Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: xxmattyxx on April 04, 2007, 03:32:32 pm

Title: New place, price?
Post by: xxmattyxx on April 04, 2007, 03:32:32 pm
Thought I'd ask opinions on the price for this new place I acquired last week. I put in a price which I thought was pushing it a bit, wasn't sure if I'd underpriced, but Im one of the shiners that on occassions might let the price slip a little if the location or customer is endearing enough. On this occassion it was the location  ;D



Below is the main rear window to the property, this overlooks the landscape surrounding, I wasnt too sure if Id be able to reach even the top of the lower windows, but they were fine in fact. The top section of the ladder-work isn't done.

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0009 (600 x 450).jpg)


2 of these

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0012 (600 x 450).jpg)


These windows make up the bulk of the job, theres 124 panes of glass in total in these style windows. So roughly 30 or so windows quadrated.

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0013 (600 x 450).jpg)


General view of front of property.

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0015 (600 x 450).jpg)


Rear

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0011 (600 x 450).jpg)


End

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0025 (600 x 450).jpg)



I persuaded her not to bother with these as they just seemed far too much fun to play in rather than to have to clean  ;D  ;D


(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0022 (600 x 450).jpg)


(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0005 (600 x 450).jpg)




Nice place, must be worth a lot Id say, this pond out the front is fantastic

(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0014 (600 x 450).jpg)


(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0016 (600 x 450).jpg)


(http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/DSCF0017 (600 x 450).jpg)



To summarise the amount of glass, 124 panes of approx 18" x 18", 1 set of double patio doors, 2 sets with four doors, 3 doors with 9 panes of 12" x 6" in them, 5 roof Velux windows 2' x 18" and 5 normal windows measuring 5' x 3'.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Matt














Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Paul Coleman on April 04, 2007, 03:56:44 pm
A lot of awkward hose pulling around things so maybe £20 - £25.  I think it's one of those jobs that's a lot easier to quote if you're actually there.
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Central Window Cleaners on April 04, 2007, 04:00:30 pm
I would do that lot trad for £20-25. Could do with a few jobs like that myself
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on April 04, 2007, 04:00:37 pm
£40-£50
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Tosh on April 04, 2007, 04:02:51 pm
So roughly 30 or so windows quadrated.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Matt

At 1 quid per window I'd say you've got to charge at least 30 quid.  But then it's a drive-between, so add another 5 or 10 quid onto that.  Also, what about a 'rich tax' (Matt's term from the DIY Forum), so how about another 20 quid for that?

I'd say anything from 40 to 60 quid sounds fair to me.

How much do you want this job and how big is your 'neck'? ;D

Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Trevor Knight on April 04, 2007, 04:19:39 pm
£40 + VAT Job Done!
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: xxmattyxx on April 04, 2007, 04:25:07 pm
I would do that lot trad for £20-25. Could do with a few jobs like that myself


Wow, are you sure, theres 30 windows each with 4 panes of glass in, plus the high viewing windows, 3 sets of patio doors, velux windows and 3 doors with 9 panes in each.

Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: xxmattyxx on April 04, 2007, 04:30:38 pm
Well, I think according to these posts I should congratulate myself on my pricing structure and ability to secure said job  ;D  ;D

I did it today, it took what I hoped it would take  ;)  ;) but it is one of those jobs that is a lot easier to work out the price on site as has already been said.

Funny though, sometimes you do a new job and just get that fiddly feeling inside that you going to get that phone call in a month, saying, can you leave us next time or can we delay it 2 weeks??


I think she might be one of those that actually only wants a one off but knows they cost more. Apparently she had a window-cleaner before, wonder if he got the phone-call? He was cheaper than me apparently, Im also fearing she might be one of those that always seems to want extras for nothing (Oh, while your up there you couldnt just....... could you ?)

Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on April 04, 2007, 06:29:01 pm
I generally add 50% to first times as they take longer trad or wfp.  If I got the feeling she might be a pain in the neck I would have defiantly made the first clean a lot more.

Simon
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: xxmattyxx on June 08, 2007, 03:12:51 pm


I think she might be one of those that actually only wants a one off but knows they cost more. Apparently she had a window-cleaner before, wonder if he got the phone-call? He was cheaper than me apparently, Im also fearing she might be one of those that always seems to want extras for nothing (Oh, while your up there you couldnt just....... could you ?)



Well, I rang her today (although I hate doing that, she had asked) to arrange going round next week.

She asked if I could leave them til next !!

I asked what she meant by 'next time'  ;D Already knowing where this was going......

Anyway, she said, could she ring me next time she wanted them done?

