Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Fibreclean on August 14, 2006, 02:05:25 pm

Title: Pricing
Post by: Fibreclean on August 14, 2006, 02:05:25 pm
My current prices are set to a level that keeps me extremely busy all week and provides a good income, however reading past posts on here it seems that I could be put in the cheapy end of the scale and most of you are charging more. I feel that by putting my prices up I wouldn't be as busy and lose alot of customers. I charge the following approx:

3 pc suite £69.00

Lounge £29.00

Diner £19.00

HSL £36.00

Fireside rug £6.00

Protecting £1 sq mtre

Spot & stain removal £20

I use excellent machinery & chems and follow industry practise.

Whats your opinions please?

 
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: calmore on August 14, 2006, 03:22:03 pm
What would you rather do..have five jobs a day or two jobs a day and earn the same money..?
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Liahona on August 14, 2006, 03:42:08 pm
As Calmore said and my comment is, if you have the said excellent machines and chemicals then why are you only charging what it is you are charging.  More to the point how can you afford to only charge peanuts. You can double your charges and still be cheep. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: nick p on August 14, 2006, 03:59:34 pm
hi

im not the most expensive around but that is cheap

cheers nick
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Timmy Boy on August 14, 2006, 04:36:05 pm
Fibreclean
I don't like the idea of lounge=x because it doesn't take into account lounge/diners or does it :o. I think that your 3 piece price is a bit shy as well you could easily put that up to 85-100 considering a 3 piece to do properly will take you a good couple of hours. H/s/l about right.
Just my view any way!
Regards
Tim
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: spickandspan on August 14, 2006, 05:15:38 pm
fibreclean where abouts are you located.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 14, 2006, 05:20:52 pm
If you are getting the work and not wearing yourself out put your prices up gradually.

If you charge more you will not get all the jobs.

Depends how much you spend on advertising now.

Depends if you get repeat customers now.

Depends if you are a good salesperson

Depends on level of competion

Depends how big your customer base is,

Depends on you and if you are comfortable in upmarket homes.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Fibreclean on August 14, 2006, 05:38:53 pm
Hi thanks for all replies.

Based in Portsmouth.

And think im gonna put them up.

Another question, does anyone use the Rotovac and how good is it?

thank you
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Neil Grainger on August 14, 2006, 05:55:04 pm
Good but very heavy to move around, Being based in Portsmouth you should not lose to much if you put your prices up, If you cover area's like chichester you can charge a lot more than you are.

Less is more
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: David_Annable on August 14, 2006, 06:09:48 pm
Hi

If your worried about losing customers why not try this.

Put your prices up by 10% tommorow.

In October when you running up to christmas put them up another 10%.

Next year increase it again by 10%.

Most customers wont notice, the ones that do you dont want.

Dave



Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: calmore on August 15, 2006, 09:41:00 pm
Put the prices up. That way you can always run a promotion (eg 10% off) in quiet periods!
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: the red carpet on August 15, 2006, 10:41:35 pm
How have you saved enough for a rotovac on those prices ???

Put them up even if just a touch you deserve it ;)

I charge i reckon about 40% more than those prices and allthough i get some price resistance i get the majority of jobs, and i think im classed as on the cheap side aswell.

Im putting mine up soon aswell, as im fully booked and cant fit no more work in if i try so it seems a logical next step.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: angela carlton on August 15, 2006, 11:02:05 pm
When the subject of pricing is raised, it seems to be followed by fiction writers, trying, like little boys, to out do each other.

The prices quoted for a suite and hsl, seem fine to me, with the the lounge and rug a bit low.

As these prices should generate around £250 to £300 per day, or around £70k per annum, without working more than 25 to 30 hours weekly, for semi skilled work, indoors, with minimal stress, you should be rejoicing.

But how many of you, really earn as much as this, for so few hours and little effort ?

As I mentioned elsewhere, a few days ago.

Men, tend to exagerate two things in particular, sexual prowess and earnings.

