[David Edmondson]

I just wanted some advice on when it is ok to charge more when windows are particularly bad. I had to do some windows recently which were caked in cement due to work that had been done in the garden. I wasn't able to agree a price before  I started as the customer was not in, so I went and did the windows and explained when collecting that the windows had taken a lot longer than normal and I would have to charge double.
Anyway, the next month I got a phone call and was told not to bother doing their windows again. They made some excuse about their dog going barmy after I'd been, but I think it was because I charged them more the previous time.
Was I right to charge more? I've recently done a house which had lots of glue on the window and I haven't seen them yet to see how much to charge but I'm worried about losing a customer over it again. It took an extra 20 minutes to do, so again it took almost twice as long. Any help/suggestions

[Dean Aspects]

You do right to charge extra although ideally it would be better to see the customer first to agree a price you cannot be expected to do extra work for nothing and it sounds like the customer wasnt showing you the respect you deserve or paying a fair price for the service provided
My advice would be to move on forget about it and replace the job with another and dont dwell on it
Hope this helps

Dean

[David Edmondson]

Yes, thanks Dan for your response.
I thought it was quite right to expect to charge more if the window requires more than just a normal clean, it was almost like a restoration job!!   : I know that sometimes it takes a bit longer due to ample amounts of bird muck or an egg on the window and we expect that. Most of my customers have offered to pay me extra to get paint off and such like.

[Rob.Hall]

I did a job the other day and had the same.
Had to price more but the custy was very happy with the work and paid up.
I did not expect them to but from it I picked up another 2 jobs. I think its swings and rounabouts.
I always try to do a good job whatever.

[mark dew]

i think it is unprofessional to up the price without an agreement with the customer 1st.
I would have just done the job normally and left a note telling her to do it properly would be £XX amount and if happy i will do that next time.
To do otherwise is devious an untrustworthy in my opinion.

[Wayne Thomas]

i think it is unprofessional to up the price without an agreement with the customer 1st.
I would have just done the job normally and left a note telling her to do it properly would be £XX amount and if happy i will do that next time.
To do otherwise is devious an untrustworthy in my opinion.

I agree.

[windowwashers]

Yes, thanks Dan for your response.
I thought it was quite right to expect to charge more if the window requires more than just a normal clean, it was almost like a restoration job!!   : I know that sometimes it takes a bit longer due to ample amounts of bird muck or an egg on the window and we expect that. Most of my customers have offered to pay me extra to get paint off and such like.

in future if you know customers are having building works done make sure you say there will be an increase in price for cleaning the window after the work is complete.
if they do this while you are not there inbetween cleans leave a note saying the extra cost and  to call you by say 8pm if you do not get a call by say 8pm then you will clean the next day at the price quoted, this will either get them to call you or limit the cancelations