Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: slrobo on August 16, 2008, 09:19:26 am

Title: what sort of running costs?
Post by: slrobo on August 16, 2008, 09:19:26 am

Hi, I am wondering what sort of running cost are involved when using a WFP system, and also how do you price up commercial jobs?

Regards Simon

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: Andrew McCann on August 16, 2008, 10:15:01 am

Running costs are actually surprisingly low. A lot depends on your water quality from your supply. What part of the country are you in Simon?

Commercial work is mostly based on an hourly rate. It is getting more and more competetive and you also have to take into account cash flow. Some companies will pay you reasonably quickly but many will take up to or over 3 months. Usually the big ones are the slowest payers. As a guide you really want to be working on £30-35 per hour on commercial. If you take a job on that pays you say £15 an hour just for the sake of getting the business you will be making a big mistake. Getting pricing right does take a bit of time but you soon pick it up. We have all probably made mistakes by underpricing work. As time goes on this will happen less and less.

Andrew

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: ftp on August 16, 2008, 03:09:23 pm

 Running costs of an RO might be low but it's the start up costs that can be crippling and the costs to update your equipment can be quite staggering. If your serious and want commercial work then you'll need a vehicle capable of lugging a large quantity of water about. Then you'll want good poles, maybe two or more and brushes as well. To get a half decent van plus kit could be anything from £10,000 to £30,000. Obviously less if you can find a decent old van.

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: tacky on August 16, 2008, 11:55:09 pm

sirobo (.no disrespect) to the prices put on here but when u buy quip .in the £10.000 plus bracket. u .in big time .i do small commercial work wfp .n £1500.u can by some decent stuff .shop round for prices read previuos posts .us wfp guys .have ,tolleys .etc .carried in cars .estates . vans etc .

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: windowwashers on August 17, 2008, 01:32:08 am

I would not say wfp running costs are cheap at all compared to trad, you have resin, filters, pole hose hose reel, connectors, then there is the rectus 21 fittings, not to meantion the poles and a few others thing I am sure I have missed.


Please dont get me wrong, I love wfp far safer than trad, but I am being 100% honest, wfp does cost money to maintain, the price it costs will depend on the amount of work you do, the amount of water you use, and the tds level of your tap water and if you are on a meter or not.

Ian

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: alanwilson on August 17, 2008, 10:30:39 pm

I would reckon £5k per year as a guide - that includes fuel, filters, wear and tear on poles pumps etc but obviously does not take into account van depreciation.

Less work you do the less your overheads will be but this is what I budget for each of our vans.

Title: Re: what sort of running costs?
Post by: s.hughes on August 18, 2008, 08:42:10 am

Running costs are low compared to other businesses and I guess thats because we are all in the service business.
I have a custy who has £30 million of orders for this year but once he has processed them orders the profit is very low and thats why we have to be careful when pricing up work