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John Walker

  • Posts: 613
Gutter Cleaning - a question
« on: February 10, 2010, 11:49:35 am »

I have had a few customers who have asked me to clean their gutters and the facia bit behind the gutter.

The gutters that I have done so far have come up almost like new and make a big difference to the look of the property.  Also it's much easier since I got my slx pole and superlight brush.

Do you find that your customers are happy with just this service.  (I am not geared up for gutter emptying) as I am thinking of adding this service on.

The distance between gutter brackets appears to be fairly standard so I was thinking of pricing by the section when quoting.

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated as always.
BaxWalker Window Cleaning

Ian Lancaster

  • Posts: 2811
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2010, 12:39:42 pm »

I have had a few customers who have asked me to clean their gutters and the facia bit behind the gutter.

The gutters that I have done so far have come up almost like new and make a big difference to the look of the property.  Also it's much easier since I got my slx pole and superlight brush.

Do you find that your customers are happy with just this service.  (I am not geared up for gutter emptying) as I am thinking of adding this service on.

The distance between gutter brackets appears to be fairly standard so I was thinking of pricing by the section when quoting.

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated as always.

Hi John,

We get loads of requests for gutter/fascia/soffit cleans as annual add-ons for regular customers.

We don't do clearing blocked gutters - if we get asked for it we usually tell the custy to get a quote from a builder - doesn't happen very often anyway.

Pricing:

We tend to do it on an hourly basis - a run across a straight length of g/s/f on the front of a 3 bed semi would take about 30-40 minutes depending on how bad it is.  Adjust for gables etc and repeat the formula around the rest of the house.  Then price as per your hourly rate plus a premium for awkward hard work.

Most people are happy to pay £40-£60 for the whole house (3 bed semi) as it's only once a year.

Sapphire Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2942
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2010, 01:02:16 pm »
I charge per metre, I have 3 diffrerent services, gutter clearing, gutter clearing with the insides pressure washed and down pipes pressure washed, then all of the above plus the fascia and soffits.
My prices start at £5 per metre rising to £7.50 per metre.




Matt
Reaching parts traditional window cleaners can not reach.

John Walker

  • Posts: 613
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2010, 08:36:23 pm »
Thanks for your advice Ian and Matt.

I shied away from it before as I was trying to do it with my Powerpole and sill brush/gooseneck and found too heavy and clumsy for me.

However, i trieD again with slx and superlight and it is now well within my strength range.

i will probably only offer one service which will be to clean gutter and facia.

I think the early Spring will be a good time for this work.

Thanks again

John
BaxWalker Window Cleaning

Sapphire Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2942
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2010, 11:38:02 pm »
This sort of work is usually requested about Spring, but the gutter clearing I find, gets very busy in the Autumn (due the leaves falling etc.)



Matt
Reaching parts traditional window cleaners can not reach.

lee_dewing

  • Posts: 3124
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2010, 12:48:09 am »
matt, how do you do your gutter clearing?

is it off ladder or pressure washer from safety of the ground?

as ian i steer clear of this work.

custy asked me other day for gutter clearing told her 2 man job, someone to hold ladder as dangerous job so couldn't do.

I don't know if it's me being cyncial but i think custy knows if they pick up phone to builder or someone out of the yellow pages it's not gonna be cheap.

so ask the w/c here be glad of a few extra quid.

When my custy asked for gutter clearing she said "next time could you do me a favor?"

I just stayed quiet as knew what was coming ::)

custy" could you clear gutters; i'l give you abit extra"

that really pi55e's me off that, telling you there give you a fiver or tenner. :D

Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.     - Aristotle

Sapphire Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2942
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2010, 09:02:38 am »
I use the PolaVak, then pressure wash with a 24ft extendable lance.
I was asked last year if I could do them a favour and clean the gutters, I told them I charge for his and I don't do that for nothing, then I give them a quote and they about have a heart attack.
They moan saying how can I justify charging that much, I said simple I need to make a living and that my equipment is expensive. They either accept it or they don't.



Matt
Reaching parts traditional window cleaners can not reach.

dean123

  • Posts: 68
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2010, 03:47:33 pm »
£40 minimum charge for blocked gutter / down pipe  ;D dont do them often but like wots been said before 2 man job

lee_dewing

  • Posts: 3124
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2010, 11:53:58 pm »
matt,

what is polarvak like, would consider buying this bit of kit?

Is it about £600?

polarvak are in essex are'nt they did you pay'em a visit?


Do you find gutter cleaning a nice add-on.
do custy's look baffled that your not up a ladder.
just wondered if you get comments of can't do proper job unless your up  a ladder ::)

thanks lee
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.     - Aristotle

Sapphire Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2942
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2010, 08:50:12 am »
Yes they are in Essex, and yes the PolarVak is £575.
I only had one person look at me in a strange way. I tell them that this way is easier and much safer.
The PolarVak is very very good, I would highly recommend them, its easily got enough power to use right up to 40ft
Give Craig a ring on Monday.


Matt
Reaching parts traditional window cleaners can not reach.

lee_dewing

  • Posts: 3124
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2010, 04:55:21 pm »
thanks,  matt ;)

i think there has been alot of intrest on here for polar-vak.

Think everyone's been waiting for someone else to be the guinea pig :D

glad it's working ok for you.

Still a bit unsure, especially for tufts of grass etc, dont know how a gutter-vac would fair on this.

I probably sound exactly like this 4 years ago about wfp ;D

thanks for feed back matt.

Hope business is good on your new patch :)

lee
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.     - Aristotle

Sapphire Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2942
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2010, 08:19:35 pm »
You use an agitator to loosen it first, and what I have found is that the whole clump is sucked to the end of the vac, just pull it away from the guttering then turn the machine off and it will just drop to the floor.



Matt
Reaching parts traditional window cleaners can not reach.

A & J Owen Window Cleaning

  • Posts: 2192
Re: Gutter Cleaning - a question
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2010, 07:42:29 am »
just a standard price i have done a few jobs now and i price about£7 per meter and that includes photos i take of the empty gutters while im u thjere  made off my phone camera so i can show the custie