[steveaqua]

I have a brand new estate that i work on but in the last month i have had a few cancel on me, i have had this a few months back on another new estate that i work on as well, no-one will give me a straight answer as to why their cancelling and the ones that do i don't belive them anyway! I just think these newer estates are permanantly being canvassed and that other cleaners are simply undercutting! i can't be bothered to drop my prices so i'll just let them get on with it and i'll replace it with other work, just wondered if anyone else finds this on new estates?

[Davie T]

I believe that the window cleaning is the first overhead that can be trimmed in new build housing or at entry level of house purchase. 
Reasons for cancellation rarely are an indication of the decision.
Plenty of previous posts cover the price competitions that take place.

[Helen]

Unfortunatley it's the nature of the beast and if someone can get something cheaper elsewhere then usually off they go! Not saying you are, but could you be overpricing a little? If another WC comes round and it's only a small amount of difference to your price and you have built up a relationship, then maybe you may hold on to them. Agree with Davie T, when people move in to a brand new shiney house, they want to keep it that way, but don't realise the cost of doing so ontop of all their other costs, so usually wc's have to go.

[steveaqua]

Hi Helen, We are a little more expensive than other cleaners but always point out that we have more overheads than most and that we are like clockwork and will be getting a good service. I personally belive they are constantly being canvassed and that we haven't had years to build up relationships like we have some of our over customers. When we have canvassed ourselfs we have had reports of "your about the 6th cleaner thats knocked on our door in the last month" we have had more success in older more mature areas and thats where we will be sticking as it seems more stable.

I won't drop the prices we charge because there is always plenty more work out their to get so no need to. Just seems funny how all the cleaners go hammer and tong when theres a new estate gone up, personally i won't be fighting for it again as it seems very unstable.

[ronaldo]

Steve, all the new house builds round by me and there are loads i havent even botherd trying to get work because of this reason, for the last few months i have been targeting farms and massive houses out in the sticks, and getting great results and top quality work 

[steveaqua]

Steve, all the new house builds round by me and there are loads i havent even botherd trying to get work because of this reason, for the last few months i have been targeting farms and massive houses out in the sticks, and getting great results and top quality work 

Thats what we are onto at the moment and having great results, just out of the main city and towns. took me a while to work out what was going on though about 12 months to be prescise

[MNWC]

Ronaldo is right there is more money to be made in one big house than there is three small houses !

There is some lovely villages and houses just outside M/K.....

Keep trying 

Marcus

[ronaldo]

Steve, this is why i have a small round, and on average i only clean between 6 and 8 houses a day and make proper money.
Its all about the quality of the work you have and not the quantity, a freind of mine has a massive round in the town and he would have to clean at least 20 houses a day to earn what i do, and he couldnt do it in a 5 to 6 hr day because thets all i work now.
The days of being a busy fool are long gone 

[steveaqua]

The days of being a busy fool are long gone 

I'll drink to that one!

[steveaqua]

Ronaldo is right there is more money to be made in one big house than there is three small houses !

There is some lovely villages and houses just outside M/K.....

Keep trying 

Marcus

Not really just outside MK we are targeting lots of places over the home counties! there is a lot of decent work out there just needs to be found.

[matt]

i have a fair bot of work on new estates, i never see the people of the house, they just send cheques

its been good for 3 years now

[steveaqua]

don't get me wrong Matt I've still got a lot on new estates but it just seems to be a lot more unstable than other places...definatley having more success outta town!

[Paul Coleman]

Hi Helen, We are a little more expensive than other cleaners but always point out that we have more overheads than most and that we are like clockwork and will be getting a good service. I personally belive they are constantly being canvassed and that we haven't had years to build up relationships like we have some of our over customers. When we have canvassed ourselfs we have had reports of "your about the 6th cleaner thats knocked on our door in the last month" we have had more success in older more mature areas and thats where we will be sticking as it seems more stable.

I won't drop the prices we charge because there is always plenty more work out their to get so no need to. Just seems funny how all the cleaners go hammer and tong when theres a new estate gone up, personally i won't be fighting for it again as it seems very unstable.

Absolutely.  Don't drop your prices.  You may find that some these lost customers return in the next year or two.  New estates can be like that.  There also seems to be a larger turnaround of residents in these areas I've noticed.

Gains and losses are part of it and cutting your prices should make little difference to that on domestics so you may as well keep the prices up.
In the past two days I've re-gained an old customer (probably about a £12 job).  This morning I started by losing a £10 er and finished by gaining a £20 er.
Over two days that's £32 worth of work gained and £10 lost.

[pylofm]

I have started in a 'new type estate' and have found that as many w/c operate there...the customers know it and try to dictate the price...which I suppose makes sense for them....

It is that soooooooooo many w/c go there...so there are in charge...but being as I am wfp...I appear to be the only one who is will to do the 3 storey town house's....

Cheers
Dave.

[Bjorn]

I have worked on a new estate for some time. i recently quoted a job at £12, this morning the Lady aproched me ans said she could get it done for £6!!

I wished her well.

this firm employes 3 or 4 men. i dont know how they do it.

[matt]

don't get me wrong Matt I've still got a lot on new estates but it just seems to be a lot more unstable than other places...definatley having more success outta town!

oh i agree

most of my work is on older established estates

[newpy]

I've just lost 1 town house on one of these new estates, was charging £15, if some muppet wants to do it for less then crack on! There's no chance of me matching any other cleaners prices. I also find these customers don't stop for long as most are in them for a quick profit after buying them off plan, and selling on after a year. Most of them have no money!! and are only living there because they can move in for £99 or is it 99p!!! Anyone can get a mortgage if you know the right people. What do you reckon am i right or am i right?

[Sir Squeaky]

I never bother with those horrible depressing new estates.

Awkward windows.
Characterless lego houses with no gardens.
People who think they're something special with their credit card car and massive mortgage. Sad false prats.
People are never in because they both have to work all hours. :

You can keep them, I'll stick to nice old villages with nice old people.

[niceandclean]

Steve, all the new house builds round by me and there are loads i havent even botherd trying to get work because of this reason, for the last few months i have been targeting farms and massive houses out in the sticks, and getting great results and top quality work 

Same here!!

[pjulk]

You can keep them, I'll stick to nice old villages with nice old people.

Im the same keep to the villages and nice old people.

I hate a lot of the new properties as they stick railings in front of the windows, have balconies upstairs and set back, A lot have no rear access.

Paul