[Jsw window cleaning]

Hi guys just had a call from a high school asking for my services. I said I would go round and price it for them but not too sure how to go about pricing on this kind of thing I've only ever priced and cleaned domestic any help much Ppreciated

[duncan h]

Never had to do it, but price it on time and difficulty
Also how long before they will pay

[jonboywalton75]

Schools have no money
If you don't mind working cheap, give them a quote
They mess you about and dump you in the end

[Soupy]

Schools have no money
If you don't mind working cheap, give them a quote
They mess you about and dump you in the end

Unlikely to be the schools that pay for it. Most schools are rented to the government by facilities management companies who are contracted to clean the windows 4 times per year.

[p1w1]

School, Hotel, whatever just price for what you're happy with. Don't totally  agree with above post  yes they dont have much spare cash, but i've never been messed around with the schools i do (generally paid by the council within 6-8 weeks and a couple of them for several years now) and they're certainly worth while doing.
You will probably find it could be a one off  (or call you when needed) or 1-2 times per year perhaps.  Best to go down talk with whoever is responsible and go from there.
We have had a couple go to be academy's where generally they will want 1 company to take care of all cleaning (windows, general vacuuming etc) I did have the opportunity  to re quote for these but turned it down as i didnt want to get involved with the general cleaning side of it.

[jonboywalton75]

Yeah, general cleaning
I'm not interested in that either
I suppose you do get lucky with some schools, but I have a downer on them at the moment

[jonboywalton75]

I suppose it depends what you earn on domestic work
I just dislike the way some school facilitators treat window cleaners
Also, I'm old and grumpy

[Smudger]

I have over 18 schools on the books - large schools that take 3 to 4 days in/out once a year to little village first schools ( who tend to have 3 cleans a year )

All schools have a budget, and now most caretakers don't want to do the windows so the school will pay, if it's an academy school they will defo pay !!!

Price wise I do the same as any other job, price per window  charge X1.5 for the internal
Most are pretty crappy esp. metal framed windows but the plus side its like  shelling peas  and it's all on one site.

Most schools earn 25% more ph than my prime residential rounds - but of course they are less frequent - they all pay on time usually 7 days or on resumption of the school term

Darran

[robbo333]

I was offered a School (guy I know is the head Caretaker). It was way too big for me in the end, but I did price it.
Break the school down into loads of sections and work out how long each individual section will take.
Make sure you see EVERYTHING.
Allow time for access to awkward windows and windows above flat roofs etc.
Allow for doors and canopies etc.
Ask if there are any other bits that need cleaning.
Add up all the hours and add 20%. Now you can work out a price.
Check how they will pay and how long the payment will be.
I ended up with pages of notes.
Also check for an outside tap or taps. I ended up giving this job to a friend of mine who only does commercial stuff (he does this stuff in his sleep and re-priced it himself). The windows hadn't been cleaned in years and were minging.
He ended up using the schools tap to clean the windows with one of his lads following behind him, finishing them with pure.
He did a really good job and got another School out of it.
Actually, he still owes me a beer 

[Tony dunmall]

I've a couple schools we do once a year

They earn more per day rate than domestic,  take a week on most

They are dirtier as there yearly, but pay within week of being back at school as the charge is processed in April with there budget and yes they are dirtier

But a pleasure to work for

[sunshine windows]

I tend to price up any commercial job as I would a normal domestic. Counting windows on price per unit.

If the total price exceeds my day rate I'm happy with, I normally knock 10% off for the fact there's no down time for travel between domestics.

[jonboywalton75]

My commercials all earn better per hour than domestic
It's just schools that have messed me about
I'm now prejudiced against them
Its probably just me
Also i hated school as a lad, I think it gives me nightmares to go anywhere near them now

[Ian101]

if doing insides as well then got 2 words to say to you

bluetac  - sellotape 

[jonboywalton75]

Insides of Schools!!!!!!
The nightmare gets worse

[Dry Clean]

As you only normally deal will domestic make sure your public liability insurance will cover the schools needs as then tend to ask for a higher cover than you would need for domestic, this may add to your costs.

[Smudger]

if doing insides as well then got 2 words to say to you

bluetac  - sellotape 

Schools are required to remove the majority on last day of term - any windows with posters etc are not cleaned ( as there quote  )
quick squirt of white vinegar solution and scraper make easy work of whats left

Darran