[paulp]

Hi there i am new to this site and thought i would try and start a new topic?
I have recenlty (jan) started window cleaning, and have found myself either losing business by giving to high a price over the phone or shooting myself in the foot and quoting to low a price, now, yes, this has tought me a lesson of always seeing a house first before quoting, i just wanted to know what you guys say over the phone to potential customers, and also, am i the only one this is happening to?? all input will greatly be recived

[Magiclean]

No sadly you are not the only one this happens too , but what to do about it is another thing.  I very often get people ringing up and asking what we charge an hour to clean.  They don't want to wait for you to come round the next day before they get their answer.  I'm afraid I don't see any way around it.  Some you win, and some you lose!

[thewindowcleaner1]

When I first started I used to put a code letter on the canvass leaflet for the price bracket that I thought that house came in.
If I canvass now I tell them that I must see the property first this is for thier benifit as well as mine.. if they push for a price over the phone I get as good as possible description of the property and give them a initial price for the first clean explaining that if it needs to be ajusted once I've seen the property I'll give them a new price before I do them again, Normally if the price needs to be increased and I tell them as they pay me they normally try to give me the new price (I refuse this saying that I agreed the price for the first clean) great way to start building thier trust and goodwill.

[pjulk]

No i don't give a price over the phone.
I used to and always seemed to get it wrong.
When customers ring me up and say how much do you charge.
I just tell them i couldn't possibly give a price over the phone and would need to see the property before i could tell them.
If they then say no i only want a rough price i then still say i can't even give you a rough price without seeing first.
I then tell them when i could come and take a look.
I never go straight away as some people want i usually go a few days later or if im in that area that week go then .i don't want them thinking im desperate for work.
Most people usually except this if not they can always ring someone else.

Paul

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

never give a price over the phone. you will be bound to under or over price, its far better to see the customer face 2 face then give price this way you can justify your price if they think its a tad to high, finally personal contact is far better than a phone call, i can only recall one person saying to me that they thought the  price was to high and won't have it done, thats not to say im to cheap far from it just reasonable

[Roy Harding]

Never give a price over the phone, a customer may say I only have 3 windows up and 2 down and a door. But what they did not say was you have to put your ladder over a roof or in a brook to get them. Always go and see.

[Ian_Giles]

When they ask how much, I always tell them my minimum charge for any property, but warn them I can only give a proper price by seeing the property.

I am always politely unequivacal. Sometimes they say thanks but no thanks, the bottom price I charge is to high for them, but that isn't a problem, saves me a journey out to give a price, cos I obviously wouldn't have got the job anyway!!

Ian

[marc al]

  I haven't been going too long either and have shot myself in the foot several times, I have even managed to have a damn good for my feet after seeing a property! I have got one that I am about 5 quid under, my fault I know, but she recommended me to her neighbour and told her how much she was paying for the identical house, so now I have 2 that are way below price, you live and learn!
  On the other hand I have started to be braver now I have more work, and am starting to pick up some good earners to make up for the poorer ones.

[paulp]

Thanks everyone....... all the info you have given will probably sink in, more than likely after i have just priced a 6 bed semi with conservatory over the phone for £5.50.

[AuRavelling79]

And tell them (whether over the phone or not) you charge more (usually plus 50% up to 100% extra) for the first clean to get it up to scratch.

[marc al]

 I always do the first clean for the regular amount, as long as they agree to every 4-5 weeks, otherwise it goes up depending on how regular the work is. NEVER do facias and windows at a good price hoping to get a new customer, you will get stung.

[Gordon Watson]

[...] NEVER do facias and windows at a good price hoping to get a new customer, you will get stung.

What do you mean Malc? 

[reah]

The thing about giving prices over the phone when you have canvased is that you do not want another cleaner to know how much you charge you never know who you are posting the leafletts too. I was working a couple of months ago and bumped into another cleaner cleaning two doors down said hi, he asked me how much i was charging before i could answer him in a way without revealing the price he said that they had just put there prices up from £5.50 to £6.00.I was charging £8.00. I have also picked up another 3 houses there last clean and charged £8.50.The other cleaners without being rude are always filthy ,fAg hanging from there mouths use the same cloth to detail and wipe the sills.I suppose you pay fpr what yoy get.

[dustycorner]

Hi all,

never easy when the customer wants a price over the phone, i politely refrain from giving a price due to the fact they might be living in a greenhouse. normally gets a laugh, also important to remember they contacted you indicating they need your services so you have a level of control in the discussion if handled correctly.

Cheers Mark.

[windows_chepstow]

Before I was a window cleaner I was in the Army, posted not too far down the road from here.  Anyway; the whole camp married quarter area didn't have a window cleaner so after a few phone calls I pinned a window cleaner down.

He said he didn't do my area. 
I told him I'd pay him double. 
He said, 'no'. 
I said, 'treble' for a one off clean.  He said okay.
I asked how much.
He wouldn't tell me till he saw the property.

Eventually he turned up, said six pounds, so I agreed £18 (I acutally paid him £20).

But my point is, I was slightly worried that he might go over the top and really try and stick the price on me.  You hear so much about 'rip off Britain' and 'dodgy tradesmen'.

I don't think it would hurt to say the average cost for my bog standard, three bedroomed semi, without leaded or georgian windows and without a conservatory is £X amount, and if their house is bigger or more difficult, they'll be charged more.

If, at that point they think you're too expensive, you've saved yourself a journey.  If not, at least their minds are put at rest.