[Dave Turley]

hiya

i've got to the position with my business where i'm advertising and getting some good priced work.

today was mostly taken up with first cleans and I made half the money I usually do.

I know you can't have your cake and eat it, so I was wondering how each of you balance existing work, first cleans, quotes and still make good money?

at the prices i'm charging I  don't think I could charge more for first cleans unless they're filthy.

I know where I want my business to go  and this is the thing i'm struggling with most.

many thanks

[frames to panes]

Similar for me too, of course in an ideal world you should charge more for a first clean. The problem is, if i was to charge my hourly rate i would be told where to go. Say you have a fifteen pound house and you charge twent five for a first clean then tell them they might have spots on the first one - they won't be impressed. They are impressed though with the time you spend trying to get it right on the first clean.
 I try to avoid too many in one day if i can.

[chrismroberts]

Similar for me too, of course in an ideal world you should charge more for a first clean. The problem is, if i was to charge my hourly rate i would be told where to go. Say you have a fifteen pound house and you charge twent five for a first clean then tell them they might have spots on the first one - they won't be impressed. They are impressed though with the time you spend trying to get it right on the first clean.
 I try to avoid too many in one day if i can.

If a job is one I really want, and is with exisiting work so will be a doddle to do, then I charge my monthly rate for the first clean... if this is the case I tell them there "may be some spotting and small runs, but any serious problems, let me know".... if however, the job is a real dirty one, and is maybe less convenient, I will charge up to double my monthly rate and stay there til its perfect..... going round twice if I need to.

Dont like to have too many first cleans in a day... had 2 smallish ones on Monday, still slowed me down loads tho 

[frames to panes]

Every first clean i do i go round twice even if it looks clean. I still see poor results on some of my regular cleans that have been done half a dozen times - the customers don't.

[NWH]

These days i only take on quality work otherwise i pass it on,i don`t see the point in taking on work for the sake of it if you have a full diary.I find getting your price is all about selling yourself and what you do, i`m a good salesman.Some said the other day you can be a busy fool,very true.

[tonylee]

hi
i only work my round monday to thursday. this leaves me friday for first cleans ans conservatory roof cleans. but most of the time fridays is for golf!
tony

[Neil Williams]

It's always wise to remember where you started from. If these are still with you after several years then they are loyal customers and worth keeping because they will get you referals.
New ones might be worth more today but can you trust them to still be with you in 2/3 years?

[NWH]

It's always wise to remember where you started from. If these are still with you after several years then they are loyal customers and worth keeping because they will get you referals.
New ones might be worth more today but can you trust them to still be with you in 2/3 years?
[/quote:To true.

[Jeff Brimble]

Gr8 to see you posting again Dave. Good that your picking up work. But you should charge a bit or a lot extra for 1sts. If they dont understand and dont want to pay, then they are not the customers you want. You do have to watch out for the the ones that take advantage of you.
Its a dilema we all faced, the fear of losing work and there is no easy answer.

[Dave Turley]

hmm... sounds like most folks have the same trouble.

as I take on better work I drop my worst priced off to my brother (it's better than most of his best work) and only keep the best priced, best paying people who I actually like.

I like to think that by doing this i'm looking after the custy's that got me to where I am today. I can't move forward AND hang on to them just putting prices up a little each year.

i've thought about only taking on work over say. £20 or £30, but I can't resist taking on a £15 house that I was charging £8 for last year.

hope I don't sound too up myself, thanks for responses. good to hear from you too jeff. thanks

off to bed now, will check in tomorrow

[Wayne Thomas]

I always make time to balance new work at a better price with my older, regular, lower priced work. I look at it as awarding myself a new pay increase every time I get a new customer, unlike the teachers who have to go out on strike to demand a 10% pay increase.

[Dave Turley]

thanks for the thoughts guys...

thinking about it i'll have hot water in less than 2 weeks (hopefully) as i've ordered one of those arizbao heaters.

if I charge a bit more for first cleans and do them with hot water that should improve things.

happy days

[macmac]

Just think of a new custy/first clean as an investment, it may take a little longer first time BUT think of how much per year that they will add to your wage!


Tony

[windowwashers]

It's always wise to remember where you started from. If these are still with you after several years then they are loyal customers and worth keeping because they will get you referals.
New ones might be worth more today but can you trust them to still be with you in 2/3 years?
[/quote:To true.

not always true at all, have cleaned people windows for years only for them to go to someone cheaper, even had one go to one more expensixe as he did wfp at the time I didnt and he quoted nearly twice my price.

I hope I will get the customer back (i know there price she is charged) but customer loyalty some yes many not and normally the ones you think will be loyal will not vice versa.