[tlwcs]

People buy people. If they like you and you haven't run their cat over on your arrival your in with more of a chance. Smile and chat with them a bit.
They can see how dirty they are and most will understand it takes longer for the first clean. Standing there explaining this is builds a rapour you won't get on the phone.
Quote/get out to them quickly whilst your building it shows you want the business.
Tony

[windowswashed]

If it's a decent area and all the neighbours houses are clean and the new customer's is minging, alarm bells should ring, see the person first to guage if dodgy and charge double for initial clean

[Splash & dash]

I don’t qote over the phone unless Ime 100% sure I know the house and weather it has a conservatory or extension, evan then I prefer to go and have a look if I know the people or they are friend or family of existing customers I will do it at the normal price , if I don’t know them or think they are about to move or I suspect it’s a one off then it’s double the price for the first clean this normally puts off the messers , if they are honest and up front about wanting a one off clean then it’s double the price and I will do it if I have time : if not I say sorry Ime too busy

[richard groves]

I ask for address and postcode before I reply with a quote. I can usually tell from google street view and satellite image what the jobs worth. Treat every new job as a one off and factor that in to the initial price ( usually 25 - 50 % ) , then once I know how long the jobs taken me I offer a regular repeat price to seal the deal. I do this because as tlwcs has said "people buy people " ..... why should anybody agree to a regular service before they've even met you or let you loose on their property ?

[dazmond]

first rule I DONT QUOTE OVER THE PHONE....i have to see the property first....

i only take on work thats near my other work so its not much time/trouble to pop round to take a proper look....

if the windows are really bad then double my normal price.other times its usually 25%-50% more of the normal maintenance clean depending on how dirty they are.........

if they want a "one off" then its at least double my normal clean(regardless of how dirty they are)sometimes more....

[dazmond]

Hi guys. In the beginning I have to say I've started not long time ago and I'm confusing about pricing for windows. I know it's been a lot similar topic but I just want to be sure for that I'm not  being greedy windy   I've had couple phone call from potential custies asking for quote. I asked for number of windows and explain how first clean works why is more expensive and all that information. And on the phone they say I'm going to give ring back while usually in face to face they understand and agree. Ive got couple custies when I said the price for first clean and  they just agreed with no doubt but recently I had few rings just taking the peace.   And I start to think maybe I'm giving bad pricess or should I change estate for another one with canvassing.  Could you tell me wise window cleaners ,  how you usually talking with customer on first clean and what price you giving?
Thanks in advance.

keep it simple mate.....dont quote over the phone..get their address.its not as if you havent got time to go and quote as your probably not stacked out with work.if their not in when you go round text them afterwards with a first clean price and maintenance clean price......then leave it with them....

[Slacky]

Dont quote over the phone.

Firstly. It doesn't appear professional. You are a professional remember. Your customers are expecting you to be professional. So behave professionally to their enquiry.

Secondly. Someone throwing together a quote over the phone without viewing the property doesn't come across in a good light, even sub-consciously.

Thirdly. You need to assess the customer. You need to read them, their body language, their attitude and their responses to your questions.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

Fifth. You need to imply who's 'running the show'. Its your business and your work, you have guidelines they need to be aware of. You tell them, face to face, whats going to happen. Such as possibly texting them the night before if their back gate needs to be unlocked, how to pay, what to do if they're not happy with the quality of the clean.

Sixth. You can assess immediately if their might be the possibility of other work from them, such as gutter cleaning/clearance or cladding cleaning. You could sell them this on the first visit. You'll be viewed as efficient that way.

Seventh. Businesses that impose themselves indicate a level of professionalism, being in control and that you are experienced and know what you're doing.

Eighth. Customers like confidence.

Ninth. Dont quote over the phone.

[andyM]

Dont quote over the phone.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

That's a good point actually.
Yappy dogs, multiple dogs and dog poop infested gardens where they say "Oh just let me know when you are coming and i'll clean up the mess", never make good long term customers in my experience.
Nothing good usually comes from it.

[John Mart]

Dont quote over the phone.

Firstly. It doesn't appear professional. You are a professional remember. Your customers are expecting you to be professional. So behave professionally to their enquiry.

Secondly. Someone throwing together a quote over the phone without viewing the property doesn't come across in a good light, even sub-consciously.

Thirdly. You need to assess the customer. You need to read them, their body language, their attitude and their responses to your questions.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

Fifth. You need to imply who's 'running the show'. Its your business and your work, you have guidelines they need to be aware of. You tell them, face to face, whats going to happen. Such as possibly texting them the night before if their back gate needs to be unlocked, how to pay, what to do if they're not happy with the quality of the clean.

Sixth. You can assess immediately if their might be the possibility of other work from them, such as gutter cleaning/clearance or cladding cleaning. You could sell them this on the first visit. You'll be viewed as efficient that way.

