Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dane on February 20, 2018, 04:22:37 pm
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1519143559_45AD1847-C38C-4B57-BEA8-D4F3CC5C304A.png)(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1519143559_0C7E5938-B895-433E-B132-DBD4BBE34178.png)
Why do people try bartering when you give a price - knowing she lives in a bigger house
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I usually offer them a longer frequency between cleans at a price that I'm happy with in those situations.
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there's the price, take it or leave it.
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I know what you mean about a longer frequency Andy but I charge that for a 4 week clean - it’s a bit more for a 8 weekly which I get the feeling won’t go down well so I won’t even suggest that 😂😂
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How much bigger is the new house compaired to the older house?
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Quite a lot! To describe it best their previously property probably had 10 windows in total as a detached house.. this new property is a bigger detached property with 10 windows of the same size at the front alone, plus the backs, sky lights and a glass porch above the back door... add the time to set up by dragging my hose around to the far front window (when parked in the rear court yard) then I don’t think it’s unreaosnable at all... an hours work.
She knows there bad by agreeing to the initial clean price too as I’m guessing the previous owner didn’t get them cleaned
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Quite a lot! To describe it best their previously property probably had 10 windows in total as a detached house.. this new property is a bigger detached property with 10 windows of the same size at the front alone, plus the backs, sky lights and a glass porch above the back door... add the time to set up by dragging my hose around to the far front window (when parked in the rear court yard) then I don’t think it’s unreaosnable at all... an hours work.
She knows there bad by agreeing to the initial clean price too as I’m guessing the previous owner didn’t get them cleaned
So it sounds like her new house is over double the size of her last house.
Tell her that. If shes got the money for a bigger house, she will have to suck it up.
You don't go and trade in your ford focus, for a v8 Merc and complain to the manufacturer that the fuel efficiency is less than half as good as the ford, expecting a discount on the purchase price do you?
Id dump her tbh.
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I'm with Marc, I reckon she'll have the first clean done and that will be it.
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Totally agree Marc, which is why I’ve stood my ground... I won’t gain if I don’t charge accordingly...
I have visions of that too robbo, I haven’t had a response anyway
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Quite a lot! To describe it best their previously property probably had 10 windows in total as a detached house.. this new property is a bigger detached property with 10 windows of the same size at the front alone, plus the backs, sky lights and a glass porch above the back door... add the time to set up by dragging my hose around to the far front window (when parked in the rear court yard) then I don’t think it’s unreaosnable at all... an hours work.
She knows there bad by agreeing to the initial clean price too as I’m guessing the previous owner didn’t get them cleaned
if it takes an hour to clean at £25 on maintenance cleans i wouldnt even take the job on.its a far too low hourly rate for me.its got to be at least £40-£45 an hour.
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Sounds your quite pally with her aswell.
In business,.if you have friends that are customers it always ends in tears.
I have had many friends and acquaintances ask me to do work for them. I stay away from exposing those relationships to a business situation.
I had one particular acquaintance ask me to wash his cladding. He didnt pay me for 2 months and i had to get quite aggressive with my collection activities. After he paid we didnt speak for nearly a year. Fortunately we are on speaking terms again but it had ruined our friendship
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Tell her you can reduce price which Windows should you miss
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I used to do some coaching part time with york city in the community, her son attended a session a few years ago which is how I met the Dad and then by chance I ended up doing their windows after a phone call from him via my website - he didn’t realise I was a window cleaner during the day.. I now coach my sons team and they played against each other on Sunday - I haven’t actually met her before as they pay online and she works through the day, think she’s just asked the husband for my number when moving house and then presuming she’s just seen my van in the car park 😂😂 which is why she didn’t talk to me as she personally won’t have actually known who I was - no love lost because of this
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I would explain why it’s that price it’s up to her then take it or leave it
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In business,.if you have friends that are customers it always ends in tears.
Yep: Don't work for friends or neighbours 😡
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dane are you a newbie? as your pricing too low IMO(or your a slow wfpoler)are you happy with £25 for an hours work? ::)roll
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The only friends I do the occasional clean for, I don't charge.
But I do get invited around for a meal once in a while.
I prefer it that way, and I'm only referring to a couple of houses maybe twice a year.
