[sherco]

A week ago my daughter was swimming at a private school  And i got talking to a guy and he ran the maintenance at the school. He said he had been let down big time by a carpet cleaner who was meant to get loads of the rooms cleaned before the boarders arrived back and did i know a carpet cleaner. Well i said i do carpet cleaning and he booked me there and then to get it done. i managed to get it done in a 12hr day, and they were well pleased with the standard etc. They have booked me to do a load more in october. I have not invoiced for this work yet and have not got a clue what to charge! Some rooms are fairly easy and some need a lot of spot removal, hallways And stairs, common rooms etc. This could be a nice contract so wondered if anyone on here does any schools like this and could give advice on pricing. Thanks Guys

[Jim_77]

What would you expect to turn over in 2 "normal" days' carpet cleaning if fully booked?  I'd say charging that amount would be fair.

They'd be looking at a fair old bill from me for a 12 hour shift!!!

[lee_gundry]

12 hour shift,,,,,,,sumwere around the 1k mark.


Lee G

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

It seems to me you've got over the biggest hurdle which is to get your foot in through the door!

If they are pleased with the results then you are almost "home and dry".

Charge the job as you would normally charge it. If you charge by room size then use this. If you charge by time taken then do that. Either way I assume you will be factoring in for the extra work involved on gum and stains etc.

They'll have to pay your bill anyway (assuming there was no discussion about charges which you have not mentioned to us) and if you are confident in your own work and know that they were pleased there shouldn't be any problems getting future work.

If they kick off at the size of the bill you can always choose to "negotiate" down and from this come to a mutually acceptable level of charging for future work.

Be bold and be confident in your pricing structure-don't get frightened about thinking that it was a lot of money to charge for one (12 hour) day.

Well-that's how I'd handle it.

Rog

[homenclean]

12 x £60.00 per hour plus 10% for chems £792.00

Poss slightly more if a distance to travel.

Thats what i would charge if working alone.

John

[Phil @ Extreme Clean]

Why have you not agreed a price before you started 

[sherco]

Did not agree a price before I started as I did it the next day I spoke to the guy. Was called again by them to remove shower gel that a lad spilt on a carpet, whole bottle and there cleaners tried removing it will just water and a bucket. They want to book me for 10 days in oct half term to continue cleaning the carpets. I may just do this on a day work rate as it is a lot of messing around. We are talking 200 borders rooms plus common rooms etc so loads of floors. Not all to be done in half term!! I did price all of the natural stone floors totalling 900sqm which the excepted. This is a big school and I want to get all of the work. Thanks and anymore answers would be good on pricing. Thanks

[Hilton]

There's a lot to said for being in the right place at the right time, well done for jumping right in.

You have cracked it, now just get over the price issues, and just get on with it you will be pleasantly surprised.

[Andrew Briscoe]

If they are the type of customer to have 900sqm of natural stone floor cleaned, then i wouldnt go in too cheap, and as has been said, you now have your foot in the door.
Most schools would just get cleaners to mop a stone floor 

Try to get them on a maintanance programme once you have them all cleaned.

Andrew

[wynne jones]

Let's hope the other guy wasn't really cheap and after the sense of urgency has gone they suddenly start to quibble. Been there..done that. LOL

[Carpet Dawg]

Amazing figures stated!  Do you's get much work at these "faur old prices"? 10% extra for chems!  sounds like bait and switch! 

The mind boggles!

I cant beleive a price was not agreed too before starting! Sorry but thats just crazy! For you and the client.

[richie]

Many times we had situations were we cleaned before prices had been given. Often when in similar situation as Sherco has been put in and other times for emergency flood work.

As others have already said, don't be scared to put the right price in.  You were asked to do the work on the spot as they wanted it done ASAP, you turned up on time, did a great job which they have said they are very pleased with.  Pricing wise......id price at my usual rate (hourly or by the metre).  Don't discount the price at all however,  add a letter to the invoice explaining if they commit to a maintenance schedule you will apply a discount to future invoices.

Richie.

[berkshirecleaning]

Hi

I would go and talk to them and ask what the previous company that let them down were going to charge, agree a rate that suits both you and the client. Be honest with them and tell them your rate and offer the discount as your getting all the work.

Good luck hope this works out well for you

[wynne jones]

Many times we had situations were we cleaned before prices had been given. Often when in similar situation as Sherco has been put in and other times for emergency flood work.

As others have already said, don't be scared to put the right price in.  You were asked to do the work on the spot as they wanted it done ASAP, you turned up on time, did a great job which they have said they are very pleased with.  Pricing wise......id price at my usual rate (hourly or by the metre).  Don't discount the price at all however,  add a letter to the invoice explaining if they commit to a maintenance schedule you will apply a discount to future invoices.

Richie.

I agree with what Richie is saying, I would think of what you think is a fair price and add 10-20% to that and do not bat an eye lid. If they are going to whine you might as well have some buffer built in and you can also make a contract for future work look attractive. The worst thing you can do is peg your price to someone who didn't deliver.