Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 10:44:33 pm

Title: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 10:44:33 pm
I know the prices are differant between North And South but how do southern window cleaners work out there prices i.e ground floor windows, 1st floor etc, conservatories, i work mine as £10 for your average 3 bedroom, £12 4 bedroom and £15 townhouse is this about right.

Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 07, 2008, 10:46:38 pm
Here in the South you mean? I'd say Traditional £30 an hour, Guildford way.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 10:48:11 pm
Yer so thats about right then.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 10:48:59 pm
Where abouts are you G.Q.C W1ndow Clean1ng
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: frames to panes on April 07, 2008, 10:49:55 pm
All depends who you are, and how brilliant you think you are.  ;D
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 07, 2008, 10:51:26 pm
Usually I price by the window, and then at the end of the quote think of how long it would take me, if those two figures roughly add up, then there's your price. Also take into account distance to the job etc. :)

I'm 10min south from Guildford.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 10:55:42 pm
So not too far then, well i wont be as quick as most of you guys to begin with, but just dont want to get a year down the line and realising that i undercut myself but i think my workings out are about right as my mum got 3 bedroom she was paying w/c £10, i got town house and was paying £15 which i thought was reasonable, so if anything smaller like bungalows or 2 bedroom house shall i still charge £10 as a minumum charge.

Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 07, 2008, 11:06:46 pm
Absolutely, you need to have a minimum price, but realistically, most of the time you can get away with having a minimum price of £12-£13. Nowhere near what some housewives spend on a haircut.  :P

Speed will come in time, focus on getting the skills first, then you can get faster and faster.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 11:11:54 pm
Well got another window cleaner up the road so couldnt do for that price as he didnt seem to impressed when he saw my new sign written van the other day, but ill prove im loyal and trust worthy to customers and put the price up next april when i know exactly what im doing.

Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 07, 2008, 11:16:00 pm
There are over 20 other window cleaners in an area less then 5 miles around me. I got there, and I stuck by my prices all the way. Some WC's are terrible, and jealous too, don't bother with thinking bout what other windowcleaners think. Be confident in yourself, and be reliable and a smiling upright person. The work will come in. :)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 07, 2008, 11:20:23 pm
Hows the best way to find out what the average prices are around my way so i can be similar as im just basing mine on 2 local window cleaners, one is trad (bloke up the road) and the other is wfp and both do roughly same prices.
Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 07, 2008, 11:38:48 pm
Why should you be similar in pricing? In my experience I know I can charge £30, so I should charge that, some of the window cleaners in my area charge £10 an hour. I never checked with any other windowcleaner, I came here on this forum, checked what a good hourly rate is for my area, and based my earnings on that.

You'll get the job if you do your job well and if you act professionally, and treat your business as a business. :)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: supernova77 on April 08, 2008, 12:30:10 am
Hey GQC - Where abouts 10 mins south of Guilford are you? I'm about 5 mins south of Guildford! :)

Andy
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 08, 2008, 07:50:25 am
Hey GQC - Where abouts 10 mins south of Guilford are you? I'm about 5 mins south of Guildford! :)

Andy

I'm in Bramley. Aren't you in Farnham? :)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 08, 2008, 09:01:48 am
The reason i ask is becuse if i want to take £30 an hour i might lookk at has for example and say that will take me an hour so £30, but someone who has done it years might do it in 30 mins so technically im charging £60 an hour as im slower then your normal window cleaner as im new, i dont expect to make more then £20 hour to start due to speed but wabt to price house correct to start.

Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 08, 2008, 12:47:05 pm
That's very true of course, but you'll probably find that you pick up speed quite quickly anyway, I think starting up, pricing per window is the way to go. Small windows £1, Medium £1,50, and large £2, French doors £2. For Georgian panes add 70% more or so, leaded lights twice the price, and stick on lead about the same as normal windows.

What techniques are you learning right now? Do you use a straight pull down method, or are you already practising fanning? :)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: jaykie on April 08, 2008, 01:37:11 pm
Wfp being put in on Thursday so dont know about fanning etc.

Chris
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: JSMC on April 08, 2008, 03:59:16 pm
said before and will say agin i jus tdon't know how you get away with charging those prices for houses. In scotland things are cheaper for example my mothers house 4 bedroom house with 10 windows is £3.50

charging price slike that would see you without any customers up here.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 08, 2008, 04:20:12 pm
Wfp being put in on Thursday so dont know about fanning etc.

