Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: CLEANCARE WC on September 10, 2012, 10:20:16 pm

Title: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on September 10, 2012, 10:20:16 pm
Well there has been talk of people charging a fiver a panel etc etc, but is anybody actually picking up a lot of work at that sort of price? or what are your thoughts on the matter?

I have a VERY wealthy customer that I clean windows for that has a load of panels they want me to clean twice a year I just said £35 per hour im happy and so are they.

I just wonder if the income/savings  generated by these things makes it viable for a £5 a panel clean twice a year?
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: paul marshall on September 11, 2012, 07:27:02 am
i know its meant to save em money , and yet they cost a few bob to clean  ??? ???
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: dazmond on September 11, 2012, 07:40:34 am
they dont take long to clean at all ive found.a bit like self cleaning glass!!its just another add on job for me to go along with fascia/soffit/conny roof cleaning.

maintenance window cleaning is my main income,anything else is a bonus but i make more than £35 an hour on add on jobs easily.

eg. i cleaned a few large solar panels for a customer the other week and charged her £30.it took me 20 mins.easy money!but dont forget i have spent £600 on a 40ft pole to clean them!! ;D ;D



regards


dazmond
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: Total shine cleaning services on September 11, 2012, 07:41:19 am
I charge £2 a panel,they are no bigger than a large window and it's still easy money,I did go the £5 a panel route at first but did not pick up any custom at this rate,last one I did had 12 panels and took no longer than 20 mins so £24 for 20 mins work is good enough for me

Graham
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 11, 2012, 08:11:10 am
The Energy trust puts a figure of "about £30" for an array of panels.

Google energy trust + solar panel cleaning.
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: Tom White on September 11, 2012, 08:14:25 am
I just said £35 per hour im happy and so are they.

I never ever charge by time; that can cause problems.  Imagine your phone rings and you're working, and some customer is watching you thinking, "Hey, I'm paying to you clean solar panels, not chat on the phone!"

I prefer pricing per job.
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 11, 2012, 08:19:47 am
I just said £35 per hour im happy and so are they.

I never ever charge by time; that can cause problems.  Imagine your phone rings and you're working, and some customer is watching you thinking, "Hey, I'm paying to you clean solar panels, not chat on the phone!"

I prefer pricing per job.

Mawnin' Tosh!

Yebbut - in your head you price per hour as an estimate - but give them a job price.

Mate of mine who has even less social skills than me (honest) actually tells his custy that he needs to make £30 an hour! Can't understand why some custies don't use him.

Now I know that's true but custy thinks "'ang on I work at Tesco for £7.00 an hour, I'm being ripped off!"
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: Tom White on September 11, 2012, 08:28:14 am
Fair one, Gold.
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: Total shine cleaning services on September 11, 2012, 08:38:42 am
a better way of putting it would be to say "the business needs to take £30 an hour to afford me a wage after I've paid all of my overheads out"

Graham
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 11, 2012, 03:54:25 pm
a better way of putting it would be to say "the business needs to take £30 an hour to afford me a wage after I've paid all of my overheads out"

Graham

Nope, better way yet is like Tosh says - price per job. And compute the hourly rate in your head.
Title: Re: solar panels...are they the golden goose?
Post by: robertphil on September 11, 2012, 06:30:06 pm
you seen those new houses on woodbridge rd where the old driving test centre was. theyve all got solar panels on, might be worth you doorknocking them Dan

 av you seen those 2 lads in a white pug 406 saloon lately ?