Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mrdave3000 on December 21, 2009, 11:15:59 pm
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Hi all, I noticed a lot of people talking about increasing there prices next year, me included. I have never increased my prices since I started my round as Ive been scared of loosing my much needed work, but now Im getting to the point where the customers are actually saying "is it not about time you put your prices up!" lol
Some of my round is very well priced and will stay as it is so its time for me to target the under priced jobs.
What Im interested in is how much you are putting your prices up as Im scared of making too much of a jump?
for example could you put your prices up by £1 per every £5
£5 house would now be £6
£10 house would now be £12
£15 house would noe be £18
you get the idea! Whats your plan of attack lol ?
Cheers guys ;)
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its hard esp in this climate wiv rescession n all but you av a livin to ,make go for it wot u lose youl gain its hard puttin up prices but fuel goes up vats goin back up everyone tightening their belts but dats life put e,m up esp if it aint co,mpact stuff
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Thats the thing, everything get more expensive each year and unless we do the same, our round will not be worth the paper their printed on.
I just cant help but be a little worried lol
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im definatly going to put mine up next year, aint dont it for years and i get hte same comments about my prices, i think i know what i can get away with so i will just put them up that much and be happy, it should work out a nice increase per week though ;D
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Dave we all in same boat ,m8 average 3 bed er gota be a tenner you gota do 4 an hour dat covers wages expenses an debts dont forget if you av to collect extra fuel n ti,me its hard to put up price but if u do gud job always on ti,me etc custy will pay
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majority of my round is going up EVERY YEAR! ;)i dont care if they dont like it!ive been cleaning some for a low price for years!60 or so are gettin the ultimatum treatment and will go up £3,£4,£5 if they want me to carry on cleaning.most of the others will go up a 50p/£1.EVERY APRIL!/EVERY YEAR!from now on.i have 320 custys but there is a lot of underpriced work that were underpriced 5 yrs ago! ::) ::)
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320 50ps all come in extra 160 brick same work
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Thanks for all the replies guys!
I understand what you are saying about the ultimatum treatment daz! Ive got a few jobs that if they dont accept a higher price, I would rather not do them. take it or leave it.
Cheers again guys!
Im off to my kip just now ;)
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so dave where u clean hope it all goes to plan shud do lad best ov british n all dat ;D ;D gotta keep smiling gav
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Started in 2006 and as of yet I have not yet put up 1 single price...the truth is that I am scared to do it.
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Started in 2006 and as of yet I have not yet put up 1 single price...the truth is that I am scared to do it.
That seems to be the reason most do not put up the price fear of upsetting customers
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If you are getting comments from your own customers saying "Isn't time your prices went up" then in most they are expecting you to do so.
Mentally they are prepared for the increase, so just do.
If you were to lose, 10 at your base rate of £5 and gained 10 at new base rate of £6, you're £10 better off, not to mention that those new ten custys may want some additional services, such as gutter cleans on top.
Either way, you, your pocket (and if you have one missus) will be better off !
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If you were to lose, 10 at your base rate of £5 and gained 10 at new base rate of £6, you're £10 better off, not to mention that those new ten custys may want some additional services, such as gutter cleans on top.
Just my luck that the customers I'd lose would be the ones I like doing eg have easy access, leave money out, never say no.
The ones that would agree to the increase would be the "leave it this month" brigade, crap access, plant pots, kids toys, ornaments all over the garden, don't leave the gate open/money out, arrrgghhh
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John, if we all had our way we would all do bungalows with conservatories to help bump up the price !
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I done it 2 years ago. Some 50p,some £1.00 and no one cancelled or complained. Just gave them a letter explaining why and it will go up the next clean.If you have enough punters it all adds up at the end of the month. Heads you win, tales you win. ;D
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So what do you think is the best way to tell your customers about the price increase?
do you put a leaflet through the door explaining the new price (as above post)
or
do you just tell them what you intend to charge the next month when your out collecting?
