[Klean07]

I had a phone call on Tuesday asking me if I wanted the contract for a very large retail company in my area. At first I thought it was joke. But I've received paperwork today and been to see shops. But money doesn't seem to be very good for work involved. Its for two very large shops indoor. 17 windows approx and all escalator glass inside store. This has to be done twice a week. The pay is £140 a month. Which only works out to £17.50 per visit.
So would any of you work for this amount even though its a well known chain store?

[mick hay]

i would leave it, can do a £15 house in 10 -15 mins, plus you gonna have to wait for ya money!!

i dont touch any commercial, only residential, loyalty and good cash flow!!

[Alex Gardiner]

Only take it on if you really need the money each month.

[Klean07]

i would leave it, can do a £15 house in 10 -15 mins, plus you gonna have to wait for ya money!!

i dont touch any commercial, only residential, loyalty and good cash flow!!

I quite agree with you here. It just seems too much hassle for little pay. I too can do a £25 house in 20 mins including set up.

[GWCS]

Or you could take it on, and just do spot cleaning after the initial big clean.

But otherwise dont bother unless your DESPO!!

[Window Washers]

I turned down some work for Abbey, there prices did not match my rates no where near, and I was certainly not going to come down just for the name sake they are still dirty today, I did give them a correct price for the job and said if you fail to find someone thats going to work for less than min wage your welcome to call us back.

[williamx]

The most important thing that you need to look at when pricing work, is what are you already achieving.

If you have to quote a price that is under what you are already earning, then the answer must always be no.

If the price you are quoting is more than they are willing to pay, sell them your services and what makes you better than the compitition, and why the you price are quoting is really worthwhile.

Don't get suckered in by their "name".

[peter holley]

i too am baffled as to what some window cleaners will work for ... just because the retailer etc , has a brand name

like was mentioned earlier you can do a domestic house for £15 in a short time and have a few in a row ,,, .....I know which I would choose to do... and with domestic you get paid quickly

I only do commercial if they agree to pay on my terms ...lol

[Clive McDonald]

Apologies for butting in off topic.
hydro- only if you want to of course- start a topic about your expansion plans- you needn't be too specific or say
anything you don't want too.
I'd be most interested in how much you think is reasonable to spend on a vehicle- purchase,wrap,internal kit.How many new custies are required to run it at break even, and how many at capacity.How you approach drags on profit such as admin and an operating base etc.
Of course if you don't want to thats okay.
clive

[williamx]

Clive

I can start a new topic on expanding your business and the costs and pitfalls to look out for, if you or anyone else is interested? if anyone does want to know let me know and then give me a few days and I will detail what I am currently doing and how it is working.

William

[bluez]

I would be interested Hydro, but you know what this place is like, there are a few will probably turn it into a slagging post.

[Clive McDonald]

I would be interested because you seem very ambitous and often have commonsence solutions to difficult problems. Setting it down might give you a clearer insight too. I imagine the main problem and biggest brake to expansion is debt.

I expect some posts would be negative, but if we were the board of a large company and you were proposing a big budget project that too would meet opposition.

[big J]

I would be very interested in a thread like that

[Klean07]

Just for the record the store involved here is Marks and Spencers. If there is anyone on here from the Brierley Hill area that wants to take this work on then send me a message and you can start today.

[Window Washers]

Clive

I can start a new topic on expanding your business and the costs and pitfalls to look out for, if you or anyone else is interested? if anyone does want to know let me know and then give me a few days and I will detail what I am currently doing and how it is working.

William

Would be an interesting read

[Klean07]

Clive

I can start a new topic on expanding your business and the costs and pitfalls to look out for, if you or anyone else is interested? if anyone does want to know let me know and then give me a few days and I will detail what I am currently doing and how it is working.

William

So why dont you start your new topic on a seperate page mate? Instead of using my topic damn cheek.

[Blue Frog Systems]

Souns like they want something for nothing. I would put a quote in that your happy with. Tell them for £17.50 at however long it will take that its not good business sense.

[williamx]

Clive

I can start a new topic on expanding your business and the costs and pitfalls to look out for, if you or anyone else is interested? if anyone does want to know let me know and then give me a few days and I will detail what I am currently doing and how it is working.

William

So why dont you start your new topic on a seperate page mate? Instead of using my topic damn cheek.

My apologises, I was only answering a question that was directed at me, I will be posting a new topic on what Clive and some other forum members want in the next few days work permitting.

As for you original post, I would go to Marks & Spencers and quote what the job is worth, I would also state in the quote why they should go with your higher price because the standard of service that you offer is second to none.

Also don't forget Marks & Spencers made over £400 million profit this year.

[Klean07]

No probs. There are two stores in question here both within 200 metres of each other. One has 29 20ft plus windows  on two levels and the other 25 8ft plus windows. Plus they want all the escalator glass cleaned too. All this twice a week. New price is £300 a month. Are we anywhere near proper price here?

[williamx]

Have you worked out how long it is going to take you? if so, times this by what you are already earning per hour.