[Marly 11]

Had a few calls today from domestic customers in central london, some seem to think 0.45p per sq ft is too much! I would just like to know your thoughts on this and do you think I should charge less to get a bit of something rather than a lot of nothing! Your replies, opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! These quotes are for Central and North London!

[David_Annable]

Hi

Seem resonable to me.

If i was charging that I would go & see every job.

I can only think of one carpet cleaner who charges that & quotes over the phone, he is an exception.

Dave

[Mike Halliday]

how do they know its 45p/ft ? unless you are telling them over the phone, which at those prices is a bad idea.

high prices are never told over the phone because you can't explain why they are high.

Mike

[Marly 11]

They give me the measurements which I multiply by0.45p and then quote accordingly

[Marly 11]

Is there any chance you could give me an indication of what to charge? I was told by another experienced cleaner when I done the NCCA course that this was a a good price because of my operational area! Kensington and Chelsea, Hyde Park Bond Street etc?

[Charlie Payne]

hi all, was on a carpet care course up in cambridge a few years ago, some of the boys up there said they were charging 51p per squ-ft with protector 71p. i charge 37p per squ-ft, if protector is added a third of the price of the job. my mate who lives in the same area as me charges 49p per squ-ft. char

[David_Annable]

Hi

In the North up to 25p sq foot over the phone, over that smart apperance go and see ever job.

In the south i would guess up to 35p over the phone, over that go and see it.

Dave

PS The customer isn't asking how much is it, although that is what they ask.

[Liahona]

Marley, its very difficult for anyone to give advise on what "you" should be charging.  We all charge what we do for our own reasons and not because of what anyone else charges.  I certainly wouldnt charge what other people are charging for any reasons. 

The N.C.C.A. cant or shouldnt give you any idea of price either.  No matter where you are chosing to clean.

I could tell you how much I charge but that wouldnt be of any use to you in your business.

One thing I will say about me is that I travel a great distance to clean for those who I chose to clean for. This last weekend I travelled almost 600 miles to do just one job.  A pain as I dont work in the summer but the job needed doing and the client wanted me to do it.  Ask poor old Shaun as I talked to him for most of the M4. 

My point is it doesnt matter where you work from a price point of view.  It matters more who you work for or indeed what you are working on.

Best, Dave.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Norman Tebitt onces said that "if you want work you have to get on your bike to find it"

Shaun

[carpetguy]

I came across a web site a couple of days ago charging £35 per  room and £8 per hour for house cleaning i'm sure it was in London

[carpetguy]

Found it it's a very attractive web site and they are based in Stamford Bridge L6 area

[Nigel_W]

Marly,

You and I work the same areas so I can give you an insiders view of pricing in that area.

1.) Virtually all of the high price work is done on recommendation. When you are recommended you can charge those prices and more - no problem.

2. ) The high price work tends to go to carpet and upholstery specialists as opposed to general cleaning companies. If you buy a multi million pound home and fill it with expensive furnishings you look for a specialist with a long established reputation. Number 1 worries are security and will they ruin my £15,000 sofa - price comes much further down the list.

3. ) The lower price work tends to be rentals, small domestic, hotels, small businesses etc. They would rarely get 45 per sq ft as this market is more price sensitive and competitive. Much of this work is done by general cleaning companies and price is very important in getting the work.

Sounds to me like you need to do a few site surveys to get a feel for your carpet cleaning market and be more flexible in your pricing policy. There is a world of difference in cleaning carpets in Kensington Palace Gardens vs North End Road. Technically they are both in Central London but price wise they are worlds apart.

Nigel

[Marly 11]

Hi Liona I think you have miss quoted me the  " The NCCA" DID NOT"  give me any info on prices it was  another cleaner on the course that gave me that price structure. " The trainers would not give any information on prices. I would like to make that very clear, thank you for your insight

[Marly 11]

Thank you all for your advice and opinions it has been very very helpful hope you all have a good day you have all been very helpful

Regards
M11