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dont bother with a letter!just tell em in march that u will be putting them up 50p/£1 from next month.simple! do it every year on underpriced work and youll earn a couple of grand extra every year for the same work!youll earn more than that as u get newer higher priced work and drop the messers/badpayers etc.
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Cheers! ;)
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word it, 'your new price next time will be'
it is always good to remind customers of the pro's of your service, i am regular, fully insured blah blah blah, and here is a leaflet reminding you of the services I provide for you, thanks very much
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Hi all, I noticed a lot of people talking about increasing there prices next year, me included. I have never increased my prices since I started my round as Ive been scared of loosing my much needed work, but now Im getting to the point where the customers are actually saying "is it not about time you put your prices up!" lol
Some of my round is very well priced and will stay as it is so its time for me to target the under priced jobs.
What Im interested in is how much you are putting your prices up as Im scared of making too much of a jump?
for example could you put your prices up by £1 per every £5
£5 house would now be £6
£10 house would now be £12
£15 house would noe be £18
you get the idea! Whats your plan of attack lol ?
Cheers guys ;)
20 % increase is ok on smaller stuff might be alot on say a £100 account though but suer go for it
my increase is gonna be similar fpr anything under £20 in the new year
sorry if any spelling mistakes but i cant see what im typing when im typig when im typing thanks to ciu
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I agree with dazmond, agree to put your prices up at the 31st March, and just inform your customers between then & now. I would simply place a small note through the door when you do their next clean.
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I did a small timing survey on a section of compact work out in one of my villages:-
House One: Start 8:58 Finish 9:20
House 2: Start 9:21 Finish 10:00
House 3: Move van Start 10.03 Finish 10.20
House 4: Start 10.22 Finish 10:40
Have a coffee
etc
Then divide the minutes by the amount to get the hourly rate. If it's not what you want then raise it proportionately.
You then get a house rate and a day rate and see how many hours you are working, driving, scratching your backside etc and adjust accordingly.
Sometimes a good payer might be marred by a gate climb or a chatterbox and so address those issues if possible.
This way you will put up prices where you think necessary.
You also might identify what your gut tells you - that this is a poor (or good) paying section of your round and so you write a note putting their prices up. If you really don't think it's worth doing then really up the prices You'll enjoy it then!
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im starting to introduce a bare minimum 3 bed semi charge,a minimum front only charge and a minimum house with a conservatory charge.ive made big mistakes with not charging much more for houses with conservatories in the past hence the reason why ive put some up £4 and £5.thing is ive got another 60 or so to put up by said amount!! ::).i know ill prob lose a few but still earn the same or more and ill enjoy cleaning them then as gold says!!all my custys bar about 20 are going up in price in april 50p/£1.small increase on most work every year now as i never put up prices for years before that!! ::) ::)
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i am aware that i monopolise certain areas that are v.compact and other window cleaners cant get a look in as ive cleaned these for years!i dont want to push my look too much as i dont want to leave gaps for other window cleaners to fill!!BUT i need to up the prices!150 houses one after another!ive built up trust and reliability over years so i think most will stay with me!!this is just one part of a round thats covers a 3 mile area.ihave another 100 or so accounts in this area ranging from 4/5bed houses,converted barns,a few bigger houses,nurserys,childrens home etc then ive got a days work about 5 miles away,granny flats,various other houses a few minutes away from where i live.a good mixture.
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My prices will go up in April. I usually do it every 2 years but last year I decided to leave it due to enconomic issues.
My approch is to do them individually, if its a good customer who I want to keep and is priced well they may get a less of a % increase. However, if it's a problem house they will go up by a higher %. It depends on how much they are 'worth' to me and how much I enjoy cleaning their windows.
If you have £2000 worth of work per month and you add £200 value to your round you can 'afford' to loose £200 worth of work and find customers to replace the ones you lost. Obviously the new customers will be charged peak rates.
