[Ian Rochester]

We have been asked by a big builder to quote for Build cleans and sparkle cleans (which we've never done).

I'm quite comfortable with the price for the build cleans but was just wondering if anyone would let me know what percentage extra they would charge for the sparkle clean.

Regards

Ian

[Art]

Ian, Check your emails

Arthur

[J. Deans]

You charge the most for the Build Clean.
The Sparkle Clean is obviously cheaper.

You definately need to know what you are letting yourself in for with Build Cleaning. It is completely different from domestic or other types of cleaning.

Before you even consider putting in a tender, get a statement of what is required of you from the developer and study it very carefully.

An average 3 bed 2 storey house in the UK will require around 10 - 12 person/hours for a Build Clean. I am wary of developers that do not offer the option of a Re-Clean (following remedial/snagging work) Usually in this case, the Sparkle Clean will likely require 5 - 6 person/hours.

All of that above assumes you will be doing the work yourself - and working bl**dy hard. You will need to allow an additional time margin for employees and price accordingly.

Most developers will want a minimum of £5 million Public & Products Liability Insurance. You will be working on construction sites - still one of the most dangerous workplaces - so a minimum of £10 million Employers Liability would be sensible.

For basic sample Method Statements to show you roughly whats involved, PM me.

[martin19842]

hi there

some developers are trying to do a two clean visit, to avoid the reclean,

we never accepted that at all, always quote reclean prices, so that everyone knows the position from day one.


its hard work, and dont get caught in the the do this site well and we give you more sites trap,

also check the build calender, that comes with the tender, to determine the december numbers, hey could look to finish 50% of the site for the end of december, therefore needing a whole lot more resource.


regards

martin

[Ian Rochester]

Many thanks,

We already do some build cleans on bespoke properties, but have never got involved with the larger builders.

However, we dug a company out of the crap last week when their contracted cleaners let them down, they have now asked us to finish off the site (9 properties) and they want us to quote for two further sites that are just coming on stream, 22 and 24 builds of 3/4/5 bed properties.

Martin, we have the spec from them but it is just for a two clean spec (build and sparkle) when does the reclean happen and how do you price that?

I have priced the property we did last week at X and will do the sparkle at 70% of that price, would the reclean be around the same price as the sparkle?

J Deans or anyone, if you are willing to send me a copy of your Method Statement and Risk Assessment it would be appreciated.  Send to ian@lionheartcleaning.co.uk


Many thanks

Ian

[J. Deans]

Hi Lionheart.

No problem. Later today when I get chance.

I can answer your question to Martin though.

Basically, and to keep figures simple:
Lets say you charge £100 for a Build-Clean.
A Build-Clean is usually carried after all plastering, main painting is complete and most of the fixtures and fitings are installed - ie; kitchen, bathroom, en-suites, wc etc.

You would then charge £60 - £70 for a Re-Clean.
This clean follows remedial/snagging work where they have 'made good' or altered things such as tiling to a kitchen.

The final Sparkle Clean might be say £50.
This is supposed to be carried out right before the homeowners move in.

A developer that does not allow for a Re-clean will expect you to bring a seriously messy property up to the standard of moving in - in one clean!
It is not impossible, but a lot of work - and they are simply trying to save money.

Be wary of these developers.

Hope this helps

[J. Deans]

Hi again Lionheart.
Email sent.

How many times have I had THE phone call from a developer saying "We have been let down"?

It's usually crap mate.
Chances are, they have treated their cleaners so badly that they have simply cut their losses and walked away.

Bellway Homes (name & shame) are notorious for it!

Remember, you will be paying a retention fee every month. When you eventually have had enough and, 'let them down' - they will keep that fee, phone the next Bunch of Mugs Cleaning Services saying "we have been let down" And it all starts again.

I am not trying to put you off, but just be sure you know what you are getting into. You seem to be starting off fairly small, which is a good thing. It's when you are offered to tender for a development of say, 100+ houses, you have to make sure you have 'crossed the T's and dotted the I's.
We are talking serious money and commitment on larger sites.

Good luck...

[Ian Rochester]

Sorry for the delay, been away for a week on holidays.

You may well be right, I put the tender in at the end of last week and have received nothing back as yet.  I priced the jobs at a price I would be happy with without having to cut corners to make a profit, I also included some conditions within the tender to quantify what I was quoting for and what was not included, ie: recleans.

If we get it fine, if not, fine as well.

[John Kelly]

Hello Mr Rochester, where you been? Have a good time?

[Ian Rochester]

Hello John/Lyn,

Been down to see some friends in the New Forest and Isle of Wight for a few days, then came back up and stayed in a lovely hotel in Stratford for a couple of days and got pampered!!

Took Fay to the classics, IOW(sunny), Stonehenge(wet), Blenheim(wet), Shakespeare(sunny), etc.

Can't whack a bit of culture.

Still had the phone on divert/answerphone so didn't escape completely, but the guys seem to have coped well whilst I've been away...........I think!!

[J. Deans]

Hope you had a good time - but back to business.

I have submitted many tenders. Sometimes it will be months before you hear anything - if at all!
Remember, cleaners are always a last consideration for site agents.
The QS may have you on his books at head office, but he won't accept a tender until the site agent starts getting desperate.
So it is always a case of last minute for cleaners.

With a couple of the tenders I put in, I heard nothing at all for almost a year - then got the dreaded phone call "We have been let down!" Yea right!
We will still do the job, if we can - but then it is on our terms! (ie: No discount for the entire site, re-clean must be included, no sparkle cleans until we have surveyed the standard of the previous clean etc. etc.)

This is just one of the things you must bear in mind when sub-contracting to large developers.
They have had years of experience with 'getting away' with paying out money, if they can get away with it!