I posted this in another thread back in august, but it has some honest, constructive advice that anyone using a 'knocking' company should bear in mind.
In short, make sure you outline exactly how you want it built, dont just take anything. you are paying for a service, go get the service you want... read the below.
Grant.
UK Window Cleaning Forum / Starting a window cleaning business / Re: Paying companyes to creat your WC round on: August 11, 2006, 07:33:12 AM
Ive seen the bad end of inappropiate pricing by 'canvassing companies'.
the problem being that once quoted, you are morally obliged to at least do the first visit at price quoted(as this is when you will first find out if the canvassing company has under priced).
As we all know, its easier to get blood out of a stone than to up prices, (especially with a new customer base that dont know you yet), so be careful not to get dumped with cheap washes just because the canvassing company wanted the sale!
3 points that you may wish to negotiate with a canvassing company before engaging them for services:
1), if anything is underpriced then you will get a full refund on the charge for that property (as you may have to drop it anyway)
2), tell them to avoid houses with original leaded and Georgian panes. (You are paying for a round to built, get them to work hard for you and to find the 'easier' houses, rather than ending up with the hard ones that no other cleaner has touched for years because they are unprofitable.
3) get your canvasser to inform the customer of that the first wash may be charged at a higher rate than the regular price depending on the state of the windows / frames.
These are all important factors. You are paying someone to do this for you, so dont settle just for what he finds for you, be specific and ensure he builds it to how you want it.
Good Luck
Grant.