I replied that I was a regular window-cleaner, a reliable window-cleaner and saw no reason why I couldnt expect the same from my customers. Then I asked her why if she hadnt wanted them done regularly then why didnt she say that when I first priced them. Also I pointed out that if she had a pre-arranged agreement with some other trade then she wouldn't be so unreliable with them and maybe therefroe she should look round the local village for the missing idiot that might do them for a fiver an hour  ;D  ;D


Well, I didnt say the last bit but felt like it.


Live and learn, they still pi55 me off  when they do that though.

Matt

Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: rhys11 on June 08, 2007, 04:00:04 pm
i would say 32 every 6 weeks
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on June 08, 2007, 04:42:36 pm
Quote
Im also fearing she might be one of those that always seems to want extras for nothing (Oh, while your up there you couldnt just....... could you ?)

I've had a few of those over the years.

One of the best ones was a middle aged man who asked me to "Bung a lick of paint" to quote him, over his soffit and facia boards while I was up the ladder. "Only take you a few minutes" he said. "I'll give you an extra coupl'a quid."

I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious.
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Mike_G on June 08, 2007, 05:08:40 pm
I'm with the £20 - £25 lot.
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: steve k on June 08, 2007, 05:18:37 pm
he`s done them...been messed around and not doing them anymore...keep up ;D
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Mike_G on June 08, 2007, 05:49:44 pm
I'm with the £20 - £25 lot. Whoops still catching up I guess ;)
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Clear Vision on June 08, 2007, 06:21:59 pm
They got loads of dosh!!!!!!! Charge em plenty!

look at the cars in the drive! Oh and a fish pond too!

£35.00 per clean.

Really impressed with the pond! What do they keep in it? Koi or goldfish?
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Ian Lancaster on June 08, 2007, 07:14:16 pm
Jobs like these I always stress that the price is for a four weekly clean.  If they seem a bit reluctant I offer an eight weekly, at a slightly higher price.  I also say: "We never charge more for the first clean, because we expect to get a regular job."

Whatever they choose, I leave them in no doubt that the price is based on the period of clean, and that they have agreed to have it done regularly.  I know this doesn't prevent them from cancelling, but if they do I can point out that they've cheated me - doesn't make them reconsider, but it makes them feel small, and me a little bit better. ;)

Another thing I do is if they seem not to want a regular job, I offer my "premium" service.  They phone up any time they like and say: "I want my windows cleaning tomorrow".  I drop everything and go and do them.  Minimum price: £50

I have a couple of jobs on this system and they are excellent customers and very good earners.

Cheers,

Ian
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: jeff1 on June 08, 2007, 07:36:12 pm
£50 + Vat Tea & Biccky's ;D
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: JohnL on June 08, 2007, 09:16:17 pm
£25 - £30 every 5 weeks and smell the roses on the way!
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: vwm on June 08, 2007, 09:18:33 pm
i do many of your first pic and charge £15 and as for the rest come on guys buy my price guide it comes in at £68 and depending if they signed up or not and £30 for a first clean

if you sell yourself correctly then these prices are a snip to clich and we have many on our round and been doing for years .
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: JohnL on June 08, 2007, 09:29:29 pm
and prices are purely reliant on location
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Clive McDonald on June 08, 2007, 09:32:00 pm
xmattX you didn't say how much you actually charged.
I wasn't that impressed with the house, although I admitt the garden was nice. I wonder if you went overboard on the forelock tugging. I mean, how did taking the photo diary look. Amongst my customers it would be about middle of the pack.

I'd have charged £35 on bimonthly.

Ian's idea is your best option
Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: xxmattyxx on June 09, 2007, 07:46:28 am
i do many of your first pic and charge £15 and as for the rest come on guys buy my price guide it comes in at £68 and depending if they signed up or not and £30 for a first clean

if you sell yourself correctly then these prices are a snip to clich and we have many on our round and been doing for years .

Exactly, thankyou.

I havent been able to understand these guys throwing in prices for this property of £25.00 or so, how much do you guys charge per window; or didnt you read the details for the palce?

When I did this place it took 2 1/4 hrs and the price reflected that time perfectly.

I was annoyed when I decided to cancel the ol' bid, becasue the place was very relaxing and pleasant place to work in, the gardens, ponds etc.

Shame those things dont pay the bills.


Regarding the photos, I said how much I was impressed by the pond, and did she mind if i took some pics as i was doing something similiar at home. As for the window pics, she had turned her back for a short while  ;)

As for the 'premier' clean (do 'em when they call) I would do that but NOT to keep a property. I had already compromised some stuff with her. Price actually. I doubt she tries to barter with her local electrician if she needs one, so why do some people feel they can with shiners?

I cancelled her as to be honest when they pi55 you about theyre taking the pi55. Further compromises with customers of that nature encourages them. In the end she'd have wanted me paying her to clean her windows  ;D


Title: Re: New place, price?
Post by: Clive McDonald on June 09, 2007, 06:35:54 pm
Point taken.