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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 04:12:14 pm

Title: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 04:12:14 pm
I've got to go out in half hour or so to give a quote for a castle!

Got to be a pole job, as they don't want ladders around old stonework and old windows.
Doesn't matter if they leak a bit apparently!

What I wanted to ask is how big I should go with the price?

Anyone dealt with National Trust or Cadw before?

I don't want to give myself a nightmare, but I'd like to get the job.
Even if it's not a great earner it would be different and interesting. :)

Would they pay good money...? ???
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: MJH on September 16, 2008, 04:21:51 pm
Does it have a moat, could be tricky!!! ;) And make sure you don't put the pole through an ornate window could be talking grands, sounds interesting, good luck!!
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 16, 2008, 04:28:20 pm
Nice one sounds good, id get it just to stick it in portfolio lol, tell everyone you clean a castle, just think of the hourly rate you'd be happy with and go for that?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 04:29:27 pm
Nice one sounds good, id get it just to stick it in portfolio lol, tell everyone you clean a castle, just think of the hourly rate you'd be happy with and go for that?
That's what i was thinking really.

I'm off now to look at it.
Report back later...
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: jeff1 on September 16, 2008, 04:40:10 pm
Nice one sounds good, id get it just to stick it in portfolio lol, tell everyone you clean a castle, just think of the hourly rate you'd be happy with and go for that?
That's what i was thinking really.

I'm off now to look at it.
Report back later...
Good luck Squeeks, I think Jeff Brimble does a castle, so he may be the best guy to ask for pricing.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Bobs Window Cleaning on September 16, 2008, 04:52:34 pm
I use to clean a hall which was similar to a castle and had to give it up when I weny WFP. I gave it away to a trad cleaner.

TOTAL NIGHTMARE water was finding every hole possible around the frames and the insides looked terrible where the water runs had dried.

But hopefully yours will be better in condition.

Bob
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Dean Aspects on September 16, 2008, 05:05:20 pm
I do a Palace and they insisted on a minimum of £5m public liability as the glass is old leaded and very expensive to replace infact i was told in no uncertain terms not to break anything as anything that got damaged inside is irreplaceable
Be very careful and price well as they can be good earners unless you want the job for the kudos
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Paul Coleman on September 16, 2008, 05:27:24 pm
Roger.  Make sure that your PL insurance covers the glass as it could cost a lot to replace if there's a midshap.  Also, write it into your quote or contract that the leaks are OK.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: RO-Sheen on September 16, 2008, 05:48:02 pm
Hi Squeaky

I do a few old buildings in oxfordshire but you need to be soooo careful with old leaded windows. All it takes is a little pressure and they could cave in if they arent in good condition!

It doesnt stop me from doing them but brush very very lightly
Adie
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Oakley Windows on September 16, 2008, 05:50:35 pm
He's been gone a long time  :o  :o

Reckon he's ran of wiv 'er ladyship?

Maybe they garroted him  ;D

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: RO-Sheen on September 16, 2008, 05:52:03 pm
He's probably been hung, drawn and quartered after putting in his 'ambitious' price!  ;D
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: NWH on September 16, 2008, 05:53:46 pm
A lot of these hand me down places are skint,don`t think size means money with these places because you`d be wrong more often than not.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 05:57:58 pm
Cheers guys.

It's just the main building, and it's only 18 windows.

Some are quite big and dirty, but I reckon £40 should cover it and make sure I get it.
It will probably be quarterly, so no need for a massive one-off price.

Just the windows circled here plus a couple on the side and the front:

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Oakley Windows on September 16, 2008, 06:01:39 pm
THANK-GOD he's back, we were really worried about you Squeaks, where the hell have you been man?
 

