Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on July 26, 2007, 07:45:05 pm

Title: My First Suite
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on July 26, 2007, 07:45:05 pm
Hi Guys.
Well i have been asked to clean my first suite, carpets i have been working on about 33 to 40p sq ft.how do i price a suite?? cotton material two large armchairs three seater settee and foot stool.
one chair quite dirty rest seems not bad. how do i work it out.
Cheers Tony
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Neil Williams on July 26, 2007, 07:52:53 pm
Personally if you have no experience at all in this type of work then give it a miss. get some formal training or at the very least get some experience with someone who has experience.
SERIOUSLY
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on July 26, 2007, 07:59:43 pm
Ok neil but i need to do it i have cleaned all her carpets now she wants her suite doing. Did the ashbys two day coure when i bought the machine. the carpet side is going great and i have cleaned four suite for friend that have been fine but i dont know how to start to work price out for a customer.
Cheers Tony
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Neil Williams on July 26, 2007, 08:03:22 pm
Aim for 2 hours work min. Therefore £75/£85. There is another thread stating about getting £180 :D
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on July 26, 2007, 08:06:29 pm
be sensible do your checks ie colour fastness, shrink test etc a good look round for pulls on fabric etc, go for a ph 7 product like Micro splitters as a prespray, go slowly and gently for your 1st suite take 4-5 hours if need be and if you can turbo dry.

If you are charging 33-40p per sq ft I would go for £150-180.

Shaun
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: lands on July 26, 2007, 08:09:33 pm
Tony

Neil is right (and I think his price is too). But if you must you must. Give me a call and I'll talk you through a few safe options before going down HWE route. These (whilst still require testing) are less likely to cause you problems and I am helping you because I fu*&ed up big time once doing a suite (cost me £4k).

Pete 07816 287290
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: John Gregory on July 26, 2007, 08:14:44 pm
Come on Shaun , £180 for some one who as never cleaned a suite in there life
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: lands on July 26, 2007, 08:24:30 pm
thats what I thought
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on July 26, 2007, 08:27:06 pm
my thoughts on this are

1. 33-40p per sq ft is high than average, I think this is a great idea because Tony can make profit from day 1 and not wait for years to create bulk to make money, so start as you mean to go on and you will not go bust, and you will get the right clientelle.

2. if you were there for 4 or 5 hours what would you charge?

Shaun

John my answer is with respect and what I feel is a good way forward, I know Geoff Wrightson from Hull area started high and it's worked for him.What do you charge for carpets and suites? if you don't mind me asking?
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on July 26, 2007, 08:29:14 pm
Just to add, did you clean your first few upholstery jobs for £1? what I am saying is that what figure would you put on a novice in business to clean a suite? I personally would say go for it.

Thanks again Shaun
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Phil Marlor on July 26, 2007, 08:35:26 pm
Personally if you have no experience at all in this type of work then give it a miss. get some formal training or at the very least get some experience with someone who has experience.
SERIOUSLY

How is he suposed to start getting experience cleaning suites if he has to walk away from them all?

Phil
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on July 26, 2007, 08:38:31 pm
Phil can you change the bottom of your posts

Quote
Luton Town -  (League 1 Champions 2004/05)

may be next year, we could have a double promotion party! God willing (I think we'll need him playing No.9)

Shaun
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: gwrightson on July 26, 2007, 08:51:11 pm
As Shaun quite correctly states , start high and as you mean to go on . The first lesson taught to me by Mike Halliday    and although perhaps not as high as shaun and Mike I do not consider myself on the low side.
the very first suite I cleaned was proberbly the worst I have had to clean , stains, spots watermarks everywere. 5hrs later yes 5 hrs later  i was done, and although not all the areas were immaculate the customer was delighted with the results.   It gave me confidence ,and with time comes experience which helps build that confidence.    so stick to a decent price and dont worry about been turned down
     I believe if you show confidence you will succed, if you look uncertain or apprehensive you will lose the custy.  
  Geoff
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on July 26, 2007, 09:44:18 pm
Thanks for all your replys, it has given me food for thought. I didnt know what i have been charging for carpet was high!! it was from advice given on this forum that i had seen posted, so i based mine on it and it has been ok up to now. anyway thanks again.

PS Are any of you doing the Ltt Leather seminar in Harrogate on 3RD August it would be good to put some faces to the names.
Cheers Tony
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Phil Marlor on July 26, 2007, 10:00:36 pm
Phil can you change the bottom of your posts

Quote
Luton Town -  (League 1 Champions 2004/05)

Shaun

Shaun, I leave it there to remind me of the good times :(

Phil
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on July 27, 2007, 05:54:27 am
charge what you want or think what you would be happy with its your comany , i would do it for 45 pounds and turbo dryed for that
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: benny d on July 27, 2007, 07:09:24 am
I'd be about £ 125-135.
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Joe H on July 27, 2007, 07:25:44 am
and I would be around £85.... variety is the spice of life.
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: David_Annable on July 27, 2007, 08:32:37 am
Hi

It takes me about 21/2 hours to clean a suite.

15 years ago i used to get £30.

Dave

PS 15 years ago I could do it in under an hour.

Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Joe H on July 27, 2007, 08:36:31 am
Dave - if it takes 21 to 22 hours to clean a suite I think you need some help!!!!!!
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: David_Annable on July 27, 2007, 08:41:30 am
Hi

No the half dosn't look right.

Dave
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Tony Gill Carpet Smart on July 27, 2007, 11:54:29 am
Hi Guys.
Did it this morning took my time 2hrs 40mins and used mpower for the first time just to be on the safe side cushions first and then put turbo dryer on them. it looked good when i left. BIG thanks for all the input. £130 to do it she was very happy
Cheers Tony
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: benny d on July 27, 2007, 03:17:33 pm
Good job, good price in my opinion.
Well done  ;)
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Mike Osbourne on July 27, 2007, 03:56:13 pm
Hi Guys.
Did it this morning took my time 2hrs 40mins and used mpower for the first time just to be on the safe side cushions first and then put turbo dryer on them. it looked good when i left. BIG thanks for all the input. £130 to do it she was very happy
Cheers Tony


Good for you Sir.
Title: Re: My First Suite
Post by: Kinver_Clean on July 27, 2007, 05:26:49 pm
Good for you. Start as you mean to carry on. It is easier to drop your prices if you really have to to get work but harder to put them up. You have to be desperate to do this. There are probably other reasons for not getting the work. 2 1/2 hrs is pretty good going if it was grotty.

Work out the price by estimated time. Don't forget that you have to pay tax at 20% min and insurance and van fuel and van tax and van insurance van maintainance and machine purchase and machine maintainance and new uniform and new shoes and....................

By the time you've finished these is not a lot left for your sarnies at lunchtime. I used to charge £25 for a suite but diesel was 35p a gallon and a pint was 45p.

Trevor