Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Rich Wilts on July 13, 2015, 10:53:26 pm
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The following conversation has taken place over an 11 day period. Im going to start charging her soon for admin time.
Hi
You have been to our property on a couple of occasions to clean windows and do guttering. Please could you therefore provide your best quote to clean all windows (actual window, frame & cill) and clean out guttering. We have approximately 13 windows (including the back door panes).
The address (if you dont have previous on record) is:-
1 The Village
Thanks in advance
Rachael
Hello Mrs Metcalfe,
Many thanks for your enquiry. To provide the cleaning services you have detailed the cost would be £165.00.
If you would like us to proceed with the works please can you confirm A.S.A.P. - so we can schedule this into our works diary.
Kind regards
Matt Bateman | Manager |
TEL: 01256 782060 | M: 07944 431670 |
22, Hill Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, HANTS.
http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk/
Hi
Is this the best quote? When you did this work for us previously the cost was considerably cheaper at £125.
Thanks
Rachael
Hello Mrs Mercalfe, thank you for our reply. I got the impression from your enquiry that you wanted a particularly thorough window clean, as you referred to frames and cills. Your frames being sash require a lot more time to clean than regular frames.
Kind regard
Matt (Oakley Window Cleaning)
Hi
The previous job included all of the required including cills
Kind regards
Dear Mrs Metcalfe,
Thankyou for your reply.
It has been necessary over the last few months to review our pricing structure. With this in mind we have had to implement a price increase, particularly if we are not working within the locality. Visiting your property would entail a 45 minute round trip.
We would be more than happy to accommodate your cleaning needs, however, our initial price of £165.00 is the best we are able to offer.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Matt Bateman | Manager |
TEL: 01256 782060 | M: 07944 431670 |
22, Hill Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, HANTS.
http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk/
Hi
Are you in the area at any point in July which could then potentially reduce the price? Your card was dropped through our door hence the assumption that you covered this area so apologies.
Thanks
Rachael
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Mrs Metcalfe,
We would be more than happy to accommodate your cleaning needs, however, our initial price of £165.00 is the best we are able to offer.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Matt Bateman | Manager |
TEL: 01256 782060 | M: 07944 431670 |
22, Hill Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, HANTS.
http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk/
Dear Mr Bateman,
Are you therefore not able to combine this job with another one in the local area and offer even a slight reduction given there would not be a need for an additional journey?
For the max £165 quoted currently (+30% to 2014 quote), I assume you would offer all of the services detailed in the attached?
Thanks
Dear Mrs Metcalf, thank you for your reply. The best price we are able to offer you is £165. For this price we will clear out of any trash all of your gutters clean all of your windows all of your window frames and all of the window sills.
To clarify the situation, when we cleaned your property previously and you were charged £125, I remember thinking at the time that the price was somewhat lower than it should have been. However, I felt that it was only appropriate that we honoured that price, but that is why the charge on this occasion is higher than it was on the previous occasion in addition to what I have already detailed.
I do not mind having charged you less than what is the going rate for the work we did previously but I am trying to run a business and cannot continue to undercharge any of my customers and remain solvent.
I hope you understand. As stated we would be more than happy to carry out the works as described for the price of £165 including VAT.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regard
Matt (Oakley Window Cleaning)
Hi
As per previous invoice sent, we would want all of the following done for the £165:-
Internal gutter clearance of any debris, leaves moss etc as well as dismantling of all
swan-necks for inspection and clearance where necessary to ensure gutters operate
as intended.
External window, frame and cill clean.
If the above is confirmed as included in the £165, then we will go ahead with you. Please confirm availability for Friday 24th july, friday 31st july or Friday 7th August - july dates better for us.
Thanks
Dear Mrs Metcalfe,
Thankyou for your e-mail. We will carry out all the cleaning works as detailed in our original quotation, dated 11-03-2014, the charge being £165.00.
We are unlikely to be available for any Friday in the foreseeable future as we are committed that day to a regular and long standing commercial cleaning contract.
However, you do not have to be at the property. Once cleaned and inspected we can detail any outstanding gutter joins and seal issues you may have via e-mail and invoice you in a similar manner. We would hope to come along one Thursday, either this week coming (16-07-2015) or next week (23-07-2015).
Kind regards
Matt Bateman | Manager |
TEL: 01256 782060 | M: 07944 431670 |
22, Hill Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, HANTS.
http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk/
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look on the positive side .................... ur not Mr Metcalfe :)
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Got to love em
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look on the positive side .................... ur not Mr Metcalfe :)
It's a cracker!
;D
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I wouldn't have bothered to reply after the 2nd or 3rd email from her... She sounds more hassle than it's worth.
Andy
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I would have to agree as sounds like the woman is a right pain in the arse to me.