Chris

Hm, I'd definitely get practising your traditional skills, get the window cleaning essentials DVD on traditional window cleaning, that will show you a bit how it's done.

http://www.windowcleaningessentials.co.uk/
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: windowwashers on April 08, 2008, 05:38:19 pm
said before and will say agin i jus tdon't know how you get away with charging those prices for houses. In scotland things are cheaper for example my mothers house 4 bedroom house with 10 windows is £3.50

charging price slike that would see you without any customers up here.
£3.50 for a house is just plain silly where ever you are, this is more than likely an old chap, or a beer money cleaner.

I speak to people in scotland everyday, and they dont charge this price and they have plenty of custom
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: JSMC on April 09, 2008, 07:16:57 pm
my friends bro in law has a  few guys working for him and thats  what he charges.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: birdymiller on April 09, 2008, 07:34:19 pm
Ive got plenty of 3 bed semis at £3 and some are still £2.50. On my own i can rattle off 10 in an hour. Trad all the way still. I wish i could charge £25 but they wouldnt go for it.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: boshravie on April 09, 2008, 08:02:41 pm
Hi guys

I have been reading this section with interest.
I just cant understand how some window cleaners can charge £ 3.00, £10.00 or even £15.00 for a house,
Our minimum charge is £30.00 and that’s not for a house, that’s just for few windows on a flat. other wise we just don’t bother, if you really work it out, by the time you have paid, petrol to get to your job, wear and tear of your car or van, your equipment which time to time you have to re new, tax on you car or van, insurance for business and  your car or van, tax on your business, payment for your accountant, advertising plus other expenses and   that’s  just your business expense, after that you have to consider you Owen out going, as well .
So please do yourself a favour and charge a little more.

Regards

Bosh
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: NWH on April 09, 2008, 08:05:18 pm
Bosh where are you in East Sussex.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: Gordon Saunders on April 09, 2008, 08:32:49 pm
birdymiller
 can i come and see how you do 10 3 bed semis in 1 hr please.
1 every six minutes thats going some .

 Gordon
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: Gordon Saunders on April 09, 2008, 08:34:30 pm
trad too
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: tommie on April 09, 2008, 09:05:38 pm
How do you survive?

I work on £50.00 p.h. That includes taking account of all expenses. Insurance etc. etc.etc.

Sub contractors that I use charge £350.00 per day.

We work in s.e.london and city plus a few other areas kent & surrey.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: NWH on April 09, 2008, 09:07:29 pm
How do you survive?

I work on £50.00 p.h. That includes taking account of all expenses. Insurance etc. etc.etc.

Sub contractors that I use charge £350.00 per day.

We work in s.e.london and city plus a few other areas kent & surrey.
At last we have some members on here talking sense.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: frames to panes on April 09, 2008, 09:08:56 pm
Where? ;D
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: birdymiller on April 09, 2008, 09:11:42 pm
Expenses - do you mean fairy liquid because thats the only thing i spend money on every week. Youre havin a laugh tommie arent you. ;)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: frames to panes on April 09, 2008, 09:14:06 pm
The night is young, this ones warming up nicely.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: birdymiller on April 09, 2008, 09:15:02 pm
Anytime gordon saunders. Im in sunny sheff ;)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: tacky on April 09, 2008, 09:19:18 pm
sense or non sense .£50plus perhour .these win cleaners ar the lucky few .us mere mortals in the welsh valleys cannot touch them prices .good luck mates . ps any jobs going
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: boshravie on April 09, 2008, 10:16:37 pm
Bosh where are you in East Sussex.
i live in Hove, East ussex.

Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: chris@c.m.s on April 09, 2008, 10:51:53 pm
Bosh I have priced some work in Hove and I've priced some good size houses did so this week and missed it on price, it was nowhere near the prices your quoting,  if your getting work like that please share your secret ??? 
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: chris@c.m.s on April 09, 2008, 10:55:13 pm
Actually you could quote the same job if I send you the address,  they'll fall through the floor and except my quote  ;D ;)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 09, 2008, 11:01:17 pm
£50 an hour traditional or wfp? I'd probably be £60 an hour wfp though, but £30 trad.

And yea London you'd probably get away with it. How much does it cost to rent/buy a house there? Also, all my work is in  a 5 mile radius, don't have to travel much. :)
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: chris@c.m.s on April 09, 2008, 11:03:33 pm
Sorry in answer to the original question I charge £1 a window or for what I could clean from a fixed point if I were trad  2nd floor same principle but £1.50 I get about 70% of jobs I quote for.
Title: Re: South pricing
Post by: supernova77 on April 09, 2008, 11:14:48 pm
Not another "I earn more than you  :-*" thread!!!    ::)