[robbo333]

I’ve been following this thread with interest as I have a round where the majority of my customers want a 4 weekly clean. Every now and then I’ll get a customer that wants to go to a less frequent clean. My question is: How do you explain the price increase to those that want to change to a less frequent cleaning cycle?
I’ve had mixed responses from customers over the years. Some seem to understand and expect it without question. Others however, seem genuinely surprised when they request a less frequent clean, and don’t seem to get it at all when you increase the price even when you explain that overall they’re making a considerable saving.
Just wondered how some of you explain it.

I'm with Shrek

Just say, "the four weekly price is £18.
I can do them every 8 weeks if you fancy, but they get more dirty, take longer to clean and use more water, so the price is £22.
But that is £22 every TWO MONTHS"

I always like to reiterate the 8 weeks (2 months) bit.

If they don't understand that then bye bye!

[Smudger]

I always pitch it this way...

8 wky  price - example £25.   4 wky price £20.

I always say the 8 week clean is standard frequency and is 25 quid however if you want 4 wky we discount the price to 20 quid

that way the customer feels they are 1 - getting a deal and 2 - if at any time they change to 8 week clean they already know the price will be more than 4 week clean

before doing it this way I used to be awkward getting the higher price when changing from 4 to 8 weeks

Darran

[M & C Window Cleaning]

I always pitch it this way...

8 wky  price - example £25.   4 wky price £20.

I always say the 8 week clean is standard frequency and is 25 quid however if you want 4 wky we discount the price to 20 quid

that way the customer feels they are 1 - getting a deal and 2 - if at any time they change to 8 week clean they already know the price will be more than 4 week clean

before doing it this way I used to be awkward getting the higher price when changing from 4 to 8 weeks

Darran

Do you still get much 4 weekly work quoting this way?

[Shrek]

It’s a psychological thing , when someone hears that the majority of people are doing something, then the person will choose to go with the majority

[AuRavelling79]

I say your windows will be dirtier so I will use more filtered water which will reflect the price but works out cheaper over the year compared to monthly.

This. Plus "they will take longer to do". So add at what you can but at least 20%.

Now some other windies may say "hardly any longer, Malc".  But they do at certain times. More snail trails to get rid of,  more spiders nests to get out,  top frames needing to be done (with attendant dripping) every time instead of every other time, cills may need three to five wipes instead of one or two.

So in fact a 20 minute house MIGHT take 22 minutes or even 25 minutes. So you are about 10 to 20% down on what you could do. Working from £250 that means you could be "only" getting (say) £220 in a day. Over 15 days working in a month that's £450 ...

[dazmond]

a few years ago i had a job that needed a price rise so i put them up £2.he wasnt happy and said he wanted to go 8 weekly from 4 weekly,so i said ok but that would be £2 more on top of the £2 price rise...he slammed the door in my face and stormed off in a huff........

that was around 7 years ago.before the price rise he seemed a nice chap and always stopped to say hello and have a little chat....i still see him most months when im cleaning all his neighbours houses but he keeps his head down now and ignores me....

its not as if im charging rip off prices for these properties and was being totally fair with him......its as if some people dont realise that your running a business to make money,not a charity!

thankfully these sorts of customers(or ex customers) are very few and far between......

[M & C Window Cleaning]

a few years ago i had a job that needed a price rise so i put them up £2.he wasnt happy and said he wanted to go 8 weekly from 4 weekly,so i said ok but that would be £2 more on top of the £2 price rise...he slammed the door in my face and stormed off in a huff........

that was around 7 years ago.before the price rise he seemed a nice chap and always stopped to say hello and have a little chat....i still see him most months when im cleaning all his neighbours houses but he keeps his head down now and ignores me....

its not as if im charging rip off prices for these properties and was being totally fair with him......its as if some people dont realise that your running a business to make money,not a charity!

thankfully these sorts of customers(or ex customers) are very few and far between......

Yeah, I’ve had the same experience. It’s certainly helpful if they know ahead of time that the price per clean will go up if they choose a less frequent clean. What surprises me is that they don’t seem to be able to work out that they are still making a considerable saving.

I certainly appreciate the input of you all on this.

[Shrek]

That’s why every quote I give, I give them 3 prices from the beginning and offer them 3 frequencies. Iv had a few start off on monthly and then ask for every other month and expect the increase with no issues

[dazmond]

That’s why every quote I give, I give them 3 prices from the beginning and offer them 3 frequencies. Iv had a few start off on monthly and then ask for every other month and expect the increase with no issues

any new customers in certain areas of my work get the choice of 4 or 8 weekly,others its 6 weekly or 12 weekly as i offer 4 different frequencies depending on area.....

[Walter Mitty]

I do 6 & 12 weekly (mainly 6).  The longer interval is a a third more (rounded up to next £).
Mind you, I have had well-priced work where they change to 12 weeks and I've made the increase much smaller.
I used to add 50% if they changed but decided that was a little on the high side.  A third usually keeps them onside.
There was a time I wouldn't even supply the service if they wanted to switch, unless the job was at least £50, but that was before I starting charging more for it.  I decided it was silly throwing work away when I could make more money from it.