[Mr. S]

Ive been asked to quote on a cafe, as well as a church hall. Its not really the church hall that concerns me but the cafe.

As I am 100% residential not really sure how to go about this!

Can anybody help with advise?

Do I need to do a contract?
I am sure because of the grease and oil from cooking this may cause a problem, any points i need to bear in mind?
How do i price this trad, per sq/m perhaps, or same as i would residential?
Am i right in assuming because of difficulties cleaning glass inside do i charge 2 or 3 times the charge for outsides?
The clients only want both premise cleaned if it is not raining, is this normal practise, or should i insist it is to be done at a certain time and day every month despite weather?

With regard to church hall 2 or 3 times cost of outsides?

Any other advise greatly appreciated as i feel it time to possibly break into commercial now! I have wfp too!

[steve k]

you quote the same as domestic...how much do you want to earn an hour and how long it will take??
If you work to £20 an hour and it takes 30 minutes...quote £10

I would not accept their stipulation about the rain...if they want a reliable service, they get it regardless of the weather...it is England...usually wet!!
I would simply walk away if they insisted...it is not a big job and it is YOUR business with YOUR rules.

[stevemc57]

Hi Steve

Treat the cafe like you would any other client, I would ask them if they required a contract or they may think you unprofessional if you do not, some larger Companies would expect one.
Offer to do an initial clean for say a 50% reduction, this will give you chance to learn what  their expectations are.
Most commercial clients  always assume the insides only need doing half the time the outsides are cleaned.

Regarding rain, most customers understand that you have other clients to service - therefore you cannot rely on the weather to dictate when you clean - they should understand and respect that.
Remember your costs and bills still have to be paid regardless of rain!!

You will need public liability insurance if you have not already got it.
Always use wet floor signs when working inside.
Ask existing clients for references.

[Londoner]

How often do they want them cleaned? Some shops are cleaned every day. Good business but not if you have to make a special journey to do one cafe.

[steve k]

offer a reduction of 50%...on a first clean
Do not offer a reduction at all...why do that???
a contract for a cafe??

just ask what they want doing and when...work out your price, give it to the potential customer with details of your working requirements (ie) you work in all weathers, how you get paid and when etc and walk away. Dont haggle over price, look smart, smile and leave them with a business card.
For smaller business, shops etc...this will probably be done verbally on site. For larger businesses, the same process will be done in writing after a site visit.