[Nick_Thompson]

Nine years ago I took over of a small round that a friend of mine had already been cleaning for five years. He had previously bought it from someone else who had been working it for some six years before him.

On this round there are two, five bedroom detached houses, right next to each other, that none of us have ever increased the price on. So, in twenty years, these two houses have stayed at £12 each.

It was because I knew that these two houses had already been at that price for eleven years from me taking them on, and the fact that the two customer would have been fully aware of no price increase in that duration, that I decided to just wait and see if they would ever say anything. Yes, I know it's a little strange, but it’s all in the name of science.

Well, a little while ago, after nearly twenty years, one of the customers came running out to me saying, ‘that’s it, that’s it, I can’t do this anymore, there, take that,’ and she stuffed £15 into my hand. I said, with a tiny pinch of sarcasm, ‘no, really, are you sure?’ ‘Yes, yes,’ she replied, ‘it should have been that price years ago.’

You see, they know! How interesting.

I’ve since increased the other house to £15 as well. They should both be £20!

[dazmond]

ive been guilty of not putting prices up for over 5 years in the past!but not 20!!a 5 bedroom house would start at £20 if i was pricing now.a lot of my new work is priced much better.i also put a load up last year.some by as much as fiver!!

i have a price review every january now and sort out which need putting up and tell custies in march they will be going up in april.

im in a very good postion due to being well established so i price new work higher and either up some existing custies or give them the ultimatum "its £5 dearer next time love or you wont see me again!!"or dump em or sell them on.


dazmond

[sunshine windows]

Priced all my work very well when I started over 5 years ago and some haven't had a price increase.

Going to inform everyone in Feb that their prices are going up to X amount in March.

Some that haven't been increased are sat right next door to new jobs which i'm pricing higher so only a matter of time before neighbours talk