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My veiw has always been the same up by 10% AND IF YOU LOOSE 10% OF YOUR CUSTIES ( WHICH YOU WILL NOT ) THEN YOU ARE BETER OFF AS YOU CAN FILL UP THOSE SPOTS WITH CUSTOMER WHO WILL PAY. Simples !!
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gonna charge a £i a house next year
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i'm jackin some of mine up in april defo!
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Has any one got good letter saying why prices are going up e,c,t , i feel to lazy at mo to write one thanks in advance.
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WINDOWCLEANERS
Dear Customer,
WINDOW CLEANING – PRICE INCREASE
We have increased our price for the monthly cleaning of your property from
£________ to £ ________. This increase will be effective at our next clean.
It is realised that this is a sharp increase in price, however when I first quoted for your property, I severely underestimated the price. It is hoped that this will not deter you from being one of our valued customers and if you wish to discuss the above, please do not hesitate to phone me. You may (of course) also ask other window cleaners for a quote and I am sure you will find that we are still extremely competitive.
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I'm not sure I would invite them to look for another price! Though if they like you they probably won't look
I have always just said:
Due to ever increasing costs and inflation (might not apply this year ::)) it has become necessary to increase my prices. From next month the price to clean your windows will be _. I have kept the increase to minimum and will hold this price for a minimum of twelve months.
Increase the same time every year and people can't say it's only just gone up a couple of months ago.
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my prices shouldv gone up last may . i put them up every 2 years 1 pound . for most , but with the credit crunch and all that left them this year . still unsure wether to put them up or not this year, ??? ???
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I can't understand why anyone would have 25p, 50p 75p etc as part of a price.
Anyway happy new year.
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The problem with putting up prices in 2010 is that we don't know if the economic outlook will improve significantly to justify an increase!!With vat being raised it means everything will increase in price,cost of living will increase etc etc.Yes it will mean we will not be making as much profit as we were a few years ago but don't forget the custies will be feeling the pinch too and I am sure they will be reveiwing thier finances and seek ways to save money.So luxuries like having the windows cleaned will have to be cut back.
Also due to the fact that poeple have been loosing thier jobs left,right and centre it means there are a lot more window cleaners starting up(seeing as its the easiest and cheapest trade to start up in) who could potentially tempt your customers away from you with cheaper prices.I have seen several cars with ladders and scrim in the back windows in the last few weeks in my area and a few new vans also.
So if you are quite happy to potentially lose some customers then yes put up your prices but don't be too surprised when you can't fill there gap with new ones.
Good luck out there and I qoute''The window cleaning bussiness is filled with dark holes,cheaters,scroungers,liars and blaggers, there to suck you in and chew you up and spit you out into the gutter.Then there's the bad side!!'' ;D
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The problem with putting up prices in 2010 is that we don't know if the economic outlook will improve significantly to justify an increase!!With vat being raised it means everything will increase in price,cost of living will increase etc etc.Yes it will mean we will not be making as much profit as we were a few years ago but don't forget the custies will be feeling the pinch too and I am sure they will be reveiwing thier finances and seek ways to save money.So luxuries like having the windows cleaned will have to be cut back.
Also due to the fact that poeple have been loosing thier jobs left,right and centre it means there are a lot more window cleaners starting up(seeing as its the easiest and cheapest trade to start up in) who could potentially tempt your customers away from you with cheaper prices.I have seen several cars with ladders and scrim in the back windows in the last few weeks in my area and a few new vans also.
So if you are quite happy to potentially lose some customers then yes put up your prices but don't be too surprised when you can't fill there gap with new ones.
Good luck out there and I qoute''The window cleaning bussiness is filled with dark holes,cheaters,scroungers,liars and blaggers, there to suck you in and chew you up and spit you out into the gutter.Then there's the bad side!!'' ;D
I'm underwhelmed by you 'positive' outlook.
If your time is worth more than you are currently charging then you need to charge more. In every walk of life there are people out there willing to pay top price for a good job. If you never increase your work, you will never know who these customers are.
