Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 03:42:15 pm

Title: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 03:42:15 pm
Builders cleans -

So been offered the contract for providing builders cleans for persimmon.

I have a scratch waiver I’m going to get them to sign - otherwise I’m not doing it, for reasons people have discussed.

Just wondered if anyone has worked for these or any other big firms and had any issues? Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: KS Cleaning on February 13, 2018, 04:01:01 pm
Builders cleans -

So been offered the contract for providing builders cleans for persimmon.

I have a scratch waiver I’m going to get them to sign - otherwise I’m not doing it, for reasons people have discussed.

Just wondered if anyone has worked for these and had any issues? Thanks in advance
I would check what style of windows they are using on these new builds, a lot of the Persimmon homes I clean have lead effect front windows which would be a nightmare for a builders clean.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 04:09:04 pm
Thanks for your reply. I’ve been to have a look at the site and there wasn’t any lead windows.

Do you have any issues with them? payments? General p*ss taking?

Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: KS Cleaning on February 13, 2018, 04:15:43 pm
I don't actually do any work for Persimmon, I do a lot of Persimmon houses on an estate and all the front openers have lead effect windows, they will be about 5 years old now though so they may well have changed the style of window they use since then. I think Deeege is the person to speak to about builders cleans.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 04:20:56 pm
No worries, thanks for taking the time out to reply mate 👍🏿
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on February 13, 2018, 04:34:07 pm
We have worked for them usual p taking with paying .
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 04:41:22 pm
I get the feeling not everything is as rosey as it seems... I guess that’s enough to turn it down.

I thought the problems with the scratches were the main problems
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: David Kent @ KentKleen on February 13, 2018, 05:11:48 pm
Be prepared to drop any other planned jobs at literally 5 mins notice, just to clean maybe one property for them, 'because they need it doing', ruining a full day of other work. This is purely from my experience, but seems common place.   
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 05:19:07 pm
Another impression I got... March apparently is a crazy month for them that they want me to start in, they showed me a plan of the cleans in and kept reiterating the amount of work there is.

Thanks for your replies guys, anymore that come are appreciated
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: redstarwindowcleaners on February 13, 2018, 08:27:09 pm
June and xmas are their year ends  its mad  each site will be looking at around 30 / 50  completions within that period  dependent on the number of units on the site you'll be carrying  out builders re cleans and numerous sparkles  for both production and sales over about a four week period together with windows
They will not give you any scratch waver  for the glass
Are you detaping  or is the mastic co
Don't worry to much re glass scratch wavers
The renders and brickies will generally scratch them for you before your works kick in the site team usually pick this up and distribute charges / blame accordinly
Just record  any damage  at each clean stage and make a note of any scratches broken glass damage to frames etc  on your sign off sheet and bring to the attention of the asm or sm
With persimmons or Charles church a site instruction for extra works aint worth poop  its purely a instruction to proceed not guaranteed payment
Payment needs to be cleared by the commercial team
At the pre start get the surveyor to set out the variation procedure re extra cleans etc
Remember year ends are a rush with multiple trades working each plot generally thro the night etc so your production can be slowed
I've never had any complaints from contractors working for both persimmons and cc regards to payments they are no different to any other volume house basher
They work on card payment system which works well
Generally they  expect contracors to bend over for them  but once you  peform and do a good job repeat work is  the norm they do look after their preferred contractors / thoes that  perform and help

Just be geared up for it
You fail your will take a pineapple up the arse
Cmls are  everything with them as this is what gives the top boys their bonuses
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Simon Trapani on February 13, 2018, 09:16:38 pm
...Or maybe just leave it...
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: P @ F on February 13, 2018, 10:07:25 pm
I like money , but this is not a way to get it easy !
I did a lot of this for Persimmon and Redrow back in the day and they raped my boss for every penny they could in connection with scratched glass .
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 13, 2018, 10:30:20 pm
Thanks everyone, always good to hear the different views of people.... I’ve got to say though that out of all I’ve spoken to, the negatives have outweighed the positives by a considerable amount; I guess the truth has to lie somewhere and it sounds like it’s in a position I don’t need want to be in and others have wished they hadn’t got in.

Thanks again
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: zesty on February 14, 2018, 07:47:06 am
I clean the windows of the owner of a well known company similar in size to persimmon, you’d think I’d do the builder cleans as well.

