[CVC]

Sorry Joe, I didnt mean to snap.    Thanks for the advice. In future I will add more detail to my posts. I often find on forums people are ready to pick at points rather than offer advice. I jumped to the conclusion this is what you were doing, in my defence I had been up since half 3 and hadnt had a coffee.

I often find on forums people who dont want to answer the question as they think it is stupid still waste thier time and mine to put a flippant comment, so I already had my backup in defence, waiting for the onslaught. The main reason for forums is people asking for advice from people who may have already been in that situation. There are obviously many variables but I am interested in seeing what the others have done in a similair situation. I am not expecting the perfect answer just seeing what the genaral feeling on this is.

The property is an old victorian hospital that has been refurbished a few years ago for business units. It has never been cleaned and this years bout of snow has pushed the carpets to thier limits.  We have discussed with the client that they need to be maintained once the initial clean has taken place but often advice falls on deaf ears when more cost is involved, even when I explain the cost of replacing the carpets would be 5 figures.

Anyways in answer to some of your questions:

My business partner and I will be doing the cleaning to make sure standards are maintained, and so we know no corners are being cut.

There are windows all along the building so access is pretty easy, only a few areas will have to be on portable and those areas are generally better as they are the least walked areas.

The friend of ours has the final say on who he picks for the job, as long he as feels we are not taking the p we have the job. He has asked us to price as usual. The price is 4 figures at our usual rate, so I wanted to see if people offer discount on huge volume or charge as per usual. The only reason we are asking as this is the largest job we have quoted (and we have done some huge jobs)There is plenty of profit in that figure to account for it taking a day or two longer than we predict.

I do know how to price a job I was just interested in seeing how others would tackle it. The site took us half a day just to measure up and on initial inspection is a very daunting site.

[Neil Williams]

If it was me and on the age and condition now given, the image needed for it's new use, the cost of replcing carpets with new, and the time it will take, plus it being a few days work......I would go at £2/sqm

[nevil]

As you have said there are no right or wrong answers. The variable that none of us know is how much do you want this job. When I really want a job I try to get the most I can but am prepared to be flexible.

I know I have said it already but it really is worth asking  your friend for a little guidance on what other people are quoting or what they have paid in the past. People don't often mind you asking. They normally are willing to help and if there figures are in an acceptable ball court you may even be able to agree the money side of things while you are in a dialog. Although I would think with a customer like that price won't be their sole concern.

[jon777]

I think your question is a reasonable one!  Landed a huge contract could be that you won, stole, found , got given it, it doesnt really matter and some people would rather try to nit pick at the question instead of addressing the point.

Anyway I think the answer to your question has got to be "as much as you can".  It is a difficult one as you know the clients and personally I don't like working for friends, family or people I know, as things can become awkward especially when it comes to money. So make your decision purely as a business one which is how much do you want to do the the job? (IE cover your costs and deliver a hefty profit which is what you'd want from a job of this size).

Personally I would look at £1000 per day for truck mount and technician but having said that I do not do many commercial jobs as I do not find them as profitable as domestic.
 
Jobs like these don't come along every day and you don't want the hassle and stress of it if your not going to make much from doing it, so hit with the four figure quote and if they say no then you can be happy you dont have to do it for less than your worth.