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
ive been to York a few times mate with my missus for the weekend,great part of the country...its a very affluent area...
i consistently have to hit £40+ an hour when im actually cleaning or i dont take the work on.its not worth it to me.i also only work "on the glass" 25-30 hours a week.id never hit 40k+ a year if i took on lower paying jobs....
each to their own but i think your probably undercharging Dane........York is a very expensive place to live too....
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I appreciate the advice and aren’t afraid to say I’m still learning (like us all).... i’ll Certainly take it on board and look at how I price in the future.
Appreciated for taking the time out 👍🏿
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
Pricing and how you deal with customers very much depends on the area and affluence of that area.
In the North East we just don't get the prices the cleaners in the South do. If we do ask and get an above average price for a house, it won't be long before we get cancelled and there will be another cheaper cleaner doing the job. If you are able, then to reach a higher hourly rate you have to clean more windows and that maybe a tall ask when your round isn't compact.
Most of our work is in small local villages where everyone knows everybody. They all talk about how much their window cleaner charges, have you seen him lately etc. If we are rude or short with one of our customers, whether its justified or not, word quickly spreads and this can damage our reputation. When people talk the issue becomes exaggerated by the story teller to put themselves in a better light.
IMHO its only when you have been cleaning a long time and have developed your round that you can afford to choose higher paid work and only take higher paid work on. If your work schedule is full then you have the luxury to do that. (By higher paid work I also don't mean work that pays more money per clean. It could also be work that is just easier and quicker to do due to the type of windows, garden design, garden clutter etc.)
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dane are you a newbie? as your pricing too low IMO(or your a slow wfpoler)are you happy with £25 for an hours work? ::)roll
Are you happy living in a 1 bedroom council flat Daz?
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
Dane take what you read on here about pricing with a pinch of salt, one minute they're demanding £25 to £30 for a small semi
because they do such a fantastic job compared to the cheaper guy up the road, next minute they're knocking out 6 an hour
in storms, you couldn't make it up. lol.
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I like most others come on here to share my experiences, offer advice (if I can) and take on board what people say... whether or not I implement any ideas is totally circumstantial and based on what I learn and think..... everyone’s different, we’ve all got different ideas of a good life, different over heads, targets, dreams so I don’t think think anyone is right or wrong, each to their own... the reality is our own truth is out on our own rounds that we get up and work everybody day, whether it’s for peanuts or millions
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I've been sitting all morning thinking and reading this whilst trying to make my mind up whether to go for something. It's around few hundred doors % in a scheme and won't say much more on here but this place doesn't help at times!
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Just cleaned this tiny property before I'm now sat having my lunch and reading on this forum.
I work in Doncaster which is full of x mining communities but for last couple of yrs I've implemented a min charge for all new work. There is only same amount of windows at the rear. Takes five min to set up (as need trolley) and less than ten min to clean. (as I have to walk around backs to get to rear garden)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1519219068_aviary-image-1519219006851.jpeg)
So daz's comment is reasonable, because if that property does indeed take an hour to clean from pulling up, then either the price needs to be adjusted or technique needs to change in order to speed up perhaps.
But we'll done for not backing down on price which can and does sadly happen to us all at times
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Delete the address Nathan :o
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Delete the address Nathan :o
Doh, I didn't see that.
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Delete the address Nathan :o
Doh, I didn't see that.
You didn't see the 5 cleans for £25 in your post a few days ago either, lol.
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Delete the address Nathan :o
Doh, I didn't see that.
I thought that's a ridiculous name he Must have changed it!
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I think £10 is a fair price for cleaning the glass, frames and sills but if you had say 20-40 in a row of a similar size at £5.00 and the trad guys aren't cleaning the frames or sills then they'll end up with the same amount per hour. Although they'd have twice the collecting to do and risk falling off the ladder!
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I think £10 is a fair price for cleaning the glass, frames and sills but if you had say 20-40 in a row of a similar size at £5.00 and the trad guys aren't cleaning the frames or sills then they'll end up with the same amount per hour. Although they'd have twice the collecting to do and risk falling off the ladder!
Once you've set up, wfp is much quicker than trad, even if they miss the frames n sills.
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I think £10 is a fair price for cleaning the glass, frames and sills but if you had say 20-40 in a row of a similar size at £5.00 and the trad guys aren't cleaning the frames or sills then they'll end up with the same amount per hour. Although they'd have twice the collecting to do and risk falling off the ladder!
