Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 08:54:41 am

Title: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 08:54:41 am
My new neighbour asked me to clean his windows.

A few months before hints were dropped.
He's the landlord and moved into now.

Tenants beforehand never had the windows cleaned.

So last clean was may 2012 I know I did it.

Cleaned them yesterday I thought that looked great, no not as good as new  using ladders and upvc restoration with the spirit clean.

But wfp backpack virosol.

Got paid yesterday evening did cheaper than I should £10

Back to back house so front windows plus 2 side as he's end of block.

Neighbour basically moaned about window cills in a polite roundabout way as pointed out marks

Told him its a clean not restoration.

Had a bad feeling about this guy, shame I live next door.

Gonna give him his money back, cowardly of course, polite note, envelope, letterbox.

What annoys me is I did say they come up about 90-95% especially as they hadn't been done fir years.

Even said should charge £30 but as neighbour £10

He's a black cab driver also.
All the signs were there😁

Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: 8weekly on April 20, 2017, 08:58:58 am
Don't do neighbour's windows. Simple!
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 09:08:06 am
Your right 8 weekly

But he kept asking me.

Feels cold saying I don't work for friends, family or neighbours.

Maybe I'll just wear a t-shirt saying that😁

What do you say 8 weekly, I'd love to but can't fit anymore in?
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lal on April 20, 2017, 09:13:24 am
My new neighbour asked me to clean his windows.

A few months before hints were dropped.
He's the landlord and moved into now.

Tenants beforehand never had the windows cleaned.

So last clean was may 2012 I know I did it.

Cleaned them yesterday I thought that looked great, no not as good as new  using ladders and upvc restoration with the spirit clean.

But wfp backpack virosol.

Got paid yesterday evening did cheaper than I should £10

Back to back house so front windows plus 2 side as he's end of block.

Neighbour basically moaned about window cills in a polite roundabout way as pointed out marks

Told him its a clean not restoration.

Had a bad feeling about this guy, shame I live next door.

Gonna give him his money back, cowardly of course, polite note, envelope, letterbox.

What annoys me is I did say they come up about 90-95% especially as they hadn't been done fir years.

Even said should charge £30 but as neighbour £10

He's a black cab driver also.
All the signs were there😁


 Lee this is your business not a charity, do not give him the money back, in future charge the full
 price to any of your neighbours, you've tried to be decent with this neighbour getting his windows
 to a decent standard and only charging him 10 quid, and he's moaning, you did explain its not a restoration job, at the end of the day he neglected the windows for nearly 5 years,  one word Tosser
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: AuRavelling79 on April 20, 2017, 09:15:18 am
If I feel "obligated" - it's happened three times in twenty years - relatives and a neighbour, I don't ask them to go regular and just say call me when you need me and I'll fit it in.

One I did for free as he helped me take a load of cack to the tip with his trailer, the others I just did about once a year at double my normal price on a quiet day.

I don't take them on regularly.


Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: AuRavelling79 on April 20, 2017, 09:17:47 am
I just noticed Lal's answer.

Spot on.

If he asks you again just say "well you weren't happy last time so I'll pass on that" and if he tries to insist just say "sorry, I don't feel able to manage your expectations".
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Marc Stock on April 20, 2017, 09:37:25 am
My new neighbour asked me to clean his windows.

A few months before hints were dropped.
He's the landlord and moved into now.

Tenants beforehand never had the windows cleaned.

So last clean was may 2012 I know I did it.

Cleaned them yesterday I thought that looked great, no not as good as new  using ladders and upvc restoration with the spirit clean.

But wfp backpack virosol.

Got paid yesterday evening did cheaper than I should £10

Back to back house so front windows plus 2 side as he's end of block.

Neighbour basically moaned about window cills in a polite roundabout way as pointed out marks

Told him its a clean not restoration.

Had a bad feeling about this guy, shame I live next door.

Gonna give him his money back, cowardly of course, polite note, envelope, letterbox.

What annoys me is I did say they come up about 90-95% especially as they hadn't been done fir years.

Even said should charge £30 but as neighbour £10

He's a black cab driver also.
All the signs were there😁

1. Never do mates rates. The fact  you did it for £10 you have already undervalued the job. Subconsciously you probably didnt do as thorough as a job as you could have. Can you really put your hand on your heart and say that you scrubbed and scrubbed, reallly gave them the best clean you ever could?

2. Manage customers expectations. He doesnt care that they were really really bad, or handnt been done for a long time. In his head he has an image of what he is expecting, sparkly clean windows with lovley white frames. You didnt manage his expectations properly and explain that it might take quite a few cleans and quite a bit of elbow grease to get any kind of marked improvement that he is expecting.

