Up charging per pane per story

Commercial
1

Hey Everyone. So I just did a proposal for a two building two story apartment complex. Exterior only.

I haven’t sent it out yet. But since I’m still a newbie at putting proposals together for large jobs, I was hoping for some input in checking my work.

So the pane count is 624

2nd story has 314

Ground has 310.

My initial idea is 2$ per pane for second story and 1$ per pane for. Ground

Making it $938.00

Another question is that 1/3 of the upper windows have exterior screens.
So from what I’ve read on here, I should have the owners have the maintenance staff (or tenants) remove their screens prior to my scheduled day to work? If I was doing interiors as well, they’d I could offer to clean screens too? Anyway.

Your thoughts?
here’s a few pix. Quite a big complex for lil ol’ me. Haha

ImageUploadedByWindow Cleaning Resource1420137452.247585.jpg1024×765 730 KB


ImageUploadedByWindow Cleaning Resource1420137478.611120.jpg1024×765 825 KB

Sent from my iPad using Window Cleaning Resource

2

Your price is too low in my opinion so I suggest bumping it up.

when it comes to the screens I would communicate with the manager and see what they want done and then adjust the bid accordingly.

3

Do you know how many hours it will take for you by yourself ?

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app

4

Your at half what we would charge for exterior only. $1800 is fair, (that’s without screens) Consider that a lot of the windows (over half are second story).

That job is gonna take you 3 days if you are fast solo I would guess.

Here’s a suggestion (I did this when I first started out)
Do a pane count like you did and get a per pane price. ( I would never wash a piece of glass for $1 per side, raise that!!!.).

You’ll get lots of work working that cheap but you will regret it later because you will be working twice as hard for half the money.

(The more money you make the more time you can spend pioneering.)

Then estimate how many man hours the job will take you. Just do your best. Take the hours and multiply that by your hourly rate. Between $50-$90 pmh is pretty standard.

Use the two different totals to come up with an average between the 2.

Hope that helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource

5

Wow thanks I’m gonna look into that.

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

6

[MENTION=13761]ThruGlass[/MENTION]. I’m also worried about charging too much, because it’s property management company that I’m going through… So will they be caring about “quality” or are they just wal mart coupon shoppers?

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

7

^ you have to make the call on what you will charge. But like I said I would never do a job like that for $1 per pane. Maybe do $2 per pane lower and $3 per pane upper. That way you are still on the low side if you really want the work. But also keep in mind that once you do work for a low price, the same company is going to expect that pricing in the future as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource

8

Thank you sir

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

9

$1800 sounds right without screens. If your going to do screens i would pick up some speedy screen it will go a lot faster than hand washing

10

It makes a big difference if you are doing this by hand or with a water fed pole. Also taking each screen off and putting it back on is time consuming. Not to mention if they want you to clean them or just brush them off. Never bid without seeing it first hand. Get a clear undertsanding of the quality that is being expected of you before you commit. We have all learned the hard way, you dont have to.

For us everything is based upon how much time things take.
Figure an hourly rate for your labor (Ie: $30 per man hr)
Include a margin of error
Include cost of supplies and travel
Include overhead
Include at least 15% profit on top of everything

But hey, if your solo, broke, the kids are hungry, and the rent is due, then ignore everything I said and do what you gotta do. I lived like that for a few years but now by the grace of God we have moved passed that stage into the world of business. God bless.

11

Yeah, you’re using commerical rates and should be closer to residential rates. If they take the screens off I think 1500-1800 wouldn’t be bad. But I’d definitely add 1-2 per screen if you’re doing to clean them.

12

About $3,000

My rates, all things not considered, inside and outside: $7, $8, and $9 for, 1st floor, second floor and 3rd floor respectively.
For french (cut-ups) $1, $2, and $3.

Exterior only, I price at 70% because they’re usually dirtier, the ladder work involved and I include screen cleaning.

Construction cleaning, as much as 2 1/2 times.

But this is LA.

Not to change the subject… We’re having a cold snap where it’s in the 40’s. I guess I’m spoiled with our usually perfect weather but when I think about some of you guys having to put antifreeze in your water… I don’t know how you do it!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app

13

If you don’t get it, it’s always good to ask what they’ve paid in the past, for your future reference. Of course, they might not remember , or be lying. So…

Whether you get the job or not, keep track of any local pricing you become aware of. Long term, it’ll make the difference between a realistic adjustment in your price (either way), and just shooting in the dark.

Try to find a recent public bid opening in Marrietta, Athens, Wheeling, or Parkersburg, that listed all the companies that bid, and what their prices were. Have a quick look at the building in question if you’re not already familiar with it, and you’ll get a handle on local pricing structures. We use city hall, county buildings, universities, even federal facilities when looking at moving into a new area. Google it, it might take a while, but it’ll give you a great overview of your competition. Not uncommon to see the low bid being half, or even less, of highest bid.

