[tom2009]

Just been asked to quote for a house with 17 windows. Already has a wc. Said I don't wont to undercut. Shes just not happy with him. He charges £9 all done trad! I told her slightly more than double. Still done trad with sills and frames. Is that reasonable? feels right to me. £9 for a lot of work - don't know how he makes a living.

[tom2009]

ps. i said I'd understand if she wanted to stick with him, she wanted to talk to her husband.

[concept]

Boooo! Overcutter! Booooo!

Being serious, happens a lot round my way, someone asks for a price, then say they currently pay £9 for a 4 bed detatched with conservatory...

Some folk are busy fools!

I also come across old plodders with ladders and a rag, who are cheap cos they don't pay tax and are happy to turn over a few bob a week.

Wouldn't worry pal, your pricing sounds reasonable, don't alter that. You are also offering a different service, so you can justify the price difference.

[Ian Lancaster]

I never ask what the current window cleaner is charging - I tell the custy I don't want to know.

If they ask me for a quote, that's their privilage - I give them one, honestly and openly and based on my own pricing policy.

If it's lower than their current one, then fair enough, but I haven't undercut.

This is business.  I would never deliberately go out to undercut anyone else, but I won't turn down work because someone else is already doing it.

I operate fairly and ethically, but I don't cut my own throat.

[chris@c.m.s]

Quite possibly has his income topped up through other means   £20 sounds reasonable to me.

I had quite the opposite on Friday Quoted a house at £14 customer told me the last company was charging £26    he then said they had gone out of business and he didn't want the same happening to me so would £16 see me all right, Did the Job today and he gave me £20 as the others hadn't turned up for their Christmas bonus, could do with a few more like that      

[stephen s]

I never ask what the current window cleaner is charging - I tell the custy I don't want to know.

If they ask me for a quote, that's their privilage - I give them one, honestly and openly and based on my own pricing policy.

If it's lower than their current one, then fair enough, but I haven't undercut.

This is business.  I would never deliberately go out to undercut anyone else, but I won't turn down work because someone else is already doing it.

I operate fairly and ethically, but I don't cut my own throat.

spot on.

when I quote I give the price I feel is right for the job and I tell them what their getting for their money,   I'm not intersted what the other w/c is charging  I just give what I think is fair.

[tom2009]

I just didn't want to do the other bloke out of work as it would annoy me, but 9 quid, I thought you are having a laugh. I'd previously done another up the road for the first time and told her 12 pound but after I'd done it (another miss quote) I had to say next time 15. Ball's in her court. I don't want to wear myself into the ground or make a million, I just want to earn a living.

[tom2009]

just had confirmation thats she wants me to do the job! 

[Jack Wallace]

How does he do it? Chances are he doesn’t!!!

If someone tells me they have (or had) a cleaner I never ask what they were being charged for 2 reasons.
 
1, I don’t care what anyone else charges, I know what is fair and what my own prices are so I quote accordingly, I win some and I lose some. As someone once said "if you get every job you quote, you are too cheap!"

2, I don’t believe anything anyone tells me unless proven.
Think of it from a customer’s point of view, they want a good job for minimal cost. They assume that just like most trades you will go in cheaper than the competition, so if they knock a few quid of his price and you go in under that they are laughing. (And you are working your nuts off for peanuts)

[JRDEasiReach]

I have alot of those types too, where i would charge at least 12 for a house others are cleaning the same house for £6, b******s, i have no idea how they make a living at that money, no point working flat out for peanuts is there?

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

The best one I've had was last w/c'er £25, me £60. She didn't like him or the job he did. She chose me & has been a good customer to boot.