[supernova77]

Hi All,

I usually post on the Window Cleaning forum, I hope it's OK to come in here and ask for your advice? 

Over the last couple of months I have been toying with the idea of getting into the contract cleaning market.

Today I mentioned to a commercial window cleaning client of mine that I was branching out into this area, and straight away they have said they would like a quote! 

I am going in to see them one day next week to speak to them about what they need etc... and to size the place up.

Any advice on what to watch out for, how much to charge etc... would be a great help!

Initially myself and business partner (wife) will be undertaking the work.

Thanks,
Andy

[supernova77]

Bump 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[AJCleaningServices]

...Initially myself and business partner (wife) will be undertaking the work...

This is how we started our business  :.  Now we concentrate on domestic market, however sometime we get enquiries from small offices... 

What the office like?

Regards,

Arthur

[supernova77]

Thanks for your reply Arthur.

The office is only small... 2nd and 3rd floor. I don't think they will need a cleaner 5 days a week, maybe just 3 days a week for a couple of hours each day.

I was thinking about charging £12 per hour.

Andy

[AJCleaningServices]

Andy, I would imaging the office would require 2-3 hours.  if you know your hourly charges then just say it plus request (in polite way ) them to provide cleaning materials and equipment. 

We do not wash dusters for the offices we take care off, as they send it to a laundry   

What I like about small offices is that you can (if you can ) built a good relationship with the head of the business, so you get their feedback directly in informal way... and your payments are always in time - most important part of any business...

Good luck,

Regards,

Arthur

[shelton]

Hi,

We have a few commercial offices on our books that sound a similar size.

Initially, you need to ask whether they have an idea of how many visits they need.  Both of our have 2 midweek visits (Tues/Thurs) with a weekend visit as well.

We take a look around to get a feel of how long we think it'll take to do, then quote at your standard rate.

When putting in the quote, don't put # hours on it.  As you become more familiar with the office (and a clean office is easier to clean than a dirty one) you will find you spend less time there, but still retain the same charge.

Say you worked out @ £12/hr;

Tues = 1hrs, Thurs = 1 hrs, W/end = 3 hrs, you can quote for £60/wk

After a while, you may find that you actually work 0.5hrs on Tues & Turs and 2 hours on a weekend.  That brings your hourly rate to £15.

That's how some (not all, I hasten to add!) of ours have worked out.

And don't forget to agree to be able to add a few extra hours on the initial clean.

Good luck.

[Eureka Ventures]

Andy

In my opinion, on-the-job experience is the best way to determine how long each cleaning task takes to complete. Before I had the experience I found pricing jobs intimidating.

The good thing is that you are dealing with someone who is already a client. Hopefully you have a good rapour with this client and therefore wont feel bashful about admiting that, as it's a departure from your normal venture, you are still developing your pricing strategy.

Work with your client to establish a win-win situation. Perhaps you can base the price on the current cleaner's charges, but offer an enhanced specification and level of service. When I was in a similar situation I found it was worth my while as I was learning the trade.

Look out for washing-up! It was said on here sometime ago that it always takes at least twice as long as the client believes/pretends it will. I found that to my cost initially. But I've also found that when your client is happy with your work, he/she is also more inclined to entertain your requests. When I've under-estimated, I'm glad to say they've accepted my revised price.

So now I can survey a job, estimate the number of man hours required, multiply this by my hourly rate of ten pounds, then by 22, being the average number of working days per month (on a 5 days per week clean). For now I don't need anything more elaborate than this.

All the best

Freddie