Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mike 108 on November 09, 2008, 08:18:33 pm
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It’s obvious from some of the replies to such questions on this site that a few of the respondents are ‘Billy Liar’s and a few are rogues who have no shame in ‘ripping off’ anybody who is naïve, or in desperate need of having a certain job done.
Equally, I accept that there are some who can command a higher price than many because of their professional image, their reputation, or the area they serve.
I suspect that the rest (including me) are in the majority - who charge an acceptable/fair price for a fair day's work.
However, I feel that there is no point to these type of questions/surveys without a picture of the thing (window, house, conservatory) the questioner is asking about.
Where a picture is provided, any regular visitor to the forum will be able to see, from which of the categories mentioned, the respondent belongs.
I think that the comparison of charges for various jobs is very helpful to a lot of members (especially the newer ones) as it encourages those that are under-charging to increase their prices. This is good for them and good for window cleaners, generally, as the ‘status’ of any work/profession is usually measured by the wages/salary it pays.
Mike
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Thats the reason i started the ..Conservatory roof topic,
as i was curious and thought it may be beneficial to us all.
Pictures would , no doubt be a better way of showing examples, and i think the topic became confusing as prises not only differ from area to area... but person to person... as well as con roof to con roof..
Perhaps i should not have started it as it is too wide ranging.
So apologies. ;)
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It’s obvious from some of the replies to such questions on this site that a few of the respondents are ‘Billy Liar’s and a few are rogues who have no shame in ‘ripping off’ anybody who is naïve, or in desperate need of having a certain job done.
Equally, I accept that there are some who can command a higher price than many because of their professional image, their reputation, or the area they serve.
I suspect that the rest (including me) are in the majority - who charge an acceptable/fair price for a fair day's work.
However, I feel that there is no point to these type of questions/surveys without a picture of the thing (window, house, conservatory) the questioner is asking about.
Where a picture is provided, any regular visitor to the forum will be able to see, from which of the categories mentioned, the respondent belongs.
I think that the comparison of charges for various jobs is very helpful to a lot of members (especially the newer ones) as it encourages those that are under-charging to increase their prices. This is good for them and good for window cleaners, generally, as the ‘status’ of any work/profession is usually measured by the wages/salary it pays.
Mike
I hope your not accusing me of being a liar!! I never lie, just because someone gets a better price for their service than you do, it does not make them a liar or a rip off!! perhaps they are just better at selling their services than you are. I don't rip people off, I sell myself and my service to customers in the best way that I can, I then negotiate the best possible price that I can, if they don't like the price then they don't have to use my services. It's the same principle as a car salesman, or anyone for that matter who sells a product or service, it makes sense to get the best possible price that you can achieve!!!
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they dont do that to you in tesco though do they, i think there is a profitable price then you are just taking the p if you push it because they dont know any better,,,how do you sleep at night :) seriously though??
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well done ground hog
I had to go and see a new job yesterday, had a good look round and quoted £30
the customer then tells me that that is double what she was paying before , but her reasoning was simple 'she was not happy with the other w/c and for a proper job was willing to give us a go
not ripping anyone off
the other guy was under priced and had to rush it to make his money
pricing is a personal thing to low and the job suffers to high and you stand a chance of losing out
simple law of business
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well done ground hog
I had to go and see a new job yesterday, had a good look round and quoted £30
the customer then tells me that that is double what she was paying before , but her reasoning was simple 'she was not happy with the other w/c and for a proper job was willing to give us a go
not ripping anyone off
the other guy was under priced and had to rush it to make his money
pricing is a personal thing to low and the job suffers to high and you stand a chance of losing out
simple law of business
Nice one Andy, I'm glad that someone has grasped this simple law of business!! :)
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I sell myself and my service to customers in the best way that I can, I then negotiate the best possible price that I can, if they don't like the price then they don't have to use my services. It's the same principle as a car salesman, or anyone for that matter who sells a product or service, it makes sense to get the best possible price that you can achieve!!!
What you have said (above) was well put, and sensible, and I would not try and argue against that. However, I still believe my original remarks to be correct and readers can put themselves into whatever category they like.
