Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ed. on January 04, 2020, 04:38:47 pm
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So have a reach and wash pole already but just reach say guttering on top of a normal house. Looking to but a bigger pole now. Just wondering what you lot would say is best value for money and nothing to expensive. I’m still working for a company but last few months have started to get my own work on the side and so far so good. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
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I would personally say best all round pole if your starting out is an slx and my personal fav is 22 but have another pole for higher windows but some like the 25 but I don’t like how they’re longer sections when closed!
The cheapest pole would be clx but its too wobbly and once you get going you’ll want a full carbon anyway so pay the extra for an slx.
Pricing wise it can be difficult to say a price on 3 bed semi as they vary is size shape and have bay windows conservatory’s etc so just price what your happy with but you don’t sound far wrong though, make sure you charge double first clean as that will sift out the one off’ers from those wanting a regular clean!
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Cheapest - best?
Eh?
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cheapest and best?
ask a better question!
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As above two posts!!
One thing anyone should have learnt in their adult life is that cheap is not always the best!!
What heights are you wanting to reach and will this be an everyday pole?
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I think he means value for money.
In which case its hard to beat the slx.
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
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No it’s not.
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
Now that depends on location.
Companies make very good profit in my area by charging £8 for a 3 bed semi. If you charged £15 you’d be out of business in no time.
Three bed semi takes me about 10 minutes to clean. Frames, panes, sills and all doors.
£10 would be a very high end price in my area.
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
Eh? What part of the world do you do window cleaning if that’s too cheap ???
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
Up in the north East if I tried to get £30 for a standard 3 bed semi I wouldn't have a single customer. If I tried to get £15 I might have 2 or 3 but couldn't guarantee for how long.
So Edward, pricing is very area dependent. I know of 3 couples in our area who drive down to Cambridge once a month to clean windows down there. The price they get down south makes it worthwhile.
If you are already working for a window cleaning company then you should have a pretty good idea what pricing is sustainable where you are.
BTW, just make sure that your current employment contract you signed doesn't bar you from working on the side. Some contracts even stop you from working within an area where you are currently working for a stated period after you leave.
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As far as poles go, an SLX 22 or 25 would be my suggestion. These are tough, hard wearing poles and good value for money.
I have an SLX 25 that will probably last me till I retire as I don't use it often, but I wouldn't be without it. The extra 3 feet working height when extended can be very useful when doing the tops of 3 story townhouses especially if they have a conny or extension.
However, my preference for everyday use is the 22 footer. For me its shorter working length when collapsed makes a lot of my work easier and also makes it easier for me to operate the Univalve. The latter might not be an issue if you are over 6' tall but for me, at around 5'9" it does.
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Hi thanks for all your replays. I do know about pricing but obviously well been working for company never really had to do it. I just turn on and do the jobs. Good to hear about other people and pricing. Most of mine have been happy with the 15 pound so far for standard 3 bed house. With conservatory and so on i charge more. So don’t don’t know if charging to much or not. but not had to many people say it’s to expensive yet lol. See how it goes. When comes to pole got one already but looking for one between 25 and 30 so have a look CLX poles. Thanks Everyone 😀
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CLX will be awful to use at those heights...i would say an slx would be the minimum.
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CLX will be awful to use at those heights...i would say an slx would be the minimum.
Yep, the clx are too flexible at those reaches.
Carbon is the way to go and the slx 30 would suit as an everyday pole.
Again agree with prices, its very demographic. Within doncaster there is such scope on prices between all the window cleaners. I have several villages where £10 min is accepted but 5 miles out and £15 is the min for a two bed semi.
If you are starting on your own, then gaining all your quotes is very good, especially if you feel the price is competitive for your needs. However after a period of time, you ideally want to gain about 70% of your quotes because if nobody questions your price, it could be a sign of being too competitive.
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i like the CLX 22 and then a backup SLX 25
the CLX can do almost all domestics, and the SLX is for the ones it cant
as your using the CLX for 90%+ jobs it gets most the wear and tear so cheaper to replace
the CLX is lighter and easier to handle too as its shorter when collapsed
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Out of curiosity how are you working? Van and purification equipment etc?
It just struck me that you mentioned a pole, but not ro system etc.
You’ve probably already got that sorted, but just in case it was something you overlooked.
Believe it or not I’ve known employees work for window cleaning companies, and then think tap
Water is fine. :o
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I would say you should get your own window cleaner,we do get the odd home owner coming in here.
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
Eh? What part of the world do you do window cleaning if that’s too cheap ???
Have I misunderstood the pricing, he is driving to someone’s house cleaning the front &back gutters, for how much? Is he cleaning the facias and soffits as well ? Inside the gutters?
Unless he is doing multiple house on the same street or it’s within a very short drive then ( in my opinion) £30 is too low for a one off clean which it would be
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Yes I have misunderstood the question.... sorry :-\ :-\
I re-read his question.... He mentions reaching the gutters as reference to the length of his existing pole not with respect to cleaning the gutters.
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Yes I have misunderstood the question.... sorry :-\ :-\
Don’t worry, age gets us all at some point...
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my pole might not be the best on this forum but its most certainly the cheapest
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. Another question is about pricing and charge about 15 pound front and back for average 3 bed house is this about right ? Thanks Edward.
So £30 front & back? Or £15
Either way it massively too cheap
Eh? What part of the world do you do window cleaning if that’s too cheap ???
Have I misunderstood the pricing, he is driving to someone’s house cleaning the front &back gutters, for how much? Is he cleaning the facias and soffits as well ? Inside the gutters?
Unless he is doing multiple house on the same street or it’s within a very short drive then ( in my opinion) £30 is too low for a one off clean which it would be
You do however make a good point with traveling time Mike as so many of us fail to consider that when quoting.
I've been asked to quote to clean a shop front which is part of a bigger commercial and residential clean. But traveling time is 15 minutes and 8 miles away. This job is out on a limb and not one I would generally look at.
But before we start we have 1/2 an hour 'labour' traveling time and mileage at say 45p a mile. As 2 of us work the other 2 properties taking some 9 hours this one would take us about 1/4 of an hour to clean increased to an hour with customers demanding immediate entrance/exit. (We once did numerous Sainsbury's Locals until the jobs went national so we know how a quick job can turn to a long one regularily.)
From a costing point we would need around £55 but we will just get laughed at. It could also be taken as an insult and we could loose the lot. Their new house keeper has already made them aware that her son is a window cleaner looking to grow his round.
Ed. With regard to pricing its generally said that if you get all the jobs you quote you are too cheap. If you get none you are too expensive. You should aim to get around 60% of the ones you quote. If you price higher then you would look at 40% of those you quote. But I believe that you will also have a higher customer turnover when the competition quotes lower than you.
This is only for you to decide. If you want the business then you have to quote lower. Once you have enough business to break even then push up your quotation prices and do staggered price increases on the existing round.