[Glyn H]

Hi Kev
I see the outsides max 3 hours one man including stopping for tea

Insides more difficult to time without seeing the height and obstructions etc.

Will you have to wait to have doors unlocked? will you need to wait to escorted to certain areas?  probably  5 to 6 hours max insides.
Glyn

[AJ]

30 windows each side. its not 'all that work' is it. half a day or so for 180. sounds ok. remember its done monthly.

[Kev R]

I was thinking of going well early to get a good parking space and doing the outsides will be easier as the windows will be shut.

I am happy that the outside will take 2-3 hours with my new SL2 (when it gets here) . The frames are aluminum and the current firm with the contract have been sacked for spots. I have done a quick test and I just think the previous firm was just slap dash.

The reason for posting this was that offices environments are not really my thing. I have always managed to get schools and industrial work but not much in the way of offices. Ok I know it will be clean and if the window really is "crowded" it will get done occasionally to keep up appearances. So I know the inside will be quick after the initial clean. I am just wondering about man power and weather I can get away with one man and a van for a day?

[STEVE-UK]

alright kev,still havent used pole yet, just got the goose neck and brush ,looking forward to using it !!

You might need a point for the inside windows on the ground floor which will take longer, normally the desks are in front of the windows which slows you down,

these alloy frames can react if you give them to much,so dont rinse to much at the top of the frame,brush and rinse with the brush on the window and then rinse 2 inches from the top with brush tilted for best results

i would quote £300 - £350 + vat if applicable ,based on 2.5 hours external /3 hours internal but allowing for extra time 6-7 hours as i cant see the access and 1st clean

looks a nice little earner matey!!

steve

[alanwilson]

Kev

If I may, the previous cleaners have been sacked for poor quality of work.  You are happy enough that the work they have done is purely because they were slapdash/using poor quality water.

You have the right idea in getting down there early, get set up and get the job done - if you get the job try to have the outsides finished before 9am.  Its worth it to avoid all the hassle that comes with staff coming in and getting in the way.  Just consider this though, it can be hard work staring up for 2 hrs solid - I would definitely take someone else with me for the first clean in case your neck starts hurting etc and just in case there are unforeseen obstacles.

Best of luck mate - I hope you get it and don't be afraid to charge £350 (or more if you really want to).

[Kev R]

alright kev,still havent used pole yet, just got the goose neck and brush ,looking forward to using it !!

You might need a point for the inside windows on the ground floor which will take longer, normally the desks are in front of the windows which slows you down,

these alloy frames can react if you give them to much,so dont rinse to much at the top of the frame,brush and rinse with the brush on the window and then rinse 2 inches from the top with brush tilted for best results

i would quote £300 - £350 + vat if applicable ,based on 2.5 hours external /3 hours internal but allowing for extra time 6-7 hours as i cant see the access and 1st clean

looks a nice little earner matey!!

steve

Thanks Steve.

Kev

If I may, the previous cleaners have been sacked for poor quality of work.  You are happy enough that the work they have done is purely because they were slapdash/using poor quality water.

You have the right idea in getting down there early, get set up and get the job done - if you get the job try to have the outsides finished before 9am.  Its worth it to avoid all the hassle that comes with staff coming in and getting in the way.  Just consider this though, it can be hard work staring up for 2 hrs solid - I would definitely take someone else with me for the first clean in case your neck starts hurting etc and just in case there are unforeseen obstacles.

Best of luck mate - I hope you get it and don't be afraid to charge £350 (or more if you really want to).

The company that do the windows did a really good job apparently for 8 months. But like a lot of firms profits before service happened and now four kids  turn up and do a crap job and upset the staff. I got called in originally to do the insides but now it looks like they want a complete change.

[Wayne Thomas]

Office environments are not my scene either. Especially if there's computers, tables, storage boxes and all the other clutter in the way for internal cleaning. Much rather just clean outsides only and let some other muppet do the insides.

Kev R:

Will you be expected to work around the clutter or will you leave any windows that are unaccessible.

Just out of interest what do you price for a building like this one for external clean only?

