[lee_dewing]

Is it just me had four enquiries this week and when spoke to people on the phone they all just want one off cleans.

Anyone else getting this or is it just me?
Got enough work but thinking that if I lose any regulars is this what's out there?

Maybe just the sunny weather people realising how dirty the windows are inviting family over for bbq's 

[SB Cleaning]

Yeah I've had a few but picking regulars up so not bothered

[Smudger]

Most likely people moving due to a house sale or end of tenancy

It's always double double for bespoke one off cleans

Darran

[Ian101]

Had one mid week . can you come and quote and clean now as moving out tomorrow and didn't want to loose deposit.

also got a guy 6 doors up from me who rents and cancelled his bi monthly clean .. just waiting for the phone call to come and do them when his lease is up "yeah Steve no problem £40 for a 1 off" 

[rosskesava]

Lee, stop worrying.

If you do a good job at a reasonable price, and have the right attitude, you'll always have work.

[lee_dewing]

Not just me then


Ross.
yes I am a worry
hear what your saying.

People have always got money for what they want, shame not everyone wants a monthly window cleaning service.

Does anyone know if you can buy a messer detector anywhere

[SeanK]

Well at least they are being honest and letting you know that its a one off.
Its the messers who pretend to be looking for a regular and cancel before the next clean that I cant
stand.
Depending on the state of the frames I would charge up to double a regular clean price.
I work longer hours at this time of year to make up for lost time during the winter months so don't mind taking
these jobs on.
The thing is many of these jobs can lead to more regular work from neighbours watching and seeing next doors
filthy windows and frames being transformed and looking like new.
Even the one off customer might be sussing you out just to see if you do a decent job before taking you on
full time.

[Johnny B]

Well at least they are being honest and letting you know that its a one off.
Its the messers who pretend to be looking for a regular and cancel before the next clean that I cant
stand.
Depending on the state of the frames I would charge up to double a regular clean price.
I work longer hours at this time of year to make up for lost time during the winter months so don't mind taking
these jobs on.
The thing is many of these jobs can lead to more regular work from neighbours watching and seeing next doors
filthy windows and frames being transformed and looking like new.
Even the one off customer might be sussing you out just to see if you do a decent job before taking you on
full time.

Spot on SeanK. When I take on new customers I actually assume that they are either one offs or ones that may call me as and when needed, rather than monthly or whatever. Where I live, the culture is different to the UK. Having said that, I also have a nucleus of good, regular customers around which the less frequent work is done, so as I see it, as long as I have the time, and I make enough money from them, then I am happy to do them.

John 

[AuRavelling79]

I'm losing more due to house moves.

Had four move away (or die and the house changes hands) in six months of which only two new occupiers have gone regular.

In my experience people moving out are older and people moving in are younger (with a mortgage) and don't seem so keen on window cleaning as a priority. Then a few months later they might start up.

[dazmond]

i get the odd "one off" enquires but there mainly add on jobs(f/s/g cleans and conny roofs)usually from people who have  a trad window cleaner who dont offer these services.

id say over 90% of new enquiries that i take on that want window cleaning stay as regular customers for a few years at least.

[lal]

Well at least they are being honest and letting you know that its a one off.
Its the messers who pretend to be looking for a regular and cancel before the next clean that I cant
stand.
Depending on the state of the frames I would charge up to double a regular clean price.
I work longer hours at this time of year to make up for lost time during the winter months so don't mind taking
these jobs on.
The thing is many of these jobs can lead to more regular work from neighbours watching and seeing next doors
filthy windows and frames being transformed and looking like new.
Even the one off customer might be sussing you out just to see if you do a decent job before taking you on
full time.

Good Post SeanK

[Tom White]

Had one mid week . can you come and quote and clean now as moving out tomorrow and didn't want to loose deposit.

Yeh, those one's make me smile. 

I always stick in a really high price - I don't bother viewing - I just ask some details about the property (though I know the area very well) first.

[Frankybadboy]

I just got home from a weekend away and at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon wanted me to go the other side of Bristol and do a clean there and then 

GET STUFFED

[Clever Forum Name]

Had one today. I gave her a price of £10 every 5 weeks last year.

They are "ready" for the first clean. Ok I say will be in about 4 weeks time as just come off that estate.

Oh it's for a party this weekend. ALARM BELLS.

I take it you want a one off?

No we went a regular window cleaner. Every 6 months is fine.

No problem then. See that £10 times it be 5 and that's your regular price.

See hung up. 

[AuRavelling79]

I just got home from a weekend away and at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon wanted me to go the other side of Bristol and do a clean there and then 

GET STUFFED

Not Mr N**gia was it? Their windows looked pretty bad with some nice birds mess on the uppers today!

 

[Stephen.C]

I have had loads this year quoted most and put the price of a one off clean in £10 to £30 £20 to £50 etc got some most said no.
Now I'm just saying if you  need a one off find a different window cleaner I'm too busy.

[robbo333]

Come on Lee. Moaning that people are giving you business! Terrible mate! I wouldn't want calls like that! LOL!
Just price it high, get a couple and job done. Get on with it.
I hate earning all this money me 

[lee_dewing]

Thing is when you know it is a one off and price high they don't want.

Time wasted going to quote

My fault, will tell potential one offs or hopeful new regulars i will price when next in area, i.e text to open gate evening before.

I feel sorry for guys in the building trade.

Old neighbour was a plasterer hard work all day, then spend your evenings giving quotes which 2 out of 3 you don't get.

Had 2 calls today got 1 on monthly 
The other was urgent for window clean but vague on cleaning frequency "maybe every couple of months or so"

Unlike others I don't offer various cleaning frequencies.
Not saying that's wrong but i've found that to be difficult.

For me someone is offering half as much money for harder work

[Tom White]

Unlike others I don't offer various cleaning frequencies.
Not saying that's wrong but i've found that to be difficult.

For me someone is offering half as much money for harder work

Price higher for longer cleaning frequencies.  I have quite a few large domestic properties I do quarterly and I love them; they work out at a great hourly rate and they're always happy to see us.  They're fairly big jobs though.

And a couple I've taken on quarterly - and priced accordingly - have switched to every-other-month, which is even better since I didn't change the price.

We're jam-packed with work though, so we tend to push for a higher price and sweeten it with a longer cleaning frequency.

I'm looking at pushing this for some of my routine smaller domestic work too.  I think it's the way ahead.

[Mike #1]

Had a few enquires about one off's all out of my area i wont visit any house to provide a one off quote it is £25 for a 2-3 bed house without conny right up to £40-45 depending on house size . Never done one yet though .

I do offer different frequencies and they are good payers and pay on time i usually charge between 25-50% more for 8 weekly's depending on location . Mike