There are, of course a few, who will always earn more than average and good for them, but the majority will be lucky to exceed the national minimum wage, but may be perfectly happy with their lot and good for them, also.

angie





Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: David_Annable on August 15, 2006, 11:10:12 pm
Angela

I think you need to buy a new calculator.

Nobody is going to turnover 70k at those prices.

Dave

Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Damian on August 15, 2006, 11:31:26 pm
good on ya angie! i agree totally with what you are saying. i dont charge anywhere near some prices stated on here. i live in the fourth largest city in england-work in high and lower class areas and they all want to pay the same! their furnishings are built of the same material and clean equally aswell. i have been in this game for more years than i would like but it gives me a good living! (very poor pay mr tax man!) i use top machinery chems and labour(very important!) and have a good name for it! average pay is 6 quid per hour so i just work harder to make sure i am slightly better off-miss dinner etc. work from 8 til 8 and try to push that last customer in! i am happy with my lot and dont need to quote-"oh yes i spend a day on a suite for 400 pounds"! its fantasy land-pure/simple! to be frank it quite bores me! joined here couple o months ago and if thats the strength of it i dont think its worth hanging around!? must say tho after a good days graft i dont need a gym! lol  ;D
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Chris R on August 16, 2006, 12:18:38 am
I started cleaning carpets when I was only 20 yrs old, I am now 40.    :-[
 
Ten yrs ago I was charging the prices that you now charge.

But,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I did make a good living from it, even at those prices. When I purchased my first home ( 12 yrs ago)I put a £25,000 deposit down on it, saved up from my carpet cleaning business.

It all depends on how fast you can work, what your hourly rate is,and how much you can earn in a day.

Do you have a minimum charge? This should be about £40 to £45.

How long does it take you to clean a suite?

How much can  / do you earn in a day?

If you can earn £200 a day, and you are booked up all the time, then DONT WORRY !

A lot of the people that post about how much they earn on this site are full of Bull S##T. :o

They will say that they earn £400 a day, then you will find out later that they only work one day a week ! ;D

Or that they have a member of staff helping them.

Or, once in a blue moon, they get a day that earns them big money, and so they quote this figure all of the time.

Or that they had a good day selling carpet / fabric protector and so made amazing money, for little effort.

Stick 10% on your prices, no one will notice. tell them you are using a great new chemical, but its more expensive.

Cheers

Chris

PS  I have, in the past earned £1000 for only one days work.








BUT ,,,, I took 2 mates with me and had 3 machines running all day. ;)
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Buster Ingram on August 16, 2006, 12:28:58 am
Chris is dead right, its not what you earn its what you get to keep that matters.
I'd rarther work five days a week 48 weeks a year on steady money than big money and short weeks.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: John Kelly on August 16, 2006, 12:34:44 am
You need to decide what you want. Do you want to run a succesfull business or do you want to be self employed and give yourself a job.
Most carpet cleaners fall into the second group I would say.  I and a good few of my customers to my supply business charge good rates £115-200 for suites, minimum £45-65 for carpets and we are in the North East of England.
The franchises such as Chem Dry and Servicemaster charge way in excess of this and the good ones are extremely busy. There are some who are struggling but that is down to them being poor businessmen or being unlucky and having a bad area. I have raised my suite price from £75 to £115 in less than a year and have noticed no price resistance from customers.
As for people telling porkies about prices, maybe some people do but many others are making exceptional money and as I've sub contracted for some of them I can vouch for it.

Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Liahona on August 16, 2006, 03:00:57 am
Dave, I have to ask. Why on earth would you want to work 48 weeks out of the

year? If you can earn your money by doing bigger jobs and thus working

shorter weeks why wouldnt you chose the latter? As John has said and I

 understand knows very well there are exceptional money makers from this

 forum and even better ones not on this forum. Best, Dave.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Kev Loomes on August 16, 2006, 08:14:26 am
Jeez, what's the problem. Why do people think that a lot of cc's exagerate their prices? And why on earth would someone want to work 12hrs a day for £6 an hour? It beggars belief. But if their happy with that then let them get on with it.

