[Steven Butler]

Never bothered as never needed to but am looking into pushing protector so will have to.
Was just wondering what you guys use to measure and if there's any tidy little gadgets....expect the old tape measures been retired nowadays.

[Forum Admin]

Hi Steven, the best tool to use is a laser measuring device known as a disto.

You just place it on one wall and beam the laser to the opposite for instant measurements, you can measure a whole building in no time. I think they start from about £20 at Screwfix......

[John Kelly]

Make sure its a laser not an ultrasonic. The lasers are musch more precise but usually over a hundred quid. The ultrasonics are a lot cheaper but can bounce of things and give false readings.

[jasonl]

I had a customer last week complain that a CD had been in measuring the settee trying to determine if it was a 2 or 3  seater, they quoted £185 and were shown the door.
His main point was an experienced person can judge sizes. Which is true in a domestic setting.

[Steven Butler]

Don't think you can compare the area of a room to the size of a settee.
Are you saying that the amount of protector applied doesn't have to be accurate? As that's opposite to what I've been told.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I like the drama of a tape measure perhaps I should go into Amdram

[Robin Ray]

I have a Skill laser measure its been great and wasn't all that expensive I think it was about £70 custies are always impressed with it.

[maxcampbell]

Laser measure. The cheap ultrasonics don't throw a red dot, whereas lasers do. It measures to within a couple of centimetres to wherever the spot is. Saves hours, over a month, plus they're impressive. Easy to reach over furniture, etc.

[*Hector*]

Just guess!! think of a number and then times it by 7 to get the cost to the custard.... If they say yes, you are quids in, if they say no.... it has cost you 3 seconds..

simples innit 

[Mike Halliday]

I just look at the room then make up the price based on what I see,

what I think the client likes to hear  is when you say " we are really only cleaning half the room so it cost half the price" like in bedroom when they say......." don't move the bed" or the living room when they say...., "clean around the furniture"

they like to think they are only paying for what they get cleaned so think they are getting a bargain/fair price. If you measure and say this room is 3.5m by 4.8m so will cost £87.42p in thier mind they could think 'but you are not cleaning it all'

and they can't ring you up the next day and say "did you move the  piano?"  Because you can say "no we didn't,  but we deducted that area from the price"

[maxcampbell]

If we don't clean it all we take a percentage off the area, but we like to be seen to be as objective as possible, so everyone can see that everyone gets the same price. Generally we persuade people into a proper edge-to-edge clean - which then helps justify the high price.

The laser makes it easy in rooms that aren't just a square box (which is probably most), we do estimate little bits, into bay windows, etc.

[Steve Chapman]

If you charge per sq ft / sq mtr then a 12x12 ft or 4x4 mtr room will be markedly more money than say 10x 10 room etc

Although they could look the same to the naked eye....

If you measure you can charge more and justify it with sizes etc.....

Just my thought........look after the pennies etc

[Mike Halliday]

No a 12-12 would be markedly different from 14-14  you would see it with an experienced eye but when you start measuring big commercials or awkward shapes where you don't have line of sight then you are right you can lose out by guestimating & under-measuring.

[Stoots]

I use a very scientific method when pricing houses.

I take a look around, noting any stains or stubborn areas, how much stuff if any there is to move etc, make an estimate on how long it will take  and come up with a price.

The distance to the property and access issues, ease of job is taken into account along with what i reckon they will take price wise,  you tend to get a sense of where you can push the prices a bit

[maxcampbell]

If you take the "look around & come up with a price" way, then there's a chance that the people with nice cars in the drive and a flash house are going to be worried whether that will affect the price.

Does it?

[COLIN BRIGHT]

good old fashion tape measure..breaks the ice and if you get people involved they tend to warm to you, then you can also mention the other cleaning services you provide
last week went to see a lady who wanted some carpets cleaned, she had no idea that her aniline leather could be cleaned (it had some bad head grease on it" anyhow to cut a long story short she booked the job
£700 .... more like that please

[Shaun_Ashmore]

And that people is how to do it!

Being too clinical and too professional cuts out the human factor where we can engage and sell our yourselves.

[mark shannon]

Noticed that when I went TM filling up my portable from hot water at kitchen sink gave me time to have a chat with client.