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KS Cleaning

  • Posts: 3948
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #40 on: August 08, 2024, 10:40:44 am »
When a gates bolted top and bottom I use the steps to lean over to unlock the top bolt, to open bottom bolt I stand on steps and lasso bottom bolt with pole hose to get in the right position so I can then knock bolt across with bottom of pole
Bit of a pain but saves doing a front only

That's what I do too.....

If we took notice of some of the window cleaners on here we wouldn't have any work!👍

Most people have bolts on their side gates at the very least.theyd be foolish not too
Any customer who bolts their gate at the bottom (not many) get a text the night before I’m due, asking them to unbolt their gate……A bit easier than taking ladders off to clamber over gates.

Simon Trapani

  • Posts: 1555
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #41 on: August 08, 2024, 11:45:21 am »
And if you schedule the texts alongside templates with round software such as aworka,  it eases the pain.

Scottish Cleaning Service

  • Posts: 363
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #42 on: August 08, 2024, 01:36:28 pm »
I've got one where I unbolt from top and lie down and I can unbolt from bottom  because there is 3" gap. I look a bit bizarre but only takes a minute and when I leave I bolt the top only. 😉

Smudger

  • Posts: 13436
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #43 on: August 08, 2024, 02:38:47 pm »
I've got one where I unbolt from top and lie down and I can unbolt from bottom  because there is 3" gap. I look a bit bizarre but only takes a minute and when I leave I bolt the top only. 😉

im sure that's your normal demeanour   ;D
Never argue with an idiot, they will only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience

Smudger

  • Posts: 13436
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #44 on: August 08, 2024, 02:42:50 pm »
With all your restrictions Daz you have your tongue firmly in your cheek with your posts commenting on others !  ;D


Just to clarify - locked = padlock - key locked or number locked  and no key or code
bolted with draw bolts we have a broom handle with a hook on the end to draw the bolt - after clean slide it back again
Never argue with an idiot, they will only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience

Spruce

  • Posts: 8459
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #45 on: August 08, 2024, 02:52:35 pm »
Same here if its locked then no climbing over - many customers we have specify that

anyway I think Micky you'd be happy picking up turds if you thought it would bring you loyalty  ;D

I take a photo of my ladders either side of the gate to those customers who are precious about their gates...
👍😄

We do that. We once had a customer challenge us for not cleaning the backs as his gate was locked. He paid half of the clean cost and we parted ways.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

zesty

  • Posts: 2447
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #46 on: August 08, 2024, 10:05:12 pm »
I just hop over.

Do it maybe one or two times a week when there’s a locked gate at the bottom/padlocked.

I never tell customers in advance when I’m due.

Always worked fine for me with no complaints. There are a very small handful of customers who want a text for locked gates, but hardly many.


They’ll come a time where I can’t be bothered to hop over, but until then 👍🏼

dazmond

  • Posts: 23938
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #47 on: August 09, 2024, 02:31:29 pm »
Never ceases to amaze me why people take on this type of work , more trouble than it’s worth

I might have to take my ladders off once a month( if that )but if their away and it's an 8 weekly job I want to clean the whole job (not 16 or 18 weeks between cleans)....
But surely if it’s in amongst 4 weekly work you would just do it next time you’re there, so 12 weeks, not 16 or 18.

It's not among my 4 weekly jobs(8 weekly only area)
price higher/work harder!

dazmond

  • Posts: 23938
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #48 on: August 09, 2024, 02:35:59 pm »
I just hop over.

Do it maybe one or two times a week when there’s a locked gate at the bottom/padlocked.

I never tell customers in advance when I’m due.

Always worked fine for me with no complaints. There are a very small handful of customers who want a text for locked gates, but hardly many.


They’ll come a time where I can’t be bothered to hop over, but until then 👍🏼

Same....I do text some customers but it's usually only a handful...sometimes it's not for access.its a courtesy text esp if they live in a large stand alone property
price higher/work harder!

robbo333

  • Posts: 2419
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #49 on: August 12, 2024, 07:24:18 pm »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.
"Thank you for calling: if you have a 1st floor flat, mid terraced house, lots of dogs, no parking, no side access, or no sense of humour, please press hold!
For all other enquiries, please press1"

Splash and dash

  • Posts: 143
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #50 on: August 12, 2024, 09:04:39 pm »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.


But you are loosing money getting half the price of the job it might not be many but still a reduction especially if employing

dazmond

  • Posts: 23938
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #51 on: August 12, 2024, 10:12:10 pm »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.


But you are loosing money getting half the price of the job it might not be many but still a reduction especially if employing

It's swings and roundabouts though...I have some front only customers on my cheaper estate work but they will have their backs cleaned if their in and open up their garage so I don't lose out generally.I also take on the odd fascia and conny roof clean for existing customers....

You just can't lose in this game!
price higher/work harder!

jonboywalton75

  • Posts: 2221
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #52 on: August 13, 2024, 04:29:57 am »
Avoid picking up or keeping work with locked side gates

Unfortunately most of us live in the real world.locked gates is an occasional  thing we have to deal with.most people  have locked gates these days.

Most people where I live certainly don't have locked gates
Maybe 5% do

Simon Trapani

  • Posts: 1555
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #53 on: August 13, 2024, 07:13:13 am »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.


But you are loosing money getting half the price of the job it might not be many but still a reduction especially if employing

It's swings and roundabouts though...I have some front only customers on my cheaper estate work but they will have their backs cleaned if their in and open up their garage so I don't lose out generally.I also take on the odd fascia and conny roof clean for existing customers....

You just can't lose in this game!
That’s even worse imo. I have my day planned & don’t like things sprung on me. Not going through garages either. Catching the hose on bikes etc & pulling them over.  It’s like an assault course. I don't want any fascias & gutter sprung on me either thanks all the same. Sod that. You crack on Dazmond.

SB Cleaning

  • Posts: 4285
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #54 on: August 13, 2024, 05:31:20 pm »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.


But you are loosing money getting half the price of the job it might not be many but still a reduction especially if employing
And when you go back again the backs are filthy and adds more work.

dazmond

  • Posts: 23938
Re: Holidays and locked gates
« Reply #55 on: August 13, 2024, 07:33:16 pm »
I text all my customers for access.

If I turn up and the gates are locked, I do the fronts only and charge half price. I send this text message...

"Hi Paul, unfortunately your side gate was locked, but I managed to clean the fronts and just charged half price.  Regards Peter"
Never had a single problem in 14 years.


But you are loosing money getting half the price of the job it might not be many but still a reduction especially if employing

It's swings and roundabouts though...I have some front only customers on my cheaper estate work but they will have their backs cleaned if their in and open up their garage so I don't lose out generally.I also take on the odd fascia and conny roof clean for existing customers....

You just can't lose in this game!
That’s even worse imo. I have my day planned & don’t like things sprung on me. Not going through garages either. Catching the hose on bikes etc & pulling them over.  It’s like an assault course. I don't want any fascias & gutter sprung on me either thanks all the same. Sod that. You crack on Dazmond.

I book any add ons jobs in next time I'm round.not there and then.the odd extra back windows is no problem for me.it makes up for the ones who are away
 (and it's impossible to clean the backs) or having building work done so need skipping altogether...

It works for me...👍
price higher/work harder!