I have to say though, on those sort of prices what sort of business have they got ??? or are they really part timers earning beer money?

We clean suites for £172.00 (3 seater and 2 x arms) and carpets at between 41p & 71p (clean & clean/protect). We work every day and yes do have price resistance. But hey, we dont want price shoppers. Our quality of work is extremely high and we deserve what we get paid - we wont kill ourselves for a pittance!
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: craigp on August 16, 2006, 08:21:07 am
Try charging £45 for a lounge as an experiment, you'll be supprised, in fact customers dont like it if your tooo cheap, they wonder whats wrong. Remember alot of customers ideas of prices come from long ago when franchises ruled and so expect to pay lots! i find,

at £45 a lounge ive had people on rough council estates tell me im cheap!
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Damian on August 16, 2006, 01:45:23 pm
formula6. i never said i earn 6 pounds an hour! thats the average earnings of average bloke in my city and so to quote them 100 plus for a suite makes them grimace and ring for someone with a vax out of the pub for twenty five! its just cleaning to them? its all the same they say! when im doing solid days i know what i aim for per hour and its substantially more than that! and i nearly always hit it. just means i dont have time to stand chewing the fat but that suits me fine.                                                                                       regards Damian.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: bennymon on August 16, 2006, 02:39:37 pm
i will never clean a sofa for less than £30 per seat  its time consuming work and i dont like doing it .   give me carpets all day every day and i will be happy  :) :)
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: John Kelly on August 16, 2006, 03:10:14 pm
Damian, I see you live in Sheffield. That is a similar city to Newcastle where I am based. We have vast areas of smart middle class homes where they are certainly not on £6 per hour. This is our target market. Double benefit of them (most of them) not being price sensitive and resonably clean carpets & furnishings.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Mike Halliday on August 16, 2006, 04:22:48 pm
there are people on here who eggagerate there income who in my opinion are a bit daft but they do no harm.

But the people who really do cause harm are people like Angela who write things like;

'The prices quoted for a suite and hsl, seem fine to me'

'semi skilled work, indoors, with minimal stress, you should be rejoicing'

'the majority will be lucky to exceed the national minimum wage'

she obviously knows nothing about running a serious carpet cleaning company. but hopefully she will enlighten me with her vast experiance ;)

Mike
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: craigp on August 16, 2006, 04:34:51 pm
yes mike i agree, angela needs to remember we run BUISNESS if you just earn a wage thats not enough, you need a turnover that will pay your wage plus the buisness expenses!

perhaps she could call some of us for a quote, then she'll see we dont all lie!!
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Kev Loomes on August 16, 2006, 04:57:25 pm
Bang on Mike.

Quote:

'semi skilled work, indoors, with minimal stress'..... I think you'll find that us professionals (and acknowledged as such by the NCCA & IICRC), who have worked hard to build up a reputation and regarded as experts would argue with that. Minimal stress? running a business does carry stress - whether you like it or not!

'But how many of you, really earn as much as this, for so few hours and little effort ?'......Er, has she actually done any carpet/upholstery cleaning? doesnt sound like it - the work can be incredibly tough as we all know. Maybe she is stronger than all us blokes?

'Men, tend to exagerate two things in particular, sexual prowess and earnings'......Now come on thats a bit un called for!
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Robert Watson on August 16, 2006, 06:17:29 pm
"little effort " :o

Just done 6 hours graft with 2 quick fAg breaks.
Tell that to my back.

Then there's the marketing, keeping track of the money  :-[
and all the rest. Yeah its easy,
Nae Problem
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Mike Halliday on August 16, 2006, 06:52:42 pm
kind of reminds me of the Chumonley-Warner sketch from  Harry Enfield:

 Women know your place!!

where a woman tries to join in a conversation with the men, but her brain isn't developed enough,

Angela, stick to Kittens & puppies, topics more suited for a women :D :D.