 ;D

You shouldnt go off pricing up castles all by yourself, havent you heard how dangerous they are ???
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Jeff Brimble on September 16, 2008, 06:02:29 pm
Looks like a tourist shop and admin office, maybe only 3-6 monthly so £60 initial and come down to £40 whatever after.
Usually well mainteained so the glass wont leak.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Oakley Windows on September 16, 2008, 06:02:57 pm
Is that Cardiff castle?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 06:05:55 pm
Nope, Caldicot.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Roy Harding on September 16, 2008, 06:11:57 pm
I used to clean this castle, then passed it on to Ken another member of th forum.

The window on the left on the tower is really tall, we used to do the lot off the ladder.

Roy
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: LWC on September 16, 2008, 06:12:38 pm
Got to be a pole job, as they don't want ladders around old stonework and old windows.

what did we tell you :P
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: simon knight on September 16, 2008, 06:26:34 pm
I used to clean this castle, then passed it on to Ken another member of th forum.

The window on the left on the tower is really tall, we used to do the lot off the ladder.

Roy

Phew!...rather you than me ;D
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on September 16, 2008, 06:33:38 pm
Roger,

I wouldn't get your hopes up, mate, I've been asked to quote too; I'm off to see the job tomorrow, I didn't know they were getting other quotes in; the sneaky gits.

I also used to clean Chepstow Castle, so I've experience in this area; which is a point I'll be pushing when I quote.

Sorry, mate; but I bet the best looking window cleaner gets it; so that'll be me.

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 16, 2008, 06:34:36 pm
I wish someone would pass me a few of them :) what do you charge them if you dont mind me asking??]

Although saying that, there isnt too many castles in manchester :(
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Bobs Window Cleaning on September 16, 2008, 06:38:02 pm
Roger

Why have you quoted your price on here ::)


Tosh is well rubbing his hands together :-X
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 16, 2008, 06:41:21 pm
I do a Palace and they insisted on a minimum of £5m public liability as the glass is old leaded and very expensive to replace infact i was told in no uncertain terms not to break anything as anything that got damaged inside is irreplaceable
Be very careful and price well as they can be good earners unless you want the job for the kudos

Most insurance policies most dont automatically cover damage for the building you are working on unless specifically added on....so need to watch that, and check your policy!!
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 16, 2008, 06:42:17 pm
Roger

Why have you quoted your price on here ::)


Tosh is well rubbing his hands together :-X


No quote on here?? His hourly rate might be 10 might be 100?? thats no clue...might get there and change mind and ask for double what he was thinking before he left ??
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Bobs Window Cleaning on September 16, 2008, 06:45:11 pm
Cheers guys.

It's just the main building, and it's only 18 windows.

Some are quite big and dirty, but I reckon £40 should cover it and make sure I get it.
It will probably be quarterly, so no need for a massive one-off price.

Just the windows circled here plus a couple on the side and the front:




There you go sean. Yer right tho, it could be rogers sneaky way of getting the job.....not.  Either way tosh will be more expensive and prob get it....hes a jammy git
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Oakley Windows on September 16, 2008, 06:48:31 pm
He might say 40 but will put in 30  ;D
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on September 16, 2008, 06:55:46 pm
Roger,

Do they want inside and out, or outside only?

If it's outside only £40 is a nice price, but if it's inside also you need to be much higher; I bet they're big tall real leaded windows which are a pain, especially if it's done quarterly; and jobs that are done quarterly should be priced high.

I actually sent Caldicot Castle a mailshot about two-years-ago, and heard nothing from it!

I wonder who were their last window cleaners?

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: jaykie on September 16, 2008, 06:55:56 pm
That cannon is aiming straight at you so be careful
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on September 16, 2008, 06:58:37 pm
 ;D  Oh, I'm only joking, I haven't been asked to quote; but if I was a bit more mercenary... well... (he'd be letting my tyres down and stuff)!

But I'm not, and I hope Squeaks gets the job.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 16, 2008, 07:05:30 pm
Roger,

I wouldn't get your hopes up, mate, I've been asked to quote too; I'm off to see the job tomorrow, I didn't know they were getting other quotes in; the sneaky gits.

