Went to a meeting with a large window cleaning company at there request for some sub work. I am a newbie business so I thought it might help pay the bills. They haven’t been real good at contacting me back. And now want to send one of their techs out with me to show me some tricks. I kind of took it as an insult as I am a business owner not an employee. What would you do at this point?
Maybe ask what kind of tricks they can show you, because unless he is showing you something that is unique to each building, you can have a seperate meeting for that, he will just be wasting time. If they dont get back to you, to me…that is a bad sign. It may be that they are just busy, but if they are bad on getting back to you, how will it be when it is time to pay? Ask people in your area if they know about these guys…someone has to know them and how they work and how they pay. I would bet that someone on the forum know who they are.
When someone I never heard of wants to sub out to me, I ask everyone I know if they have heard about them. Damien, Bobby Cherry from D’Arcy window cleaning, Doug, Clearview of Eastlake, my window man…everyone. Just because I dont know them dont mean anything, I am new to the game too, and I found one that wanted to pay after 60 days…but heard that they are good and do pay.
You never know. But I would not let some clown come and show me some “tricks” unless I would loose the bid, and even then I would make it at a time when I had nothing to do. You may want to get it out of the way I guess.
If they don’t trust you to the point where they want to send techs with you, that’s not a good sign. Remember that they are your competitors. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t do it, I’ve subbed for other window cleaning companies myself. But they know I’ve been in the business for 30 years, they know I’m a stand up guy, and they treat me with the respect I deserve. I hope they don’t take a condescending attitude towards you.
Interesting that they want to show you some tricks. I would want to know upfront prior any “tricks” being shown the answers to several questions.
- What kind of sub-work are they looking to sub out. High rise, mid or ground work, strip centers or residential?
- Once the projects are completed and invoiced by your company state that you are at a net 15 days from invoice for the first xxx amount of projects until they have established that they pay on time and the jobs are profitable for you to do. This gives you the control of payment due and to renoigate the price percentage of jobs or hourly rate. Remember that this is YOUR business and you charge $$$ per hour or per pane and carry the necessary insurances and liabilities coverages. note (they will require you to have insurance certifications from your insurance company prior them writing you a check. They WILL DELAY your payments until you jump through their hoops. Get this done prior any work you do and that the accounts payable dept. has ALL they need to cut you a check when it is due. VERY IMPORTANT!! Dont skip this or you will compromise your standing and they will more than likely run over you.
- Have a meeting with the big boss. If you have a bad gut feeling about them, the company polices, how the bid or how they pay. Then thank them for the opportunity… but I am not interested, perhaps sometime in the near future.
this is just a nutshell of info… hope it helps
They are a well established company in the Vegas Valley. When I contacted them again today to let them know i really thought that them sending a tech was a waste of time and money (as these are storefront accounts) the secretary said she would relay the message. They never called back and if they do I don’t think I will do it. There is a fine line between sub and employee and I have a feeling they just need to hire an employee.
