Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Azura on February 08, 2005, 08:33:14 am

Title: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: Azura on February 08, 2005, 08:33:14 am

I have been given some inside information about the job I am going to estimate & what they are going to expect me to do.

I am told they might ask for the carpets to be cleaned on the first deep clean. I do not clean carpets, so what should I tell them without loosing chance of a contract ?

Or should I give the customer what he wants and go and hire a carpet cleaner and have a go myself ?

What do you guys/gals think I should say/do ?

thanks

Title: Re: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: Tim Downer on February 08, 2005, 08:46:00 am

Azura

What is it you have been asked to clean? A house, Offices etc etc??

I personally would not recommend the "hire a machine and see what happens" approach.

Being an ex-carpet cleaner, I know the dangers of carpet cleaning and how easy the carpet can be damaged, ruined etc in the hands of those who do not know what they are doing. Fine if doing your home carpet....but someone else's carpet....!!! Could be very expensive. Know of someone who cleaned three floors on huge office block....nice tiled carpets when started....next day a dirty brown colour, ruined carpet tiles and a bill for £70,000 to replace the whole lot!!

You will want to get three or four quotes from professional carpet cleaners and see what they will come up with price wise...make sure they do a thorough site survey and qualify the job to you.

Failing that, go on a carpet cleaning course yourself i.e Prochem, buy a machine, do it yourself and incorporate an annual carpet cleaning service into the contract you are going for, plus you will be able to provide the service elsewhere and make lots more money.

Anyway, don't wish to frighten you on your first quote....but you need to be aware of pitfalls as you go.

All the best on this and hope you get it.

Tim

Title: Re: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: Azura on February 08, 2005, 09:08:58 am

Thanks for the imformative reply :)

I have been asked to clean/maintain a bus garage local to me, apparently the mechanics have walked grease from the workshop across the tiled carpet into the rest-room.

I personally dont want to include cleaning carpets into my buisness just yet, so I  might have to get some quotes & include this in my deepclean/estimate.

Thanks :D
 

Title: Re: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: Ian Gourlay on February 08, 2005, 11:25:34 pm

Tim you frightened me then I realised I am insured

Title: Re: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: Tim Downer on February 09, 2005, 06:24:42 am

Ian
Yes, that chap was insured aswell, but the point I was making is that if mistakes happen....even by us Professionals, how much more so to those who have had no training or experience and do not realise the potential dangers, mishaps etc...

Regards

Tim

Title: Re: Going to estimate my 1st contract....
Post by: martin19842 on February 09, 2005, 10:06:34 am

hi there,

tim,
i think we all sail a bit close to the wind sometimes, dont we?

as the saying goes

the answer is "yes"

whats the question??

well off to the office for the  rest of the day, tenders and invoices.

regards

martin