[johnny_h]

i have been asked to wipe over the computer screens and clean the keyboards as i go around i have said i will sort a price out as im not going to add it to my list of work for free
clean 27 screens with a micro fibre cloth
clean 25 keyboards with a product such as a spray and wipe
i would expect this to be done on a weekly basis
any ideas very much welcome

[Adam P]

are they asking for this to be done on a weekly basis or is that your idea? we have people who ask for it just once a month, others ask once a week etc. from experience i'd say computer screens once a week at most if it's just removing dust and not finger prints, then maybe once a month for finger prints, and keyboards once a month too, though it depends who quickly they get dirty and what level of cleaning is expected, e.g. if it's just a dust of keyboards then this can be done same time as the screens but if to get in between gaps to get a sensible amount of the crumbs out and washing the ones with coffee on them then this'll take a lot longer

[johnny_h]

they have asked once a week i wondered what it would cost per unit to clean

[Pristine Clean]

The frequency for computer cleaning seems a bit much. - We do computer cleaning for large firms on a 6 - 12 months basis.

From your description I assume you are cleaning only the external.

You may find that if this is part of an office clean you will get the work but generally we are up against companies charging £2.50 - 3.00 + vat per unit that includes the screen - mouse - keyboard.

Obviously they do charge a call out fee on top and price depends on quantity and type of environment

If you are including the internals - i.e cleaning the motherboards - cpu - heat sinks and fans then this is different as you would require antistatic equipment... Do you have this?

What is the environment like - is it an office? Or a factory that gets very dusty? Or a garage where the screen and keyboard is covered in oil because if so then this would warrant a different price altogether.

One last thing what contract have you in place of - chemicals to use, experience and accidental damage? Oh and most of all does your insurance cover you for such loss? At the time of cleaning will the machines be switched off or still on? What about data loss HDD Failures etc.

What wavers have you in place to protect you or your staff?

Generally it is not as easy as just a wipe over. This is considered a specialist area. And cannot be performed correctly with a duster and pledge. Do your research.

After reading your post again, spray and wipe is not a good idea for keyboards.

A microfibre cloth alone will not remove finger prints from TFT screens, and what are you intending to spray on the screen. Are you going to clean the back of the monitors and stand and cable? That collects dust as well.

How will you clean in between the keys on the keyboard?

Dave

[johnny_h]

hi dave all this comes from me using pledge/polish on the desks and not moving any paperwork that is left on the desks i have done this for two and a half years the new M.D who has ocd has taken to wipeing over his desk with baby wipes result dirty baby wipe! and every body is up in arms because i clear the desks of paperwork ,i was ordered not to touch the keyboards or monitors when i took on the client however he now wants keyboards monitors / behind them/ leads wiped over i should think and towers wiped clean he really has no clue what hes doing and i can see me losing the contract over this which i do myself and would miss the money
the computers are mostly in open offices but some are in werehouses

[Pristine Clean]

Email sent.

[Phild]

Hi Johny,

You have made a couple of major mistakes there ;-) For future reference I would always specify that you don't clear the desks daily but if the occupants clear them on, for example, a Thursday night you will clean the emptied desks. Pledge? Mon Dieux, materials only make up a 2-3% of your charge but why use a branded product when there is comparable 'no-name' products out there. Then why use polish on desks that aren't wood? It's simpler, quicker and cheaper to use a diluted multicleaner in a spray bottle and you don't get a build up. Also by the gist of your thread you have been spraying the desks? Basic mistake. If you are going to polish spray the cloth and it goes where it's meant to go.

Coming back to your computer problem. I would suggest being proactive and pointing out to your client that the cleaning of ITC equipment isn't included in their specification but your pleased he has noticed the problem as you were forever trying to persuade the previous boss to have a regular clean done to them. It takes 30 minutes to do a proper job and you can get a spec from BICS (probably a small charge but so what) how to do it properly.

If you get stuck e-mail andrew.dixon@newlifecleaning.com and he will tell you what products you need. If you train one of your staff up to do it and get them in a clean overall and have a nice little bag with your bits and pices in, it's the sort of job that can be done while the punters are in and you will create lots of goodwill. Charge more per hour than your daily cleaning service. Phil D