Mike
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its like every plumber giving the same price at every job.... it never happens.
Every business has different goals, standards and overheads.
Imagine if we all priced the same for every job?
Every company ?
;)
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Groundhog you are totally correct
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If you are a honest hardworking fair person who will allways do what he thinks is right for the customer and wishes to keep that customer for repeat business then charge as much as you can/ if you try to be all of the above you will know how much to charge
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its like every plumber giving the same price at every job.... it never happens.
Every business has different goals, standards and overheads.
Imagine if we all priced the same for every job?
Every company ?
;)
Good example Gazza, which reminds me of a friend I have who is a plumber, an excellent and extremely proffessional plumber. He charges £60 an hour for his work and he is so busy that he works a minimum of ten hours a day, sometimes more if the customer dosn't mind him being in their house until late! Is he ripping his customers off? No, he is brilliant at his job, and does a far superior job to most other plumbers who probably charge half of what he does.
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Groundhog you are totally correct
Thanks Paul!! :)
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its like every plumber giving the same price at every job.... it never happens.
Every business has different goals, standards and overheads.
Imagine if we all priced the same for every job?
Every company ?
;)
Good example Gazza, which reminds me of a friend I have who is a plumber, an excellent and extremely proffessional plumber. He charges £60 an hour for his work and he is so busy that he works a minimum of ten hours a day, sometimes more if the customer dosn't mind him being in their house until late! Is he ripping his customers off? No, he is brilliant at his job, and does a far superior job to most other plumbers who probably charge half of what he does.
and thats why he is so busy.
Quality counts, people want value, but they also want top quality work.
and i bet your friend rarely advertises ?.... Word of mouth speaks volumes.
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Exactly Gazza, and no he dosn't need to advertise at all, apart from a very proffessional looking sign written van!! :)
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pricing is a personal thing to low and the job suffers to high and you stand a chance of losing out
simple law of business
You are quite right!
I accept that if you have a pricing structure and treat every new customer the same - then your success/failure rate will determine what is reasonable for the area/type of premises, and what you can or cannot ask for (and yes, those whose reputation preceeds them can ask for more).
But some people are strongly of the opinion that because a customer agrees to a price (whatever the price), they can not possibly be getting 'ripped off'.
I disagree - some people have no idea what a reasonable price should be or are just too shy/embarrassed to say 'No thanks'.
And - be honest - how many times have WE ALL regretted buying/paying for something and finished up cursing about being 'ripped off'
Mike
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One of the problems I have is that I am picking up work from a window cleaner who has moved out of the area.
He has been charging £5 for a 10 windowed house. He was around for years so has been dominating the area.
I would charge £10+ nothing less.
Same work, same result. You try justifying your price to the custy when you double it.
How this guy made any money I will never know.
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One of the problems I have is that I am picking up work from a window cleaner who has moved out of the area.
He has been charging £5 for a 10 windowed house. He was around for years so has been dominating the area.
I would charge £10+ nothing less.
Same work, same result. You try justifying your price to the custy when you double it.
How this guy made any money I will never know.
I have had that to contend with in the last 18 months. At least he's gone, so you CAN pick up his work.
I explain that so far as Im aware the guy was a retained fire-fighter, and only did windows for beer-money etc. It seems to work as most of them actually agree that was the case and his prices werent inline with someone trying to make a living full-time.
Most generally understand.
Matt
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You guys that charge £15 to £30 for standard ten to twelve window houses must be almost millionaires. Ten minute house £20, 6x20 £120 a hour, 7 hour day £840, 4 days a week £3360, 48 weeks a year( sorry not using a calculator ) £150,000 a year. 7 or 8 years as a window cleaner and youve cracked it.
In my experience supply and demand dictates price not just supply. Sure i supply a great service but if the demand and market is not there for £30 houses then i have to find a market where my service can be supplied.
I think pictures of the house we do for the prices we charge is a good idea. Someone who knows about uploading photos should put some on and then we can give the prices that we would be able to charge in our areas.
