[gavin pedley]

Ok all so i just got my first job lady called asking for a one off clean on here house that she had been renting out and is now selling.

She wants all fascias, gutters (outers only) frames and windows done, to be honest i was quite nervous although it did help that it turned out i knew her as she was my daughters old teacher.

Anyway she was keen to know the price on the phone and i said it is hard to quote without seeing the property (what do you guys do when someone wants a quote over the phone?)

So i popped down and took a look it has not been cleaned for a very long time all fascias are green windows are black lol.  As i said i was nervous and was not sure what to quote so sort of added windows up looked around fascias etc and £35 popped in to my head so i said yes i can do this for £35 she said ok great.

Here is a pic of the front the back has 4 same size windows as front and one small side window then obviously the porch and fascias. i said i would throw porch in as it looked a lot cleaner than the rest.

How bad did i do?

[darren clarke]

35 for gutters and windows?

[gavin pedley]

Yer only the outer gutters though not cleaning them out big underprice? 

[tom2009]

I wouldn't worry about it Gavin, see how you get on and adjust the next job accordingly.You'll get a better feel for it as you go along. Don't rush the job thinking about hourly rates etc, just do a great job and build on it.
Tom

[Tom White]

With a WFP, I reckon that should take you about an hour for a first clean; with those gutters; assuming there's no problems round the back, so that sounds reasonable to me.

If you're brand new to window cleaning I reckon you'll find that's going to be a mornings work; so you'll find it under-priced.

But if the windows are a regular clean, then as long as you've priced those properly (at least a tenner), then that's no so bad.

[scottt24]

personally i would have said £20 for windows and £70 for fascias gutters and downpipes if just a one off

or £12 for windows and £50 for gutters and fascias if she was a regular custy, but you live and learn and you will find loads of info and help on here for pricing jobs up when your not sure

[gavin pedley]

Ye its all experience at the end of the day to be honest i don't mind it is my first job and its all experience.

I priced up the windows at about £13 then looked at guters and fascias and thought god i have no idea then 35 popped into my head, not the best way to price but hey as you say live and learn can you really charge £70 for fascias gutters and downpipes alone!

Even if it took me a couple of hours that is still 17.50 an hour which is a hel of a lot more than i get in my full-time job an hour.

I will most defiantly do a good job and not rush. At the end of the day a good job is much better for my rep than a rushed one even if it does take me longer and i have under-priced.

[gavin pedley]

If someone ask you for quote over the phone, just ask for some more details about the work and the condition it’s in and then give only an estimate.

£35 is very good for the customer!

yes i am sure they are very happy lol oh well.

I just find it hard there are so many variables size of window frames etc etc suppose it will come with time.

Just got to get my system back together by Monday!

Pulled it all out and protectkaoted van and converting to DI

[richywilts]

3 bed semi id price at £100 inc free window clean

[andyM]

Yes I would say you have greatly underpriced the job Gav but you will be gaining experience from it.
TFR would help to shift the grime quicker but you haven't allowed for consumables in your quote.
If I were quoting that job I would price for guttering,fascias,barge board, downpipes and windows.
And I would be quoting more than double the price that you are getting.
    

  
  

[scottt24]

on the vast majority of our work and working at a steady pace we will turn over 20-30 pound per man per hour this is acheivable because most or our work is compact and reasonably priced it can take a very long time to build rounds up like these but if you are willing to put the effort in then eventually you we reap the rewards.

the best advice i can give you is the same thing i was told just keep knocking those doors and eventually it will all sort itself out  

[gavin pedley]

The job doesn’t look that bad, Give the customer no more than 1 hour of your time.

The pic is from google street view so not that up to date.

3 bed semi id price at £100 inc free window clean

Wow now i wish i was brave enough to ask for more! Oh well will learn next time.

[NJWindowCleaning]

Would like to congratulate you of getting your first job. For your pricing it is very reasonable too and if your happy and your client is happy with the pricing then everyones happy.

As Tom said take your time and do a good service for this client as they might pass you on to someone else or even better keep you on for there other property.

But well done in what you have acheived.

