[Cookie]

Following on from my previous post re: crawling boards. I just wondered how much extra I should be charging for getting the ladders out (eg: to access a flat roof or other windows which are inaccessible from the ground - where you may need the extra height of a step ladder for example). NB: Usually I don't carry ladders so I guess I need to include the time it takes to load the ladders on the van in the morning and remove them again when I get home.

[samson]

You have to work out how long the job is going to take with faffing about with ladders, and price accordingly !             Also having the right gear for the job helps too 

[Smurf]

Working at height is all about managing risk, using the right kit for the job and hassle for the reward
Some jobs/part jobs are best suited to using ladders and others by wfp and some even combined.

[slap bash]

If I have to climb over a gate I will add 10% on the price. As this means using ladders. I also charge 10% when I have to climb onto a balcony to clean windows.  And 1 pound more if they want a reminder to open gates or garage doors for access.
As I am WFP using a ladder to get access to windows is more work.

[Rich Wilts]

£5.00 to get the ladder off if we're talking about just a window clean? 

[andyjm1]

hourly rate divided by 60 multiplied by the number of extra minutes it takes= your answer 

[Fin Clearview]

If I have to climb over a gate I will add 10% on the price. As this means using ladders. I also charge 10% when I have to climb onto a balcony to clean windows.  And 1 pound more if they want a reminder to open gates or garage doors for access.
As I am WFP using a ladder to get access to windows is more work.

I wouldn't of thought that would go down well if two neighbouring customers with same properties got chatting about your price. Texts don't cost £1 and take me about a minute to text by copy and paste to 20-30 jobs. 

[Rich Wilts]

They're paying for the service.

It doesn't cost your ISP whatever it is they charge you a month, you're paying for the service.

[Fin Clearview]

Thats a fair point in general terms but i don't personally know of any other WC Company small or large thats charging extra to send a client a reminder.

[Rich Wilts]

We haven't as a rule but it's something we're introducing now for new customers.

[slap bash]

When ever I take on new business or up prices I have a basic price for the house type and windows and then find out about access and if they want a reminder text or call these costs are factored into the price. Many might think its a crap idea but I think it all adds up to extra work so the price reflects these costs. To me its business like, so that` s the way I run my business. I do not tell them its extra. Its not in their  interest, if they like the price and if they want the service its available to them.

[Fin Clearview]

When ever I take on new business or up prices I have a basic price for the house type and windows and then find out about access and if they want a reminder text or call these costs are factored into the price. Many might think its a crap idea but I think it all adds up to extra work so the price reflects these costs. To me its business like, so that` s the way I run my business. I do not tell them its extra. Its not in their  interest, if they like the price and if they want the service its available to them.

I do the same as far as access goes, and also as per the OP regarding ladders and the odd window that may have to be done from the inside. Reminder charge is as i said a new one on  me, and I'm not knocking it if you can get the extra coin but i just could see a potential nose jointer if clients with same properties got chatting about their prices.

[Smurf]

Myself I find different types of ladders most suited for the task in hand are still essential bits of kit to carry in/on the van and use when required.  I still see "ladderless window cleaners" on vans that makes me chuckle especially when they have a set of ladders on the roof rack. ...Obviously they did not think that one through   

Regarding pricing I would allow extra for any ladder work in the quote be it
Plastics &  glass restoration work
Roofline - Roof valley/gutter clearing & cleaning fascia etc
Conservatory valet - Inside & out
Access to flat/pitched roofs
And generally any combined ladder, wfp or guttervac work.

I like to price jobs well so can do less for more reward as they say.

[Cookie]

Thanks all for the helpful replies. I guess the rule of thumb here is to calculate your hourly rate and price accordingly.

[Smurf]

That is only a base line to work too but on some jobs in doing so you may end up underselling your services.

Thanks all for the helpful replies. I guess the rule of thumb here is to calculate your hourly rate and price accordingly.

[dazmond]

i dont charge extra for getting the ladders off the roof rack!their on the van all the time so it only takes 2 mins to take them off for the odd job.

a few flat roofs and balconies and to unlock/hop over a few locked gates.thats it.

i go days without using them every week.

if im pricing up a new job that needs ladders then yes ill factor that into the price but not existing jobs.

[SeanK]

The same as Dazmond, I have the odd locked gate and about 3 or 4 flat roofs that I need to use ladders for.
They're all customers Iv had from the start so didn't charge them any extra at the time.
Would sort of avoid jobs that need the use of a ladder now as I'm lucky enough to be at the stage where I can pick and choose
which jobs I want to take or leave.

[Walter Mitty]

When ever I take on new business or up prices I have a basic price for the house type and windows and then find out about access and if they want a reminder text or call these costs are factored into the price. Many might think its a crap idea but I think it all adds up to extra work so the price reflects these costs. To me its business like, so that` s the way I run my business. I do not tell them its extra. Its not in their  interest, if they like the price and if they want the service its available to them.

Seems reasonable to me.  It's not just about the cost of a text or the time and effort to send it as these are negligible.  It's about reflecting the higher risk of not being able to clean if they are away and the inconvenience of possibly having to schedule work in a way that I prefer not to.  It can be tricky if it's unclear how far you are going to get the next day.

[slap bash]

I find it a pain   in the ass  taking ladders of the van to do my job been WFP so to make it less painful I build more cash into the price

[jonboywalton75]

I generally don't carry ladders.
My existing customers that need to be accessed via ladders have been binned and I don't take new ones on, unless they make it worth my while.
I guess you could call me a ladderless window cleaner😁