Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ian loughlin on March 10, 2007, 02:39:27 am
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I know that when it comes to pricing a job ,there are many different factors.
But can anyone give me the average square foot price..ie
I live in Bristol if that makes any difference
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Hi Ian,
I'm not the only one that cant sleep then!
For domestic as a rule of thumb I charge 25p a square foot (to clean, more with protector) so 10'x10' = £25, 10'x20' = £50. In my area some people charge a LOT more others a bit less. I'm happy charging at that rate and so are my customers.
Hope that helps.
Jason.
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Having had the opportunity to speak with many carpet cleaners I have found the average rates to run between 30 and 35 pence per square foot
The highest I came across was 60p per sq. ft and he was extremely busy.
I am too old for the change and stick rigidly to charging per sq yard ;)... its purely a personal view but I would feel I am conning the customer by insuating the price is cheaper than it really is by using a sq ft price.
I tend to measure the room and give the total price for the job...the term square yard is hardly ever mentioned
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wait till you know what your doing before charging top prices.
charge what your worth.
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Derek.
I would be supprised if anybody said to a customer they were charging 35p foot.
I thought it was used just as a starting point for the Carpet Cleaner to work out value of job
On second thoughts I have seen some sales material where the blurb says 35p per foot and we measure the room and only charge for what we clean
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guys
one way we do it with our maid service is any homes under 1500 sq ft get charged our min price the anything over that we charge by the sq ft.
example
1500 sq ft homes and under £30 that's 2p ft
a home that was 2500 sq ft £50 a week
we have two different levels of clean so they can save money this way. plus we charge extra for more than one bathroom and loo.
you find that most people that live in large homes don't use all the areas and we have found that most people live in under 1500 sq ft no mater how big their home.
this way large homes that don't use all areas can put in and out rooms as they like, but the bottom line charge is the 1500 sq ft charge.
this way off charging works well with the maid service and acts as a control. people would have every sq foot cleaned every week even if they don't use most of it. this way it makes them clean unused areas on a periodical basis.
this way off pricing is like the free room idea that some carpet cleaners use
The "free room" works like this.
you go in do the audit then ask to measure all the areas so you have them on file then you can give a price for all areas on a maintenance plan and when prospect see how cheap it can work out each month plus all the extras they get you find that many sign up.
one good reason to do audit and use the computer. it makes selling above whet you have been called in to do much easier.
you can still use this method without the free room when you are called in to clean say a lounge only.
its one way that you earn more money, by selling more to the customers that you already have.
respect
Ian Harper
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Ian, where does the 'free room' come into it? after measuring up and telling them about the maintenance plan do you then clean a room for free?
the only fair way to price jobs is on an individual basis based on how long the job will take, a 200sq/ft bedroom on the 3rd floor is not the same as a 200sq/ft livingroom
Mike
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23p to 50p per sq ft is what I charge
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i'm charging 35-37p per square ft, if a customer wants protector its a 3rd of the price of the carpet being cleaned. it seems that 35p per squ ft is the going rate down here in the s/e, although my mate charges 49p per squ ft. also if i don't get any complaints with my pricing, i'll put it up.
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Ian
You are right..the customer doesn't need to know whether you charge per square foot, per square yard or even square metre or possibly per room... all they are interested in is the bottom line....How much am I going to pay?
So why all the bother?
Charge what you are worth...Craig is right too ...I am worth my weight in Gold...I may not always get the gold but I try ;)
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Good heavens.................some common sense !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rob
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I figure out how long it will take and charge accordingly ;)
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i dont charge for sq ft............i will look at the job at estimate time x plus my hr rate and any extra expenses and charge accordingly...........
never far off want i want to earn from that job
sometimes even extra!!! :o :o ;D
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All good info guys.
As i am new to the trade i just need to get a general idea from the outset.
The per sq foot just gives me a guideline from witch to work from.
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mike
the goal is the maintenance plan but its a start of a conversation that should then lead you to extra room or rooms. i personally would not offer the free room, as i don't agree, but it works for loads of people and its the people that do it without questioning it in any way do the best.
its like in the car trade where they advertise a weekly finance price but if you looked at the big number you would not spend that amount.
If you added all the finance charges on at the start would you pay that price for the car? no because you are paying over what the car is worth at the time of purchase. breaking it down make it sound cheaper.
how many sales do you do worth over £300? if you don't ask for the work you will not get it. or how many time have you spent more on something than you intended?
the computer does all the work, as its like a spread sheet that can change the level of spend. its smart way to sell upgrades. how many cleaners try up selling?