How i price things maybe different to others for the porch £3.00, Windows from £1.00 per window, For Guttering, Fascia's and Soffits From £20.00 Front And £20.00 For Backs.
So for all Windows and including porch at front £10.00
So complete clean including Gutters Fascia's, Soffits  and Windows Total £50.00.
And not including the side Fascia but would probably through it in for free as i would be cleaning with wfp.

Hope this sort of pricing would give you some idea on comparing prices or know how.

But most of all I hope you go from strength to strength in getting more jobs in the near future.

Take Care and Good Luck!

[Jackal]

it is hard at first to price things up when you havnt done the job before,no point people telling what to price either unless they live in same area as you because prices vary,but if you are cleaning the back fascia/gutter as well then its definatly underpriced,i live in midlands and prices are a lot cheaper hear than further south,if you do a good job it normally takes me 1 hour per side of house thats gutters in/out and fascia clean,i charge £30 a side,some companies charge alot more than that aswell,you will no yourself if you have underpriced because when you've finish you'll be ped off that you've just worked your arse off for not enough cash

[gavin pedley]

Would like to congratulate you of getting your first job. For your pricing it is very reasonable too and if your happy and your client is happy with the pricing then everyones happy.

As Tom said take your time and do a good service for this client as they might pass you on to someone else or even better keep you on for there other property.

But well done in what you have acheived.

How i price things maybe different to others for the porch £3.00, Windows from £1.00 per window, For Guttering, Fascia's and Soffits From £20.00 Front And £20.00 For Backs.
So for all Windows and including porch at front £10.00
So complete clean including Gutters Fascia's, Soffits  and Windows Total £50.00.
And not including the side Fascia but would probably through it in for free as i would be cleaning with wfp.

Hope this sort of pricing would give you some idea on comparing prices or know how.

But most of all I hope you go from strength to strength in getting more jobs in the near future.

Take Care and Good Luck!

Thank you that helps i also charge roughly a £1 a window although i went for more like £1.50 for these as they are bigger than standard windows (they look smaller in pic)  I suppose i have focused so much time on window pricing while i have been soaking info up that i forgot about gutters fascias etc. I felt a bit on the spot when she said so how much do you reckon and because i have had no other experience on pricing i just blurted a figure. Next time though i will be more prepared and take my time to assess the job properly, well i hope anyway sure there will be a few more under priced jobs at times but i will get there main thing is a do a good job on this one and maybe i might get more from it.

[andyM]

When I quote for a Roofline clean or conservatory clean I explain to the customer why the service is worthwhile. Because it will enhance the look of their property and it should only need to be done once or twice a year.
I then explain the cleaning process and equipment that will be used.
I find that by explaining it this way to them they then realise it is a specialist cleaning process,that will make their home look better, and when they work out the cost over the course of a year they realise it is value for money.
Then I hit them with the quote 
   

[gavin pedley]

When I quote for a Roofline clean or conservatory clean I explain to the customer why the service is worthwhile. Because it will enhance the look of their property and it should only need to be done once or twice a year.
I then explain the cleaning process and equipment that will be used.
I find that by explaining it this way to them they then realise it is a specialist cleaning process,that will make their home look better, and when they work out the cost over the course of a year they realise it is value for money.
Then I hit them with the quote 
   

Good idea!

[Martin ccs]

hard to tell off a pic but i would of prob gone around the £60 - £70 mark

[Tomo]

Dont kid yourselves with the wfp and cleaning guttering/fascia's,  to do a proper job and  i have done both you gotta get up em ladders because the pole will not clean between the gutter and fascia you gotta squeeze you hand between to get at it properly if not first rain fall and dirt which you pushed up that gap with the brush will come out.

 I now charge quite alot but do a first class job with the cleaning cream's etc and charge accordingly the only down side you have is that you have to bring someone in to foot the ladders . remember from the ground to your eye it might look ok but trust me get up the ladders and there,s lots of dirt you can only see up close  you might think it doesnt matter but, it does matter  because 2 months later it looks alot worse, from my experience anyway. if your not worried about repeat work then its your call what standard of clean you do but we have a high standard and we charge accordingly.

all the  best

[gavin pedley]

ye i think now reading your posts etc i would  probably of charged more around the 50-60 mark but hey next time.