[Alan Rowley]

All,

I have had the following enquiry today and I would like to know how to approach this and what they will be looking for before I make a fool of myself. I haven't been asked to quote on anything like this before.

"We are the management company for a new development and we are looking for a cleaning company to carry out the cleaning of the 2 communal staircases twice a month."

I take it they don't mean cleaning the stair carpet.

How do you quote a job like that? What do I go in at?

Thanks in advance - ALAN.

[Os]

Hi Alan, I currently do work for a property management company, carpet cleaning that is, and they do it on a bi-annual basis. So almost certainly they are looking for general cleaning, ie vacuuming and dusting etc. If I were you I would give them a call and introduce yourself, then ask them precisly what they are looking for. After all you cannot quote unless you know the exact details, also you will need to do a site visit to know how big the job is. I would then quote basing your quotation on estimated time. (But price it for the job, not the time if that makes sense.)
Probably teaching you to suck eggs but this might help. regards Os

[Paul Kettless]

We also have a couple of contracts like this, and the posting by cns is spot on.

Just make sure that you have electric power in the communal area, as one of the contracts we have doesnt. (agent states that people were using it for all sorts)  Therefore, we needed to purchase a bac-pac vac.  Obvioulsly the cost needed to be worked into the price.

Regards
Paul

[Alan Rowley]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will be replying to the email suggesting that we do a site visit to view the job. The development is right on my doorstep so I can give them a good price and use it as a way into the development in the hope of gaining more work there.

Any ideas as to how I should price this sort of work? I always quote per job. Do you quote by flight of stairs or number of steps or what? I was thinking somewhere along the lines of 15 minutes per flight of stairs.

ALAN.

[Gerry Styles]

Alan

We have a job similar to this. They will be looking for an hourly rate.  The work will probably involve vacuuming, dusting, mopping, glass cleaning and cleaning lift doors


Gerry

[Alan Rowley]

Thanks Gerry, that's great. I have emailed them back suggesting we meet to discuss their requirements and we visit the site.

I'll keep you informed how I get on.

[poleman]

We have over 30 blocks of flats we clean at, and have been doing this for over ten years, first of! don't go on hourly rate or what will happen residents will be watching you and timing you! (happen to us) just price per job! don't have to tell them how long it takes, remember, when you put your quote in, it will be divided into how many live in the block! so don't be scared to put a good price in, we can earn up to 60 pounds ahour if not more, the first clean spend lots of time and give the wow factor, then they will be a long stand customer   

Andy
PS

here is a list of what we do

also best put up a attendes sheet, then they cant disput your havnt been (email if you wont one)

Works cleaning schedule   
For hallway cleaning of blocks of flats
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES   
•   Use a cobweb brush on ceiling and paying particular attention to lights and corners   
•   Use a static duster brush on window sills/ skirting boards/ stairs banisters/ ledges       
•   Clean windows on internal doors and front doors in and out.
•   Remove any finger marks from doors/ walls/ lightswitchs/ ECT.
•   Clean lift mirrors, floors and doors (if applicable)   
•   Spray polish all window sills and gloss painted areas but not handrails.
•   Sweep all hard surfaces and then wet mop with pine all purpose cleaner
•   Front door porch will be kept cleaned free from dust/ litter /cobwebs/ leaves
•   Spot clean any stains on carpets with spot remover, tar/ grease/ chewing gum   
•   When all of the above procedures have been followed then a thorough vacuuming of carpets.
•   Spray carpets with Magic sanitiser this will remove odours, bacteria and mould from carpets. 
•   If install, clean rubber trims / strips on stairs with rubber cleaner this will add a new look to the rubber and  is  non slippery     
•   Inform the residents of the recent clean by way of note in hallway (optional)
Summery
A key to enter the premises is needed so that we can give a reliable service. We normally clean hallways on a once ever two weeks bases; if cleaning is needed more frequently then this can be arranged. All work is of a high standard because bad workmanship will reflect on the company. We also provide many more services, replacing of light bulbs, out side window cleaning, to name just two. If you have any questions about the above then we would be happy to hear from you.   
                                                   
                                               

[Alan Rowley]

Andy,

That's superb mate - thanks very much.

Could you send a copy of the attendees sheet you use to alan@wecleanforyou.co.uk?

I had a feeling we could make a killing on this sort of work as the management company won't be too concerned over the price as they will pass it on to the tenants in the form of maintenance costs.

Looking forward to quoting.

[garyfindlay]

i would charge per flat per visit, ie 20 flats x £2 = £40. i step through the cleaning process first time round to get an idea of how long it takes. the charge will also vary with area, whats being cleaned etc

. rubber cleaner this will add a new look to the rubber and  is  non slippery what do you use for this?   

[Alan Rowley]

I've got an appointment with the guy at the new development on Wednesday. I shall go along and offer them the list of items that Andy suggests and see what they say.

It is on my doorstep, so I'm going to suggest to them that we offer some sort of emergency call out if there is a problem there - like a bulb gone or a mess outside the flats or something like that.

They are based 14 miles away so they might want me to take on a sort of caretaker role for them. Can't see them wanting to travel out to replace a bulb.

[mk1]

I've got an appointment with the guy at the new development on Wednesday. I shall go along and offer them the list of items that Andy suggests and see what they say.

It is on my doorstep, so I'm going to suggest to them that we offer some sort of emergency call out if there is a problem there - like a bulb gone or a mess outside the flats or something like that.

They are based 14 miles away so they might want me to take on a sort of caretaker role for them. Can't see them wanting to travel out to replace a bulb.

alan do not offer the emergency call out big mistake in my experience.........i would suugest supply and fitting light bulbs as and when required we do this on all our stairwells we also picked up the window cleaning 8 weekly and grass cutting 2 weekly and all the painting  they can turn out to be a very profitable as posted by . keep the tennants happy and you will have a good contract for a long time 

[Alan Rowley]

Maybe I'll have to re-think the emergency call out option. Anyone else have a call out agreement?

[poleman]

Maybe I'll have to re-think the emergency call out option. Anyone else have a call out agreement?

Best not to, running a business can be hard work, and we all need to switch off!

Just sending details now 

[poleman]

i would charge per flat per visit, ie 20 flats x £2 = £40. i step through the cleaning process first time round to get an idea of how long it takes. the charge will also vary with area, whats being cleaned etc

. rubber cleaner this will add a new look to the rubber and  is  non slippery what do you use for this?   

We don't use it now as are supply run out, what we use is microfibres clothes, spray bottle and some flash

Andy 

[Alan Rowley]

[Just sending details now 

Got them Andy - many thanks!

[Alan Rowley]

Meeting cancelled at the last minute. Damn customers! Now have to go and quote on Monday afternoon.

[Alan Rowley]

OK guys, I need your help with this one.

There are two staircases, each with three flights of about 10 steps. There is a window on each level, making four windows in total. There is also an external door to each staircase which they want keeping clean (mainly glass). There is also a small entrance hall to each staircase.

They also want us to do extras like sweep the car park when required and replace any light bulbs.

They want a quote from me for a weekly clean and a fortnightly clean and they are expecting us to visit on the same day every week.

In the complex, there are 13 flats, so there is a possibility of further work within the flats. The flat owners will pay for the cleans as part of their service charge. They also have other properties in the area which they say they will give us some work from.

Obviously, I need this work as it's right on my doorstep and it could turn out to be a foot in the door with them. I think that all I need do to get this contract is put in a sensible quote as they did say that they haven't approached anyone else to quote.

Any ideas?