Once you've set up, wfp is much quicker than trad, even if they miss the frames n sills.
What if you stick two guys on it with ladders, would it be worth it?
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Just cleaned this tiny property before I'm now sat having my lunch and reading on this forum.
I work in Doncaster which is full of x mining communities but for last couple of yrs I've implemented a min charge for all new work. There is only same amount of windows at the rear. Takes five min to set up (as need trolley) and less than ten min to clean. (as I have to walk around backs to get to rear garden)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1519219068_aviary-image-1519219006851.jpeg)
So daz's comment is reasonable, because if that property does indeed take an hour to clean from pulling up, then either the price needs to be adjusted or technique needs to change in order to speed up perhaps.
But we'll done for not backing down on price which can and does sadly happen to us all at times
Why does it take you 5 minutes to set up?
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
the £25 job in question could probably be cleaned in 30 mins(not an hour)which is more like it.(after the initial clean is done)
today i was cleaning 4 weekly/8 weekly estate work(NOT MY BEST WORK) with prices ranging from £8-£15(mainly small semis).i only worked 930am-2pm(30 mins for lunch)so 4 hours actually cleaning and still earned £170.i finished early because im not well at the moment(stinking cold!).the work is very compact though....
high flow/hot water/xtreme brush and i just flew through the jobs.splash and dash including frames,sills and doors... ;D
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dane are you a newbie? as your pricing too low IMO(or your a slow wfpoler)are you happy with £25 for an hours work? ::)roll
Are you happy living in a 1 bedroom council flat Daz?
yep very happy mate...rent is only £300 a month.happy days! :)
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My average seems to be £35 per hour worked.
Some days a bit less and some a bit more.
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
the £25 job in question could probably be cleaned in 30 mins(not an hour)which is more like it.(after the initial clean is done)
today i was cleaning 4 weekly/8 weekly estate work(NOT MY BEST WORK) with prices ranging from £8-£15(mainly small semis).i only worked 930am-2pm(30 mins for lunch)so 4 hours actually cleaning and still earned £170.i finished early because im not well at the moment(stinking cold!).the work is very compact though....
high flow/hot water/xtreme brush and i just flew through the jobs.splash and dash including frames,sills and doors... ;D
Hi dazmond, plenty of Lemsip tonight, what number flow do you work with, when using Hot, do you use Hot all the time now.
Larry
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what, where, when and how much per hour people perceive is the max that can get is really down the individual and of course there commitments and outgoings so im not really going to comment one way or the other on this thread
This is a long standing customer i take it and reliable payer ?
if so i would compromise this way - i'm sorry i am unable to reduce the regular price of the windows due to the amount that now needs to be cleaned however as a gesture of good will for a long standing customer i will only charge 1/2 price for the sixth clean on this property
we do this for any new customer who pays x2 on there first clean - it seems to stop fall outs
Darran
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Just cleaned this tiny property before I'm now sat having my lunch and reading on this forum.
I work in Doncaster which is full of x mining communities but for last couple of yrs I've implemented a min charge for all new work. There is only same amount of windows at the rear. Takes five min to set up (as need trolley) and less than ten min to clean. (as I have to walk around backs to get to rear garden)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1519219068_aviary-image-1519219006851.jpeg)
So daz's comment is reasonable, because if that property does indeed take an hour to clean from pulling up, then either the price needs to be adjusted or technique needs to change in order to speed up perhaps.
But we'll done for not backing down on price which can and does sadly happen to us all at times
Why does it take you 5 minutes to set up?
Might not quite be five minds, but I use my trolley on this house. The trolley is periodically used. So I have to get it out, put the barrel on it and then fill it up before I can start the actual clean. I use the trolley because I have to go around the next house and down a gangway to get to the rear
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Ah well ive booked it in for next week so time will tell if I’ve got it right, I was thinking of binning it off from some of the comments but I’m intrigued to test my pricing and then learn from it either way - that’s what it’s about after all isnt it?
