I never done office buildings before, I mainly just do storefronts but this guy ask me to quote him on two office buildings that are next to each other. Here is a picture of just one of them since you can see it better on google earth. I am going to to meet him next week to give a quote.
It looks like to be around 100 windows. All the windows pretty much are the same size. How much would you price per window? I am not using a waterfed pole, and no ladders will be used.
Is he looking for interior/exterior?
Are there screens on the interior to deal?
Is he looking for a new service provider, or is this a one off?
For the second story especially, with no ladder, I’d be sure to check for sap. Looks like a lot of trees close by and sap will sometimes sprinkle of the windows. Very hard to remove without a razor/0000 wool/dish scrubby. (In my experience.)
Depends on condition and access, but I am ballparking $3 per pane on lower and $5 per pane on upper, assuming either annual or bi annual clean. If a once off I might do $4 and $6, but likely would stick to $3 and $5.
Looks to be a lot more than a 100 windows total. Be aware of the “well my maintenance guy can get the low floor” If I got them all, I’d be right where @Chargingsnail is. It’s a one off unless YOU sell him on it not being one.
I’d go about $3 lower and $5 upper as well.
If, as mentioned, you get the “our maintenance guy can do the lowers,” you might consider bumping those uppers $1. Having a second building right next door though, your travel would be nothing. Downside would be a little splash/drip from up top getting on those lowers if your moving quick, may need to explain that.
For turning “one offs” into regular customers after the initial clean, I’ve made plastic $25 gift cards. When I’m wrapping up and give the home owner their invoice, I also give them a gift card and explain they can give it to a friend or use it for their fall cleaning. (I had: “Valid though 2019 season” printed on the back.) Be sure to say “Fall cleaning” with confidence. It’s a regular, normal thing that they need. One clean a year does not clean windows make.
My thinking is, if they give it to a friend, it’s a referral and I’m adding to the portfolio. If they use it on their home, I’m building a twice a year pattern in their mind and also have an easier second clean as the initial scrub/clean is done. Also, I’ve found it gives me another touch point; carrying that card with them must be a reminder because I often get several referrals each from the customers I give a card too. Just a helpful option for you.
Thanks for all the good information guys. It helps me to make sure im not under or over pricing. If he doesn’t want them really clean and I can avoid a ladder, should I charge less?
Also what is the best squeegee combination to tackle the top windows? I was thinking of getting a backflip combination washer/squeegee tool. OR I do have two long poles I can put a strip washer on one pole and the squeege on another pole.
Do NOT quote for a specific technique…
Quote to get them clean with a ladder, I really doubt you are going to be able to get them flawless just doing traditional pole work since your asking what to use. You are going to drip water on the lower windows…
If no WFP then just ladder up. Looks like very easy access. You can run around with a small extension ladder and clean them nose to glass much faster than you can with a pole worrying about how they look up there. If I’ve never cleaned them I would assume that I’m going to need some steel/bronze wool or a scrub pad to run over them anyway to get them right. If no screens you can get away at $400. I may even be a little higher. If you have screens to deal with then charge $1/each to remove/quick wipe down/replace or upsell screen washing at a couple bucks per.
What does the bottom windows look like? If they are a mess you can guarantee the top ones suck. In that case you’d better be pretty skilled with a pole to do it that way. If they are bad off just make the commitment that they all need to be scraped and make that your first step on each window [of course you’ll need a pole scraper—with fresh blades].
Good job to bring help to.
I’d say $400 would be an ok price AFTER the first cleaning. If they have anything on them I’d go $600 first time and $400 there after. Use that to close your repeat service [“if done within the next 12 months”].
No such thing as just the tops. Don’t get sucked into that.
Thanks for all the replys helpful info. I checked out the Office Buildings in person.
There are 61 windows on top and 61 windows on the bottom, total 122 windows. They are straight glass Windows, no screens, no double hungs. From what I saw they don’t really any tree sap or anything really bad stuck on them.
Since it will be only me, I’d rather use poles, it would be much quicker. I think I can get away with it since the windows don’t look too bad other than being really dirty. So like others were saying I can charge $4 for a top and $3 for the Bottom.
The second office building is identical and is getting new stucco paint put on it. I don’t know if that’s going to be a problem after he’s finished and ready for the windows to be clean. Hopefully there will be no paint on them.
I feel that if he wants the top windows really clean and I have to use a ladder to meet his expectations, I should be charging more for the top windows.
Quote for worst case scenario, hope for the easiest outcome and increase profits.
At the end of the day should you quote to “pole” it then realizing after you have poled it, checked from the inside and they look like crap and you have to re do them off a ladder, do you think the customer will be ok with you submitting a further quote for doing the job again to a better standard. No you will have to wear the loss.
How much experience do you have with high traditional pole work?
