[mickwc]

just wondered if anyone cleaned velux windows and how much you would charge. I have a row of 3 storey houses with one dormer window and one velux at the front then two velux at the rear, they are a nightmare to do!

[LWC]

i do when they ask, i do one house a month that i always do em, but it doesnt sound as high as yours! i didnt charge them anymore than a normal window

[Tosh]

Mick,

Until you get a WFP (even a backpack), I'd suggest you don't do these awkward windows.  Firstly it may not be safe and secondly they're a pain to do from ladders.

I've done them from ladders using a pole with a squeegie on the end and the results weren't brilliant; not even close!

You've also got to lose that army 'can do' attitude and tell the customer what you can and can't do and they can like it or lump it.  Usually if the customer is a decent person, they'll accept certain windows can't be cleaned because of safety reasons.

Stay safe and if it doesn't feel safe, its probably not safe.

[matt]

Stay safe and if it doesn't feel safe, its probably not safe.

good advise

[Spruce]

Hi
All my customers clean their own. They swing round so they can clean the outside from the inside - no big deal for them but mostly unsafe for you.
Spruce

[Tosh]

Hi
All my customers clean their own. They swing round so they can clean the outside from the inside - no big deal for them but mostly unsafe for you.
Spruce

Yes!  We do this at one large(ish) property when they want the insides done (normally every-other-month).  But it only works for Velux windows; not dormers.

[LWC]

oh didnt realise you were doin g them off ladders!

[Chris Cottrell]

I allways do Velux windows when I come across them & useally charge the same as any other window at that height (whatever that may be )

Chris

Ps allways use WFP though

[mickwc]

I do use wfp on them, just hate doing them, they are so much hassle, never sure if i'm doing a go job. Wondered if i should charge more for them.

[Chris Cottrell]

well how much do you charge then

[mickwc]

Chris this is the thing, as a newbie window cleaner my prices are allover the place at the mo, when i quoted these houses i was well of the mark and only charged £8!! For 3x velux, 1x dormer window on 2nd storey, 4x windows on 1st storey and 3x windows and a patio door on the ground floor, i was thinking in future i would charge £1 for a velux, does that sound about right?

[Chris Cottrell]

Sounds ok to be going on with if thats the price your happy with, I personally charge a little more than that but then I'm not cheap

Chris

[Tosh]

When it comes to pricing, it's not an exact science and much of it depends on what areas you work in and what your competitors are charging.

I think it also depends on how much you want the work and how much the customer wants you.  You've got to listen to what they say when they ask you to quote and not be afraid to stick a good price in.

Remember, if you go too cheap, in a year or so you may just bin the account because it's more work that what it's worth.

[mickwc]

Tosh, thats what has happened, at first i was after any work i could get my hands on and every quote i did i couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth! I just couldn't put in a good price! I would drive away having got the job but kicking myself because of the price. Now things are up and running, i'm cleaning faster and putting better in prices so earning more money, then i come to this round and it slows me right down.

[NWH]

I`ve said it before that the most important stage and i know it might sound obvious is the time when you quote,just like one of the last comments a few cleans down the line your kicking yourself.I sometimes look at a property and then take my time before i give a price,i don`t like it when they follow you round as your pricing it up it can cause you to rush the price.Remember that if you underprice by a fiver it can take a few years with increases before you get the price you should have charged originally.

[Mr. S]

I would charge more, sounds to me like a £12 - £15 house for me!