that written agreement ( 3 times a year over a one year period) . being told after the first clean by email that the leaseholders had changed their mind and is was no longer needed was a bit hurtful lol
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thanks vin . What you say makes a lot of sense. it's just that it really got to me as regardless of my work I would have still carried out that work based on that written agreement ( 3 times a year over a one year period) . being told after the first clean by email that the leaseholders had changed their mind and is was no longer needed was a bit hurtful lol
Might be a bit hurtful but it's business & their absolute right to do so given the circumstances.
That's commercial work for you! :)
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You don't want to work for people like this anyways ... You're best rid ..
Sounds like they've had you over and maybe really just wanted a one off and teased you in with the 3 x yearly
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Doesn't look like the business have done anything improper here, they have paid for the work they have had done, it's their choice if they want to cancel, there is no contract. I don't think childish behaviour such as telling all the other window cleaners not to touch them is going to make you feel better as if anyone would take any notice.
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What you should have done is charge them £150 for the first clean. You can't blame them for pulling a fast one as window cleaners we should charge accordingly, first time cleans must be charged accordingly to cover yourself.
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so what was the point of asking me to put into writing and signing that I would do it 3 times a year ?
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having said that pro poler you're absolutely right I should have been more careful and get a contract signed! the price wasn t that bad but I suppose it could have been higher
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At once every 4 months, I would regard that as a one-off each time, and charge accordingly.
As it is it's only £5.63 per week, or £22.50 per month, about the same as a 4-5 bed house - hardly worth getting your twickers in a knist.
Even if you'd had a contract, what's the likelihood of you going down the court route?
As plenty before me have said, spend the time replacing with two more :)
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I went canvassing today didn't get a singles job unless I get calls from leaflets which were posted through the doors of the not in ones later, think I put some off by telling them it's double for a first clean which made the quotes £40, don't care I'm not being stung some of these jobs would have used 50 litres of water and judging by the state of them, there was a good chance of some no repeat work.
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Wonder what happened to the last window cleaner? ;)
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how much do you charge for (an average size )conservatory
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My first time cleans are treated as one off cleans reason being: That's often how they turn out same quote, put yourself in the customers position, if they had minging windows they weren't too particular about having a window cleaner before you came along, so when you've cleaned those mingers, opportunists are bound to cancel so quote new cleans as one offs. The way I look at it is, look at the amount of money they have saved by not having a window cleaner while these windows were accummulating filth.
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mmmmm thats the nature of the commercial beast.
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I would take a chance and send them a bill for the outstanding two cleans as agreed on e mail and attach a copy. If you never get paid, it will give them something to think about. To many looser attitudes and so we must turn the other cheek for another smack for your fellow windies. NO have a cheek and ash for payment.
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so what was the point of asking me to put into writing and signing that I would do it 3 times a year ?
You have a contract with them. They don't have one with you.
Seems quite a normal commercial arrangement for a one or two man business.
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so what would have happened if I had come back on my words ?
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so what would have happened if I had come back on my words ?
They would have found a new cleaner.
Vin
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Alarm bells should ring if the windows are black, lesson to charge double first time to at least cover your time. I never clean any black windows without doubling the price at least on condition it's regular or else walk away from it as the chances are you'll get stiffed for a one off
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wise advice! I take note
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so what would have happened if I had come back on my words ?
A lot of companies just want something in writing. Usually it's just to show someone further up the managerial food chain.
As already posted, if you then didn't turn up, they'd either not bother or find someone else.
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I would take a chance and send them a bill for the outstanding two cleans as agreed on e mail and attach a copy. If you never get paid, it will give them something to think about. To many looser attitudes and so we must turn the other cheek for another smack for your fellow windies. NO have a cheek and ash for payment.
I like this.
Not sure it'd work, but I like it.
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I would take a chance and send them a bill for the outstanding two cleans as agreed on e mail and attach a copy. If you never get paid, it will give them something to think about. To many looser attitudes and so we must turn the other cheek for another smack for your fellow windies. NO have a cheek and ash for payment.
I like this.
Not sure it'd work, but I like it.
I don't think it'd work either but for the cost of a stamp, it has to worth giving it a bash.
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Just forget it and move on.
Not worth loosing sleep over.
How long have you been window cleaning?
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Herve
Although you dealt with a management company/committee there are all those tenants in the flats paying their monthly service fees.
It only takes a couple of weirdos who object to having theirs done to stop it for everyone. Especially if its a tenants only management set up.You cannot legislate or deal with that
It is what it is.
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Herve
Although you dealt with a management company/committee there are all those tenants in the flats paying their monthly service fees.
It only takes a couple of weirdos who object to having theirs done to stop it for everyone. Especially if its a tenants only management set up.You cannot legislate or deal with that
It is what it is.
Yeah, there is always one old dear moaning about having her windows all wetted. Just takes two or three and that's it.
On a second note, if you are relatively new to this game (less than 3 years) expect this to happen again with commercial jobs they are an absolutle pain in the backside. I been doing this for 11 years now, and I am by no means the most expericnced, and I can tell you now, you need to forget these jobs, and move on getting customers that value your service. You need thick skin in this trade.
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All commercial get charged up front always charge 150% and treat as a one off in the hope they continue its a 50% Redction if they say no up front clean a front and have a peaceful life that's how I do it
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well, I've been a window cleaner for just 9 months and have 140 customers so far . I suppose I might have been a bit naive on that commercial deal. I'm from the old school and I believe in a gentleman agreement! that's probably why when they renaged on that agreement it really got to me! having said that judging by all those very helpful replies I got it seems common practice in commercial jobs! well, I have to put it down to inexperience and move on
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I've got one tomorrow it hasn't been cleaned since the block was converted into flats in 2010. They are going to discuss the clean next month at their next meeting. I've no doubt it's a one off. i just priced it up for the amount I'd like to earn for half a days work. If i get it regular at that price i'll be quids in. if I don't get it then I'm not bothered.
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won't be taken for a ride lol
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well, I've been a window cleaner for just 9 months and have 140 customers so far . I suppose I might have been a bit naive on that commercial deal. I'm from the old school and I believe in a gentleman agreement! that's probably why when they renaged on that agreement it really got to me! having said that judging by all those very helpful replies I got it seems common practice in commercial jobs! well, I have to put it down to inexperience and move on
Gentleman’s agreement? I wish it was like that. Work would be a lot simpler and easier.
Yeah, we live and learn.
The only time I count my chickens is when the cheque has cleared or the money is in my hand.
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I've got Domestic jobs where the price was agreed before the clean and they've never paid!!
Got one cow now who had the nerve to text what a wonderful job I'd done in January and now won't pay.
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might be time to put your foot down lol
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the price provided if stated 3 cleans per year at a set rate allows you 3 cleans at that price but this must be confirmed in writing. email confirmation covers you in court.
By law you have formed a legal agreement and in doing so you could reply with a stern reminder of this.
They may bow down.
I did this with a major hotel chain who thought it would be okay to get a just 1 clean and cancel when a 3 clean minimum was agreed before starting.
They paid me and I did the cleans.
Fair is fair.
They are in breech if they confirmed.
Good luck