Alright I have been cleaning windows for a little while now but occasionally loose my shirt when I clean something for the first time (or in some cases the only time) So should I charge more for the initial clean or just take the hit and make it up over time? What if the job is only every 6 months etc? Should it be a percentage or flat dollar amount added to the job?
Thanks
Depends, we usually charge 25-30% more if they are real bad and first clean. Don’t run into it to often though, every once in awhile. Hard water removal of course ups the price big time. But just really dirty windows we add 25-30%. We explain to them our pricing structure and let them know what the price will be if they maintain them, we’ve never had a problem with that from customers. We do mainly residential but when we did do commercial we would do it that way. With residential it’s similar. That’s just how we do it, hope that helps.
If it is a route job, and I have a firm schedule, such as once a month minimum. Then I don’t usually charge extra for initial cleans.
CCU’s are a different beast. Initial cleans are just really dirty, but if it is a Construction Clean Up, charge double at least.
This is more about your business model than the job. Are you building a route or doing seasonal commercial/residential/industrial? Figure that out first, and if the frequency does not fit in with the goals of your business, then either charge a lot more or refuse the work.
Sounds like you have experienced this already, you have probably been taken advantage of. Don’t worry, just learn from it. You may want to adopt the policy of “I don’t do one time cleans”, very often people are happy to pay you for an initial clean with no intention of having you return. Either nail down a recurring schedule, or charge them through the nose realizing that you may never see them again.
It’s a fine balance.
Thanks Dan.
Thanks!
I add 20-30% for initial cleans if they are really dirty windows.
If they aren’t that bad I’ll book it in at normal pricing. If they become a regular client then the next clean will be quicker/easier so you’ll make more then, if its a one off so be it.
Also, just ask the customer, 'is this a one off clean or would you like me to build you into my regular cleaning schedule?" Your customer service skills need to be shown from the outset, communicate well, know what you’re booking in and build the best client relationship you can.
As Dan said, know yout business, be the best you can, if you think you will not the money that you’r after, say no, move on. Sometimes you can get into the thinking that you have to underprice to get the work and then you work your butt off and don’t make the money you need. Whereas people are actually prepared to pay a professional (like you) to work they don’t want to (and window cleaning is fairly high on that list) so price accordingly.
Thanks Giles!
Absolutely! You know best. I also ask if this will be a 1 time clean or a recurring job (for commercial). Based on how bad the windows are / accessibility and frequency I’ll make the best judgment I can. I try to walk with 100.00 per man hour. So if the windows are going to take longer on the first clean I will adjust. Idk if that’s to vague ?
Thanks!