So why is it many contractors are looking for a window cleaner a week or two before their closing deadline? POOR PLANNING!
These same guys are sometimes looking to pay a low rate; because they don’t realize window cleaning is skilled labor. They have asked us to clean the glass and the frames removing the over-spray paint, drywall mud and stucco because they did not monitor their subs.
Recently, (we were very slow at the time) a post-construction housekeeper called me to give her a bid on cleaning the glass, she was against a hard deadline (this again tells me there has been poor planning). She explained that if we did a good job we could earn their business. It felt like I was in pre-school … (Don’t you love it when people use this line) I explained in a professional way - the results they could expect from us and then she asked me for a lower price!!! Ok, I had to swallow my pride thinking she will have to see our results for me to earn her business.
I made the mistake of assumption; In scoping this job I did not run my fingers on the glass as much as I should have, noting the tile grout that was splattered and slung on the 6 @ 8’ x 4’ sliders. By the time my guys were finished, I ended up paying another $35.00 to cover their wages! Yes, that is a negative! I made the mistake of basing my estimate off the post-construction cleaning from our other contractor who makes his best attempt to protecting the glass and frames.
I encouraged her to check our references, she was impressed!
Working with this person required a lot of hand-holding that we didn’t have to provide on our other jobs. Low and behold we are asked to provide an estimate on two other 3,000 sq. ft. homes, again with tight deadlines, yes I am keeping my radar up because this should not be a standard business practice, especially with this builder as he has a well-established name.
The 2nd job was in worse condition than the first, the home actually looked to be derelict for a couple of years. So I had to quote higher due to the labor and UNEXPECTED potential surprises! The 3rd home was in better shape and we quoted our standard PCC. I than called the lady back and explained; due to our schedule we would not be able to clean the 2nd home, we would be able to clean the 3rd home within her time frame.
She fired us! She said if we were going to work with them we could not pick and choose which home we were going to clean! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujaaaahhhh! :>)
We normally would have not caved on the price as we are considered a Professional Window Cleaner. We sometimes have to explain to our prospective customers: "We give our best price up front, as we know what is going to be required to clean the glass.
Incidentally, we have another contactor we cleaned for in the spring; he liked our work so much he said he has two more projects 6,000 & 19,000 sq. ft., the 6,000 one is 1.25 hours one way out of the range we normally travel. He wants to compensate us for our travel! Now that is a professional!
Hopefully, this may help others in dealing with Post Construction issues and bidding. Post construction cleaning takes 2 to 4 times as long to clean compared to normal window cleaning, so it is important to know your hourly rate to determine the final price.
Remember, you are a professional, not just a window cleaner