When I first joined this almost a year ago, it was interesting to see that most on the forum, the likes of kevin and chris etc, encouraged others to always quote for work at high prices, with an assurance to the prospect customer of a premium service whch would justify this premium price.
To be honest, over here in Ireland, window cleaning jobs are always offered to the lowest bidder.
I wonder what everyones position on this premium price - premium service theory is now, given the state of the global economy. Are you still hiking prices and looking to quote at high prices in the hope of securing a job, or is low pricing becoming a key selling factor?..(i dont mean low balling, just competitive pricing)
We have lowered our prices a bit this year on certain specials… Kind of a “recession special” Our base prices for the most part are still the same. We have also been more lenient on people giving a credit card deposit… Simply in effort to keep as much work on the schedule as possible while remaining profitable.
We haven’t lowered our price. Of course we haven’t raised it either. We will be doing a mailer to stimulate summer business and offering something like $30 off any service scheduled before August 31st. Other than that we are seeing an increased revenue this year. February and March were busier that either of the last 2 years and April numbers are up as well.
I’m sending out Spring reminders this Monday. (a little late I know)
There will be no price increases to existing residential clients.
That said, I have been handing out some of the highest quotes (to new customers) lately since I started my biz 2 years ago and I’m landing plenty of them in the $350-450 range. It seems most of the “have’s” still have it.
I had a customer at a University that I did everything possible for. For 9 yrs. I went back over glass that birds pooped on after we already cleaned it, scraped off a lot of scotch tape without charging extra, you name it, we did it. It was the one job I thought was safe. Someone underbid me and took it.
That’s the kind of environment we are operating in.
ive kept prices the same for loyal existing clients (residential), and have raised my minimum inside and out price for residential by approx 89% with good results. Alot of residential jobs im booking over the phone now as they will fall into the minimum or near minimum with me only going to quote larger homes, so im saving time as well. I have also made the screen cleaning standard on all resi jobs no extra, unless they are like so dirty you cant see through them. On storefront my minimum now is $12 per side.
I have found that the A class customer is a hard one to land. Even after landing them they always seem to try an squeeze more out of the service. I don’t go for that bull and if the customer keeps pushing I drop them. Example. Cleaning an arch a couple of weeks back. While on the ladder inside the customer hits up with “Oh while your up there could you dust off my chandeler? Just a quick dusting you know, what do you think?” “I don’t offer that in my service. I’m no covered for chandelers in my insurance.” “Oh it’s ok just dust it off, no biggy” “Ok well I can do it a dusting for $50” “Oh you are going to charge me? Nevermind” BULL CRAP!!!. I felt like asking her, how would you feel if i asked you to give me something for free when it comes to your business. Not just something free but free with a risk. If I broke that thing you know that customer would have been all over me. I dont mind tossing in a couple of free windows when there but not something that big. Anyway back on topic. I feel it’s best to focus most of your time looking for the whale customers. Less work, more money. I spent last month going to a few golf courses. I have gotten a few of them. When I run the numbers, those jobs almost equal 1/2 of last years profits on res work. Simple numbers, simple logic. There are people willing to spend the money more so now in maintainence service because they don’t want to spend the 20 grand to remodel their kitchen. So grab some of that banked 20 grand they have waiting for the remodel.
Mike, the window cleaning industry in this country is quite different to that in the U.S…firstly there are not many operators…i suppose given our small population this is not surprising. All but one or two operators are one man shows…and as dissapointing it is to say this, many are rouge traders, operating on a cash only basis.
The window cleaner here is usually someone looking to make a quick few bucks for a few weeks, he then disappears where he is replaced by someone else looking to make some cash for a few weeks. I suppose this is good for the likes of me, where i can offer a reliable and continued service.
In my opinion the industry does not command much respect from the general public here. The public see window cleaning as something that they should do themselves with a bottle of windex and a j-cloth.
I highly regard everyone who is a member of this forum as the dedication you all show to your work and business is amazing. Overseas you perticipate in trade shows and conventions, you become members of WC’ing associations.
So to answer your question, the job is offered to the lowest bidder due to :
A) The general publics perception of window cleaning, its not considered a service which offers a premium price
B) The many fly by window cleaners whom offer extremely low prices.
That said there are many cleaners in my area who run reptuable business…its just a shame that the trades reputation
and some traders downgrade our pricing system.
Anyway, apologies are in order. ive gone totally off topic in answering mikes query:D
One of the reasons I moved to the USA much better money cleaning windows here ha ha
Yanks don’t like to clean their own windows and being a loveable Brit they love me so like taking candy from a baby LOVE THIS JOB.