Mike
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Martin S on August 16, 2006, 07:47:29 pm
Mike.  You crack me up.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Bob Robertson on August 16, 2006, 08:19:22 pm
Fibreclean

Check out your namesake's prices in Glasgow . Or is this you  ::)

http://www.fibreclean.co.uk/prices.html


tihson
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: David_Annable on August 16, 2006, 08:50:07 pm
Hi

I quoted a job this morning.

The lady looked at me as if I'd kidnaped one of her children

Dave

Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: angela carlton on August 17, 2006, 08:09:58 am
formula & mike

Hate to disappoint you you boys, but, yes I've been there done it and got the tee shirts, however..........I have to admit to being one of the weaker sex.......like hell!

Admittedly, my experience only extends over 24 years and includes industrial cleaning, but mainly carpet and upholstery cleaning, which I've only returned to recently, following my husbands serious health problems and in order to bring our son into the business, via hands on learning, prior to formal training.

None of you would regard me as a mere woman, were you standing in front of me in a martial arts competition, where I have no difficulty in decking males of any size. I'm also a registered football coach

Stress...........I am also a director of a Domicilery care company which turns over £500k and employs around 24 people...........there is more stress in that business in one week than the Stress busting physicality of cleaning.

But I'm not on here to insult, just to give hope to the less ambitious or greedy by adding a little balance to the high fliers, imaginery, or otherwise.

Go and be nice to your wife Mike, she's probably much tougher than you think.

As usual , John Kelly posts a sensible comment and if you read what I actually write, you won't find me advocating, low prices.

With the relatively low overheads in this industry, someone with absolutely no experience, can earn a substantial living, without charging, what I regard to be excessively high prices.

Yesterday, I cleaned a suite for £69 which was a relatively small suite with minimal soiling.........the job took less than 90 mins and was close to an earlier job which earned me £150.

A local c/d franchisee had quoted £270 for the suite............

While the aim, should indeed be, to raise the profile and status of the industry, it certainly won't be achieved by overcharging.

Just look through the articles for sale section, or comments about products and see what is uppermost in the potential buyers mind..................price and YOU are the potential buyer.

Nuff said

We have 3 jobs today worth only £210, but I am personally, very happy to get £210 for 5 hours work.

angie

 
 
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Doug Holloway on August 17, 2006, 08:17:40 am
Hi angela, mike et all,

It's always better if we can stay away from sexist comments which only obscure the discussion.

On price , I have increased mine substantially over the past couple of years, which means I don't convert as many enquiries but the ones I do pay better so, less work for the same or more money.

cheers

Doug

Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Fibreclean on August 17, 2006, 08:34:13 am
formula & mike

None of you would regard me as a mere woman, were you standing in front of me in a martial arts competition, where I have no difficulty in decking males of any size. I'm also a registered football coach

Angela, I don't like this comment. I too do martial arts, in fact I'm a black belt in kempo karate (24 years) however I never mention it in the context you have done above. Show more professional restraint as you will only do damage to our sport. 'Decking' someone, anyone with our skills can be fatal.


Quote
As usual , John Kelly posts a sensible comment and if you read what I actually write, you won't find me advocating, low prices.

You contradict yourself on this issue time and time again.


Quote
Yesterday, I cleaned a suite for £69 which was a relatively small suite with minimal soiling.........the job took less than 90 mins and was close to an earlier job which earned me £150.

If you have to go out and do the work then you cant have a much of a 'big' business as stated in your previous posts.

In this forum, your coming across as arrogant and rude which is a shame because I'm sure with a different approach members will take you more seriously.

