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blacksheep

  • Posts: 387
Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« on: May 20, 2005, 08:45:22 am »
not sure if on rigth page but i would like some info.pretty please lol . i am going to be cleaning factorys units, i dont want to do window cleaning my self but to give this service to the client, with out the window cleaning company takeing my business away and if i went to a factory and they were happy with there cleaners but wanted a window cleaning service i could pass it on to the other fella but in my name so if the company did want to change over at a later  date he thinks its one company ,we could drum up business for each other, but my Q is how you approuch a w/c without them sending you away with a fle in your ear.

Mike_G

  • Posts: 1500
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2005, 04:25:58 pm »
Cant see why you would be sent away by anyone if you are offering them work, if you are worried about whoever you get to do windows taking the cleaning off of you then just find a window cleaner who only does window cleaning and not office cleaning etc.

petski2

  • Posts: 652
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2005, 05:36:58 pm »
Where are ya from errington.If you are in North we are looking for sub contract work window cleaning.
Thanks
Pete :)

Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2005, 05:39:09 pm »
So let me get this right.  You're the contract cleaning company; but want to sub-contract out the window cleaning element of the job?

Lots of cleaning companies do this.  I've had sub-contract jobs in the past; but ended up dropping them as they didn't pay well enough.

All I would say is phone round and ask window cleaning companies for a quote.  Tell them the frequency and what is required.  Also, make sure they're insured and before they start work ask them for a copy of their public liability insurance. 

Make sure you pay promptly; and well enough to keep the window cleaner; or they'll abandon you (like I have with my contractors) for better paying work.

I'm not sure if you should also ask for a method statement and risk assessment; in case they have an accident and attempt to sue you. 

Can anyone advise Errington on this aspect? 

blacksheep

  • Posts: 387
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2005, 08:41:00 pm »
i dont want to sub contract,i just want someone to be avaible if the company wants windows done , he has the  full amount, all he has do do is estatimite and i add it on

Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #5 on: May 20, 2005, 09:03:47 pm »
i dont want to sub contract,i just want someone to be avaible if the company wants windows done , he has the  full amount, all he has do do is estatimite and i add it on

That sounds fair enough, but if the company pays you, and you pay the window cleaner; then you're sub-contracting.

If it's a big job phone around and ask for three window cleaning firms to quote.  Don't always go for the cheapest.  Go for who you think will be the most reliable.

Marc's on the Glass, LLC

  • Posts: 134
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #6 on: May 20, 2005, 09:04:03 pm »
If you want the all the work done, including the windows under the same business name, you would have to sub-contract the work out...unless I am missunderstanding you.  I don't think you will find any w/c who is legally registered and insured who will take money under the table, not that you're implying this.

Sounds like you want to have various tradesmen available in case your clients ask for services you don't necessarily provide, that way you can keep your clients happy, and with you.  Is that right?  Seems to me that you can still do this without subbing the work out by just telling your client that you have an excellent company who can take care of that for you.  Then call the w/c and make the arrangements for him to bid the job.

Mike_G

  • Posts: 1500
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2005, 09:20:53 pm »
Where are you based ? I have done lots of work on this basis, normally if you have a job that needs windows cleaning i would price up the windows, you would add on a bit for admin and bill your customer with your total bill ( cleaning and windows) and i would then bill you for just windows.

Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2005, 09:32:58 pm »
If you want the all the work done, including the windows under the same business name, you would have to sub-contract the work out...unless I am missunderstanding you.  I don't think you will find any w/c who is legally registered and insured who will take money under the table, not that you're implying this.

Sounds like you want to have various tradesmen available in case your clients ask for services you don't necessarily provide, that way you can keep your clients happy, and with you.  Is that right?  Seems to me that you can still do this without subbing the work out by just telling your client that you have an excellent company who can take care of that for you.  Then call the w/c and make the arrangements for him to bid the job.

Clear View, you're over complicating things.  The process works something like this:

A company has asked you provide a quote to clean its premises; including the windows?

