[Bryan H]

Probably a daft question,  but does anyone charge extra for flats depending on which floor they happen to be.  Assuming no lift.

I had heard of cleaners charging £1 extra for each step, this seemed excessive, but having done I few flats recently, I started to take it seriously.

It normally takes me three trips to get the gear in, & four to take it out.  I carry the hoses down on their own to wind up outside.
That is a total of 12 times up or down each step.  If there are 40 steps that is a total of 480 steps up or down carrying gear.

Makes £1 a step seem dirt cheap.   £40 of course, not £480

[Len Gribble]

Bryan H

I some times do blocks of flats I check with the customer do you have lifts? Do they work? If the answers are both no! I walk away, the way I see it if I hurt myself and are of work will the customer pay me sick pay, I doubt it.

Then you have large houses converted in to flats question to customer will some be there to assist me in carrying up the machine. No I walk away same reason as above.

As for charging extra if you are willing to do the job why not, how much is up to you.

Len

[Petersullivan]

I contract to a west london company and work on my own , many flats and many stairs, i think that the question is are you busy enough to turn work down and do you risk personal injury. just been of for four weeks with a slip disc no stairs involved just the door step? :-/

[Len Gribble]

P.Sullivan

But whose door step? Accidents do happen but as you say you are contract to a company many flats etc you know the risk to yourself that is your decision, but the way I read the post it’s more or less one off cleans.

Len

[Petersullivan]

hi len yes i know the risks, and most are one of cleans, but on a yearly basis. sooner not drag my machine up four flights of stairs but i have to eat

[squeaky]

As far as flats go I charge what the job  is worth , If I do not get the job let someone else do it cheaper, obviously it would be different if I was using a portable but even using a truckmount can have its problems when cleaning flats.

Mark :-/

[Len Gribble]

Peter

Yes I agree one has to eat, what did you eat for the four weeks you were off work with a sipped disks? I can’t comment on your price you are charging, but if I were doing a contact I always evaluate all sites and charge accordingly, one person or two and some times three.
 
Len

[carpet_bright]

I quite often come across this type of dwelling and I do substancially increase my prices to suit. The way I see it is if they accept the high price then it makes the extra lugging worth while. I do not go above 3 storeys without a lift though. No money is worth that!

Paul

[Dynafoam]

I leave my machine on the ground floor, drop a rope from the balcony or suitable window, then haul up the hoses and leads. Do not work above third floor, but add £10 a floor to carry up the wand and dry vacuum.

John.