Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: sunshine windies on November 15, 2013, 08:04:53 pm

Title: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: sunshine windies on November 15, 2013, 08:04:53 pm
Went to quote a new build today, nice place quoted £50 which I'm sure is fine for them and me but she did say can you do the builders clean as well in and out ?
How much extra would you be charging?
The windows aren't THAT bad really just general dust / dirt .....

Cheers
Scott

Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: trippyboy on November 15, 2013, 08:33:07 pm
Went to quote a new build today, nice place quoted £50 which I'm sure is fine for them and me but she did say can you do the builders clean as well in and out ?
How much extra would you be charging?
The windows aren't THAT bad really just general dust / dirt .....

Cheers
Scott


min 4 times that,also get her to sign a disclaimer
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Cliff perkins on November 15, 2013, 08:33:09 pm
double bubble ?
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: sunshine windies on November 15, 2013, 09:22:30 pm
Disclaimer? For what scratches ?
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Crystal-clear on November 15, 2013, 09:23:24 pm
500%
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: rosskesava on November 15, 2013, 09:38:18 pm
Builders cleans are always worse than you think they are.

I charge at least triple and often more. If the person doesn't accept my price then I walk away. Before quoting I have a very carefull look at every single window inside and out and I even get the ladders off to do that if needed.

It's also important to find out exactly what the person expects because if they want every little tiny last bit of plaster/paint/cement cleaned from the frames then one window can take an hour or more.

If you start the job and then realise you're onto a hiding for nothing, be prepared to say sorry, can't do the job and do a runner.

Also as per above, a scratch disclaimer is a must.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: PoleKing on November 15, 2013, 10:13:47 pm
Builders cleans are always worse than you think they are.

I charge at least triple and often more. If the person doesn't accept my price then I walk away. Before quoting I have a very carefull look at every single window inside and out and I even get the ladders off to do that if needed.

It's also important to find out exactly what the person expects because if they want every little tiny last bit of plaster/paint/cement cleaned from the frames then one window can take an hour or more.

If you start the job and then realise you're onto a hiding for nothing, be prepared to say sorry, can't do the job and do a runner.

Also as per above, a scratch disclaimer is a must.

+1 on that.
You'll only really appreciate it once you've been bitten though.
Which we all have, at some point.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Diamond standard ltd on November 16, 2013, 07:52:53 am
If you can not see a mark on a window from 2 metres away it's fine ( nhbc quote) have you got to do the build clean, re clean,sparkle clean all in one???  Windows inside on three or four house should take around 1hr.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 16, 2013, 08:19:55 am
I usually charge on the job/time/materials.

This job will be around £200 and I will be working on about £45-£55 per hour.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 16, 2013, 08:22:58 am
Used no scrapers. Only chemicals to remover stickers and concrete
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Nick_Thompson on November 16, 2013, 08:59:32 am
Good job Mr Pure!

What chemicals did you use?
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 16, 2013, 09:12:50 am
Just lots of neat acid...... :P

For the cement I used this.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-351327/belle-clean-concrete-dissolver-650ml-spray-bottle.html

Worked great. It DOES smell so that's a lie. It smells like chlorine, so that's a give away what it could be inside.

For stickers I use this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-remover-200ml/51059

I then use a weak mix of UBIK 2000 and water to clean the windows and frames.

Basically a brush doesn't touch the glass until they are safe to clean. I rinse off all the time.

I don't do builders cleans on housing estates more local one off jobs.

Got quite a rep this year for doing deep cleans then expanded into this sorta work.

It's not hard, it's quite satisfying and money is good best thing is you let chemicals soak. So hardly any scrubbing lmao.

I have lots of other tools and chemicals. But mainly those above I use.

FYI scraper could do just a good a job. But I know no scratches :)



Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Nick_Thompson on November 16, 2013, 09:45:02 am
Just lots of neat acid...... :P

For the cement I used this.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-351327/belle-clean-concrete-dissolver-650ml-spray-bottle.html

Worked great. It DOES smell so that's a lie. It smells like chlorine, so that's a give away what it could be inside.

For stickers I use this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-remover-200ml/51059

I then use a weak mix of UBIK 2000 and water to clean the windows and frames.