If it's a BIG job get quotes from three window cleaners.  As Mike G says, add a bit more on.  It's your administration charge for sorting out a reputable window cleaner for the company.

Add this price onto what you're charging for 'general' cleaning of the premises.

There's your quote.

If you win the contract:

Then the window cleaner turns up at the appointed intervals.

The window cleaner submits an invoice to you.

You pay the window cleaner.

You invoice the company for the general cleaning and window cleaning.

Notes:

If it's not a big job - don't go phoning around asking for quotes.  For a small job, just phone one window cleaner.  If he seems 'way over the odds'; then try another. 

Make sure your window cleaner has public liability insurance.  Make sure you get a copy.

Don't go for the cheapest quote - go for the company that you think will deliver the goods.

I know one local cleaning company that has a 'regular' window cleaner for regular and one-off jobs that it sub-contracts to.  I'm sure you can find similar if you phone around.


Marc's on the Glass, LLC

  • Posts: 134
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2005, 11:37:49 pm »
I guess so...it just sounded like sub-contracting to me

TERRY AB

  • Posts: 167
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2005, 10:09:29 am »
Why dont you let us know where your from ?????

blacksheep

  • Posts: 387
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2005, 07:33:18 pm »
sorry i am from wales thought it was on my profile

Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2005, 07:47:43 pm »
sorry i am from wales thought it was on my profile

Errington,

I'm not looking for anymore work; but MalcG and Ian_Giles are also from Wales.  Roy Harding is from Monmouth I think?  I bet there's quite a few others too.

Why not put down the general details of the job; such as size, location and frequency of cleans - and see if you get any PMs?

Fox

  • Posts: 824
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #13 on: May 22, 2005, 07:58:57 am »
What you are wanting to do is definately sub-contracting.

You will need to ensure that the window cleaner has the same public liability amount of insurance as you do and that you are insured to use bonafied sub contractors.

Don't take short cuts - if there are problems or accidents it is you who will be held liable as the person who invoices the client.  Just give your insurance a call and tell them how much you think you will be paying a window cleaning over the next year and they will sort it out.  A bonafied sub contractor should also have his own equipment, other works, h&s plus risk assessments in place.

Get the window cleaner to quote for the job and add 15% for your administration fees.

Fox

blacksheep

  • Posts: 387
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2005, 03:00:23 pm »
thanks everone for your help much appchiched

blacksheep

  • Posts: 387
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #15 on: May 25, 2005, 03:32:50 pm »
hi all i did not know they were from wales there only up the rood a bit i am in the valleys but dont no if thats to far  , i would be intrested ,the other day i had a window cleaner knock to see if i wanted  mine done , i said no thanks i was in middle of dinner i just relized what i did got up of my chair it had to be 1 min they gone poop!  elder man cap and glasses with a guy i saw at the gym they only been sean twice in a year unless i miss them anyway i am just half way through putting my business togeather i dont com on this subject very often in this fourm

simonwonder

Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #16 on: July 17, 2005, 02:13:38 pm »
hi blacksheep do you still need w/c for your factory cleaning if you do call me on 07792174438

DODA

  • Posts: 68
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #17 on: July 17, 2005, 09:37:35 pm »
it,s amazing you say the word wales and all of a sudden we all start talking ;D
begining to think i was the only one from here cleaning windows ( well trying doesn,t help there,s a steelworks here pumping out rubbish)

darren.......

DODA

  • Posts: 68
Re: Help Wanted!! Subcontracting work out!
« Reply #18 on: July 17, 2005, 09:42:07 pm »
Hi all

got so excited to see other people from wales on here i forgot to write what i wanted to say ;)

I have the same arrangement for a couple of contract cleaners and it does work well the work that i have priced up for him for myself is great the work i first picked up off him and a few others which they priced up ( at the time i was new and eager for more work) were not so good also had trouble trying to get them to accept wfp and i don,t do ladders anymore it,s just not worth it.....


darren....