I also used to clean Chepstow Castle, so I've experience in this area; which is a point I'll be pushing when I quote.

Sorry, mate; but I bet the best looking window cleaner gets it; so that'll be me.


Funny that, because it's a mate who asked me. ;)

Whoops, didn't read your post above!

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on September 16, 2008, 07:07:17 pm
Rog,

Be a bit cheeky, ask for £50 and if you don't get it, negotiate from there.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on September 17, 2008, 04:24:00 pm
Rog,

Did you get the Castle?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: markybop on September 17, 2008, 04:39:07 pm
I clean this castle every month for Historic Scotland all with the pole......
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: bwoofie on September 17, 2008, 04:59:38 pm
Once had a woman ring up,
wanted quote for cleaning job
didnt know if i wanted the hassle
went round there rubbing me hands
And cleaned her bouncy castle ;)
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on September 17, 2008, 06:08:25 pm
Rog,

Did you get the Castle?

Haven't heard yet.
He wasn't sure if he'd see the boss today or not.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: seandyer2003 on September 17, 2008, 09:55:43 pm
Cheers guys.

It's just the main building, and it's only 18 windows.

Some are quite big and dirty, but I reckon £40 should cover it and make sure I get it.
It will probably be quarterly, so no need for a massive one-off price.

Just the windows circled here plus a couple on the side and the front:






There you go sean. Yer right tho, it could be rogers sneaky way of getting the job.....not.  Either way tosh will be more expensive and prob get it....hes a jammy git

Missed that...sorry,.......... hope you get it mate!
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tim82 on September 18, 2008, 09:40:38 am
I used to clean this castle, then passed it on to Ken another member of th forum.

The window on the left on the tower is really tall, we used to do the lot off the ladder.

Roy

That's a small castle! Is it a real one?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tim82 on September 18, 2008, 09:42:34 am
I clean this castle every month for Historic Scotland all with the pole......

I didn't realize some castles just look like big houses!
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Roy Harding on September 18, 2008, 01:47:24 pm
I used to clean this castle, then passed it on to Ken another member of th forum.

The window on the left on the tower is really tall, we used to do the lot off the ladder.

Roy

That's a small castle! Is it a real one?

The picture only shows part of the castle, its lived in by Sir Richard. His family have lived in it since the 14 century.

Roy

Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Oakley Windows on October 29, 2008, 04:52:55 pm
Did you get this job Squeaky?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 29, 2008, 05:29:41 pm
Never heard anything. ???

Oh well, looked interesting, but a pig of a job!
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on October 29, 2008, 05:34:33 pm
Never heard anything. ???

Oh well, looked interesting, but a pig of a job!

There's no such thing as a 'pig of a job'; not if the price is right.

But it bugs me that some window cleaner is doing it cheaper than what you quoted, which seemed like a fair price.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Sir Squeaky on October 29, 2008, 05:42:23 pm
Never heard anything. ???

Oh well, looked interesting, but a pig of a job!

There's no such thing as a 'pig of a job'; not if the price is right.

But it bugs me that some window cleaner is doing it cheaper than what you quoted, which seemed like a fair price.
I wouldn't have thought anyone else is doing it.

He said "I'll speak to the boss when I see him" and "I don't think he wants it done in any rush, and probably not that regularly"

They've probably forgotten about it.
I'm not going to chase it, I've got better things to do to be honest.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on October 29, 2008, 05:51:53 pm
I'm not going to chase it, I've got better things to do to be honest.


X-Box?
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 29, 2008, 07:20:44 pm
I'm not going to chase it, I've got better things to do to be honest.


X-Box?

Ha ha ha!


Squeaky - always worth a chase up. It's just not high on their priorities. 4 out of my 5 top jobs came after I chased up the quotes. They can only say no. It won't ruin your life.
Title: Re: Pricing a castle.
Post by: Tosh on October 29, 2008, 09:59:35 pm
I do a bit of work up in Caldicot, so I may chase the job up. ;D