3. Dont give him his money back. Clean them again free of charge and take the hit and learn from it.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 09:48:09 am
Thanks Guys.

I will refund I just want closure, want rid, if it cost me a tenner then so be it.

Marc on my daughters life I did a good job, more so because the customers next door.
I'm usually my worst critic.

This guys annoyed me.
13 yrs odd window cleaning and a handful of complaints.

I agree Marc maybe I should have stressed more about taking a few cleans.

But I know this guy won't be happy until I'm up the ladder with the cif.

I'd rather lose £10 now than running the risk of having a potential argument.
He is my neighbour.

Rather he do someone else's head in ;D
Thanks for all your views lal rest assured I don't do refunds often think this is my second one ever.

Granville that's a good idea fitting people in in odd occasion when you feel like you up against a wall😁
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Marc Stock on April 20, 2017, 10:00:55 am
Fairy muff.

Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 10:13:20 am
Marc did you use biological washing liquid, aerial on upvc with good results?

If so did you just add to pure in back pack.
Thanks.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 10:16:33 am
I've been ladderless 12-13 years now.

Thinking about customer-less business.
Any ideas anyone?

Its a shame as its only 2-3% off people that are a pain but they always pop up on the same day/week😁😁
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: chris turner on April 20, 2017, 10:30:52 am
Marc did you use biological washing liquid, aerial on upvc with good results?

If so did you just add to pure in back pack.
Thanks.

Never tried this. Would be interested to hear from anyone that has.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Dry Clean on April 20, 2017, 10:31:18 am
Your right 8 weekly

But he kept asking me.

Feels cold saying I don't work for friends, family or neighbours.

Maybe I'll just wear a t-shirt saying that😁

What do you say 8 weekly, I'd love to but can't fit anymore in?

Just be straight with them, I don't clean on my doorstep because you might not like what I offer and I might not like
that you don't like what I offer, it makes for an easier life, obviously use your own words.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Marc Stock on April 20, 2017, 01:47:00 pm
Been using Bio washing powder for years. It's cheap, does an amazing job and cleans your brush too.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Smurf on April 20, 2017, 04:22:00 pm
There is a great way to avoid doing work you don't want and that is to quote for a one-off clean. That's  even if you think it's going to be a first clean. This will defo sort out the wasters who are really after just a one-off and expect you to work yer arse off for the likes of a tenner. My minimum rate now on one-off cleans is £65 without any plastic restoration included.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: robbo333 on April 20, 2017, 04:37:58 pm
I don't clean for neighbours, friends or family, full stop!
I may do the odd one for family but then I do it for free.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 04:40:03 pm
Hi  Smurf.

Yep makes sense £15 Monthly 1st clean £30-£45.

Makes the regular monthly clean price (e.g £15) seem better value.

Do this sometimes try to be fair with people.

Might make newbies take a quick polygraph test😊
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 04:41:11 pm
Cheers Robbo
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Smurf on April 20, 2017, 05:36:22 pm
Hi  Smurf.

Yep makes sense £15 Monthly 1st clean £30-£45.

Makes the regular monthly clean price (e.g £15) seem better value.

Do this sometimes try to be fair with people.

Might make newbies take a quick polygraph test😊

After the one-off price try 8 weekly as you could get more for each job for less work.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 20, 2017, 05:43:57 pm
Hi Smurf.

I remember you saying that before re: 8 weekly.

Have you got alot 8 weekly now, being nosey, just mean e.g 25% of round.

Probably feels nice doing certain houses less😁
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Smurf on April 20, 2017, 05:46:13 pm
Better person to ask is 8Weekly. lol
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: dazmond on April 20, 2017, 06:59:46 pm
i very rarely clean neighbours windows but if i do I CLEAN THEM FOR FREE!yes you read right!I CHARGE NOTHING! :)

