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starplus

  • Posts: 153
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #40 on: January 22, 2010, 01:40:51 pm »
Thanks Nick,

Kind Regards

Robert Parry

  • Posts: 535
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #41 on: January 22, 2010, 03:09:22 pm »
Hi Barbara, and all!

I have resisted the urge to reply before now, as I wanted to see where the thread was actually going!

The opinions expressed within this post are entirely my own, and are not intended to offend anyone :)

Barbara, in you first post, you stated that you have been asked to quote for a job that is 2 hrs per night, 5 nights per week.

My first thought would have been, how has this prospect reached the conclusion that 2 hrs per night is sufficient to obtain the required standard of cleaning?

Is the prospective client actually happy with the level of service being obtained at the present time?

Is the client looking to save money?

Are all the cleaning tasks that they expect to be carried out, actually being carried out?

The number of employee's, visitors, density of the premises, layout, floors, access etc all have to be considered before arriving at an estimated cleaning time.

It is a certainty, that your prospect has no real idea of how long his/her building will take to clean, thats why they have contracted the job out! Most client's during the survey will confirm this when they tell you, " it's just a quick hoover and dust in here" or something very similair!

It really does pay to be a good listener!

No disrespect to Dave intended "Once again you will win it on Price and what you are offering. You need to be the lowest priced and have the better specification."

But this is quite simply wrong! The more tasks that any cleaner undertakes, the longer the overall time the whole job will take to complete, so the more detailed specification will have to be more expensive to allow for the extra labour required.

The only time this principle does not hold true, is when the buildings size, layout or material types (floors etc) lend themselves to mechanical cleaning aids, such as scrubbers etc. Serious labour savings can be acheived, but then you have the cost of machinery, purchase, lease and maintenance etc.

I am  sure what Dave actually meant to say was " You need to be very competitive on price, adding extra value and offer an acceptable specification"

I am not entirely sure what the spreadsheet is that NIck has been sending out, but from what I have read it's purpose seems to be to take into account all of the expenses incurred on a particular account (sorry Nick if this is wrong!). This is no bad thing, seeing the figures in black and white can help clarify the situation enormously, and Dave quite rightly again points out some further financials that should not be forgotten when submitting the final quotation.

Dave also, very helpfully points out that if you are doing the work yourself you can issue a really attractive price to your potential customers, however, if you actually want to run a business, with employee's etc, again your pricing would need adjusting!

If, after your survey, you feel that you can clean the building to the client's requirements in the stated 2 hours, and you actually want to run a proper business with bona fide employee's and comply with the current legislation I would suggest a charge of £560 per month or if you really need the work I would suggest a lowest price of £520 per month.

However, if you plan to take on the work yourself I would suggest a monthly price of £400 to £450.

You will, no doubt, have noticed all 4 of the given prices exceed those proposed by Dave, by a considerable margin, this is because I have taken into account all the expenses that will be incurred during the contract, whilst maintaining an acceptable profit.

I would also advise on buying only good quality commercial equipment, not henry hoovers or indeed the valet, good equipment properly maintained, clean filters, regular bag changes etc will reap didvidends long term, same goes for chemicals, quality counts.

Daves observation that some contracts run at break even or a loss is again correct, but in my opinion every contract must be run at a profit, plimsoll estimate that 12 of the major cleaning companies in this country are in serious trouble, profit, not turnover is all that matters in the world of commerce, cleaning included!

Regards,

Rob



A world of difference....

suffolkclean

  • Posts: 908
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #42 on: January 22, 2010, 05:53:43 pm »
Hi Rob

Many thanks for your comments & I after looking into the figures the others advised me to go in at, my husband & I decided that wasn't enough as far as we were concerned under £10 is really low. I'm sure the others have the experience to make this work for them with lots of other contracts.

I won't be doing the work myself, I have indeed gone in at a rate between your 2 figures sugested & showed extras for sanitary disposal & tea towels as requested.

The office manager has had cleaners for 3 years & has lots of complaints with them, he's also tried hiring his own cleaners which obviously didn't work out. He handed me a list with a cleaning checklish 'damp wipe the pipework' etc so he is very fussy which is fine but will be high maintenance for us which we are happy to oblige at the right price. He did mention 1.5 hrs per might so I expect this is whats being done at the moment.

I'm sure many will choke at the price quoted but I'm glad this is the price you've recommended.
Barbara

Pj

Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #43 on: January 22, 2010, 06:10:00 pm »
Excellent post Robert!

I've been reading this with interest, and swatting up on other threads on the subject and I have found a lot is said without giving anything away.  Thanks for such helpful comments Robert.

