So I am thinking about how I give Quote/Invoice customers and I am curious as to what others do. Also the pros and cons to each type. So right now my proposal literally will say Exterior Window Cleaning $200.00 Interior Window Cleaning $130.00. I believe the pros to this are the simplicity, the customer can’t say over think it and go well why is this window $20 and this ones $10 because they just get a job price not a break down. It is also nice in that it is quick and easy to read and provokes a yes or no decision. However for people that have a quote/invoice that is detailed I believe the pro to that is it kind of justifies your price to the customer and reminds them what all you are charging for. Mrs. Johnson you have a 2 level home with 36 panes of glass, we are going to clean those plus 12 screens and the price is such and such. The major con to this is your providing more information which can be argued? Well I only counted 20 windows so what do you mean I have 36 panes. Ok I just counted the panes and got 34. Did you get the sliding doors Mrs. Jones . . . see the problem. Anyhow I am just curious on how detailed or not detailed you go on quotes/proposals and what you break down. Also with gutter cleaning do you have sq footage or linear feet multiplied by dollar amounts on your gutter proposal, what about a check mark next to gutter guards or non walkable roof.
Yes. You are correct.
Did you figure it out in your head or is this the voice of experience speaking?
I’ve had horrifying experiences from having a detailed invoice. Let us call it motivated misunderstanding.
I would keep it simple and maintain a detailed client house record in your day book or journal for your own benefit. Then on the invoice mention something about if there would be any questions then notify us and we can provide context.
There is no need to give an itemized bill. It works well for me to just figure what it is going to cost for windows, tracks, and screens to be cleaned; I often split that up and give a complete inside and outside price, and an outside only price. In my eleven years I have only had one customer ask for interior only. I also show separately any screen repairs and gutter cleaning. I don’t give them a chance to say “Well, I don’t want to pay for the screens to be cleaned” or any other “Do this but don’t do this”. One price for the job offered - Window cleaning (tracks & screens included) - Screen Repair - Gutter Cleaning. If they want a window by window breakdown then they are not my customer.
KISS
Keep It Simple Stupid.
My favorite slogan because I tend to over complicate everything. I use to make detailed estimates even though I was told not to do it. Lesson learned.
Let’s hear a story or two
Agree with keeping it simple. No need to justify your pricing. We’re selling a luxury service, not a commodity. Also, once you’ve done this long enough, you’ll realize that even though your tried and true “x per window” price will work on 95% of estimates, sometimes you’ll need to adjust the overall price slightly higher or lower to account for PITA customers/jobs or jobs that you know you’ll be able to knock out very efficiently.
Years ago I worked for a large outfit in N VA. They itemized everything and had three pages of window shapes, sizes and heights coupled with prices.
I’ve found the KISS method is what most people prefer, in/out with screens and sills done for one price…depending on height and accessibility. The invoice/receipt just shows the final cost plus tax.
Construction clean got reinterpreted different to what I expected - middle-size - two story house with conservatory - it was my first job by myself at 19 and I charged 100 euro for a day’s work. I did the windows in and out but if I recall there was a conservatory roof I didn’t clean because it didn’t need it and was made from plastic. She believed I was supposed to - I said it wasn’t the original plan - she said my invoice said all windows - I said I didn’t factor that in - I didn’t get paid at all - no rude words exchanged just refused to pay until I gave in. Which I did not. I was exhausted after that day and refused. I said 100 euro was a excellent deal for what had been done.
She was from New York and though I do not live in the US now I know why most of America isn’t as keen on them as they are on themselves. She was supposed to be Irish-American but more Plastic-American by the face. This women is literally my neighbour - sure thinks she’s a cute hoor. I had fantasies about burning down her house for about a year after.
You ever care to give a glass only quote? I would lose a lot of jobs buy including not so much the screens but dirty dirty tracks in all my bids. You could take a $420 quote to $280 at glass only and land the job. I feel like some customers want quality and some want lower cost. I’m not talking tire kickers I’m talking people that will pay your price if you just did glass but with the full meal deal you are to high.
I don’t know, those aren’t my customers. When cleaning the glass only, your solution will drip down on the dirty tracks and leave a muddy mess. Not a clean window IMO. The customer will be left with a mess every time they look at it. Window cleaning is just that, and why you don’t itemize for windows price, tracks price, screen price. The job is to leave an awesome impression of something they couldn’t (or wouldn’t) do themselves.
Absolutely. I provide a total price but I am clear as to what it includes and what it doesn’t. I make it clear that I don’t remove paint splatters.
I 100% understand what you are saying and respect that. It sounds like you want to do a quality job. I know for me personally I have cleaned about 5 tracks in the last 6 months and they were done upon request, my other customers do not even mention tracks and they don’t bring it up. I have found if I bring up tracks customers want it and then complain about the price. However if I do not bring up tracks they do not complain about the price or call me back about dirty tracks so I just don’t mention it. Most of my competitors don’t bring up tracks either. I do agree though about saying that it is included as opposed to itemized. It provides value if something is included as opposed to priced separately like a hotel saying breakfast is included as opposed to charging separately. Customers feel like they are nickel and dimed when they see every charge. I am more so referencing guys that use a window count or cutter length etc. Thanks for the feedback.
I 100% make it verbally clear and in my terms and condition that post construction debris and hard water are not part of a standard cleaning.
This has never really been an issue for me but on some estimates that I thought it may be an issue I added some wording to the estimate to make sure that was clear. How do you word this on your estimate?
I address it on the walk through before the job starts. If I see a bunch of that stuff I explain that it is above and beyond a standard window cleaning. They have the option to pay for its removal or live with it.
Word which part?
Sorry, just realized that you said you make it “verbally clear”. I was trying to figure out the wording you use on written estimates that construction debris/hard water staining isn’t included. Every time I add it on there it just sounds clunky. Haven’t come up with a good way to word it that I’m happy with lol
Got ya. I’m going to add something similar to my estimates. Fortunately not having it has only bitten me in the butt once.