Cheers guys 👍🏿
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I wouldn’t say a newbie dazmond but I know what you’re saying when it comes to reading posts on here about what people charge / earn. Happy with £25 an hour? guess we’d all like to earn more - I work out my prices on what I feel I could live off, expenses blah blah, what others are charging. Does make me wonder how people get work in the area (if they actually do) by charging more, I also wouldn’t budge and charge a penny less. It works for me mate
the £25 job in question could probably be cleaned in 30 mins(not an hour)which is more like it.(after the initial clean is done)
today i was cleaning 4 weekly/8 weekly estate work(NOT MY BEST WORK) with prices ranging from £8-£15(mainly small semis).i only worked 930am-2pm(30 mins for lunch)so 4 hours actually cleaning and still earned £170.i finished early because im not well at the moment(stinking cold!).the work is very compact though....
high flow/hot water/xtreme brush and i just flew through the jobs.splash and dash including frames,sills and doors... ;D
Hi dazmond, plenty of Lemsip tonight, what number flow do you work with, when using Hot, do you use Hot all the time now.
Larry
flow on 40 on the liquid logic controller and yes i use hot all the time now Larry (heater on full whack)
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Ah well ive booked it in for next week so time will tell if I’ve got it right, I was thinking of binning it off from some of the comments but I’m intrigued to test my pricing and then learn from it either way - that’s what it’s about after all isnt it?
Cheers guys 👍🏿
most of my larger houses are on an 8 weekly frequency mate.you might just surprise yourself(after the first clean).it doesnt sound like its 60 min job... ;).more like 30 mins.....
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Ah well ive booked it in for next week so time will tell if I’ve got it right, I was thinking of binning it off from some of the comments but I’m intrigued to test my pricing and then learn from it either way - that’s what it’s about after all isnt it?
Cheers guys 👍🏿
Even when we've been around a whilst we all don't get pricing right sometimes. When you are quoting you don't know all the issues you might encounter. You also don't know what the customers perception of what they value the clean at when quoting.
To begin with we played the supermarket game. When supermarkets advertise specials they usually increase the price fractionally on other items to compensate.
So some jobs you may not do so well from where others pay better than expected. When we first started the small round we were given were mainly council house tenants. They were underpriced but we got paid on the day and neighbours paid for those who were out. We later put the prices up and a lot cancelled because their perceived price was less than the new price we were asking.
If we had done the price increase earlier then we would have lost out. Leaving it until after we got our round established meant losing those customers didn't impact on our turnover as much.
The old expression taking the rough with the smooth applies to us cleaners as well, although we need to keep the rough as small as possible.
As Daz says, some jobs take ages to do to start with but become quicker over time. If they don't, then you can always go cap in hand and ask for an increase because the job is taking longer than you estimated it would. If they don't accept that then you choose. But if you continue to clean, you will loose.
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some jobs im earning £50-£60 an hour.there is even one domestic job where i earn £80 for an hours work(2 x£40 jobs next door to each other)but that doesnt mean im earning loads of money....
my average is around the £40-£45 an hour mark (consistently over the course of a week,month,year)
like spruce has already said some work is cheaper but the better work evens the hourly rate up higher....BUT i also work very efficiently..(high flow and hot water usually.)i also have everything organised the night before in regards to invoices/chits etc.....
my expenses are high though for a sole trader......£7k-£8k a year(van lease and heating my water is around £3,600 per year now)
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I took a job on last summer, newish sash windows but the square pane type. Last windys had stopped going and he accepted the £34 price which was £16 more! So no wonder the trad guys sacked it. It takes me an hour including chit chat and me enjoying the view and looking around the garden so could do a bit quicker.
It's a common problem around Glasgow where folks are spoiled with an abundance of cheap windys, there are obviously people charging the correct amount but there's too many too cheap.
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I took a job on last summer, newish sash windows but the square pane type. Last windys had stopped going and he accepted the £34 price which was £16 more! So no wonder the trad guys sacked it. It takes me an hour including chit chat and me enjoying the view and looking around the garden so could do a bit quicker.
It's a common problem around Glasgow where folks are spoiled with an abundance of cheap windys, there are obviously people charging the correct amount but there's too many too cheap.
this is what its been like for quite a few years where i work mate.i picked one up a while ago and the last (trad) windy(who i know!) was charging her £25!!i charge her £65 and it takes me just over an hour on maintenance cleans.these people with large houses can easily afford it....happy days..... 8)