Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colin bird on July 11, 2024, 06:25:03 pm
-
Hi guys thanks for reading apologies if this is a bit long winded but please bear with me as I value your feedback and help
I’m coming 63 and been window cleaning for 16 years all wfd have increased my prices every 3 to 5 years last increase was 12months ago ,I have approx 440 customers most six weekly .(I’m based in the south )
Last increase some by £2 most increased by £1
How often do you increase your prices ?
I’m looking at increasing them next April ( so approx 20 months since last increase )by the same amount as above.but a bit concerned that customers will feel I’m taking the P what do you think ?
I’m not concerned if I lose a few as due to age I’m trying to earn the same amount but work less
Thanks for reading any help much appreciated.
-
Usually every 2 or 3 years....
Every year is too often IMO.if it's a 2 monthly job that's means a price increase every 7th clean....
-
Just increased all mine, 300 customers with no loses. Less than 10 went up by £1 the majority by £2 with a few £3 to £5.
Like you I’m 6 weekly and in my early sixties and infrequent increases.
In the price increase text I put what it was to the new price but also put in “ that’s a £24 increase per annum”
I found it takes away the “it’s going up by £3 a visit” as £24 over the year seems less!
Good luck, it’ll be fine.
Tony
-
In your situation I’d 100% put prices up again, by a good chunk too. More money for less work would be key at your age.
-
As I know most of my customers I have a price I am happy with. If its a hard clean or not a nice customer then I put the price up hoping they cancel. In the end, if I was 63 then I probably wouldn't have a price rise and leave it to the person I sell the run too when I retire in 4 years. It all depends on your circumstances and what you are charging and what the opposition is charging. I am probably the most expensive windy in my area so its difficult for me to charge more. A guy tried to sell me his run with 200 odd customers and I asked what he was charging? He told my £7 a semi and he couldn't believe I was charging £11 so there was no way I was buying it, only difference was I ran with hot water.
-
I'm south.
Price increase every year for me.
Don't get left behind on prices.
-
I have been putting my prices up by 10 - 15% this last year. Anything over about 2 years since the last one. (which was a pound or two)
My reasoning/patter goes thus.
Since Putin invaded Ukraine prices have risen much more than in pre-covid and covid years. So I look at prices in 2020 compared to now.
The cost of living has risen by over 20% in the years 2021/2023.
State pension has risen by a similar amount. (Most of my customers get state pension)
20/21 £175.20 per week
22/23 £185.15 per week
24/25 £221.20 per week
So a rise of over 26%
Between 2020 and now Diesel has gone from about 119p per litre to 149 per litre.
Another rise of 26% (it peaked higher in the autumn of 2022!)
I have had no cancellations whatsoever. I had one email query which I will put up in the next post. They haven't cancelled.
Just remember your insurance increases.
Put your prices up!
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
I've never had such a long winded email/text ever off a customer in 31 years!
They either except the new price or not.personally i wouldn't get involved in replying with such a detailed explanation!
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
Haha that all sounds rather posh
Up here I just get a "no worries mate" or a "no problem love" ;D
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
Haha that all sounds rather posh
Up here I just get a "no worries mate" or a "no problem love" ;D
So do I. This was the only query out of about 100 customers.
-
Ameliorate. What does the mean . ? Sounds good . Come on Malc. I cant be arsed looking it up . I’m just having my tea . In northern speak please.
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
I think my reply would have been along the lines of "I think it best we part ways amicably as i do not want unhappy customers"
Last thing i want to do is work for someone who begrudges paying me.
-
As you can see everyone does it differently - as a business you need to keep up with costs/inflation and above all make sure your bottom line improves year on year
to me yearly is too often, as 8 seekers are only 6 cleans ( however as I type - you can go into Tesco and beans could go up from one week to the next! )
We go for every other year - on the increase year I try to make it double inflation so we are "in front" so to speak this coming April will be a severe increase as a typical 3 bed newly quoted is 3 to 5 pounds higher than one I took on 8 years ago even with increases - this tells be I have not been brave enough to get the right prices.
On a side note - p/w jobs I have priced then added 30% to what I would charge this year and they are still going for it without a second thought.
With everything else so much more expensive I think a bit of cleaning can look a very good price/bargain
I think most of us get the jitters when prices need to go up - but thats an "US" problem - it always goes better than you think it will
-
Incoming email ...
Dear Malcolm
Thank you for your note advising us of your increase in charges.
Based on an eight-week cycle we calculate that our annual average spend on window cleaning will now go beyond two hundred pounds a year to £214.50. Not only does this break the £200 “barrier”, but it is also beyond the budget we had set for ourselves for window cleaning.
However, for the time being, we would like you to continue to clean our windows and we are prepared to agree to the proposed price increase.
Going forward we shall review market rates and may need to consider taking on this job for ourselves.
This is probably unwelcome news to you, but our thinking is based entirely on the cost implications and not a reflection on the quality of the service you have provided to us.
Regards
My reply ...
Dear
Thank you for your e-mail advising me of your deliberations and qualified acceptance of the new rate of £33.00 per 'clean'. On the note I left I think I wrote that it has been over four years since a price increase - indeed upon checking my records it will have been five years this month.
In these inflationary times I hope upon reflection that you find the uplift reasonable and agree that I have tried to ameliorate the situation by raising prices 10% in a period where the cost of living index has risen by a fraction over 20%. (according to my interpretation of the ONS statistics over the past five years or so)
However, if you should decide to go elsewhere or take on the task yourselves, I shall understand completely your desire for budgetary prudence; but I do hope that you will continue with my service.