that way your under no obligation to clean them again(or even clean them to a good standard!).i usually clean them when i clean my own.lots of my neighbours are alcoholics and drug addicts without jobs/money so no point trying to charge as i wont get paid anyway! ;D
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: G Griffin on April 20, 2017, 07:23:01 pm
He's a black cab driver also.
Book him and criticise every aspect of his driving and 'knowledge' on the journey.
Get out saying that you were traumatised by it all, pay him but no tip. Insulting his professionalism is the best riposte.
It's better to deal with this face to back of his head rather than sneaking his money back through the letter box.
Taaaaaaaaxi!
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: slap bash on April 20, 2017, 10:57:39 pm
Don¬t give him the money back it will not make you feel better. When he asked again,  tell him to get knotted.  Mind you it will be after you retire.It all comes down to give your hand and they take your arm. Lee I know where you are coming from.Put it behind you. You are too good a neighbour for a crap neighbour like him.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: G Griffin on April 20, 2017, 11:02:09 pm
With a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Crystal-clear on April 20, 2017, 11:49:10 pm
Looks like I'm too late u may have refunded him 😵 basically if you wanted to charge and you did for £10 that's more then fair dude
He shouldn't get a refund for a satisfactory job just tell him you feel the job is well within reason for £10... It's been 5 years since 2012 you did him a big favour your only crime in his eyes was you wanted a little bit of money cos you have a life and bills just like he does


Daz is right  you do em for free if you can and just a once over randomly if you have time if you haven't just don't do it

Here's what I would do if a  neighbour  was very insistent to the point where we could fall out over continuing to avoid it and I knew I couldn't just quickly do it and it requires a normal time consuming clean I would say okay let me know when at least 2 times the clean say £40 for £20 house which is fair cos they are dirty is in my account here is my account number once the money is in I will call on you with a date and time if he was to say nah I'll just pay you after id say no sorry if we fall out we fall out and no cheap deals those sort of things just backfire
I've actually been asked before and always said I couldn't too busy or joked saying something like you can't afford me most get the picture that we don't wanta sh!t where we eat and fall out with people we could get along with if it wasn't for the root of all evil lol
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: windowswashed on April 21, 2017, 12:04:13 am
Don't clean in my own street, it's where I live and work is off limit. Happy to clean in the next street but that's the closest.  Don't want neighbours asking if I can do their windows or guttering in my street, politely refuse any new neighbour who asks :) Don't clean for friends or relatives, only my mum gets free cleans anytime she wants  :)
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: NWH on April 21, 2017, 10:51:01 am
I do 3/4 in my road I don't  mind I do them as and when,I do them in about an hour I'm not saying what I charge but I wouldn't do anything for 10 quid a glass of Oyster bay wine down here is £8-50 lol 😂
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: nathankaye on April 21, 2017, 01:28:21 pm
At my previous address i did clean my neighbours windows but at full cost and i even got a cuppa from them on top as well. But......when you want to get of and get a good day in, it becomes a pain to have to clean 2 or 3 houses becore you set off. Even though they paid full charge as in NO discount applied, it just slowed the day down and so since ive moved i no longer clean on my street.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: NWH on April 21, 2017, 02:55:43 pm
They are just a bonus they can work out how much it is an hour I couldn't care less they either want it done or not,99% of my work is done 25-30 miles away.
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 21, 2017, 07:05:33 pm
Update: Neighbour paid me the £10 back.

Said I misunderstood him and he wasn't finding fault.

Felt like it at the time ;D
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: nathankaye on April 21, 2017, 08:02:53 pm
Update: Neighbour paid me the £10 back.

Said I misunderstood him and he wasn't finding fault.

Felt like it at the time ;D

Did he post it back through door with a note or saw you face to face 😂😂
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: lee_dewing on April 21, 2017, 09:02:33 pm
Face to face  ;)
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: Dave Anderson on April 23, 2017, 04:16:23 pm
Made a point of not cleaning in the town where I live or for friends or family.... A family member has tried to drop the odd not so subtle hint but I just play dumb and move the conversation else where....

Clean the neighbours gutters once a year only because there's leads into mine but I do ensure I place a 'blocker' between theirs and mine to keep (enough to keep the main crap out but not so much to stop water).

But in the main try to stay away from stuff like 'favours and money work' for neighbours... Not saying I will not help a neighbor out but we have window cleaners in the area so they can use them.

Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on April 24, 2017, 10:16:52 am
The only problems working for neighbours and friends that I've ever had are the same as with other customers to be honest. There are always those that want something for nothing, those who complain about nothing, those who mess you about with payment and there are those who are great customers.  All those I currently do are in the last bracket
Title: Re: cleaning for neighbours
Post by: hank jr on April 25, 2017, 10:31:17 pm
There is a great way to avoid doing work you don't want and that is to quote for a one-off clean. That's  even if you think it's going to be a first clean. This will defo sort out the wasters who are really after just a one-off and expect you to work yer arse off for the likes of a tenner. My minimum rate now on one-off cleans is £65 without any plastic restoration included.

This is what i do .....i give stupidly high prices in if the job is out of my established work area. Most of the time i dont want the job because its out of my way a bit. But for the right price i will travel ....and travel time is charged at £1 per min lol