[RPCCS]

Im looking to expand my window cleaning business, and branch out into other fields, to spend less time window cleaning .
How much should I be charging for this, is it an hourly rate, or price per area?   if hourly, how much area can be done in an hour? I was thinking of starting by doing a test for 15 minutes ,to see how much can be done in that time, then I can determine how much could be covered in an hour. Is £25 p/h too much, too little or about right, ?any advice please.

[TomCrowther]

I can't wait to see the replies to this one 

[RPCCS]

Well make one then. Im looking for advice, not criticism.

[TomCrowther]

Ok. The obvious answer is you charge what you think is a fair price, just like on your window cleaning accounts.
People will say it depends on the geographical location but only v slightly imo.
Guys on here will charge anything from £2 a square meter up to £8 or more depending on the surface and whether they are using chemicals, sand and resealing. Others price just from experience and never measure the area.
Some people use run of the mill equipment and it will take them twice as long or more than the guys who have invested and do it seriously.
There are a few discussions on here about this as surprisingly, you aren't the first window cleaner to ask the question. Hence my earlier reply. Have  read through.

[RPCCS]

Thank you for the reply, pols if I came across as being stroppy, I thought I was going to get grief for being a newbie to the game
I did a google search earlier, and the going  rate as you say is about £2 per square metre, for concrete and tarmac, and flags, whereas blocks are more expensive ,, given the fact that the area needs re sanding. Im not looking to do it full time, more so diversify a bit, and do a bit of everything, cleaning wise.  I already have a basic power washer,but will invest in something more heavy duty, Are Nilfisk machines any good? I know machine mart sell a lot of them.

[Stoots]

I would say aim for more hourly than you do on the glass.

Otherwise why prat about advertising, quoting, humping the thing on and off etc. Easier just  cleaning windows.

Nilfisk and machine mart might not be the right choice 

[Mike Halliday]

A test of 15 mins is like cleaning one window and using that to work out a price, you need to clean 8-10 jobs and see what your hourly rate was, but if its under £50/hr you are way out ( if you are using  professional  equipment)

We work as a 2 man team and if we Are under £100/hr then we consider the job underpriced.

[RPCCS]

Thanks Mike, I'm not looking to do this as a replacement for the window round, more so as  an additional service.  The hourly rate you speak of is not achievable round these parts, people won't pay that  here in the north east.

[Smurf]

Thanks Mike, I'm not looking to do this as a replacement for the window round, more so as  an additional service.  The hourly rate you speak of is not achievable round these parts, people won't pay that  here in the north east.

How do you know for sure?

[Mike Halliday]

If you told them you would clean a carpark the size of a football stadium and the cost would be £150 would they pay it? If the job only took you 90minutes would they still pay £150?

I would guess you answer to both questions is yes, people will pay £100 an hour if they believe they are  getting their  monies worth.

So hourly rate is irrelevant it's what the get for their money that's important and you need to give them what they are willing to pay a £100 for.

But I will be honest and say ....if I told customers I charge £100 an hour I would get little work, it's only after they see what they got for that price it becomes irrelevant

[Mike Halliday]

Has I'm bored, sat round the pool soaking up the sun in Miami 

I'll just add, everywhere in England there are people who. Will pay 'high prices'

 The north east, Liverpool, Cornwall....Hull voted a crapiest town 3 years running and where I live.

But you just need to find these people.

95% of my work comes from leaflets where do you think I deliver these leaflets? In the ghettos Or in the nice villages and best parts of town..... to the people who have money.

[Smurf]

Has I'm bored, sat round the pool soaking up the sun in Miami 

I'll just add, everywhere in England there are people who. Will pay 'high prices'

 The north east, Liverpool, Cornwall....Hull voted a crapiest town 3 years running and where I live.

But you just need to find these people.

95% of my work comes from leaflets where do you think I deliver these leaflets? In the ghettos Or in the nice villages and best parts of town..... to the people who have money.

Some people who have money also like to swan off to sit in the sun in Miami too. Just to make you feel better having to take time off and not earn any dosh  it's piddling it down here...Enjoy  Mike lol

[chris scott]

£100 per hour  £3000 grand a week cleaning patios? thats impressive.

[Mike Halliday]

Whose cleaning for 30 hrs a week... Every week CLEANING,!  not sat in cafes drinking coffee or driving  or talking on the phone......... but machine on, lance in hand CLEANING

 But if I was on the job for 30hrs then your maths would be correct, my pricing structure is based on turning up at the house to driving away.

This is how I price jobs, if I believe I will be at the house for 3hrs they would be given a price of £300.... I might clean 5 square metres or 250 square metre.    3hrs =£300