I've just gone in on a job at the higher end that Robert is suggesting.  It's nail biting to start with, but once you get onto the job of cleaning you quickly start wishing you'd gone a little higher! 

Trouble with cleaning is that there's always a little bit more to do.

Regards
Pj

Scotbrite

  • Posts: 140
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #44 on: January 22, 2010, 06:27:33 pm »
Hi Nick,
If its not to late may i request a copy of your spreadsheet as well,

Many Thanks in advance,

Ron

ron_ireland@hotmail.com

Nick Head

  • Posts: 75
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #45 on: January 23, 2010, 12:16:17 am »

Re Robert's post

Thanks for your feedback and I agree with most of your points - but unfortunately you (and maybe others) missed the major point of the spreadsheet. The Principle is very simple in order to set a price in it is essential you understand what your costs are. A simple premise but offen ignored.

Hope this clarifies

Nick


Nicholas Head
Cleaning Intelligence

Pj

Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #46 on: January 23, 2010, 09:17:31 am »
Very good Nick

That's the point I got from your helpful spreadsheet, make sure of costs.

Thanks Pj

suffolkclean

  • Posts: 908
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #47 on: January 23, 2010, 09:57:51 am »
It was VERY useful & easy to follow, now I can clearly see how it is all worked out & will use this formula in the future.
B

Pristine Clean

  • Posts: 1149
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #48 on: January 23, 2010, 10:27:34 am »
Rob,

What can I say your post always make you shine. Where are my shades.  8)

Yes superb. And indeed you are right.

Its difficult on pricing. Everyones running costs are different. I could earn out of my price buts its minimal.

We do have a fair few office contracts where we have found by talking to our clients at present Price plays a very important part.

We do often go in high price and generally get a call from them asking - "We are interested in you providing the service except the price is higher than everyone else"

We even get to see the other quotations provided by the other cleaning companies.

So we do a few things, we either lower or match the price if we can earn from it. Or work out schedule of cleaning the building to make the price lower.

This bit Rob has come accross wrong. Sorry and you are right once again and no offence taken...honest. ;D

No disrespect to Dave intended "Once again you will win it on Price and what you are offering. You need to be the lowest priced and have the better specification."

But this is quite simply wrong! The more tasks that any cleaner undertakes, the longer the overall time the whole job will take to complete, so the more detailed specification will have to be more expensive to allow for the extra labour required.


I did not mean that you have to lose money, or give away free time. And yes labour has to be paid for by the client. What I meant was if you could offer a better specification at a more attracted price whilst maintaining a high standard.

For example a tradition window cleaner would take longer than a window cleaner using WFP as no ladders to push up and down. So could do the job quicker at possibly a lower price and could possibly offer a better standard.

There are many ways you can organise cleaning rotas, various ways to clean using certain products, machines, even the way you clean can possibly save money. If you can reduce labour costs while acheiving a better standard of cleaning  and gaining more in profit then I think you are onto a winner which can be done.

PJ

As for "nothing being given away" there is nothing to give away. Robert himself has not given anything away. They are just very common considerations that must be taken into account. They set the foundations of any contract in the cleaning industry.

cheers


Dave

"You have to except that some days you are the statue and other days you are a pigeon"

just gleaming

  • Posts: 2
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #49 on: January 24, 2010, 04:58:32 pm »
Hi Nick

Could please send me one thanks


Julie      justgleaming@ntlworld.com

cannon

  • Posts: 492
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #50 on: January 25, 2010, 07:21:53 pm »
Hi Nick

Your probably sick but if its not to much trouble could you email me a copy as well.

karleyfox@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks

cleaning-team

  • Posts: 66
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #51 on: January 25, 2010, 09:53:18 pm »
Hi Barbara, and all!

I have resisted the urge to reply before now, as I wanted to see where the thread was actually going!

The opinions expressed within this post are entirely my own, and are not intended to offend anyone :)

Barbara, in you first post, you stated that you have been asked to quote for a job that is 2 hrs per night, 5 nights per week.

My first thought would have been, how has this prospect reached the conclusion that 2 hrs per night is sufficient to obtain the required standard of cleaning?

Is the prospective client actually happy with the level of service being obtained at the present time?

Is the client looking to save money?

Are all the cleaning tasks that they expect to be carried out, actually being carried out?

The number of employee's, visitors, density of the premises, layout, floors, access etc all have to be considered before arriving at an estimated cleaning time.