Seventh. Businesses that impose themselves indicate a level of professionalism, being in control and that you are experienced and know what you're doing.

Eighth. Customers like confidence.

Ninth. Dont quote over the phone.

I simply don’t have time to go to quote for a £15 job unless it’s on my doorstep. Even then it’s doubtful whether I would.

[p1w1]

Dont quote over the phone.

Firstly. It doesn't appear professional. You are a professional remember. Your customers are expecting you to be professional. So behave professionally to their enquiry.

Secondly. Someone throwing together a quote over the phone without viewing the property doesn't come across in a good light, even sub-consciously.

Thirdly. You need to assess the customer. You need to read them, their body language, their attitude and their responses to your questions.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

Fifth. You need to imply who's 'running the show'. Its your business and your work, you have guidelines they need to be aware of. You tell them, face to face, whats going to happen. Such as possibly texting them the night before if their back gate needs to be unlocked, how to pay, what to do if they're not happy with the quality of the clean.

Sixth. You can assess immediately if their might be the possibility of other work from them, such as gutter cleaning/clearance or cladding cleaning. You could sell them this on the first visit. You'll be viewed as efficient that way.

Seventh. Businesses that impose themselves indicate a level of professionalism, being in control and that you are experienced and know what you're doing.

Eighth. Customers like confidence.

Ninth. Dont quote over the phone.

I simply don’t have time to go to quote for a £15 job unless it’s on my doorstep. Even then it’s doubtful whether I would.

Is there a big yawn emoji 

[Slacky]

Dont quote over the phone.

Firstly. It doesn't appear professional. You are a professional remember. Your customers are expecting you to be professional. So behave professionally to their enquiry.

Secondly. Someone throwing together a quote over the phone without viewing the property doesn't come across in a good light, even sub-consciously.

Thirdly. You need to assess the customer. You need to read them, their body language, their attitude and their responses to your questions.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

Fifth. You need to imply who's 'running the show'. Its your business and your work, you have guidelines they need to be aware of. You tell them, face to face, whats going to happen. Such as possibly texting them the night before if their back gate needs to be unlocked, how to pay, what to do if they're not happy with the quality of the clean.

Sixth. You can assess immediately if their might be the possibility of other work from them, such as gutter cleaning/clearance or cladding cleaning. You could sell them this on the first visit. You'll be viewed as efficient that way.

Seventh. Businesses that impose themselves indicate a level of professionalism, being in control and that you are experienced and know what you're doing.

Eighth. Customers like confidence.

Ninth. Dont quote over the phone.

I simply don’t have time to go to quote for a £15 job unless it’s on my doorstep. Even then it’s doubtful whether I would.

You cant say its a £15 job until you've visited the place.

[John Mart]

Dont quote over the phone.

Firstly. It doesn't appear professional. You are a professional remember. Your customers are expecting you to be professional. So behave professionally to their enquiry.

Secondly. Someone throwing together a quote over the phone without viewing the property doesn't come across in a good light, even sub-consciously.

Thirdly. You need to assess the customer. You need to read them, their body language, their attitude and their responses to your questions.

Fourth. You don't want to pick up work where there is dog-poop scattered liberally around the place. If their is forget the job immediately. They're filthy, unhygienic people who don't warrant your time.

Fifth. You need to imply who's 'running the show'. Its your business and your work, you have guidelines they need to be aware of. You tell them, face to face, whats going to happen. Such as possibly texting them the night before if their back gate needs to be unlocked, how to pay, what to do if they're not happy with the quality of the clean.

Sixth. You can assess immediately if their might be the possibility of other work from them, such as gutter cleaning/clearance or cladding cleaning. You could sell them this on the first visit. You'll be viewed as efficient that way.

Seventh. Businesses that impose themselves indicate a level of professionalism, being in control and that you are experienced and know what you're doing.

Eighth. Customers like confidence.

Ninth. Dont quote over the phone.

I simply don’t have time to go to quote for a £15 job unless it’s on my doorstep. Even then it’s doubtful whether I would.

You cant say its a £15 job until you've visited the place.

Ok, but it’s only ever going to be £18 and if it’s wrong we’ll correct on the day. Some weeks it’s 15-20 quotes a week. Just don’t have the time.

[Anthony Jardine]

I generally don’t quote over the phone unless I’m doing the next door house  and it’s a similar or identical house or customer moved and there the new owners

I also don’t visit properties unless it’s very unusual design which we do get a lot of in this area, I don’t have time and modern technology is used by most

if We go there it’s to clean

The majority of our jobs are quoted via a photo of back front and sides sent by a devise of some sort

Then they get a first clean quote a six weekly and a twelve weekly, to be fair most of our enquiries are emails most will state what service they require or ask if we do one offs which we do