You’ll have a better idea of what your up against, as far as pricing. It won’t necessarily dictate what you’re prices are, but it will be a real eye opener. Here’s a sample from the City of Columbus, for city hall. Detailed scope of services was also included:

[TABLE=“width: 760”]
<tbody>[TR=“class: trbgrnd5, bgcolor: #EFEFEF”]
[TD=“width: 211”]American National Skyline, Inc[/TD]
[TD=“width: 46, align: center”]1[/TD]
[TD=“width: 67, align: center”]Lot[/TD]
[TD=“width: 89, align: center”]$2,200.0000[/TD]
[TD=“width: 108, align: center”]$2,200.00[/TD]
[TD=“width: 80, align: center”]Complete[/TD]
[TD=“width: 79, align: center”]No[/TD]
[TD=“width: 200, align: left”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd4, bgcolor: #6699CC”]
[TD=“colspan: 8”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“colspan: 8”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd5, bgcolor: #EFEFEF”]
[TD=“width: 211”] GLOBE WINDOW CLEANING, INC[/TD]
[TD=“width: 46, align: center”]1[/TD]
[TD=“width: 67, align: center”]Lot[/TD]
[TD=“width: 89, align: center”]$2,750.0000[/TD]
[TD=“width: 108, align: center”]$2,750.00[/TD]
[TD=“width: 80, align: center”]Complete[/TD]
[TD=“width: 79, align: center”]No[/TD]
[TD=“width: 200, align: left”]Bid is to clean windows marked on exhibit and discussed at pre-bid meeting including courtyard outside only. Inside stairwell only.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd4, bgcolor: #6699CC”]
[TD=“colspan: 8”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD=“colspan: 8”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd5, bgcolor: #EFEFEF”]
[TD=“width: 211”] E-WYNN, INC.[/TD]
[TD=“width: 46, align: center”]1[/TD]
[TD=“width: 67, align: center”]Lot[/TD]
[TD=“width: 89, align: center”]$5,800.0000[/TD]
[TD=“width: 108, align: center”]$5,800.00[/TD]
[TD=“width: 80, align: center”]Complete[/TD]
[TD=“width: 79, align: center”]No[/TD]
[TD=“width: 200, align: left”]Clean exterior windows to include the court yard outside only. exlcude 1st and 2nd floor of court yard and stairwell. of 90 W. Broad St.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd4, bgcolor: #6699CC”]
[TD=“colspan: 8”][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR=“class: trbgrnd4, bgcolor: #6699CC”]
[TD=“colspan: 4”][TABLE=“width: 100%”]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD=“colspan: 5”][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
[B]Top of the Page[/B]

14

Great tip!! Thanks a lot!! So how do I find these open bids online? Honestly don’t know where to start

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

15

Easy Frank … just open the cap an pour it in .

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app.

16

I don’t even do small windows for $1.00. Not like that anyway. Maybe on a store front, but an apartment complex or condo is residential pricing.
I charge, generally speaking, $5.00 for a double hung which technically is $2.50 per pane. Even a single pane window is base price, $5.00 one sided. In/out = $10.00.

That many screens is going to leave you thinking “what did I bid myself into!” Tack on at least $1.00 per screen to dry brush them and damp wipe the frames. Not all screens remove and install so easily. Do it for free that many times over and you’ll take the pay and go blow it at the nearest bar weeping your eyes out! If they can’t agree within 10% of your price go find greener pastures. Unless of course you are betting the farm on this job - then learn from it and don’t repeat the same mistakes.

17

Thank you sir. I’m waiting to hear back from them.

I Bid it at 1,270$

Exterior only and with the stipulation that they would remove screens.

So we will see what happens

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

18

Yea, $2.04 per pane isn’t giving it away, nor is it steak dinner for the work, but as a newbie it is not bad. I under bid several jobs when I was just getting started , as many here have as well. You do tend to do that when you’re hungry so don’t fret it. Do the best job that you are comfortable with and no one can say you do crap work. Next year at this time look back and evaluate yourself then. You are in good company here at WCR. Lots to be learned, and good quality products sold.

19

Yea. Agreed. Thanks. Indeed I do. I guess I need to work on my confidence. With bidding high and all. I mean I’ve definitely Improved since I’ve started, but could be doing much better.

I’m still hungry. I’m only making 300$ a month right now.

Josh Walsh
Walsh’s Cleaning Service
The Clearest Choice for Window Cleaning

20

I calculate my proposals many different ways, using ladders, poles, water-fed poles, all require a different bid approach. Experience also dictates pricing, I tend to agree with the $2 first floor, then add $1-$2 per floor as you go up depending on terrain and obstacles and such. At that rate the price is in fact consistent with ThruGlass. It is difficult starting out, limited knowledge and experience, learning the tricks and technology as you go, finding ways that you are comfortable with to make yourself a quicker cleaner is always a factor, my pricing is based on my ability to do a 3-story building in one day by myself, but I also have 30+ years experience and come from from 3 generations of window cleaners, and I push myself beyond my limits as we lose a % of our year to weather. Hope all of this is helpful, there are many great bits of advice here.