Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Paul Beard on March 14, 2015, 07:07:32 pm

Title: pricing a job
Post by: Paul Beard on March 14, 2015, 07:07:32 pm
Hi guys.
Had a 5 bedroom detached house with double garage. The guy wanted all his gutters cleared out and wiped down, fascia boards and apexes  cleaned along with down pipes
Inside and out for windows. Plus internal doors.
You could see the house hasn't been looked at for a very long time.
I quoted for the complete job @£250
He looked a bit shocked when I told him.

I'm new to this business, and would like to advise on pricing.

I'm based in Gloucestershire

Many thanks.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: PoleKing on March 14, 2015, 07:08:53 pm
I'd've gone i  at day rate.
Sounds like a full day's work.
Price what you'd want for the day.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Clever Forum Name on March 14, 2015, 07:11:12 pm
TBH sounds like a good price.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Smudger on March 14, 2015, 07:16:56 pm
Prices vary from area to area and what you feel your worth is, pricing can be tricky in the early days because you haven't had the experience to know how long things will take.

My advice is never price cheap, once cheap you'll always be cheap and when you try to raise your prices customers will create merry hell.

Your job is a one off/bespoke clean and as such carry a premium over what you can make p/h on simple straightforward glass work.

You will always get people screw up a face, look shocked, gasp etc... But if it's a days work then you need to charge at least a days money if not more.  You will have others that simply snap your hand off its swings and roundabouts.

So in short if the job is 8 hrs work. 8 x hourly rate minimum.

Personally From the loose description your well under on price vs effort/time

Darran
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Paul Beard on March 14, 2015, 07:27:46 pm
Thanks for the comments guys.

This would be a good hard days work. 7/8 hours.

I currently work on £20 per hour.
 So thought a bit extra to compensate for my hard effort. Seems reasonable.

Currently using traditional methods of window cleaning. Most people around my area seem to prefer it.

Thanks again guys.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Clever Forum Name on March 14, 2015, 07:39:04 pm
In my head i had allowed 4/5 hours.

1-2 hours max for gutters.

1-2 hours max for windows.

1-2 hour for fascias.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Matt. on March 14, 2015, 07:56:26 pm
I would want the ladder footing while doing gutters and facials so double them 2 times
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Paul Beard on March 14, 2015, 08:07:36 pm
I don't have anyone footing my ladders. Could this be an issue long term.
I've seen ladder stops. But haven't invested in them yet.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: HampshireWindowCleaning on March 14, 2015, 08:19:54 pm
Price sounds ok to me mate, probably a days work so a days money. You didn't say if you got the job or not.
I think you need to start aiming for more than £20 an hour though.
You're running a business, after expenses you'll be on £15 an hour, not enough for a self emplyed businessman.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Dave Willis on March 14, 2015, 08:36:51 pm
Good price if you ask me. Minimal overheads too. Good luck.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Paul Beard on March 14, 2015, 08:37:40 pm
He couldn't afford it in one hit.

So will do inside windows/outside.
Clean insides of the gutters for £125.

I feel I've come up short on this. But will learn from it.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Oliver James on March 15, 2015, 07:06:32 am
Here is something I've just knocked up for internal cleaning. Hope it helps.


INTERNAL CLEANING ESTIMATE



Address: _____________________________

Estimated Price: _______________________



Please note:  Window Glass only - does NOT include frames or sills.

Includes 'outside-facing' glass only - does not include internal glass eg. internal doors, mirrors or internal fanlights.

We do not remove post-construction debris from glass (eg. paint and mortar) or clean the insides of velux-type windows.

Please remove all items from sills prior to work.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Walter Mitty on March 15, 2015, 11:47:17 am
From the description I would have thought a bit longer than a half day for a job like that but very hard work.  Seeing it might change my mind though.  Very hard to be sure without being there but I was thinking maybe in the £180 area for about 5 hours.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: slap bash on March 15, 2015, 12:24:08 pm
I think you price is right as its a lot of work with high spec.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Stoots on March 15, 2015, 12:36:52 pm
I would have been happy with 100 cash. But then I have never cleared gutters before so no idea on the work involved plus just starting out so even 100 quid is double what im used to earning employed

Pricing is individual to you circumstances and overheads and how busy you are or how much u need the money
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Smudger on March 15, 2015, 01:05:15 pm
I would have been happy with 100 cash. But then I have never cleared gutters before so no idea on the work involved plus just starting out so even 100 quid is double what im used to earning employed

Pricing is individual to you circumstances and overheads and how busy you are or how much u need the money

That,I'm afraid is wrong, when self employed your not going to get paid sick or 28 days holiday, then there's tax on the price (assuming you declare it) then add in running costs, equipment, advertising - when taking all that into account you are more likely to be earning less than paye

Darran
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: robbo333 on March 15, 2015, 02:03:32 pm
Sounds like your pricing is ok but perhaps you need to 'sell it' a bit more so the customer is not quite so shocked about the price.
That will come with experience.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: trippyboy on March 15, 2015, 02:22:23 pm
£250 is a great price for all that work , sounds like a whole days work for one person
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: SB Cleaning on March 15, 2015, 02:44:50 pm
Good price
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Stoots on March 15, 2015, 08:59:41 pm
I would have been happy with 100 cash. But then I have never cleared gutters before so no idea on the work involved plus just starting out so even 100 quid is double what im used to earning employed

Pricing is individual to you circumstances and overheads and how busy you are or how much u need the money

That,I'm afraid is wrong, when self employed your not going to get paid sick or 28 days holiday, then there's tax on the price (assuming you declare it) then add in running costs, equipment, advertising - when taking all that into account you are more likely to be earning less than paye

Darran


Completely agree when running a business full time, but if your struggling 100 is better than 0.
But i was mainly talking about myself im not full time self employed as of yet and until i get there 100 squid cash in back pocket is 6 months van tax paid for.


Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: paul ette on March 15, 2015, 09:04:16 pm
where in gloucestershire? u the guy thats been poaching my work ;D
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: dazmond on March 15, 2015, 09:15:28 pm
I did one similar a few months back for a mate.it took me 5 hours and i charge him £200.(sat 10am-3pm).I was happy with that.no need to be greedy.

Windows in and out.

F/s/g and glass roof.

Windows hadn't been cleaned for years.
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: Jim Waugh(Albright & Shiny) on March 16, 2015, 07:52:05 am
Anything that I think is going to take more than 5 hours is priced as at full day rate  cause quite frankly you are only going to do that one job on that day.. 
Title: Re: pricing a job
Post by: dazmond on March 16, 2015, 08:12:30 am
Anything that I think is going to take more than 5 hours is priced as at full day rate  cause quite frankly you are only going to do that one job on that day.. 

i agree.even after 5 hours cleaning add on jobs your not going to another job(well im not as ive had enough by then! ;D)