[alanwilson]

easiest way we've found for office windows where you have to reach over desks etc is to use an Unger pad on pole with damp cloth then another unger pad on pole with scrim.  easy peasy, leaves no mess and means no water near paperwork, computers etc.

[Kev R]

Office environments are not my scene either. Especially if there's computers, tables, storage boxes and all the other clutter in the way for internal cleaning. Much rather just clean outsides only and let some other muppet do the insides.

Kev R:

Will you be expected to work around the clutter or will you leave any windows that are unaccessible.

Just out of interest what do you price for a building like this one for external clean only?

I personally clean what I can every time, obviously if it means disturbing somebody's work I give it a miss but in the past I find most people are accommodating. I have tried in the past to work out of office hours, but its not always possible.

My business is mainly commercial. I intend to run 100% commercial by the end of this year. My prices are competitive in todays market. Most would say Im a bit cheap. Being mainly commercial most of my cleans are internal and external, I dont have many external only customers.

I often use window cleaning as an introduction for my other services. I try to sell maintenance contracts for windows, gutters, fascias, cladding, hi-level internal & external cleaning and suspended ceiling cleaning. What I mark down on the window cleaning I more than recoup with the other services. Earlier this year I was the cheapest quote for window cleaning for a national company but due to our price and quality we have been awarded a very lucrative Hi-level internal & external cleaning contract. Notice I said awarded,  nobody else got to quote. After my costs I look to make a 56% profit across the board. I am hoping that this methodology will sustain growth and give me a good portfolio of commercial customers. I am looking for long term growth rather than short term profit.

At the moment I cant comment on specific prices for external only. Please understand my position

I would be interested in what others would call a good profit margin?

[Kev R]

easiest way we've found for office windows where you have to reach over desks etc is to use an Unger pad on pole with damp cloth then another unger pad on pole with scrim.  easy peasy, leaves no mess and means no water near paperwork, computers etc.

Pad on a pole, thats a new one on me - do you mean a washer sleeve? got a link?

 I use a unger fixi clamp with a damp microfiber on a pole occasionally.

[geoffreyspecht]

hor=Andy @ SCS link=topic=54881.msg464074#msg464074 date=1210114455]

£ 250,one days work for one man nice easy job

How much if you were to do it properly?

 

£250 to clean it properly andy

[steve.ternent]

The outside is easy £280 monthly, £350 Bi-Monthly
Insides you have to think about your insurance liability goes through the roof
Insides £400 Bi-Monthly.
That may seem a lot.. every other month £750 in and out.
You could also offer alternate in - out monthly cleans!
It's only a job!
Some one is bound to under cut your prices!
Remember to ENJOY what you do...BE HAPPY!

[007 or what]

£160 in
£240 out

[geoffreyspecht]

i wish i could get £350or even £500 for a job like this in the real world i woul be a rich man by now

[NWH]

This time of the year i would want to get the outsides done before 8am.

[mr D]

i personaly could trad clean this off ladders out side 2.5 hours inside who knows what with obstructions and all that but if your any thing like me, cant get to that one i'm affrade it will have to get missed untill next time.

out side £150
inside £150

total price £300

well less than a days work though guys come on how many tea breaks do you guys have??? lol

[WCE]

i personaly could trad clean this off ladders out side 2.5 hours inside who knows what with obstructions and all that but if your any thing like me, cant get to that one i'm affrade it will have to get missed untill next time.

out side £150
inside £150

total price £300

well less than a days work though guys come on how many tea breaks do you guys have??? lol

But I hope you wouldn't do them trad! 4 storeys high? What about the fact of the sloping ground? If you would you've got more balls than me!

[Cleaner Windows]

I wouldn't even attempt that beast from my ladder, 1st floor is far enough for me, especially after that little fall I had before 

[mr D]

each to there own. i surpose my methods aint to every ones liking

[Kev R]

Update,

well I quoted £285 on the basis of two men working for 4 hours each (total 8 hours) which is £36 per hour per man.  This is my base line. I already have a job next door so I believe my price was cheap to reflect this. The winning bid was £15 per hour.(£120) How can you compete with that? fools!!! we charge £350 for the  job next door!!!!