[Paul Simpson]

Been asked to price up for vinyl shop floor cleaning, approx. 175 sqm I've been told.
And then for a monthly maintenance clean thereafter.

Apart from movement of any possible fixtures & fittings, etc. how long do you think it would take?
And how much would you charge?
Thought about giving them a good price for the intial clean based on them using me for the future maintenance cleans, but then do I get them to sign some sort of agreement?
Best chemcials/method to use?

Going to see it on Friday but just want to get an idea for the moment.

Tools at my disposal are rotaries, pads, brushes, bonnets and hard floor tool for my extractor.

Thanks
Paul

[Simon@arenaclean]

Well you've got the tools. Check the floor for lifted or loose tiles. Whether there is polish on there or not I would strip it. Vac/sweep floor thoroughly. I would strip with an alkali stripper using a rotary and black pad. Put some solution down and spread over the floor, don't let it dry. Leave to dwell around 15/20 mins and then rotary, do the corners and edges with one of these http://www.mandd.co.uk/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=10586. You can get them from most suppliers. Using a wet vac pic up the slurry. I would prefer to use a wet vac rather than my extractor and use  defoamer. Wet mop with plain water twice to collect any residue and neutralise. Not always necessary but I would do it. Allow to dry and inspect any spots you might of missed, they will still shine. Re-treat as necessary. Apply 3 coats of polish, a flat mop system is ideal. First coat north to south 2nd east west, last coat north to south again. I use to charge £3.00 psm and that was over 10 years ago, have no idea what the rate is now. Maintaining is easy. Wet mop and allow to dry, dilute maintainer spray and burnish with a high speed machine using a red pad. This is just a time/travel/hourly rate. 

I use to use these chemicals, we have a local supplier. http://www.cloverchem.co.uk/uk/index_uk.htm Good products look under floorcare.

Good luck
Simon

[Paul Simpson]

Thanks Simon, good detailed reply.
Just what I was after. 

[Paul Simpson]

Got another question.

Carried out the job last month.....stripped, cleaned and put down polish.

However they now only want future cleans bi-monthly rather than every month.

So my question is, will I have to do the same again, i.e. strip & seal or will a maintainer suffice? (depending on traffic)
Only asking as it was a pig to do last time with crap access, parking issues and no where to move the clothes rails & shelves. Add that to the fact that I quoted furture cleans alot cheaper than the initial clean. I'm thinking I should re-negotiate the price otherwise its not worth my while. 

Look forward to any replies.
Thanks
Paul

[derek west]

that old chestnut eh! how many times do we do discounts cos they want it done regular only for them to change there mind. never again for me. initial clean priced accordingly, if i don't get it, its there loss.

shouldn't think you'd have to strip it after 2 months, i'm guessing it takes a lot longer for polish to build up. could be wrong though.

[Paul Simpson]

that old chestnut eh! how many times do we do discounts cos they want it done regular only for them to change there mind. never again for me. initial clean priced accordingly, if i don't get it, its there loss.

Yeah normally get it with restaurants and our Asian friends.
"Do me a good price and I'll have you back every 3-4 months"
Only to hear from them 3 years later when its caked in black top again.  :

[stu_thomson]

If floor is not completely trashed after the 2 months I would apply a neutral detergent liberally over floor and machine scrub and wet pick up then either spray buff to a sheen or apply one coat of seal

no need to strip and re seal every 2 months


trouble with this type of floor is no shopkeeper wants to pay the money to maintain a nice shiny floor (it should be swept and spray buffed daily!)
stu

[Paul Simpson]

Thanks Stu.