The audit all is about fact finding and then you can offer options that will be at different price points. its a respectful way of up selling.
the audit lets prospect feel that they are controlling as they are talking twice as much as you but are in fact being lead down a sales path. when most people sell it sounds pushy and most do it a way that comes across as selling themselves. as we know prospects are interested in themselves, not you.
Derek, how about giving them three bottom lines? package selling?
Mike, with respect if i did offer free room and it was on the third floor. I choose the method used. its results my customer pay for, and i am in control on how i get them. dry, low moisture, or hwe.
Respect
Ian Harper
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Ian
I know a good many cleaners who successfully offer a 'cleaning menu'.....whatever floats your boat.
Most customers have an idea of what they are prepared to spend and may adjust that figure if suitably impressed by what you are saying to them. I always end up telling them what the exact cost is going to be in pounds and pence...NOT a square foot , square yard, square metre price....if you are VAT registered the final figure should (by law) include the VAT
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You have to hope this website has not been updated for 20 years. However I think not. No wonder there are so many cheap cleaners out there.
http://www.extracta.co.uk/busopps.htm
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A cleaning Menu was to offer the different levels of cleaning but if you look at it really it can only offer the clean and then the protection or a cheaper price for removal of obsticals before you arrive.
I agree with the menu but don't I practice it anymore, it was based on upselling and it does work.
Shaun
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Shaun.
You are right
My PA ie the wife has been given me ear ache about cleaning menus and has mad me abolish them.
I just adjust at qoute stage according to clobber, stains , carpet value , protector risk etc.
Not comfotable with maintence plan, what happens if you stop cleaning carpets die etc
I can see a lot of problems for family at a time when they would not be able to cope.
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another point with maintence plans, each time you clean the carpet it will come up less good start to look worn over the years then wont the customer start thinking "hmmm im paying for this to be looked after, that c/cers crap he'll have to go"
just a thought, lol ;D
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....if you are VAT registered the final figure should (by law) include the VAT
is that not the case commercial to commercial? as many of our suppliers give price exc. VAT as do Makro, Viking Diect and the like,
Craig
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I thought that an interesting comment from Derek too. I have been registered for the 2 years I have been back in this country and for 15 years previously. Many a time figures and pricing is done with out the VAT. With a lot of suppliers that we refer to on here as well. Granted when it comes to a final bill or grande total the VAT has been included but in the mean time a base figure is dealt with and this is before the VAT. As Craig has said, go to Costco's and the like and they deal with a before VAT figure. I am not knocking anyone for how they do pricing but a company we deal with will say their truck mount is, £15,000 but when it comes to the nitty gritty it is £17,625. I charge VAT right from the start so as not to cause confusion but if it is law to have to have it as Derek has suggested then there are a boat load of people and company's breaking the law. Best, Dave.
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The domestic customer wants to know what its going to cost. That means inclusive of everything cost. I am sure everyone has had the occasion when the person that is actually doing the paying has left a cheque or the cash to the amount stated. It is a bit late to then add the vat, and if you do, will that customer be calling on you, next time?
Dave.
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Dave, no I am sure they wont which is why my prices are inclusive of VAT. My point was about the legalities. Best, Dave.
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When I give a price for residential its the price they pay and i never mention VAT. For commercial i give them the net price and then the price including VAT. VAT isnt an issue with commercial.
Ian
Do you use the Fast track maintenance plan and computer programme.
Mark
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Hi Guys
That is what I meant to say the final figure should always include the VAT... It is quite wrong to quote a figure to a customer exclusive of VAT then load it on at the end.
Business to business shouldn't be a problem as it can be recovered but the domestic customers don't have this option
I hope that is a little clearer
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Mark if you mean me I mean Fastrack or variations
I think Dave Lee has explained the pitfalls on another post, which I agree with.
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what is the legal turnover before you have to register for vat??
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£61,000
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If someone is earning less than £61.000 why would they charge vat.?
Whats the benefits of vat.
Im just starting out should i charge it...?
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Ian,
If you were doing almost all commercial then VAT registration would be an advantage because you could claim back VAT on equipment, chemicals, fuel etc.
However if you are mainly domestic then the extra you would have to charge domestic customers , who could not claim it back would outweigh any benefits.
In short unless you are commercial orientated don't register for VAT until you have to.
Cheers
Doug