Best wishes,
I think my reply would have been along the lines of "I think it best we part ways amicably as i do not want unhappy customers"
Last thing i want to do is work for someone who begrudges paying me.
I used to take things more personally but I view it as I do if I am shopping around for say insurance. It's not personal, just business.
I quite enjoy explaining the reason for my increase and if they accept it - which they have - that's fine.
If they don't that's fine too.
I've been twice since so I think he has accepted the explanation.
The wife is fine. Tips me at Xmas and said last time 'don't tell Mr. Grumpy (hubby)' ;D
-
Many thanks gents for all your replies and feedback all very much appreciared
-
Ameliorate. What does the mean . ? Sounds good . Come on Malc. I cant be arsed looking it up . I’m just having my tea . In northern speak please.
Make better.
-
I always put my prices up every year. The customer will be getting a yearly wage increase or pension increase so I think they expect it to go up.
How much is up to you but I tend to increase by £1 for jobs under £40 and £2 for jobs over
never lost a job due to price increase
-
I've put prices up a few times now and I always get nervous.
But there's nothing worse than when you think I will play it safe and put every up a £1...then you lose only a couple and kick yourself thinking could I have got away with putting them all up £2
-
I took on a mid terrace for a tenner a month. Nightmare as its 70 feet from the road but he couldn't get a windy cleaner. I did the first clean last week and not really worth my while. Got a text today saying he has found someone cheaper so he's cancelled. Best news I've had all week and I think I will start a review and drop nightmare cleans. Someone has put flyers through the doors where I clean and he has obviously jumped. Maybe the tide has turned and folk are looking after their pennies now. As I do other things like yesterday and today building a flat pack shed I don't need more customers. This customer received two free sheds and I'm building one and they sold me the other one for £200. Sometimes a low paying job becomes a good paying job in the end as I have a buyer who will want me to build it for them.
-
I took on a mid terrace for a tenner a month. Nightmare as its 70 feet from the road but he couldn't get a windy cleaner. I did the first clean last week and not really worth my while. Got a text today saying he has found someone cheaper so he's cancelled. Best news I've had all week and I think I will start a review and drop nightmare cleans. Someone has put flyers through the doors where I clean and he has obviously jumped. Maybe the tide has turned and folk are looking after their pennies now. As I do other things like yesterday and today building a flat pack shed I don't need more customers. This customer received two free sheds and I'm building one and they sold me the other one for £200. Sometimes a low paying job becomes a good paying job in the end as I have a buyer who will want me to build it for them.
When you get a bit more experience as a window cleaner you ll learn not to take on mid terraced jobs or any pita jobs.it becomes second nature....
-
Terraced houses can be great or horrifc.
They can take less than 5 minutes to clean the issue is the wrong ones can take you longer to get the hose round than clean them....I have quite a lot on my round but have weeded many out over the years and will only take on certain ones.
-
Wise words but when I was starting 5 years ago I would take any clean. Once established I can see what makes sense and what doesn't. Today I got a call for a full clean (gutters, SFG and windows) and then a monthly clean. Turns out its a very good job and I'm glad I went and saw it. Problem is we don't know how a clean will go till we actually do it. I'm beginning to weed out the wheat from the chaff which has took along time but I have never been busier in my life. Hope the cream keeps rising till Christmas. 😂
-
I'm beginning to weed out the wheat from the chaff which has took along time……
No you’re not. You’ve just took on a mid terrace that is 70 yards from the road for a tenner ;D
-
I'm beginning to weed out the wheat from the chaff which has took along time……
No you’re not. You’ve just took on a mid terrace that is 70 yards from the road for a tenner ;D
Only reason I took it on is because its a quarter of a mile from my house and I do some houses next to it. Also got another one across from the mid terrace. Maybe I was greedy expecting the whole street because the windy has retired. It may have turned out a nice earner and well worth my while but never turned out that way.
-
An easy way to make them more bearable until you get rid is to get a backpack. Lifting a half full backpack around the backs can be a lot easier than trying to navigate a hose round. But eventually the back pack will go too.
-
So you’ve dumped them.
-
Terraced houses can be great or horrifc.
They can take less than 5 minutes to clean the issue is the wrong ones can take you longer to get the hose round than clean them....I have quite a lot on my round but have weeded many out over the years and will only take on certain ones.
Yes. I agree. I have a row of 5 1970's terraces (no bays) which I park at one end at the back and run my hose along the fronts and then the backs. They are £20 a pop (including any extensions and rooflights.) If I am brisk and don't yack (one of the custies is a very trim and pleasant middle aged lady who makes me a drink when she is home so that might add five minutes ;D) I can do them all in an hour including putting pre-written slips though and reeling in and out.
So £100 an hour when I want to and about an hour and ten if working leisurely.
In contrast I have two house in a similar terrace on the same estate - so £40 - but that takes 40 minutes due to how they are spaced out. But even at £60 per hour that's fine.
Where it gets a little tricky is when you only have one per van move. Then it's possibly 25-30 minutes for £20 (or maybe £22.00) because it is on its own.
-
I've got 6 this morning, not all together it's 3 stops with 2 on each stop. But they are the next street after each other so 30 seconds van move.. sadly not 20 quid a pop round here but still £78 in about 45 mins including dragging 100m of hose out on 2 of the stops.