[John Gregory]

Hi all

Going to quote at a local hotel tomorrow , they want a quote for 60 high back chairs and 1 of the bar areas . There could be potential for a lot of work , The hotel has 180 rooms , 14 conference rooms and several public bars , My question is do I quote low to try and get the job and hopfully get more work out of it , or do I try and sell myself on quality , Do places like this want a good job or a cheap job ?

Thanks  John

[Shaun_Ashmore]

sell it on 'their business' and what they will get to carry on as normal ie dry,quick no hanging about, good quality but at not the cheapest but cheapish I guess it depends on how much you want it, some hotels will have you today and someone else tomorrow.

Shaun

[Joe H]

Always sell yourself on quality, and dont scrimp in doing that.
Keep on mentioning the benefits to their business in using your business. ie flexible times, quick drying etc.
Emphasise value for money as opposed to dearest/cheapest.
Sounds a big hotel - if you get it and they want more, will it take over your business ie dont put all your eggs in one basket.

[carpet guy]

Never depend on Hotels for future work, you may get some , but it's seldom regular.

[spencer davies]

Also, consider that they will probably take at least six - eight weeks to pay you, they will also expect more cheap work in the future, I agree with Joe, go in on quality.


S 

[richie]

The chances of getting the job if quoting your usual prices are slim,  the hotel industry as a rule want it cheap as do all others.  You will need to think about future work.  Give not the cheapest of cheap prices and do quality work.  I know that from experience that you can make good money from hotels even when going in at a cheaper price than normal.  If you can win over the head housekeeper the chances are you will be kept busy.  Even if the housekeeper moves on you may well keep that hotel PLUS you should get the hotel that that housekeeper moves onto.

Richie.

[Len Gribble]

Base your quote on the budget type hotel even though it’s 5 stars

Len

[Mr Dvae]

would you be interested in a lot of underpriced work? decide on your daily rate and if you think the job will take 2 days for example then charge 2 times daily rate. this pricing method works on all commercial work.

regards

dave

[richie]

its not all about underpriced work though.  Its about been competitive in a certain line of work. 

example
carpet size 12x12 your normal price £35.00
if you told a hotel it would cost £35 per room, £875 to clean the carpets in 25 bedrooms that would take just 1 day they would not even think of giving you the job.
if you told them £20 per room they may well take you up on your offer. 

As long as you give a minimum call out charge.  giving a discounted (not under priced) charge will work to your advantage.  i would sooner work all day for £500 than work half a day for £250.

Richie

[spencer davies]

Based on those figures, thats 19.2 minutes per room with no breaks in between, I think that at that sort of pace you wouldn't be able to do a proper job, pre vac, agitate and then clean. Unless you just fill the tank with crystal green or similar and forget about pre vac and agitate.

Regards


S

[John Gregory]

Did the quote today , there are about 50 chairs like dining chairs proberly take about 5 mins each , There is a lot of carpets that will need cleaning in the new year after all the functions . Do I do these chairs at a cheapish price and throw a bar carpet in as a freebie , just to show the customer the benefits of the truckmount to there business,

PS I'm on my ar-e at the minute , and I'm dreading the new year

[Dave_Lee]

John,
Personally, I wouldnt go near that job with a TM, if the public are going to have pass over or around the hoses. I could get lots of work from a hotel near to me, but they wont entertain a TM for their main areas - I guess a perfect scenario for a good quick drying rotary system.
Dave.

[John Gregory]

Thanks Dave, I thought that myself after seeing the job its not really a problem they do the bedrooms semselves its just the bigger areas they get peaple in to do. there are fire exits every where so getting nice and close and working safely is'nt a problem


John

[richie]

Spencer, 
Those figures were an example yet reality as we do it however the pre vac.  all rooms are well vaced prior to our arrival.  2 men 1 porty working in great harmony.

John,
Did you give a demo as part of the quote?  I find this sells the job 90% of the time.  Dont do the bar free of charge.  do them a free demo. 
Which TM do you have?  is it mounted into a smart clean van?  This is a must for all demo's

Richie.

[AquaMagic]

Good advice from Ritchie, free demo's are great for larger work.  If you in two minds how to price up then look at it from a different view, you say you can do the chairs in a day, if so charge em what you are happy with, i work regularly for 2 hotels, they are my no means our highest pr sq ft, but one of them has us bi monthly and the other about 3 times a year, every time each job is done within 3-6 hours and earns us £200-£500, compared to domestic they good earners becuase there is only one set up, one travelling time etc.

Dene