I would personally feel like i am ripping people off if i charged £20 for a ten minute house. But everyone is entitled to their opinion adn im sure this topic will go on and on.
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So would I as you cant clean 12 windows in 10 minutes. You might say you can and think you can, but you cant CLEAN them, you can turn up and make out your cleaning them, but it'll be a shody job.
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Why, a bank would charge you £20 or more for sending you a letter that is automatically printed from a computer.
You have to prepare, turn up then do the work. You’re not ripping anybody off if you feel that way it’s because you don’t fully understand.
Ewan, you are just too arrogant to be able to have a reasoned conversation with. Telling someone they dont understand just encourages negativity.
I'd love to respond to this post in a reasoned way, but is there any point, you always come across as being Mister Know All, Mr You Cant tell me Anything, Mr High and Mighty; I'll save my time.
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personally i don't think putting photos of the houses we clean would be a good thing my reasoning is
1 if a house is a prominent one then it may lead to other w/c targeting it knowing how much you charge
2 if buy some chance the other w/c decides to say to the customer that he saw their house on a forum such as this , if you have not had permission by the owner you may well lose it that way( people a funny things)
3 And lastly i don't think its wise to boast to much about how much this or that job is worth after all its a job in which we are trusted whilst we are around peoples home and their privacy should be taken into account
How would it be for you to have your house posted on the net for all to see
just my thoughts
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5pound three bed semi 20 conc roof 3pound conc,25years in trade doing very well and happy with my prices so are custies never charge double for first clean,as new custie so thats fine another one in my book
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Ewan is a wind up merchant.
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I just find it amazing that in some parts of the country you can charge £25 for a standard house. I charge £5 for a standard 3 bed semi with 5 upstairs windows and 4 downstairs and 2 doors. Im in sheffield.
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Hi
I dont think pictures would help at all, due to area differences.
I dont think we should mention prices or earnings at all.
A saying I was taught is. It's only me who holds me back. If you think your service is worth it then ask for it and deliver it. People have a choice.
Groundhogs attitude is spot on.
Tony
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I just find it amazing that in some parts of the country you can charge £25 for a standard house. I charge £5 for a standard 3 bed semi with 5 upstairs windows and 4 downstairs and 2 doors. Im in sheffield.
same here in liverpool,there is no way i couild charge 25,all my cusies home owners and 250k houses,they will not py anymore
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Ewan
I think you are being very 'economical with the truth' and are being intentionally/unintentially misleading with your last response.
£125 for 1 hours work is robbery!!! (no 2 ways about it!!) (unless you have done a job that no-one else within 100 miles radius is capable of).
Then you go on to say that it actually took 3 hours of your time (when you add in quoting time and then travelling back to do the work. What!!).
Although you make many good points in some of your responses - others seem to be made as if they are 'wishes' rather than facts.
Mike
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So would I as you cant clean 12 windows in 10 minutes. You might say you can and think you can, but you cant CLEAN them, you can turn up and make out your cleaning them, but it'll be a shody job.
I could do them in 5 minutes!!! ;)
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He's right i've seen it!
And wash the lawn, spray the brickwork and srint all round the garden and over the plants. ;D ;D
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Yes I like to SRINT? all round the garden ??? ;D ;D
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;D that's the trouble when things are rushed.
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Shody i'd say. ;D
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Shody i'd say. ;D
If your talking about your spelling then I would have to agree! ;)
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I just find it amazing that in some parts of the country you can charge £25 for a standard house. I charge £5 for a standard 3 bed semi with 5 upstairs windows and 4 downstairs and 2 doors. Im in sheffield.
same here in liverpool,there is no way i couild charge 25,all my cusies home owners and 250k houses,they will not py anymore
I can get 10 for 3 bed semis in my areas, i think 5 isn t enough (i get 5 for terraced council houses with 2 at front a few at back), personally, as when i worked in wigan i could only get 6 and it was hard work making good money, you can do 4 an hour sure, but all day for 8 hours - no way, you will slow down, phone calls, custys brewing, chatting, paying, rain, wind etc etc, so i find you need to charge more, i reckon between 7-10 you are doing okay, less than that is hard though i found to hit a good day rate...However you are happy and earning, but 20 ????
