[DavidX]

Do anyone clean windows flats?? how do you go about it?

where I live there are load of flats and I am WFP.

I just need someone to tell me which people do i need to speak to and how do you go about it.

Dave

[NWH]

Most houseing association places have a cartaker that lives on site,if not speak to one of the residents and ask if they have a landlords phone number.

[Blackbushe Windows]

Dave, depends who is responsible for cleaning, tenants or maintenace co. etc.

One of my flats I send the cheque to the letting agent and they pay me.


Peter

[DavidX]

I know people don't like talking about money.

But having seen some of the flat I think I could clean with my 42ft wfp
I reckon I should charge £150 or £200 and it should take me an hour and a haft.

Is that too much do you think? bear in mind I am from west london.

Dave

[Moderator David@stives]

Flats are very difficult to get into, most agents have window cleaners they know and trust , just the same as your loyal domestic customers.

The people cleaning them usually prioritise and look after them , so unless they mess up it is hard to get your foot in the door.

I got my first flats because the previous guys werent very good and there was constant complaints about them, so they contacted me and as far as i am aware i have only had one complaint and that was missing one window , which so happens was the biggest moaners on the block.

[NWH]

Price the same as you would as if you were trad,anything above ladder height charge more.Don`t worry about how quick your going to do it,that`s the beauty of it and it`s what were all looking for less time spent for more money.

[bassjamm]

If i may just jump in on this one for a moment...

Where i live, there are loads of new builds going on with small-medium sized flat blocks.  They're still in the building phase...who would i speak to do you think to find out who would be holding the maintaince contracts with these, as i'm looking to branch out into this field...seems like the way to go to double my hourly rate

[geefree]

You learn something every day on here, i thought you simply went into the flats, knocked on a customers door and asked each individual if they require a window cleaner.

Gary

[Old_Master]

New Builds:-
In general the contracts are given out to the Window Cleaners, Communal area cleaners and Grounds Maintenance Contractors once the Managing Agent has been appointed  by the developer soon after the blocks have been built and prior to any residents moving in.

Older blocks
You would need to approach the Managing Agent to enable you to give a quotation. In most cases the Agent will have several window cleaning contractors working for them in a particular location. Its only when a newly established Agent gets a new block  that they will be looking for new contractors. Usually they are looking for contractors that can prove that they have a long established track record, the Agent wants a simple life and just want their 12.5% of the contract price from the residents with the least problems. The Agent isnt that worried how much the cost is (within reason) because the more charged the larger their cut.
The only other time agents are looking for new contractors are when its a problem block that complains a lot and the contractors refuse to work there then the Agent needs new bllod to get the hastle.

[geefree]

New Builds:-
In general the contracts are given out to the Window Cleaners, Communal area cleaners and Grounds Maintenance Contractors once the Managing Agent has been appointed  by the developer soon after the blocks have been built and prior to any residents moving in.

Older blocks
You would need to approach the Managing Agent to enable you to give a quotation. In most cases the Agent will have several window cleaning contractors working for them in a particular location. Its only when a newly established Agent gets a new block that they will be looking for new contractors. Usually they are looking for contractors that can prove that they have a long established track record, the Agent wants a simple life and just want their 12.5% of the contract price from the residents with the least problems. The Agent isnt that worried how much the cost is (within reason) because the more charged the larger their cut.
The only other time agents are looking for new contractors are when its a problem block that complains a lot and the contractors refuse to work there then the Agent needs new bllod to get the hastle.

I didnt realise , my post above was serious,.... more to flats than meets the eye, new calls seem to be drying up for me lately and i was thinking of targetting flats.... simply because i have wfp, but thats that idea up in smoke as i have not been going long enough,

maybe out of town for me eh, as my area is saturated.

[Londoner]

Not all flats are done that way. I do 20 odd flats out of 35 in a development near me. The slowest part is knocking for all the money.

[poleman]

Look in the yellow pages for - manageing agents - and give them a call and send a letter or leaflet - has worked for me 

Andy
PS we have about 20 blocks of flats- but then bournemouth is know for them (old pps) 

[Majestic]

Some that I do have there own residents association, you could try sending a letter to the chairman asking if it is going out to tender.
A couple of the ones I do the contract is renewed every April.

[JSMC]

loads round my way also but i thought it would be best to just knock on the door and ask.

[bassjamm]

John - i assume you just knock on one of the flats to find out about then mate yeah?

[Majestic]

The ones that I do contacted me . But if you dont mind doorknocking  just knock on one of the doors and ask if there window cleaning is done through an agent or there own  residents association . Some blocks  set aside money for things like painting , gardening , and window cleaning

[Spruce]

You learn something every day on here, i thought you simply went into the flats, knocked on a customers door and asked each individual if they require a window cleaner.

Gary

And sods law says that everyone on the top floor will want their windows cleaned and every one else underneath will complain that you have made their windows dirty and want them cleaned for nothing. It's got to be all or ground floor only.

[windowwashers]

You learn something every day on here, i thought you simply went into the flats, knocked on a customers door and asked each individual if they require a window cleaner.

Gary

And sods law says that everyone on the top floor will want their windows cleaned and every one else underneath will complain that you have made their windows dirty and want them cleaned for nothing. It's got to be all or ground floor only.

I do up flats a lot and if anyone says about the water, I give them a card,  I would never clean them free, when it rains there windows get wet, if they don't like it they should get a house. I would never say that to them though, just give them a card and say there is nothing I can do again water coming down.

[mark dew]

And sods law says that everyone on the top floor will want their windows cleaned and every one else underneath will complain that you have made their windows dirty and want them cleaned for nothing. It's got to be all or ground floor only.

how true that is. What you need to do is act thick-skinned when you notice them looking daggers at you from their window and practice in front of a mirror at home an exasperated mean stare for when you hear that comment "free," from the mouthy tykes who are used to getting everything given to them for nothing!!
Oh and always keep your van parked in sight.