I wouldn't have bothered to reply after the 2nd or 3rd email from her... She sounds more hassle than it's worth.
Andy
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I quite like her actually. She makes reasonable but refutable requests. It sounds like a one-off/occasional clean situation so she wouldn't get the loyalty discounts of a regular customer that I might give.
As Matt has done this one before he knows what he is dealing with so I guess payment and the like won't be an issue. Well done to him for dealing with her professionally but sticking to his guns.
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Thanks Granville. There's a real satisfaction gained when you dont rise to their insistence.
Anyway, an update . . . . .
Hi
We will go ahead then with Thursday 16th July as I would like to be at the property when the work is done to ensure we are happy.
What will you estimated arrival time be?
Thanks
Dear Mrs Metcalfe,
Many thanks for your email. We would hope to be with you early to mid afternoon.
Kind regards
Matt Bateman | Manager |
TEL: 01256 782060 | M: 07944 431670 |
22, Hill Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, HANTS.
http://www.oakleywindowcleaning.co.uk/
An opportunity to look her in the eye and see if she swerves from embarrassment.
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Totally agree with Granville the situation was handled very professionally by QL and there is nothing wrong with a customer
trying to save a few quid if done in a sensible manor.
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This has more problems written all over it as she wants to be in at the time "to make sure they are happy"...
Let us know how it goes.
Andy :)
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You're right it does. Im a bit determined now though, I like a challenge. She'll get a good job but if she starts pushing the limits she'll have to renegotiate.
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You're right it does. Im a bit determined now though, I like a challenge. She'll get a good job but if she starts pushing the limits she'll have to renegotiate.
Problem is that she will have the upper hand until you are paid. Personally, I wouldn't do it after she insisted she was in to get her money's worth. Mind you, she may be less of an ass face to face. I see why you'd want to do it. It might be fun. ;D
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Yeah, thats it really. Im not well sometimes ;)
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Do you use a gutter vac for clearing or do it off ladders?
Tom
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..... and take before and after pictures on your mobile as you go. Saves drama down the line.
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Do you use a gutter vac for clearing or do it off ladders?
Tom
We'll do it off ladders and take pictures as we go.
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You should sell tickets to us CIU members for us to come and watch while you carry out the clean and negotiate with her... I would buy one.
;)
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gopro camera please Matt :)
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I shall do my best. Thursday afternoon. ;D
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She's going to time you - good luck.
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I don't doubt it.
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Where's the update? Has Matt bumped her off and is burying her under the flowerbed?
Enquiring minds want to know,
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Hold your horses Gold, Thursday is D day.
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Well.... Matt will now be sweating his nuts off, and having his ear bent by the demanding trollop..
thought I would bump this up, so he can find it without too much trouble when he is back and battle weary,,, ;D ;D
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He'll probably be too worn out to update us today... We will probably have to wait until tomorrow.
Andy ;)
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the bugger deserves all he gets..
Should have listened to the title of this........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg2np37JNEg
;D ;D
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All done. ;D
Took two hours from leaving the house to getting back.
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1437058799_2canvas.png)
Before
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1437058816_canvas.png)
After
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1437058831_1canvas.png)
I videoed any conversation we had with a discreetly placed iPhone ;D
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No wonder she gave you a hard time on the price...
100 squid an hour maybe she was thinking and was not far off ;D
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Gutter vac and you would have beed done and home within the hour on that one :)
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the outside gutters and fascias look rotten.did she not want them cleaning as well?
1 hour and 15 mins work for £165 then 45 mins altogether (there and back driving time?)
i think you need to change your name to dick turpin matt! ;D
did you wear a mask as well when on the job? ;D
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the outside gutters and fascias look rotten.did she not want them cleaning as well?
1 hour and 15 mins work for £165 then 45 mins altogether (there and back driving time?)
i think you need to change your name to dick turpin matt! ;D
did you wear a mask as well when on the job? ;D
Im a salesman Daz, it pays for my 9* hotel holidays ;D
Actually thats less than you earn Daz. Thats 4 man hours, plus travelling, it equates to £40.00 an hour. Whats the big deal?
She didnt want the outside doing, never mind, thee's always next time. ;)
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there's an alien flying out of the mother ship in your first pic ;D
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;D
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I've got a bigger house due and the price last time was around £120 ???
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I can negotiate a higher fee for you, but I'll have to charge 33% commission ;)
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the outside gutters and fascias look rotten.did she not want them cleaning as well?
1 hour and 15 mins work for £165 then 45 mins altogether (there and back driving time?)
i think you need to change your name to dick turpin matt! ;D
did you wear a mask as well when on the job? ;D
Im a salesman Daz, it pays for my 9* hotel holidays ;D
Actually thats less than you earn Daz. Thats 4 man hours, plus travelling, it equates to £40.00 an hour. Whats the big deal?
