[dai]

So we are all enjoying a decent spell of weather. I find that when this happens I get asked more and more often to clean every other month. The problem is I have six days a month on a really compact estate and if you do for one, they will all jump on the bandwagon. Now this estate is well under priced average £5 a house and I was thinking I could post leaflets offering bi monthly cleans at an average of £7.50. Ok I would lose 3 days work if they all went for it but I'm struggling to get round on time anyway. Have any of you done this?
I should be on the WFP this time next month and will be taking on new work anyway. What do you think guys? would they go for it? Dai

[The Bear]

If you have too much work, put them up untill the householder gasps, tell them you have been converted to wfp. dont do 2 monthlys unless they pay half as much again.

[rosskesava]

Hi Dai

I'd go for it. In fact I'd go for £10 and say it's for every 3 months and not 2. Most will huff and puff and say no. Some will say yes.

I'd also say that every 4 weeks is the keep the windows sparkling and shiny but longer than that it is simply to clean off dirt from the windows and the two are different and that 3 months is as good as 2 for that purpose.

Then I'd set about getting more business at better prices.

I don't want to sound critical or anything approaching that but about a year ago we had loads of underpriced jobs and then after we all had an arguement because we got fed up earning little for so much work, we dumped a load of work (politely) and our books were then under half of what we had previously.

We then spent a further few months earning little but we got active and leafleted and door knocked and went for reasonable prices. This summer we are now doing ok.

I think there can some times be a fear of loosing jobs, especially if you've got to know the customer, but as you got that work to start with, you can get more at better prices.

I used to remind myself that the under priced customers don't pay my mortgage.

That can seem a bit hard but I'm a window cleaner to earn money first before the loving doing it.

Cheers

[Marc's on the Glass, LLC]

Yes.  Usually with price increases you will lose a few customers.  You're sifting.  Your increased income along with lose of customers will most likely even out where you make the same amount of money but spend less time corking.

Be cautious with who you increase.  You want to keep your good paying jobs, yeah?  Just increase the under paying ones and it might be just what you need to keep up.

[windows_chepstow]

Dai,

If you're struggling to complete your round monthly, why not up your prices from the £5.00 to £7.50 anyway, for that estate?  

I've posted a letter on this forum that I used on my customers that explains a price increase, and I only lost a handfull.  I mean at the end of the day what's £2.50 extra a month?  It's peanuts for an individual householder.  If you provide a good service and don't burgle them when they're on holiday, they'll be happy to pay.

On estates, it's very rare I do bi-monthly cleans.  I tell my customers it's every month or not at all; then I go into some big spiel about 'all I can do is lay out my wares and if you wish to purchase etc...'.

You'll lose some, but keep others.  And the ones you lose will probably want you back when they can't get another window cleaner in the Yellow Pages, under 'M' for Mug.

[rosskesava]

Hi Tosh

You posting that about your letter has reminded me in a timely way.

Did you post that letter anywhere that is easy to find because I think it's better than my one and we have some customers whose prices we want to increase next month?

Cheers

[windows_chepstow]

Did you post that letter anywhere that is easy to find because I think it's better than my one and we have some customers whose prices we want to increase next month?

I think my original letter was a bit long-winded (like me) but The Bear plagurised it and improved it:

Here's the link to his post:

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=8963.msg66363#msg66363

[Walter Pole]

I started cleaning windows nearly 2 years ago on a 5 week rota.  Then as my number of customers increased I pushed it out to 6 and 7  weeks, rather than turn anyone away or drop anyone.  Now I actively encourage customers with properties away from busy roads to have a 12 week clean rather than 6.

At the same time I explain that rather than be, say £14 every 6 weeks it will be £21 every 12.  Some may say I have halved my annual revenue from that customer, but I haven't as it means I have time to fit in more customers and the 12 weekly cleans are considerably more profitable.  In much the same way that Texas Girl only cleans twice a year but charges $10 per window...every minute spent cleaning is highly profitable.

[dai]

Charter marque, Thats exeacly what I'm now thinking. I have thought in the past that anymore work than I could do in a month was was not needed. In the last 12 years I have either sold off or passed on at least a months work. I now realise that Having the extra work acts as an earnings buffer. I could put up prices to a much higher level and it would not matter if I lost half the round.
What you are doing makes good sense, you are still working full time but for much higher prices. I'm sure customers like it too. OK, most will still want monthly cleans, but many would be happy to pay higher rates for 8 or 12 week cleans. They save money, you make more, and they still have a window cleaner.
Dai.

