Just got back from doing a bid on a huge 2 story home. Tall windows all French panes. One window alone opening had 56 panes in it. All total 478 individual panes inside and out = 956 panes x .75 per pane = $755 and it would likely take me 2 days to do.
The guy told me he had it done a year ago for $250. Told him there is no way I would go that low. We shook hands and I left.
Wow! All that ladder work and small pane window cleaning, detailing edges, cleaning tracks and sills and frames for $250? No wonder that guy is out of business and I was called. I’ll replace it with two more jobs that are worth me cleaning that much.
you should call him back in a week or two and ask him if he’s found someone else to do it for that price. If not, you may have a chance at the job for your price, if you follow up. Never hurt to try.
Good thought Michael. I was thinking I’d write it off as I don’t get 100% of my bids. I did give my plug of 20% for quarterly or semi-annual after initial cleaning. I’ll call him later next week as a follow up.
yeah. It may be a complete waste of time. I’ve landed a few that were initially shocked at my price, after having a lowballer out before. Though they couldn’t justify spending $750 (for example) compared to $200 the previous time, but once they got another estimate or two (for say $500 or $600) your price looks a little more sane. Especially if you stressed your uniqueness and why you’re the best one to solve their problem.
Yep. I explained how I detail each pane of glass and it’s frame then clean the window sills, tracks, and frames as best that they can get done. Some have old paint chips, but most were in good condition that way so it shouldn’t be a huge pain to get cleaned.
Yes, he said it was a retired guy who did them in/out in a day. I’m thinking the home owner is a little foggy on his memory? The windows are mostly 12’s and 16’s (panes per window) with a couple bigger ones. In/out for the price he speaks of is like 25¢ each. Maybe the guy WFP’d the outsides or something? I could drop my price some, but not $500.00. I do another similar windowed home - lots of windows, difficult to get to - comes to $618 twice a year. So I think 75¢ per pane is good.
If you go too low you’ll be kicking yourself, $250 is outrageously low for that many windows. Fortunately I have never given anyone a bid where they come back and say somebody else did if for a lot less. If I knew it would take me 2 days I’d charge $750 as well.
Me either on the “lot less”. I could see if someone else was a couple hundred bucks less than me, but how can I be over $500.00 off on my pricing? I did a customers house about a mile away from this one and she said my price was $200 over what Fish quoted her but wanted me to do the job because I explained how I detail and clean glass, frame, tracks and sills as best as they come clean. (older wood frame windows). Plus I signed her up for quarterly’s.
One huge window has 65 panes, another has 35, another 24, 2 @ 15 panes, 15 french pane doors (15 panes each), 13 @ $9, entry door with stained glass ($10). Five windows would need a ladder indoors.
I know $755 is a lot. Depending on his thoughts next week I could drop it $200, but from my inspection it’s a whole day and probably part or most of the next. Inside will be a little slow with ladder and being careful not to slosh etc. Lots of antiques inside.
