[TomSE]

When a customer that you text for access the evening before forgets to leave a gate unlocked do you still charge full price?

Up until now I have been charging at least half and in most cases just over half of the full clean price. However especially for the longer frequencies most offer (8 or 12 weekly etc) when this happens the back can get alot dirtier as if 12 weekly for example it would have ended up being 24 weeks since it had been cleaned. (This happened to me today hence the post) It took a bit longer to get the back up to an acceptable standard and I just wondered if most would stipulate to the customer from the outset that the full price must be charged, a) Because otherwise you/the business will lose earnings through no fault of your own and b) Because it may take longer on the next visit.

Those that do have you found many don't understand this? And anyone on here gone from charging less than full price to charging the full price and if so what was your experience with regards to customers reactions?

Tom

[SB Cleaning]

I just hop the gate..well the lad that works for me does

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

little gaint ladders for gates

[8weekly]

I've lost a couple of customers for going over gates in this way, so now if in doubt I bill the full amount. If they quibble I may relent depending on my mood, their attitude, history etc.

[SB Cleaning]

I've lost a couple of customers for going over gates in this way, so now if in doubt I bill the full amount. If they quibble I may relent depending on my mood, their attitude, history etc.

I always ask the customers permission when I get a new job if it's ok.

[nathankaye]

I send a txt late evening between 7 and 8, when I know that majority will be at home relaxing. So they may retain the information to open the gate in the morning or even go and unbolt the same evening. But a small hand full fail to do so and lets face it, they probably have other things on their mind and so on very few occasions I have turned up to a locked gate. So I charge 75% of full price. What I now do is schedule a reminder courtesy txt and schedule send that at 7:30 of the morning im due. So 2 txt and this has served well

[SeanK]

Don't have a lot of locked gates a couple a week at the most but I just use a ladder similar to Susan's and it isn't a problem
I tend to go for stress free over handy.

[Stoots]

Jump it if i can, charge for front only if not.

[KS Cleaning]

One of the advantages of using a backpack......If they are bolted at the top half of the gate I stand on my backpack to unlock them

[Richard iSparkle]

When a customer that you text for access the evening before forgets to leave a gate unlocked do you still charge full price?

Up until now I have been charging at least half and in most cases just over half of the full clean price. However especially for the longer frequencies most offer (8 or 12 weekly etc) when this happens the back can get alot dirtier as if 12 weekly for example it would have ended up being 24 weeks since it had been cleaned. (This happened to me today hence the post) It took a bit longer to get the back up to an acceptable standard and I just wondered if most would stipulate to the customer from the outset that the full price must be charged, a) Because otherwise you/the business will lose earnings through no fault of your own and b) Because it may take longer on the next visit.

Those that do have you found many don't understand this? And anyone on here gone from charging less than full price to charging the full price and if so what was your experience with regards to customers reactions?

Tom

we charge them full price yes. they pay by DD anyhow so they've already paid us.

first time it happens we phone them to explain we'll charge them full next time

we give them next due dates. so long as we went on the right date we charge them

[Marc Stock]

Wow.

Fantastic. I have found someone who actually works the way it should be done. I have been using the next date system on my bills since 2005 and in my opinion its the only real way you can scale a profitable window cleaning business.

On my bills i also put a clause that if gates are locked full payment is still due, and we cannot guarantee to return at a later date (discretion is used of course)

The good thing about the next date system is it forms a contract for the next clean, making your business worth alot more than just turning up approx x amount of times a year.

Well done to you.

[SeanK]

Wow.

Fantastic. I have found someone who actually works the way it should be done. I have been using the next date system on my bills since 2005 and in my opinion its the only real way you can scale a profitable window cleaning business.

On my bills i also put a clause that if gates are locked full payment is still due, and we cannot guarantee to return at a later date (discretion is used of course)

The good thing about the next date system is it forms a contract for the next clean, making your business worth alot more than just turning up approx x amount of times a year.

Well done to you.

Wow, window cleaners have been getting over locked gates since window cleaning was a job it just a pity you weren't there
from the start to keep them right, I think the word contract says it all.

[Marc Stock]

Shut up Shaun.

As always nothing  but hot air.

If you want to go hopping over gates like a pikey thats up to you.  Its technicaly trespassing by the way.

[nathankaye]

Shut up Shaun.

As always nothing  but hot air.

If you want to go hopping over gates like a pikey thats up to you.  Its technicaly trespassing by the way.

Dont start with the trespassing part....weve had a thread on this before.
If want to start saying tresspassing then just by being on the front  garden cleaning the front gardens is technically trespassing.

[Marc Stock]

Of course its trespassing if the customer hasnt got a date from you as to when your coming. Which by the sounds of it is how most window cleaners operate possibly yourselves.

If the customer has agreed to a date and you turn up on the date its not trespassing as long as access is available as agreed.

How is that difficult to understand?

Goodness me there are some right propper numptys on this forum. Bring back cleaning pros .

[Marc Stock]

I've lost a couple of customers for going over gates in this way, so now if in doubt I bill the full amount. If they quibble I may relent depending on my mood, their attitude, history etc.

Agreed.

[SeanK]

Of course its trespassing if the customer hasnt got a date from you as to when your coming. Which by the sounds of it is how most window cleaners operate possibly yourselves.

If the customer has agreed to a date and you turn up on the date its not trespassing as long as access is available as agreed.

How is that difficult to understand?

Goodness me there are some right propper numptys on this forum. Bring back cleaning pros .

Cant disagree with that last line.

[SeanK]

Shut up Shaun.

As always nothing  but hot air.

If you want to go hopping over gates like a pikey thats up to you.  Its technicaly trespassing by the way.

Never hopped a gate in my life, its not hard to get over a locked gate safely and easily with a bit of common sense, even though
its not recommended in The only right way to clean windows by Marc Stock book.

[nathankaye]

This doesnt effect me bud, I txt my cust night before and once again early morning of day due. If gate still locked they get charged full price.  So less of the childish name calling because I for one do not think that is professional! !
In addition my customer like so many more are on the understanding that I work on a 4week rotation, but heavens forbid if I dont stipulate the actual day or even time of arrival! ! I guess im not as professional as I thought. Thank you for correcting my opinion 
Tresspassing is entering a persons private property without conscent of the owner. So lets review all us numpties who agree on a regular basis with the owners of a scgeduled window cleaning service. Does that mean we have consent or not in your opinion??!!  Certainly the methods used which some attain to to gain access to the back gardens may be questionable, but that isnt what your debating is it?

[Marc Stock]

It's my opinion. Thats all.

Do whatever you like.