[jay moley]

In the past I have always charged more for a first clean. Makes sense as its more work and would potentially cover you if the customer cancels on the regular clean you've agreed.

Im just wondering whether it might put people off when canvassing?

In my experience not that many people cancel after the first clean.

Might try getting rid of the first clean price this week while canvassing and see whether I get more customers.

Thoughts chaps?

[Ched]

In the past I have always charged more for a first clean. Makes sense as its more work and would potentially cover you if the customer cancels on the regular clean you've agreed.

Im just wondering whether it might put people off when canvassing?

In my experience not that many people cancel after the first clean.

Might try getting rid of the first clean price this week while canvassing and see whether I get more customers.

Thoughts chaps?

I will watch this thread.
I wonder if you get few cancellations after first clean as the custy are willing to pay extra for first clean really want a good windy. Where as people who want a cheap clean might not be in it for long term?

It will be interesting to see if you get a better response rate and if they stay as a custy long term.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Simon Trapani]

Keep a 1st clean price but make it a reasonable one. None of this two & three times the price. Not for me. Like you said, most turn out to be regular but it just covers you. I think most customers appreciate they’re dirtier the first time.

[Smudger]

its about degrees of dirtiness 

Its defo easier to charge more for the first clean when the customer is coming to you - from the web, leaflet etc..

When canvassing its a little bit harder - if its a well presented place with cleanish glass and frames I charge my 8wky price for the first even if they go 4 weekly - this is ONLY for those that can be done pretty much in the same time as regular stuff - everything else is 25 to 50% more - sometimes double - its about evaluating the time/condition/customer

Darran

[Splash & dash]

We always charge a minimum of double the normal price for a first clean , only exceptions are existing customers who move house or family or friends of existing customers who we feel are trustworthy, I have found taking this approach we get  the vast majority of the jobs we now go out and quote as the time wasters and one off brigade make excuses and don’t  then want a firm price .

[Stoots]

Depends, at the moment as im working solo and am busy i would charge a first clean price as they take longer and im not bothered if i get the job.

If i was actively advertising and looking to grow then no i wouldnt as i want to maximise my R.O.I and not put people off with a first clean price, ultimately its an investment clean and whilst some will rip you off (dont soap their windows  ) thats just part of the game we play.

[NWH]

Depends what you call a first clean I’ve seen windows that are completely green from sill to top frame,if it’s like that then obviously it’s gonna be more but if it’s something that’s not been cleaned for a year or so if on an ongoing basis it’s gonna be good I won’t charge extra.

[dazmond]

not always......i picked up a £60 office job the other week,the first clean took 75 mins as they were very dirty...the job will take 40 mins at  most from the next clean(6 weekly)...i already clean some other offices for the same company so i was perfectly happy to waive a first clean price....

most domestic jobs will incur a first clean price, it might be an extra fiver or tenner,sometimes double if they are really bad....

[Clean Cloth]

If I had all the customers that I wanted or needed I would charge extra for a first clean.

 Yesterday morning a lady asked me if I cleaned in her road. I went there in the afternoon and quoted for her detached bungalow. I could see the frames were pretty clean, she accepted my quote, she said the next door neighbour wanted a quote too so I went there and he accepted my quote. His frames were not bad. I walked back to he 1st one and she had changed her mind and only wanted the front doing. Did that and next door and then the one next to that wanted his done, they were filthy but I did not charge extra. It probably only took me 5 minutes longer, he was pleased and said next door was looking for a window cleaner too.

[james peters]

always charge extra.
eats up all your water... AND TIME
customers are not your freinds . 

[NWH]

Depends what kind of job it is a large detached property that will be easy every 6-8 weeks why charge 1/2 again or double the 1st time,this is why you need to able to get a feel for the customer when you first quote.
If it’s a 2-3 bed semi that will sack you off after 1 clean yeah fair enough 15-20 quid but why treat a potential 1000-1200 a year in the same way,I will say I should charge you a first clean price really but as long as you are regular I’ll forget about that,let them know you are doing them a favour,it may not always work out the way you wanted but most of the time it does for me anyway.

[Mike Burd]

If I had all the customers that I wanted or needed I would charge extra for a first clean.

 Yesterday morning a lady asked me if I cleaned in her road. I went there in the afternoon and quoted for her detached bungalow. I could see the frames were pretty clean, she accepted my quote, she said the next door neighbour wanted a quote too so I went there and he accepted my quote. His frames were not bad. I walked back to he 1st one and she had changed her mind and only wanted the front doing. Did that and next door and then the one next to that wanted his done, they were filthy but I did not charge extra. It probably only took me 5 minutes longer, he was pleased and said next door was looking for a window cleaner too.

If you're doing a lot of first cleans, not charging extra will have a big impact on your income.

[motod]

Double price, always. Hard work and takes time to do properly...

[Richard iSparkle]

we charge double for them. canvassed or not

helps to pay for the cost of marketing.

obviously its just maths tho. if you get more new clients without charging double, then the extra work could work out more beneficial over the length of the client...

but we find we get better clients charging double, most dont blink when you say it, and you miss out those people who want a cheap one off clean...

we're sticking with it for the foreseeable...

[NWH]

I’ve had these lately recommendations from other customers there’s no way I’m gonna take on an £90 job and charge double first clean that would be business suicide imo,I know this is going to be ongoing ok they were dirty but I have hot water for that.
Another 540 notes to the pot a year because of a bit of elbow grease frost visit who cares,like I say I think this logic only makes sense with small jobs don’t cut your nose to spite your face and all that.

[tlwcs]

If you don’t value your service/time, the customer never will.
I always quote first clean or one off £30
Monthly 12 cleans £15
Or
Bimonthly, 6 cleans £20 (For example)

I think if you explain it will take longer and use more water, most accept it costs a little more.  If they don’t, I don’t want them!
Tony

[NWH]

This is my point they are cheap jobs now try and make the same decision when it’s an ongoing 5-10 times that price,more often than not you can just tell it’ll be regular.

[Splash & dash]

This is my point they are cheap jobs now try and make the same decision when it’s an ongoing 5-10 times that price,more often than not you can just tell it’ll be regular.

If it’s a £60-150 domestic job then double the price might be over kill but I would still be charging a first clean premium price , if it’s above £150 monthly domestic we would probably not charge more provided it was 100% guaranteed regular job .

[NWH]

Yeah I wouldn’t bother no point I’ve not been had yet if I ever do I might think again,you are more likely to get done like that on a tin pot little job in my experience listening to others.

[Phil J]

It's always a tough one, you want the job especially if it's next to one you already clean. But we've all been stung by the " thanks but no thanks" brigade. Charge more to cover your labour costs and if they don't understand or are not willing to pay the extra don't bother.