We are doing great in the residential department but slacking majorly with the commercials. I have know idea on how to place a bid on the strip malls or office buildings. Someone please tell me what I need to do cause Im going crazy here. I have been cleaning glass for a long time just not for myself so I have never had to go out and find the work. Now that I have started my own thing I am lost on how to get the big jobs.
stick to residential. or you can do commercial for aout 1/2 the rate.
Why do you want to do Commercial sooo bad?
Getting the big jobs is the same as the small jobs: find the decision maker. Don’t be scared to ask people who the decision maker is. I’ve walked into some places with a quote in hand and told the secretary that I’m there to deliver a quote for window washing. Most times they assume that you’ve been asked by the decision maker to deliver it, so they point you in the right direction.
I have not found commercial to be 1/2 of residential. Maybe certain areas are more competitive then others. Personally I enjoy having a mix of both.
I haven’t found commercial to be that bad either. Medium to large commercial, I can make 70 or 80 bucks an hour, or 500 or 600 bucks a day or more.
Find the decision maker, and ask for him/her
make good notes on potential clients.
be persistent
call every week, if there is some interest
set a good minimum price, like at least $10/store
don’t be afraid to hear a lot of nos
be open to working sub for a janitor or property management company.
Thanks W.W.W. for the info
I would also say forget about commercial.
It’ll take you 5 times longer to end up making the same money.
FYI: I have many lucrative existing commercial contracts, that earn us great money.
FYI#2: I was foolish to fight for them when the residential work pays just as well, and you can find it and build it faster.
I don’t understand this math (not being facetious)
I think you just have to go and ask for the business, even if they have a wc already. I’ve also walked in with an estimate already done and handed it to the person in charge. I had a lady call me the other day after receiving 1 of my postcards and tell me she’s never even thought to have her windows done professionally…i got the acct.I think some people think its too expensive and dont even bother to check into prices. Anytime I’m somewhere and the windows are dirty, I ask if they have a wc and ask if i can leave an estimate.Any new construction, i try to get there before another wcer does.
theres good money in store fronts/strip malls, easy money, i think…I did 5 vacant store fronts today in a strip mall (theyre trying to rent them) 4 in /out 1 out ,2 hrs $450.00. Dont forget about asking about windows on vacant units…if they look good they may rent quicker
what don’t you understand?