[simbo]

not been going on my own, but i have started asking customers "how often would you like them cleaned" because whilst a lot do want a regular monthly cleaner even more do not. We all know that they will have to have the windows cleaned at some time, so all i do is have a monthly charge then a higher bi monthly and so on, as i am just in the early stages i do not really care how often just that i keep busy, but lets face it a 2 or 3 monthly clean is going to earn me more money.
Key point though all this work needs to be pretty local.
My reasoning for this reply is as i have found, deliver leaflets, sometimes get called same day or next so in my eyes person really looking for regular. Then you get the ones who call a month or so later, makes me think , yeah want windows done but do not want too regular, so test the water then offer what they want at a good price for yourself

[rosskesava]

Hi Chartermarque

In much the same way that Texas Girl only cleans twice a year but charges $10 per window...every minute spent cleaning is highly profitable.

That is such a great point. That has got me thinking as our books are now full.

Cheers

[Marc's on the Glass, LLC]

That is a great system!  Much more effective for your income and it doesn't strain your schedule.

I guess I thought that you guys were pressed into a 4 week rotation because that's how your customers want it.  If you can get away with a 2 or 3 month rotation and get more customers, while charging more for each service, I'd say that is definitely the way to go

[The Bear]

We seem to have faallen into a similar system.

We started 4 weekly, got too much work, so it went to 5 then 6, now its about 7.

Our prices have increased along the way so we earn more money.

Customers are delighted to see us as they really see the difference.

[texas girl]

Work smarter not harder.

That is the key to success. You guys are on the right track.

As long as you increase your volume so the houses remain scheduled charging more per house and doing each one less often is a matter of numbers.

It is very important that you stay on top of your schedule and let the client know when they will be done next.

It may be a good idea to leave a post at each house with the exact date of their next clean. That way they will have payment ready; you can plan, etc. If someone backs off an agreement made I have been charging a $10.00 show up fee.

Gas is sky high. Calling up to "ask" about cleaning will open the door to turn downs.

 If I call at all it is to say "we are coming on....". I make it very clear when we agree on terms that the first time is more and 2/3 times per year is a bit lower. Then it is easy. No confusion of terms.

I have lost thousands of dollars this past year because I have coasted a lot and have not stayed on top of my regular list. I hate it but things are getting easier with time. I honestly have been doing my best.

I didn't realize how long it takes to heal and get back to normal. Anyway; Charge more per house; Do more houses less often and double your income in time. Keep really good records.

Also if using subs, paying so much per house, whether percentage based or whatever; you can pay out  a bit more at this same time; maybe provide more money for the subs as well.

Always remember; SMARTER NOT HARDER


Love and hugs,

Texas girl  PS; have new pic on calender   

[Sir Squeaky]

It is very important that you stay on top of your schedule and let the client know when they will be done next.

Hi Texas Girl.

To be honest, with our weather it's very difficult to plan ahead and say exactly when you'll turn up.
It only takes a day or so of rain here or there and you're behind again.

Unless you're ruthless enough to turn up in the worst weather you'll never work to particular days.

Obviously higher prices are a good thing, but why more houses less often?
Surely each house is more work then, as it's not just a "keep clean" job.
Most people want it monthly anyway. Maybe I've missed something!

Anyway, glad to hear your work is getting a bit easier.
Another top calender pic, keep them coming!

Roger.

[texas girl]

Hey Squeaky!

Yes, you do have a good point about the weather conditions.

I recently took over many accounts from a guy that is now 69 years old!

All residential. The thing that impressed me about his customers is that  they all did the 6  month rotation and he kept to the date pretty regularly.

What I have done is to tentatively schedule and call ahead.

It is nice to have a combination of types of customers.

I have several people on commercial regulars only and a team that does nothing but houses. (Specialty; 2nd floor, stains, hard to reach). That is the type of labor I do when I do windows. 

I think it is best to have a little bit of everything. If you think about it  30 houses done less often but for $50 instead of $35 each time would eventually be more productive.

But at the same time it is nice to have a base of regulars also that fill in the hours not scheduled.

And it takes time to get the schedule full. I think whatever you are happy with is what you should concentrate on.

As alway's, the main thing is TO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING! Window cleaning is great! It is a fantastic way to make a living.


Hugs, 

Texas Girl

[rosskesava]

Hi Texas

I'm intriqued by how you work.

I'm interested in what ways the way you do things could be done here.

After all, now kids talk about their 'prom' night whereas a few years ago it was unheard of.

I'm interested as to your thoughts as it seems what is done in the USA will be done here in a few years time.

That maybe an odd question and almost impossible to answer but what do you think?

Cheers

Ross

[Marc's on the Glass, LLC]

Most things start in Hollywood, Ross

[rosskesava]

Oh .............

I'd always thought the big prom thing was a film type USA thing.....

Untill my mates son went nuts over wearing or not wearing or having something to wear or something or the other to go to the 'PROM' night.

[dai]

I put it to the test today and every customer I spoke to was up for a 50% increase in price and a bi monthly service.
This was on one of my smaller estates, 6hrs work and 4 car moves.
I am going on the pole in about 2 weeks so will see how I get on with that before introducing it further. I was really surprised how well they took to it. Dai