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I agree with what you are saying,but is it the right time to increase prices?Would it not be better to wait till the goodtimes come back again and people have more money to throw around and have a more positive outlook on things.
Good things come to he who waits.....
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this time next year we'l be millionaires! ;D lol
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gonna charge a £i a house next year
hope you dont start round here ;) ;D
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I agree with what you are saying,but is it the right time to increase prices?Would it not be better to wait till the goodtimes come back again and people have more money to throw around and have a more positive outlook on things.
Good things come to he who waits.....
If your time is undervalued now it will be undervalued in 6-12 months time x the number of cleans you do that are undervalued. If you wait till the good times return you could be waiting for a long time. Plus you want to catch people before they decide to spend their extra cash as YOU want it.
If you have bad paying work increase it. If you loose some, replace them with better customers. You will find they all come out of the woodwork in spring and if you dont have time to do them because of servicing low priced jobs you WILL miss out.
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im sorry jeff but i dont agree at all.most of my prices will be going up in april.in fact ive put a few up by £4and £5 recently and YES JUST BEFORE XMAS!!its all about confidence.ive been cleaning a lot of my custys for years.quite a lot are underpriced.i dont think ill lose many if at all over 50p/£1!dont get sucked in by all the news and hype!if uv already got good priced work then fair enough but mine are going UP EVERY YEAR! ;D
its a case of" better the devil u know" scenario methinks.why would my custys get someone else whos marginally cheaper who they dont know or trust to be reliable?i dont think so somehow.FEAR will keep me earning less.i deserve more hence price rise! ;D ;D ;D
regards dazmond
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Quite true Dazmond. If you approch it like it is the most normal thing in the world (to put the price up) then you will have no problem.
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im no big shot window cleaner but i do think ive sold myself short over the years at times! ::)most of my custys will get a small prudent rise in prices every year from now on.i think some of u who charge a lot more than me might have a few problems with undercutting! ::) ::)
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I started yesterday telling customers of a price increase from next visit, none have told me to sling my hook.
I explain that every January people ask me if the price has gone up, so this year I am not going to disapoint anyone and am putting everyones price up.
Leaves them laughing.
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Thanx for your positive replys guys its quite warming to see other window cleaners are doing so well.Perhaps its this bloody weather lately making me feel negative and lethargic.Its quite soul destroying when you look out the window and its peeing down or iced up and you can not work for a few weeks.But the good weather will be here soon(I hope).I think I will put my prices up like the rest of you are in april and hopefully won't lose too many custees. :)
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yeh its a trickey subject to bring up to custies so i have a plan its a suttle plan and its a plan to beat all plans just say to them due to rising costs of materials im sorry but i have to change my prices from £10 to £12 then come out with some public liability jargon aswell like the cost of my pub lia just gone through the roof love keep me in touch m8 :)
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yeh its a trickey subject to bring up to custies so i have a plan its a suttle plan and its a plan to beat all plans just say to them due to rising costs of materials im sorry but i have to change my prices from £10 to £12 then come out with some public liability jargon aswell like the cost of my pub lia just gone through the roof love keep me in touch m8 :)
Why apologise, why lie to them. Prices rise no explanation necessary.
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why lie to them A/J WCLEANING?no need for an explanation!just tell em they will be going up as they are underpriced for ur own price structure!if they dont like it they can find someone else to clean their windows.custys DONT KNOW what it takes to run a successful window cleaning business.the overheads,no sick/holiday pay etc.
im in business to make money and provide a cleaning service!thats it!
if ur regular,reliable,do a good job,friendly and have been cleaning for them for years u should have v.few problems if its a small prudent prise rise.the others ive put up £4/£5 i start with the line "ill have to stop cleaning ur windows unless i put them up considerably as they are v.underpriced!these i hate doing so im not bothered if i lose them but IVE NOT LOST ONE!i now enjoy cleaning them now!!
i will be increasing a lot of my custys every year by a small amount from now on.
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i'm not putting up the price this year , recession not over yet , its going to drop 20% 2010 .