But I point blank refuse. I’m happy to clean there house and let other companies do there builders cleans, I think it’s far more hassle than it’s worth! My advice stay away!

Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 14, 2018, 08:08:50 am
Thanks zesty, I think This it’s been a lesson of “learning went to duck” and that not every opportunity is a good one..

Think a polite email thanking them for the opportunity to quote and the experience of learning how these things work will be sent today.

Thanks everyone 👍🏿
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Slacky on February 14, 2018, 05:15:01 pm
Good decision.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 14, 2018, 05:33:40 pm
Good decision.

Thanks mate, email was sent.... weight off my mind
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: jk999 on February 14, 2018, 06:02:54 pm
I haven't done work for that company but in 30 years of cleaning I have done for other building companies but it was way before all this stupid health and safety stuff .in my oppinion it's not something I would take on now because even when I did them I could do more regular customers houses to a builders clean
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: redstarwindowcleaners on February 14, 2018, 06:21:49 pm
I've been  on a h/s course today with another well known builder
Ban the broom is on its way  !
A generator set up with extraction Hoover  complete with a shovel type contraction  all stored in a nice theft proof  tool box which is moved around from plot to plot on the forks as it to heavy to lift
No more labourers sweeping up

Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: deeege on February 15, 2018, 04:57:27 pm
Redstar pretty much nailed it earlier on in the thread. We do plenty of New Build cleans also, good money but it’s got to be earned. Havnt don’t anything for Persimmon but a friend is a site agent for them and says they are not the best of company’s.

Does make me laugh when all the other windies on here say avoid at all costs, Windows will be full of silicone etc. I’ve never had to remove silicone from glass one single time.

Like i say it’s not for everyone but we do £7k - £10k of this work per month and generally very happy with it.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 15, 2018, 05:04:55 pm
I’ve done builders cleans myself, not on this scale (or the ones you speak of) - but more for local builders or customers who have had work / extensions.

I haven’t got a good vibe about the whole persimmon as a company. Of course people could be wrong (including me) but I just thought with all the feedback I had received on here and elsewhere, plus my gut feeling that maybe it isn’t one for me.

I wish whoever takes it on well of course
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: jk999 on February 16, 2018, 12:08:24 am
7 to 10 k a month minus all expenses so that 84 to 120 k a year what's tax man get from that
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Marc Stock on February 16, 2018, 08:14:05 am
7k per month on builders cleans. Thats quite good.

On average would you charge a day rate on these?
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: deeege on February 16, 2018, 12:21:38 pm
7k per month on builders cleans. Thats quite good.

On average would you charge a day rate on these?

We charge per job, not day rate. Some days are manic, some are quiet. Yesterday we did £620 between 2 men, that’s top end really, based in the north.  Some days there will be stand alone jobs that take an hours travel and fuel with only £60 on or similar, gotta take it as an average though and my hourly is always above £30 per man turnover, sometimes considerably more.

It’s all invoiced and paid into business accounts legit so no hiding place for it like some of you cash boys.

I wouldn’t take this type of work on as a single operator, it can be all consuming. It works for us with 2 vans as a lot of the time one can be on this work and the other can be on our retail/office/domestic work. Finding the balance is key.

Busy spells depend on each builders year end, we get rammed in June and December mainly and it’s not much fun, having £10k+ hit the account 45 days later though is nice reward.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Dane on February 16, 2018, 12:32:32 pm
Makes sense deeege..

I got my prices and everything together just right and they were happy with them, I could see the money was there to be earned but as you’ve said it’s not ideal for a single operator with a growing domestic round. I think if I was 2 - 3 years down the line i’d Like to have the means to be able to take on such contracts but the timing wasn’t right and it seemed like a lot of stress for my current situation.

I know it’s easy to say employ someone but they were ready to land a lot of work on my doorstep in 2 weeks (march).. to find, hire and get people through their CSCS in such short notice and juggle it all was a lot to ask
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: deeege on February 16, 2018, 12:55:35 pm
In your situation, you probably made the right decision.
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on February 16, 2018, 02:04:34 pm
What volume house builder pays you on 45 days  £30 an hour on builders  clean in the North ( Dream on )
Title: Re: Persimmon homes
Post by: deeege on February 16, 2018, 03:17:26 pm
What volume house builder pays you on 45 days  £30 an hour on builders  clean in the North ( Dream on )

Ok mate. You know best.  ::)roll