[suffolkclean]

I was asked yesterday to quote for a large 4 bed house with conservatory, lounge, 2 x dining rooms,WC,Ensuite,Bathroom,H/S/L Large Kitchen with 90% of the house having laminate flooring. I quoted to clean the whole place from top to bottom ensuite had orange build up on grout water marks on shower screen & I was told today it was only a freshen up needed as it had a 'PROFESSIONAL CLEAN' done a few weeks ago!!
I feel my standards of cleaning are obviously higher than others & this is stopping us gaining work as I'm obviously allowing more time to do a very thorough job than others are.
I do have a rough table of costs for cleaning different size houses - does anyone else have the same problems? would anyone be prepared to share their table of prices with me so I can keep competetive.

I generally get to quote before we get the job I generally allow 1 hr/1.15 per bedroom, Bathrooms 2 hrs
Kitchen 3-4 depending on the state.

Martin/Diane can you advise me too please!

[martin19842]

hi there

i think you have to ensure that you establish what your client is looking for at the outset, is it an EOT, a deep clean, or a dust and vacuum, it doesnt matter whether the client is a domestic or a commercial client.

because if you are not quoting for what they want then you have less ofa chance of winning the work.

establish the client needs, then inform them of any pitfalls you see from the lower level of clean that they want, and then suggest an alternative, be consultative in your sale method, the client can then make an informed decision, and then everyone knows what is happening.

example

the side of the road car washes.

basic wash  £xx.xx
standard wash £xx.xx
deluxe inside and outside £xxx.xx

the customer then decides what they want, but it is the same principle as above.

regards

martin

[Adam P]

i'lll send you mind when i get home sunday evening suffolk. i'd say bedroom time is a tad too much and bathroom not enough.

[The Great One]

Hi

An empty bedroom should really only take about 20-30 mins, that door, skirting windows & sills, sometimes shelving and a vac.

bathroom around an hour.

Kitchen 1-2 hours depending how greasy it is.

If they had a pro clean and there is 'orange build-up' then it has been sorely missed, that orange build-up is grease and body fat left to mature over a long period, easy to get rid of.

Regards

Martin

[Adam P]

wish i could get it done in those times but it's impossible, not matter how fast i go as bathroom often is just so bad and kitchen as well to get all the grease etc gone.

do you a steam cleaner in the kitchen?

[The Great One]

Hi

It's not impossible, just work methodically around the room, starting at the door, if you use a steam cleaner you will do it even quicker.

Kitchen: I have used a steam cleaner in the past but at the moment just chems and elbow grease.

Regards

Martin

[Adam P]

i've got 3 eot's this week so will bring my stop watch in and see how quickly we can do this as well as our newer steam cleaner (approx £80 from argos vax one you suggested a while ago).

Although we may be able to get it down, i think we need to be realistic with our timing as staff understandably don't work as hard as us all the time

suffolk: what's your e?

[suffolkclean]

Hi thanks for your comments my email is kesgravecleaningservices@yahoo.co.uk. Barbara

[dianegreenwood]

Hi Barbara

I would say my timings are about the same as yours for a 'full works clean'.  This would include cleaning all windows inside, washing down all woodwork, moving all furniture to clean under/behind, etc. 

One off cleans are always interesting when I give the price.  Some say, "ok heres the key, would you like cash"; and some say oh but someone else said they would do it for £100". 

Personally I don't try and compete, I tell the client before I give the price how many man hours are involved and exactly what we will be doing, then the price is less of an issue, but you can't win them all.

Martin's comments re ascertaining what the customer wants can help too so I always ask them whether its a 'general clean' they want or a 'full works clean' as above.  If price is an issue you at least have somewhere to go with it then.  For instance, some people think a spring clean is dusting and hoovering so if that's what they want then price accordingly - ie dust and hoover a bedroom (15 to 30 mins) and so on. 

I often find that emphasising the oven clean makes them realise how long it takes to clean a kitchen and definitely talk about limescale and soap residue on grout so that they know you will be thoroughly cleaning it.

Hope that helps

Diane

www.freshlymaid.co.uk

[Adam P]

how do you decide what to miss when doing a general clean compared to full works for eot? i can't help but do a full clean as i don't want the ea to come in and think green clean solution are terrible cleaners when the problem is what the customer wanted to pay for.

sending email in a minute suffolk

[dianegreenwood]

For eot cleaning we always do the full works clean because that's what the EA or LA expect, unless they tell us otherwise.  We also provide a guarantee to the tenant on a full works clean.

We only offer the general clean to either occupied properties or those where perhaps they are selling the house and just want it spruced up rather than scrubbed.

For a general clean we don't clean the windows and we don't wash the woodwork.  Bathrooms always need a proper clean no matter what and usually the same with kitchens, but on a 4 bed 2 bath house, you can knock £75 to £100 off the price by offering a general clean instead of the full works.

Hope that helps

Diane

www.freshlymaid.co.uk

[the cleaning lady]

Hi
most of my work is regular weekly and fortnightly cleans. People expect the earth in a couple of hours.
I use 2 quotes one a basic clean and other an exclusive clean. Basic just general surfaces and floors and the other to include windows/under beds/ceilings and light fittings and woodwork on a monthly basis. Both include a thorough bathroom clean.
we leave a completed checklist every visit and every time i think i'm doing far too much for the time/ money.
It is always difficult especially when doing the cleaning yourself to have a cut off point, i can't seem to get it right i'm absolutely shattered when i finish each day.
How often on general cleans do others do windows/under beds/ ceilings and paintwork??
To include all these extra tasks i quote. 20 mins lounge/bedroom. 40 mins kitchen. 30 mins bathroom etc.
any feedback would be appreciated.
Chris

[Michael Smallwood]

As Martin said, it is important to establish what the customer wants. For the extra/monthly tasks, either charge on those occasions, or agree that the weekly charges cover those longer visits. Just make sure the customer agrees.

When the customer says how quickly they do it, ask for a demonstration, then ask if they would be happy for you to leave all work to their standard. They usually say that they expect an exceptional standard from a professional. That is your opportunity to get a fair price.

There is no easy answer.

Cheers

Mike