[jana08]

Hi everyone

can anyone please help me?

I was asked to quote a office clean yesterday, I went to view it this morning. But have no idea what to quote.

you see they are getting a new cleaner because the current cleaner is not doing the job properly.

It will be 3 mornings a week at 2 1/2 hours each day.

I think it will need cleaners on the job because theres so much they want done.

They have said the other cleaners charged £309.25 a month with VAT.

What should I do? and what should I quote?

As they are after quality would you risk it and put in a quote for two cleaners?

 

[shelton]

To be honest, the first thing you should be considering is TUPE.

It's unlikely that they can just replace the existing cleaner, but this does depend entirely on the circumstances.

You could find yourself having to take on the existing cleaner, even though they are not doing the job.  Taking this person on could, potentially, affect your quotation so I would be very careful in rushing in.

You need to establish the exact circumstances of the present incumbant - i.e. how many hours they do, at what rate, who they work for, is this customer the main reason for their employment (if with another cleaning company), etc, etc, etc .. .

On the information given, in my neck of the woods, we would probably go in with a quote of £400-450 every 4 weeks for the hours you have quoted.

On the price they have quoted and the hours you've provided, this means the incumbant is charging approx £9 (rough maths).

I wouldn't go in that low, but many do.

[Gilbert Sprous]

When I do the math it comes to about 8.27 per hour for the 309.25 per month.  I have found in the past that I can clean some places in about 3/4 of the time to a better standard than other companies I have replaced.  The problem is when I bring staff in.  If you do not have the staff that can perform to your standards it is harder to charge a premium.  If you are planning on doing it yourself, you will probably be surprised.  I have been able to bid jobs at a higher rate, convincing the client that quality will improve.  I spent the time getting the place to standard, then I find I can keep it to standard in a lot less time, never had any complaints yet.  I have some clients that I use staff with and some that I do myself, but I have cleaned everyone from the begginning so that I can show my staff exactly what needs to be done to keep the client happy, and believe me that varies greatly.  I have one office, as long as the pots are cleaned meticuously then they are happy.  They could care less about the rest, but dont slip up on those pots, not one little stain in a tea cup.  That one is 5 hours a week, it takes me around 2 1/2 hours a week now that I have it to standard and I still get the original amount that I bid and I bid it at about 10.50 per hour.  So basically I am making about 20 per hour on it.  I had a girl in there for a bit, but she almost lost the client for me so I had to sack her, I will get someone else in later but until then, 2 1/2 hours per week is not bad and it is only around the corner from my house.

TUPE can be a problem, but to my experience, it is only a problem once it becomes a problem.  Warn the client about it, it really should only come into play if the current cleaner has been there for more than a year but always check it out, it does not matter how long the cleaner has been with the current cleaning company but how long they have worked on the clients site.  If it is the cleaners fault and you go in there and make them do thier job, they usually will not stick around long. 

Cheers and good luck

[jana08]

thank you for you advice.

ive read up a little on TUPE before but aint really sure about it.

[jana08]

Shelton how did you come up with that quote if you dont mind me asking?

and Gilbert Sprous how much would you charge?

[Gilbert Sprous]

I would probably bid it at 312.50 + VAT per month (360 per month incl. VAT) That comes to about 9.61 per hour.  To do this you will have to make sure that they understand that the quality is the issue and that you will fix the problem.  I would go in there there the first few times and put in what hours it took to get it up to standard and then would probably be able to take the time it took me to about 1 3/4 hours a visit to keep it to standard.  That takes a good site map, performance schedule and cleaning schedule.  I figure this by putting in a 35% margin on an employee that would make 6.25 per hour.  So if you do it yourself, and you do get it down to around the 1 3/4 hour mark you will be making close to 13.75 per hour. 

Good luck

[shelton]

Sorry, cocked that up a bit.  Our standard rate is £12/hr, so 7.5hr * £12 * 4wk = £360

Of course, we'd deviate on the rate in order to obtain the business - it depends on how much we want it - i.e. is it near to other customers (cut down on fuel, etc.), does the day/time they require fit in with the rota, etc.

So, £360 would be the highest level . .. .. if it ticked all of the "want it" boxes, I'd probably drop to £320/330 but no more.

We're not VAT registered, so don't add that on.

[jana08]

OK thats great help thank you.

Does anyone have a template of how to write up a quote by any chance.

If so please could you send a copy to me at brighterclean@live.com

Thanks

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi
Can i ask what type of cleaning you are doing at the moment is it domestic??

Thanks
Karl

[jana08]

I do domestic, commertial and office cleaning.

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi
A quote should include, areas to be cleaned, job specification, Health and safety policy statement, quotation letter, terms of contract, acceptance, a copy of your employers and public liability insurance, method statements and risk assessments.
You really needed these to be in place before you even started  quoting for contracts.

You can find some of these documents on this site and the others you will have to research on the world wide web ie Business Link etc.
I hope this helps you

Karl

[shelton]

 

If you are already involved in commercial and office cleaning, why are you asking for advice and docs??

Just a bit confused.

[chloejayne]

ummmm 

[jana08]

Thank you Karl for your help.

Sheldon the answer to your question is the other commercial contracts I have in place i didnt quote for. I had phone calls which asked me to go and view the shops and then tell them how much I would charge for the job in hand. There was no Competition.

[suffolkclean]

Sheldon the answer to your question is the other commercial contracts I have in place i didnt quote for. I had phone calls which asked me to go and view the shops and then tell them how much I would charge for the job in hand. There was no Competition.

 

[chloejayne]

Charging £8/£9 ph is fine if you can cut the hours down! what happens if you clean when office is open? "opps poop wage"

[Gilbert Sprous]

I think you mean oops not opps  ,  I have a couple that I bid exactly as I have said and they are open when I clean.  Most clients are more concerned about quality more than quantity.  If you are meeting their needs usually, (again let me stress usually) it is not a problem.