She didnt want the outside doing, never mind, thee's always next time. ;)
ah didnt realise there was 2 of you.
theres some idiot in the first pic up a ladder! ::)roll ;D
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Someone took the picture Daz ;)
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Did you have waterproofs with you? That is one dark cloud in the first photo!
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Thats my finger tip ;D
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Thats my finger tip ;D
Really ;D
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How was the ladder being supported on the fascia?
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By the looks of the angle of the ladder in the pic the top of the ladder was on the wall methinks.
That seems a very hard and doddgy way to do things to me compared to the ladder system I prefer to use.
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How was the ladder being supported on the fascia?
It wasnt on the fascia.
By the looks of the angle of the ladder in the pic the top of the ladder was on the wall methinks.
That seems a very hard and doddgy way to do things to me....
It wasn't on the wall either.
We use a stand-off every single time we take off the van. On this occassion the stand-off was on the roof tiles, ensuring far superior access to the gutters and a far safer manner within which to carry out work at height.
I would've thought you would have worked that out from the gutter images, especially as you use a similiar system (apparently ;) )
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So don't tell me the chap taking the pic should be footing the ladder then but just buggered off as they do ;D
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*YAWN*
Nothing illegal in that.
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*YAWN*
Nothing illegal in that.
;D ;D ;D ;D
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To be honest the ladder looks at a dodgy angle. One slip of the feet and specky is a gonna :-\
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You'll be at a dodgy angle if you don't shut up you old fart ;D
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;D
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You'll be at a dodgy angle if you don't shut up you old fart ;D
:-X
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Ladder is digging a nice hole in the lawn anyhow. No chance of a slip there
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Hello Mrs Mercalfe, thank you for our reply. I got the impression from your enquiry that you wanted a particularly thorough window clean, as you referred to frames and cills. Your frames being sash require a lot more time to clean than regular frames.
Don't think they're sash, I think you did the wrong house!
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I can negotiate a higher fee for you, but I'll have to charge 33% commission ;)
I've sent a quote at £145 (discounted) with window cleaning free of charge. Pricing gutters slightly different now due to elf n safety.
Problem is I've only got tomorrow or five weeks down the line available!
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Hello Mrs Mercalfe, thank you for our reply. I got the impression from your enquiry that you wanted a particularly thorough window clean, as you referred to frames and cills. Your frames being sash require a lot more time to clean than regular frames.
Don't think they're sash, I think you did the wrong house!
No, you're right. For some reason I remembered them as being sash. The last time we'd done them was March last year, so the brain cells were struggling to recall the place. Anyway, we were pleasantly surprised to see they wern't when we turned up but thought it strange that she hadn't picked up on that. I would've reduced the price if she had.
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If I ever speak to someone about a quote or someone calls me up with that attitude I would just say sorry I haven't got the time to do it,how it starts is how it finishes usually badly. I would end up resenting doing it for her, my approach is its not the time it takes but the end result. I've had a few over the years like that but I can honestly say I don't now,the only thing like that I'll tollorate is going on the day that suits sometimes and that has to fit in with me also,cleaning on certain days and times would only be on £50 + jobs and when on the area. That is the kind of job you would take on if desperate for the work.
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You wanna bet... not only they can still slip backwards but the ladder can dig in unven and twist too whilst yer up the top working. So now you have survived that bit but now there is mud on the ladder feet so now try it on a slippery hard surface and see what happen next.... I know I've tried Ooops! ;D
Regarding a microlite standoff for resting on roof tiles it's a great bit of kit to use but still won't stop the bottom of the ladder slipping/twisting.
I just don't get why some ppl just take chances when there is kit available that can make roofline work so much easier and safer to do but each too their own I guess.
For only 95 squid you can work on your own safely on all types of surfaces by having an ankalad stabiliser fitted to the ladder and deployed properly which is a no brainer if you ask me. ::)roll
Ladder is digging a nice hole in the lawn anyhow. No chance of a slip there
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Smurf, it was meant with sarcasm ::)roll
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oh I see ;D
Lance how are you getting on with your 2 new guttervacs ?
Smurf, it was meant with sarcasm ::)roll
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Not received them yet. I was told around weds this week. They ran out of pole sections, they've been in such high demand.
Can't wait now though. Getting lots of add ons at the minute.
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Nice one Lance...well you did order quite a few pole sections yourself.
If I remember correctly works out about 17 sections so I would imagine that was quite a big order for grippatank in one hit.
Gardiner-lite guttervac sections are rated very highly by some so let us know how you get on with them
Not received them yet. I was told around weds this week. They ran out of pole sections, they've been in such high demand.
Can't wait now though. Getting lots of add ons at the minute.