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So would I as you cant clean 12 windows in 10 minutes. You might say you can and think you can, but you cant CLEAN them, you can turn up and make out your cleaning them, but it'll be a shody job.
I could do them in 5 minutes!!! ;)
Course you could!
Ive seen you work, I wouldnt put my name to your haste.
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Ewan
I think you are being very 'economical with the truth' and are being intentionally/unintentially misleading with your last response.
£125 for 1 hours work is robbery!!! (no 2 ways about it!!) (unless you have done a job that no-one else within 100 miles radius is capable of).
Then you go on to say that it actually took 3 hours of your time (when you add in quoting time and then travelling back to do the work. What!!).
Although you make many good points in some of your responses - others seem to be made as if they are 'wishes' rather than facts.
Mike
It took him 2 hours to work out how best to rip them off hahaha
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Course you could!
Ive seen your videos, I wouldnt put my name to your haste.
Yes I could easily, and the finish would be perfect!! You have been wfp for 5 minutes and suddenly your an expert! I've been using wfp for over 4years now, my customers are more than happy with my work and I get many recommendations. And as for my videos, I posted them to help others on this forum, perhaps you could post some and get some advice as to why you are so slow!!! ;)
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;D ;D ;D
so funny!!
All that bragging, good ol' CIU; must serve a purpose somewhere Im sure ;)
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Course you could!
Ive seen your videos, I wouldnt put my name to your haste.
Yes I could easily, and the finish would be perfect!! You have been wfp for 5 minutes and suddenly your an expert! I've been using wfp for over 4years now, my customers are more than happy with my work and I get many recommendations. And as for my videos, I posted them to help others on this forum, perhaps you could post some and get some advice as to why you are so slow!!! ;)
I know what your on about Groundhog,let the peasants revolt lol. ;D ;D ;)
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;D ;D ;D
so funny!!
All that bragging, good ol' CIU; must serve a purpose somewhere Im sure ;)
Who's bragging? You said that cleaning 12 windows in 10 minutes is not possible, I say that it is, and that I can clean 12 upvc average size windows in 5 minutes which is a fact! If you want a demonstration your quite welcome to come out with me one day to watch it being done, I'll even buy you a pint after! ;)
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Oh you wouldnt want to do that ;D ;D
No hard feelings though Groundhog, just I dont feel rushing is a way to do a reliable job, and when you drive from one job to the next, setup, do the job, packup, talk/chat/collect/take a leak....out of 5 minutes as you put it there isnt much time left to clean the windows....RELIABLY.
You dont need to be a dumb window-cleaner, let alone a good one, to know that rushing isnt the best way to do a job.
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Oh you wouldnt want to do that ;D ;D
No hard feelings though Groundhog, just I dont feel rushing is a way to do a reliable job, and when you drive from one job to the next, setup, do the job, packup, talk/chat/collect/take a leak....out of 5 minutes as you put it there isnt much time left to clean the windows.
I'm talking about the time it takes to clean the windows, not anything else! I have always been a hard and a fast worker, I consider myself to be the Super Hod (remember him) of the window cleaning world!! He used to do the work of 4 or 5 men labouring on building sites back in the 80's And I bet that many people told him that it couldn't be done, and thats not how things should be done, but like me he didn't listen to negativity, he is now a multi millionaire!!
I'm glad that you have no hard feelings though Matt! And by the way I never take a leak at work, wastes too much time, I don't stop for lunch, I grab a sarnie between jobs, I do exchange a bit of banter with the custies, but only as I work, when I've finished I make my excuses and get out quick!! Time is money in this game!!! ;)
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If you go to a show room and buy a good make of car you (most of the time)get good service.
Get a cheap car worse service.
That's the facts of life ;)
And there is a regional difference from north to south (houses,bee ,rates,and WAGES)
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Bees? wasps? eh ???
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Bees? wasps? eh ???
Cant remember what the bee i was trying to say ???
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because Ive lost my mind :o