[Paul Phillips]

Experienced pro's.........

Just been out to quote first job, small-ish HSL.
Got course on Tuesday next week with Prochem, Van arriving Monday, pick Equipment up on Monday afternoon. Been out all week doing leaflets....

Question, Am I on the right track??
Quote for 15 Metres of the HSL was £52.50..... she said she'll let me know.

Leaflets are damn hard work by the way after 15 years of flying a desk!

Paul

[David_Annable]

Seems resonable to me.

Dave

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi Paul
Welcome to our wonderful industry.

Price sounds about tight to me.

If you are charging like most of us, by the size, just a tip for costing stairs. Don't measure them, charge by the unit eg. 12 stairs @ £x = £y. Much easier.

My preference is to round everything to the nearest £.  I don't like odd pence, even 50p's.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Martin S]

Paul,

There are other people on this forum better qualified than I to comment, but here's my two penneth.

It really depends on how you come across and sell yourself, your abilities and professionalism to the prospective client, how your client perceives you, whether they are simply looking for the cheapest job, whether they prefer image, percieved quality and trust, customer service, quality of clean more important than cheapest price.  Most important of all, if the market you are aiming at is prepared to pay the prices you want to charge.  There are so many variables and you, like I, won't get it right first time.  It is trial and error.  the important thing is, that we learn from our mistakes, and move forward.

Some people do their weekly food shop at Lidl, some go to Harrods.

Horses for courses.

Regards.

Martin

[Paul Phillips]

All,

Thanks for the replies so far.
Ken, I measured the landing/hallway, but took each stairway as a square metre and informed the Madam as such. Was a bit nervous when first in there, but with a couple of little kids running around it was easy to feel at ease after a moment or two. I did mention to the lady that I would NOT be the cheapest, but I would take my time and make sure the job was worth every single penny she paid.
I am aiming this venture at people who can afford it, obviously with some work for the OAP's out there at a reduced rate (referals to friends/family to be gained). Fully commited to doing the best job I can and if it takes time to build then so be it, but I have had my own carpets cleaned by a guy who was in and out in about 1 hour (HSL, Lounge, Dining room and two bedrooms) and the carpets were wet for days!
I hope to leave a customer with carpets as dry as possible with the feeling that their money was well spent.

Paul

[Nigel_W]

Paul,

With an attitude like that you are already half way there. Demonstrating that you have done the best possible job = returning customers and recommendations. This in turn leads to higher prices and rewards.

Good luck in your new venture.

Nigel

[Phil Marlor]

I agree with Nigel, you have to be patient in the 1st couple of years, you will start to get a few regulars/recomendations if you are good.

As for H/S/L, unless its a big house most are roughly the same size, set your self a price say £55.00 to £65.00 dont keep measuring them all.

Phil

ps When a customer says I will let you know it usually means no. (hope I am wrong)

If the customers says I need to speak to my Husband it means you will definately NOT get the job.

[Paul Phillips]

Phill,

Couldn't agree more regarding the speak with husband thing. I was just glad to get the chance to actually quote a job, not too worried at this stage if I get it - although it would be nice. For me, the most important part right now is just getting calls from the leaflets, the rest is down to sales on the door-step and proving my work is quality when I eventually get a job.

Nice to know I am on the right track, thanks guys!

Paul

[Ian Rochester]

Paul,

You seem to have the right mentality, better than some new and potential starters that post on the forum.

I would recommend that once you have got your gear you spend your first couple of weeks getting to know your new equipment and put into practice what you have been shown on the course and what you have picked up from this forum. 

Don't worry about earning money from day one, you will do yourself more harm than good if you go out there guns blazing straight away, if you get bookings, make them for the beginning of week 2 after you have had time to practice. 

Get your family and friends to let you loose on their carpets and suites, no two suites are the same and they are an eye opener when you first start off doing them, the sweat was dripping off me when I did my first one for a neighbour, (only charged her a haircut and a bottle of wine for it).  Practice setting up, loading and unloading everything, understand what each chemical is for and when it is required.

The secret is to make all your mistakes whilst you are working on these carpets and suites, not when you are out doing a job for a paying customer.  Buy the little things that you haven't already got with your kit, ie: hammer, carpet or ring nails, brushes, cloths, towels, invoice book, pens, business cards, etc, etc.

