[cybersye]

I've been wfp 3 years, 1 on my own self employed, got an ad in a local directory.
popped to a mates for coffee this morning, when I had a call
"seen your ad, can you come and clean? " yes sure your on my way to my regulars anyhow.
3 storey terrace, brighton, plus dormer front and back in roof, offer regular front 3 stories £8, she wanted all in and out. In this situatuation I always try to be honest, I've undercut myself in the past by fixing a price before beginning. So I was up front and said my going rate was £25 the hour, its an unknown job, I'm thorough and quality concious. She agreed. An hour and ten in and she asked how much longer I'd be. Tells me her previous cleaner managed in and out in an hour for £20. I'd worked my socks off, kept it polite, left the top floor dormers as I'd been an hour and a half anyhow, compromised at £30 cheque.
I've felt a bit miffed by this, know I do a good job, explained that to her. Want peoples thoughts really.
Am I off the mark? dont think I was being unreasonable. What would others charge? like I said I'd worked for someone else 2 years that job would easily have been 60 quid! Do you think my approah is right?
All advice appreciated
Simon

[Spruce]

Makes you wonder why she hasn't still got him then, doesn't it?

[rosskesava]

Hi Simon

I think you were being reasonable. She needs to think about saying that to a plumber or electrician?

Having said that I give a price for the job and the customer can take it or leave it. Sometimes we have under priced but then after a few cleans when you get to know the job, the scales swing the other way.

We're also in the Brighton area. If you see a grey ex hearse with ladders and a plastic crow on the roof - give a loud blast on the horn.

Cheers

[supernova77]

I would never ever ever ever ever ever give a customer (domestic or commercial) a price per hour.

I always just quote per job, and as rosskesava said - they can take it or leave it.

Andy

[cybersye]

Yes Ross, we see each other about! I'm gleam team in the little yellow van, ex divine shine monkey

[Alistair@AWC]

Yeah,

I agree I'd never give an hourly rate, just give a price for the job so theres no arguing

If your unsure go in high and take it from there.

To be fair on this customer if her previous cleaner did it in an hour and a new WCer wanted an hourly rate and was heading towards 2 hours Id have thought you were milking it

Regards

Alistair

What are you guys in Brighton on................grey hearse, plastic crows and divine shine monkeys 

can you send me some 

[cybersye]

appreciate what people are saying, that approach has always worked in the past, I've just sold myself short too many times, think I'll stay away from that hourly rate quote in future, I need a bit more confidence in naming my price and sticking to it, thanks for the advice
Simon

[WavieDavie]

Tells me her previous cleaner managed in and out in an hour for £20.

Bollards! NEVER believe what a customer says about the last man's price and time. They all think you take ten minutes cos they only see you for seconds, unless they're following you around.

One office we do belatedly got all H+S conscious and, like others, we had to sign in and off the premises with how many folk there were and also the time in and out. The receptionist was stunned at how long we took. She remembered us arriving and going away, but because she was busy in between, didn't really figure out the time.

[cybersye]

maybe he was just a window washer lol!