Basically a brush doesn't touch the glass until they are safe to clean. I rinse off all the time.

I don't do builders cleans on housing estates more local one off jobs.

Got quite a rep this year for doing deep cleans then expanded into this sorta work.

It's not hard, it's quite satisfying and money is good best thing is you let chemicals soak. So hardly any scrubbing lmao.

I have lots of other tools and chemicals. But mainly those above I use.

FYI scraper could do just a good a job. But I know no scratches :)


Thanks for the info and recommendation Mr Pure, just the ticket!
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 16, 2013, 10:19:46 am
Just lots of neat acid...... :P

For the cement I used this.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-351327/belle-clean-concrete-dissolver-650ml-spray-bottle.html

Worked great. It DOES smell so that's a lie. It smells like chlorine, so that's a give away what it could be inside.

For stickers I use this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-remover-200ml/51059

I then use a weak mix of UBIK 2000 and water to clean the windows and frames.

Basically a brush doesn't touch the glass until they are safe to clean. I rinse off all the time.

I don't do builders cleans on housing estates more local one off jobs.

Got quite a rep this year for doing deep cleans then expanded into this sorta work.

It's not hard, it's quite satisfying and money is good best thing is you let chemicals soak. So hardly any scrubbing lmao.

I have lots of other tools and chemicals. But mainly those above I use.

FYI scraper could do just a good a job. But I know no scratches :)


Thanks for the info and recommendation Mr Pure, just the ticket!

No problem. Once my google + is setup i will be doing regular blogs and videos. On stuff like this :)
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Nick_Thompson on November 16, 2013, 03:15:21 pm
Look forward to it!  :)
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2013, 03:24:14 pm
Quote from: rosskesava
Builders cleans are always worse than you think they are.

I charge at least triple and often more. If the person doesn't accept my price then I walk away. Before quoting I have a very carefull look at every single window inside and out and I even get the ladders off to do that if needed.

It's also important to find out exactly what the person expects because if they want every little tiny last bit of plaster/paint/cement cleaned from the frames then one window can take an hour or more.

If you start the job and then realise you're onto a hiding for nothing, be prepared to say sorry, can't do the job and do a runner.

Also as per above, a scratch disclaimer is a must.
+1
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Soupy on November 16, 2013, 03:24:47 pm
Quote from: DirtyDarren
You'll only really appreciate it once you've been bitten though.
Which we all have, at some point.
+1
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: LWC Ltd on November 18, 2013, 08:22:35 pm
Quote
Builders cleans are always worse than you think they are.

What he said.

If I really have to do them I go for between 3 and 5 times what you'd normally charge for the job.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Rob_B on November 19, 2013, 11:03:30 am
Surely you just charge your hourly rate.  Thats what i do and then never get stung. I get paid for the amount of time i am there.
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: Pro-Poler on November 19, 2013, 03:32:52 pm
Just lots of neat acid...... :P

For the cement I used this.

http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-351327/belle-clean-concrete-dissolver-650ml-spray-bottle.html

Worked great. It DOES smell so that's a lie. It smells like chlorine, so that's a give away what it could be inside.

For stickers I use this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-remover-200ml/51059

I then use a weak mix of UBIK 2000 and water to clean the windows and frames.

Basically a brush doesn't touch the glass until they are safe to clean. I rinse off all the time.

I don't do builders cleans on housing estates more local one off jobs.

Got quite a rep this year for doing deep cleans then expanded into this sorta work.

It's not hard, it's quite satisfying and money is good best thing is you let chemicals soak. So hardly any scrubbing lmao.

I have lots of other tools and chemicals. But mainly those above I use.

FYI scraper could do just a good a job. But I know no scratches :)




That's all well and good but how do you get those chemicals up the high windows???
Title: Re: How much extra for builders clean ?
Post by: PoleKing on November 19, 2013, 04:54:03 pm
Surely you just charge your hourly rate.  Thats what i do and then never get stung. I get paid for the amount of time i am there.

I'd never let anyone know my hourly rate.
Especially not a client.

Piece work, everybody knows where they stand then.
If after an hour or so you're not where you want to be either suck it up and treat it as a learning curve or renegotiate.
JMO