It is a certainty, that your prospect has no real idea of how long his/her building will take to clean, thats why they have contracted the job out! Most client's during the survey will confirm this when they tell you, " it's just a quick hoover and dust in here" or something very similair!

It really does pay to be a good listener!

No disrespect to Dave intended "Once again you will win it on Price and what you are offering. You need to be the lowest priced and have the better specification."

But this is quite simply wrong! The more tasks that any cleaner undertakes, the longer the overall time the whole job will take to complete, so the more detailed specification will have to be more expensive to allow for the extra labour required.

The only time this principle does not hold true, is when the buildings size, layout or material types (floors etc) lend themselves to mechanical cleaning aids, such as scrubbers etc. Serious labour savings can be acheived, but then you have the cost of machinery, purchase, lease and maintenance etc.

I am  sure what Dave actually meant to say was " You need to be very competitive on price, adding extra value and offer an acceptable specification"

I am not entirely sure what the spreadsheet is that NIck has been sending out, but from what I have read it's purpose seems to be to take into account all of the expenses incurred on a particular account (sorry Nick if this is wrong!). This is no bad thing, seeing the figures in black and white can help clarify the situation enormously, and Dave quite rightly again points out some further financials that should not be forgotten when submitting the final quotation.

Dave also, very helpfully points out that if you are doing the work yourself you can issue a really attractive price to your potential customers, however, if you actually want to run a business, with employee's etc, again your pricing would need adjusting!

If, after your survey, you feel that you can clean the building to the client's requirements in the stated 2 hours, and you actually want to run a proper business with bona fide employee's and comply with the current legislation I would suggest a charge of £560 per month or if you really need the work I would suggest a lowest price of £520 per month.

However, if you plan to take on the work yourself I would suggest a monthly price of £400 to £450.

You will, no doubt, have noticed all 4 of the given prices exceed those proposed by Dave, by a considerable margin, this is because I have taken into account all the expenses that will be incurred during the contract, whilst maintaining an acceptable profit.

I would also advise on buying only good quality commercial equipment, not henry hoovers or indeed the valet, good equipment properly maintained, clean filters, regular bag changes etc will reap didvidends long term, same goes for chemicals, quality counts.

Daves observation that some contracts run at break even or a loss is again correct, but in my opinion every contract must be run at a profit, plimsoll estimate that 12 of the major cleaning companies in this country are in serious trouble, profit, not turnover is all that matters in the world of commerce, cleaning included!

Regards,

Rob





This is one of the best posts I have read in here in a long time and should be made a sticky - some great advice for all, new and old!

jonsruby

  • Posts: 9
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #52 on: January 30, 2010, 08:53:32 am »
Please check my website for that. There you get all information regarding pricing and other cleaning tips. click here.

Goldfinch PCS

  • Posts: 134
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #53 on: March 01, 2010, 09:01:07 pm »

Barbara

If you email me (see my profile) I will send you a formula and a methodology on how o compile a quote.

Nick

Could I have a copy as well please, sir?

Many thanks
Goldfinch PCS
0800 612 9244
LTT PROmite(Altec) Member of - IICRC
www.goldfinchpcs.co.uk

Goldfinch PCS

  • Posts: 134
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #54 on: March 01, 2010, 09:43:59 pm »
Hi Barbara, and all!

I have resisted the urge to reply before now, as I wanted to see where the thread was actually going!

The opinions expressed within this post are entirely my own, and are not intended to offend anyone :)

Barbara, in you first post, you stated that you have been asked to quote for a job that is 2 hrs per night, 5 nights per week.

My first thought would have been, how has this prospect reached the conclusion that 2 hrs per night is sufficient to obtain the required standard of cleaning?

Is the prospective client actually happy with the level of service being obtained at the present time?

Is the client looking to save money?

Are all the cleaning tasks that they expect to be carried out, actually being carried out?

The number of employee's, visitors, density of the premises, layout, floors, access etc all have to be considered before arriving at an estimated cleaning time.

It is a certainty, that your prospect has no real idea of how long his/her building will take to clean, thats why they have contracted the job out! Most client's during the survey will confirm this when they tell you, " it's just a quick hoover and dust in here" or something very similair!

It really does pay to be a good listener!

No disrespect to Dave intended "Once again you will win it on Price and what you are offering. You need to be the lowest priced and have the better specification."

But this is quite simply wrong! The more tasks that any cleaner undertakes, the longer the overall time the whole job will take to complete, so the more detailed specification will have to be more expensive to allow for the extra labour required.