 
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: calmore on August 17, 2006, 08:51:09 am
Fibreclean

Check out your namesake's prices in Glasgow . Or is this you  ::)

http://www.fibreclean.co.uk/prices.html


£40 for a suite AND a main carpet?  :o
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: john rees on August 17, 2006, 08:51:27 am
Hi all
        We did a job yesterday on a council estate, which we quoted over the phone lounge diner 75.00 pounds, the customer told me that most quotes were for about 45.00 pounds, but when she asked what method that other companies used she was told that "we just clean them". where as I had explained exactly our methods....... prevac, prespot,prespray, agitate,and rinse. and as it happened we were on par price wise with another company but when she was told the other companies lady cleaner would be in here area on a particular day she was mortified........" I'm not having a woman cleaning in my house was her response". while working there we ended up doing her next door neigbours lounge too!and as she said she got what she paid for! the best possible clean! oh! and we are going to do her mothers carpet too in a fortnight! and the next door neighbours sisters too! people will pay for quality we probably take more time and charge more for a job than most local cleaners in this area, but are busier than most too! we are not booked up 3 weeks in advance! if we were we would get a third T/M on the road because we would be losing work as most people want us yesterday!

                all the best
                                  John :)
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Fibreclean on August 17, 2006, 08:53:58 am
Fibreclean

Check out your namesake's prices in Glasgow . Or is this you  ::)

http://www.fibreclean.co.uk/prices.html


£40 for a suite AND a main carpet?  :o

No I operate from and around Portsmouth. I haven't got a web site.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Terry_Burrows on August 17, 2006, 09:24:44 am
very Interesting talk here ;) we have always done cc but we are known for wc,but over the last year we have spent lots of dosh on adds yp bt book lots of local papers we have a web site for cc,this is not linked to wc because I dont want it to for good reasons.prices are hit and miss some people say thats cheap and you think ***t and some say what :-X
its areas if it was not for the wc which we do want to put to bed in the normal world,and grow cc its far more better than wc,I to am a Black Belt
in karate which has helped me in my world records so is my son,but this can be used in many ways and not phisical ;D well done to angela I have sparred whith quite a few ladys that would deck most men because men dont expect it ;D on another not back to cc its been very slow in essex in our area we do not know why this is,we are going to do a leaflet drop of
10,000 in one estate to see what happens this will cost us about £250
including the drop and prints,we shall see :-\
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Fast 1 * on August 17, 2006, 09:27:33 am
Terry,do you still personally do traditional window cleaning?
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Terry_Burrows on August 17, 2006, 09:34:09 am
yes m8 we do but only on a commercial level,but want to ditch it completly
we have spent loads trying to build up on this,I will still do the shows and
TV work in march I did a TV commercial with Kim and Aggee in florida which is out on TV now over there so still havin fun and enjoy it,but not any more on a daily work fing,if you know what I mean been in it for 30 years, ::)
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Ian Gourlay on August 17, 2006, 09:48:08 am
Angela,

Been meaning to ask is  Rob  The Theripist your husband, if so wish him  well from me.
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: Mike Halliday on August 17, 2006, 12:39:06 pm
I apologies for my sexist comment  ;) I have the uppermost respect for our female members.

but just to add my comment on the women & martial arts comment , when i see women competing in the UFC or Pride then  I will consider them our equal. as for a competition where women compete on equal terms with men this is a 'sport'  and has no comparison to real M/A.


Mike
Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: angela carlton on August 17, 2006, 07:46:27 pm
Mike

your comment was certainly sexist and as such insulting, so it was given a response which was intended to make it clear that, some women are often equal to, or even superior to men, in many jobs, professions and sports.

Fibreclean, you are taking my comments out of context and not appreciating what a female is saying, in response to a condescending remark. The reference to being an m/a is merely to illustrate rather than intimidate, which I though was pretty obvious.

Also, if you read what I say, you will find that I am preparing the way, for my son to become a c/c and I never suggested our c/c was a large business.

Mike has acknowledged his comment was sexist, but spoiled it, somewhat by further male egocentricity.

Mike..........never mind !

bye for now

Angie

Ian

Yes and he is trying to "comply" but hates not working.






Title: Re: Pricing
Post by: David_Annable on August 17, 2006, 10:39:30 pm
Hi

This is just getting silly.

It needs to be locked a left now.

Dave