[wellsy43]

Heres an idea i saw a while back. instead of pricing by the window or an hourly rate. assign windows a points value ( say windows more than 1m square (Approx) = 2 points, patio doors = 3 points etc.) then divide points 1 thru to 40 into different price bands, then when quoting a job add up the points and see the price band. for example my house, i would expect to pay £15, works out at £15 on an hourly rate with the benefit of not having to guess how long it would take. when i used the points system, my house fell into band 5....band 5 = 19 to 22 points which = £15.  no more guess work.....what do u think?

[EandM]

Interesting idea but I already have far too many numbers in my head already.
At £15 per hour - I'd Starve.

[Window Washers]

Heres an idea i saw a while back. instead of pricing by the window or an hourly rate. assign windows a points value ( say windows more than 1m square (Approx) = 2 points, patio doors = 3 points etc.) then divide points 1 thru to 40 into different price bands, then when quoting a job add up the points and see the price band. for example my house, i would expect to pay £15, works out at £15 on an hourly rate with the benefit of not having to guess how long it would take. when i used the points system, my house fell into band 5....band 5 = 19 to 22 points which = £15.  no more guess work.....what do u think?

I think thats a very good idea

[wellsy43]

its not £15 an hour.....jeez none of us could live on that, unless ur polish. an av 3 bed semi comes out at £15, most of us can do it in 20 mins so unless u get 3 in row it works out at £30 - £45 an hour

[wellsy43]

thanx ww,

i think it needs more research, maybe i should price up jobs using all methods and see if its a viable alternative before jumping in the deep end......

[Window Washers]

thanx ww,

i think it needs more research, maybe i should price up jobs using all methods and see if its a viable alternative before jumping in the deep end......

I am looking for a standardised way for pricing as it is, always just priced as I see the building, knowing how long it will take.
I am up for anything that makes my life/business easier 

[wellsy43]

dont know yet if it would make it easier, i reckon it would certainly make pricing more consistant. as an extra thought i think that when leafletting some ppl dont respond because they have no idea how much it will cost and dont like to get a quote cos they dont like saying no to ur face. if it was on ur flyer so the custy could work out their own price based on ur tables, i wonder if more ppl would reply.

[steeley]

you would starve at £15 an hour, not sure this is a true statement dont forget people still work on minimum wage which is £6 an hour roughly is it not??

[Window Washers]

you would starve at £15 an hour, not sure this is a true statement dont forget people still work on minimum wage which is £6 an hour roughly is it not??

if you earn £15 an hour window cleaning this is not profit if wfp I would say this is abpout min wage.

[www.com]

Always thought pricing on windows is flawed, though it works for some.

Pricing on time means you factor in obstacles, van moves, etc and you have complete control over you hourly rate which is hugely important when employing.

[Richard iSparkle]

this sounds rather overcomplicated to me.

just price according to windows, and then consider also how long it will take and up the price accordingly

[H S and Son]

this sounds rather overcomplicated to me.

just price according to windows, and then consider also how long it will take and up the price accordingly

Exactly.

Anyway, what's the difference in assigning any given window points to assigning it a financial figure?

When you assign a window points you then have to total those points up and convert the final figure into a financial one, doesn't that mean more complication? 

[Paul Coleman]

this sounds rather overcomplicated to me.

just price according to windows, and then consider also how long it will take and up the price accordingly

Exactly.

Anyway, what's the difference in assigning any given window points to assigning it a financial figure?

When you assign a window points you then have to total those points up and convert the final figure into a financial one, doesn't that mean more complication? 

And remember, points make prizes.

[CLEANCARE WC]

this sounds rather overcomplicated to me.

just price according to windows, and then consider also how long it will take and up the price accordingly

Exactly.

Anyway, what's the difference in assigning any given window points to assigning it a financial figure?

When you assign a window points you then have to total those points up and convert the final figure into a financial one, doesn't that mean more complication? 

And remember, points make prizes.

prices 

[dazmond]

K.I.S.S

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid!!!

[Ian101]

Too complicated IMHO .... one of the 3 is simpler

Either look at job and estimate how long it will take and work out via your hourly rate.

£1 a window... £2 big window ..... bay window £etc etc etc

Decide whats the most you can get away with   

I used to so much per window then trialled hourly rate method but now prefer the 3rd method 

[Window Washers]

Always thought pricing on windows is flawed, though it works for some.

Pricing on time means you factor in obstacles, van moves, etc and you have complete control over you hourly rate which is hugely important when employing.

just on windows I agree, but the system could work well if included obstacles etc

The reason this interests me is because I do employ and i'm trying to refine things to make things easier my end

[wellsy43]

opened a big ole can of worms now. lets get a few things into context.

windy's have been pricing jobs by windows or an hourly rate forever, i just wanted to throw in different way maybe to help out with those hard to price accurately jobs. pricing by windows or by the hour are both excellent ways to price in the majority of cases.

i never suggested u use this way, i thought the idea of this forum was that "professionals" could toss ideas around, analysize them and come to an informed opinion as to whether there is any merit. it seems i am wrong. some of u would rather live blinkered and not able to accept there is possibly certain situations where this "could" work in your favour.

some of u think i am suggesting £15 an hour, i wouldn't get out of bed for that and nor would u so get real, read slowly if u need to.

its not over-complicated, even though some run out of fingers at 10. u never bothered to get all the details before dismissing it. and "dazzmond" , is it me ur calling "stupid" or the idea? makes no difference really, just shows how small- minded ppl can be, and just chuck their toys out of their pram and throw a hissy fit.

[Dave.]

Hi Wellsy, I don't think Dazzmond was calling you or the idea stupid - just using a well used business phase!

When I started I knocked up a form that I use for site surveys / estimates  - adapted from a similar one I used in a previous career.

It has boxes to take all the customer details, telephone, email and where they found me.  On the property side it has boxes to mark off number of windows doors on ground and first floor, if it's above average sized window, or a patio or french door it get's multiplied by 1.5 - likewise if it's higher or access difficult i count it and multiple it by 2 or more - all the figures add up across the paper and get totalled and based 'loosely' on the pound a window principle I work out a price.

the form has an space to note existing damage, access issues and special requests.

So It looks like I price a job on a combination of points & number of windows - the main reason I use the form is so I don't forget to record any information - As the paperwork carries my logo it looks professional to the customer.

Having made the form - it helps me 'Keep it Simple Stupid' too

Dave

[wellsy43]

thanx dave, u are correct. if i mis-interpreted dazzmond's comment, then i apologize.

i think u have a great system there, all i was looking at was to see if it was possible to employ several ways of calculating cost so as to avoid under/overpricing awkward or non average jobs that we've all come across.

in hind sight it wouldn't really be of benefit to most windy's as we all have our own way of pricing jobs, all of which are perfectly usable. personally, i dont mind a bit of time spent pricing up if it avoids mistakes. i will use all methods available, factoring in fuel, travel time, accessability issues etc and hopefully i should reach a final figure that everyones happy with.