The only time this principle does not hold true, is when the buildings size, layout or material types (floors etc) lend themselves to mechanical cleaning aids, such as scrubbers etc. Serious labour savings can be acheived, but then you have the cost of machinery, purchase, lease and maintenance etc.

I am  sure what Dave actually meant to say was " You need to be very competitive on price, adding extra value and offer an acceptable specification"

I am not entirely sure what the spreadsheet is that NIck has been sending out, but from what I have read it's purpose seems to be to take into account all of the expenses incurred on a particular account (sorry Nick if this is wrong!). This is no bad thing, seeing the figures in black and white can help clarify the situation enormously, and Dave quite rightly again points out some further financials that should not be forgotten when submitting the final quotation.

Dave also, very helpfully points out that if you are doing the work yourself you can issue a really attractive price to your potential customers, however, if you actually want to run a business, with employee's etc, again your pricing would need adjusting!

If, after your survey, you feel that you can clean the building to the client's requirements in the stated 2 hours, and you actually want to run a proper business with bona fide employee's and comply with the current legislation I would suggest a charge of £560 per month or if you really need the work I would suggest a lowest price of £520 per month.

However, if you plan to take on the work yourself I would suggest a monthly price of £400 to £450.

You will, no doubt, have noticed all 4 of the given prices exceed those proposed by Dave, by a considerable margin, this is because I have taken into account all the expenses that will be incurred during the contract, whilst maintaining an acceptable profit.

I would also advise on buying only good quality commercial equipment, not henry hoovers or indeed the valet, good equipment properly maintained, clean filters, regular bag changes etc will reap didvidends long term, same goes for chemicals, quality counts.

Daves observation that some contracts run at break even or a loss is again correct, but in my opinion every contract must be run at a profit, plimsoll estimate that 12 of the major cleaning companies in this country are in serious trouble, profit, not turnover is all that matters in the world of commerce, cleaning included!

Regards,

Rob





Thank you oh great one for this very valid contribution. Up until I read this thread I thought mad mad mad, this can't be where the industry is going! Listen to this guy and you will never go wrong. THANK YOU SO MUCH ROB, THANK YOU

Why does anyone run contracts at a lost? Why should anyone?

Listen, Cleaning is seen as the least important task by most facility managers or business owners or home owners (even though they pretend other wise). It should be done for pennies and the people doing it are considered brainless(been polite can't use the exact phrase). So everyone want it done cheap, the cleaner shouldn't be paid more than minimum wage and if it wasn't for a Labour fight it wouldn't be no where near what it is now.

Still everyone complains when the office is dirty and when the kitchen and toilets scares rats.

It's never a bit of vacuum and dusting.

I could go on..... but I will stop - Thank you Rob.

PS
The pole is right they are in serious poop, why, under cutting and big ambitious  SLAs which can't be met with limited hours (average 2 - 3 a day) and peanut pay. Flashy uniforms, PDA happy sales reps and lavish lunches don't clean buildings(they might win contracts), well trained, well rewarded and motivated people do.

Barbara Listen to this man and don't worry if you don't win them all. Learn and be positive. Don't treat your staff with disregard, if they are doing it wrong they need training not wage deductions. If things aren't been done investigate it could be time related rather than people not pulling their weight etc.
Goldfinch PCS
0800 612 9244
LTT PROmite(Altec) Member of - IICRC
www.goldfinchpcs.co.uk

London and Essex

  • Posts: 8
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #55 on: March 05, 2010, 04:44:54 pm »
I use a similar cost build up programme I presumed that many cleaning companies use, albeit with my own tweaks......and on using my formular for a 2 hr per night 5 day per week clean I have been awarded contracts for £6,100.00 per annum.

At the end of the day it all depends on what the client is happy to pay and how the overal proposal is presented.

sbcleaningservices

  • Posts: 12
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #56 on: March 07, 2010, 08:29:09 pm »
Hi
I am very interested to know how to qoute a office deep clean with over 6000m2
Have not done this before but would appreciate any help
Thank you Sarah from Sheffield

divinetouch

  • Posts: 10
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #57 on: March 08, 2010, 02:34:49 pm »
Hi Nick,

I'll be grateful if you can send me one across. pietroplc@hotmail.com

Thanks Peters.

holmesclean

  • Posts: 38
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #58 on: March 09, 2010, 11:10:31 am »
Nick I would also appreciate an email

holmesclean@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks in advance

Tom
Tom

cleanandneat

  • Posts: 90
Re: How much for Office Cleaning
« Reply #59 on: March 10, 2010, 04:21:20 am »
Nick, could I please ask for a copy too/ cleanandneatservice@hotmail.co.uk