Good luck, use the forum, there is VAST knowledge on here and if you are willing to contribute most people will be willing to help.

[David_Annable]

I was told by a successfull sales person once-

" They either dont like you or they dont like the price "

personally I think there are a few more variables than that.

I cant think of a better job than ours.

Dave

PS If there is a secret to selling not seeing it as a personal rejection must be up there.

[dave401uk]

Paul, its refreshing to read your post, and good luck to you,you seem to have set yourself definate goals and targets and your approach is the right one,good luck to you.

Dave

[rs_cleancare]

Hi, Like yourself i have recently started up my own carpet cleaning business in Cheltenham. Been up and running now for 8 months things have been slow but work is picking up. I put out 5000 leaflets every other week not the sort of responce i would like so going to try new leaflet.
Where are you based and where abouts are you leaflets going out?
Good luck with the new venture!

[paul@scc]

Paul
 
       I started 9 months ago and think you have the atitude to make it never be afraid to ask a question on here however daft you think it is. The guys on here have really made a difference to the way i run my buisness. There a great bunch of mardy blokes but they do help

[Barry Pearce]

Paul
Some of the best ex carpet cleaners you will ever hear of are now lorry drivers, no business sence.
Lesson one, get yourself  a good accountant.
Barry

[Mike Halliday]

As Sigmund Freund once said ' sometimes a cigar is just a cigar'  if the wife says she want to talk to her husband perhaps she meen just that, most couples have to discuss spending amounts over a certain limit ( eg; £100)

this is why sometimes its best not to price during the day when only the housewife is at home, when I sold double glazing we were told never give a price to half the couple, they will only tell the other half the price, without telling all the benefits of your cleaning.

Mike

[Barry Pearce]

Paul
Already there are several posted items of good advice, and if you trawl back through the subjects about beginers and the like you might end up with several pages of common sence do`s and don`ts, simple things like " always close the gate" ""never walk in front of the window to get to the next letterbox" "dont walk up to the house smoking" " have plastersize clip on identity badge with photo" it adds authouity, there are so many things you need to do to, first to turn you into a business man then you can play at being a carpet cleaner.
Barry

[Ken Wainwright]

May I offer an alternative perspective on the "Talk with my husband" scenario.

I am confident when quoting that I'm very likely to win the order. When presenting the quotation I add  words such as "You can consider and discuss my quotation in your own time, and if you'd like to accept part or all of it, you can phone me and book it in" type of thing. I nearly always walk out with the order   Yesterday was a classic example. Master bed, nursery, bathroom & lounge.  £202. Husband was at home but I only saw him long enough to say hello. Finished quote, did the spiel. No consultation just "When can you do it?"

Why does this approach work for me? To be honest, I don't know, but as usual, I have a theory. Firstly, the prospect will feel relaxed, unpressured and in control. Secondly, they may feel that they are women (or men) who can make descissions for themselves so take the initiative and act positively.  It's a soft sell rather than a hard sell. Naturally, as previously mentioned above, the prospect needs to be comfortable with you and your professionalism.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[paul@scc]

I think you the biggest mistake is that paul said he wasnt the cheapest gives the impression someone out thee is cheaper id leave that part out and just point out the good bits i neve walk out on a ill ring you i like a yes or no

[Chris Bailey]

Hi Paul

Like most on here, you are about there with price.  Don't be too cheap or you'll work yourself silly.

I have adopted Ken's method of pricing stairs, price per step, including riser of course.

The only negative I would draw from your post is not to tell customers that you are not the cheapest!! becuase they will go and find the cheapest!

But this will come as you gain more confidence with your equipment and process as knowing what you are talking about WILL sell the job.

If you can't book the job there and then, then it is fair to say that in most cases you won't get it so try and close the sale and book the appointment when you do the survey.

Best of luck

Chris

[CRAIG LIND]

Hi Paul
           Ive been c c now for 18 months, i find it very enjoyable, if you like things spick and span yourself you will always have a satisfied customer, i dont class c c as a job more as a well paid hobby, a bit like a pro footballer. Best Of Luck.
Operating in the Dursley/stroud area, be good to hear from you