I am new to the business and need pricing info, so I can make my bids on these particular jobs.
(By the way, if anyone has any examples they wouldn’t mind sending me on how to structure a bid sheet, that would also be most appreciated).
#1. How to price windows on: storefront gig with approx 15 windows, each about 8.5’x4’. And then 15 more windows about 1.5’x4’ right underneath the larger ones. Plus I need to clean there bathroom. Size of BR is about 6’x8’. Also… There are about 20 locations of this business around town. So I am bidding on the whole job. I think I would be making my rounds to every location, every two weeks. Possibly only once every month.
#2. How to price windows on: small car dealership job, with about 15-20 windows, approx 10’x8’. Plus 3 sets of double doors. They want me to clean windows, and remove all debris, like tape etc. after they put up posters and change them out.
#3. How to price windows on: strip shopping center job, with 167 panes of glass. To simplify the size breakdown, there are two main window pane sizes, 58"x42" on the bottom two rows. And 58"x30" on the top third row which I will need a pole or small ladder for. There are also 15 doors, and some odd size pieces of glass. The windows and the sills are extra dirty as they haven’t been cleaned in months, due to ownership changes. So should I charge more for this first clean which will definately take much longer because of the extra dirt involved? Will the building manager understand this, and presumably go for a higher first cleaning charge? Or should I just suck it up to get the job, and stick with the regular price I would normally charge if I was cleaning them on a regular scheduled basis?
For your estimates, on the #1, you may want to give someone who works in Texas a call to see what a storefront go’s for over there…generally they are really low. Your job I would have to bid at 20 bucks. Which is why I normally dont do storefronts unless I have a BUNCH of them in the same exact area. I believe WOW! Window Cleaning is in Texas too, so you may be able to talk with him.
#2 Is it inside and out or just outside? Is it monthly? Assuming its outside only, and monthly about 200.00. In/out monthly 350.00 to 400.00. Again, you should talk to someone in your area to see if you can pull it off. It is a bad time for car dealerships right now, so keep that in mind.
#3 For the stripmall, are you working for a management company for this one? If so, you could get 175-300 bucks for that I believe. You can try to feel them out, (your contact) to see what they have budgeted for it, also, try to upsell them on pressure washing every 6 months and maybe even some bird spikes if they need it.
Others can tell you what they will bid, so you take the info we give and find some middle ground somewhere. Hope this helps and its just one mans opinion.
He is. ANd he is right here in Dallas. So is P2149, Me ofcourse, DFW2020WC, and several other.
My advice for the price is to figure out what it will take you to finish the project (hourly) including drive time, paperwork time, and BS time. Then multiply that figure by what you want/need to make hourly. I’ll tell you this: in the DFW Metroplex, hourly storefront route work is only going to make you $40-60/hour if you are fast and accurate. Otherwise, you’ll be making quarters on the dollar compared to Residential/Low to Mid rise commercial work.
Sorry bro, I never saw that you were in Texas. :o My bad. I knew WOW! is cause I have a link to his website on mine…
Looks like the prices are about the same for storefront here in SD. Peanuts.
Thank you very much for the quick reply. I can see you are a big source of input on the boards, and I’m sure are much appreciated by many. Let me ask you this. What would be even slightly more helpful is if you could be more specific as to the price you would charge(or are aware of in the industry), per window, and also the various dynamics listed in each of the scenrios. (ie. #1, and the bathroom cleaning part of the job. In #2, the extra time it takes to scrape tape, etc, off car dealership windows, and how to figure that into the price. And in #3, the cost of the bigger window, and the smaller window each, and then if I should charge extra for the heavier first clean on this job, because of the extra dirt buildup on all the windows and sills?)
Thanks for the reply. Its nice to know someone fairly close to me who is willing to help out a new guy. You could be a big help to me over time I’m sure. If you don’t mind, of course.
If you would, look at the reply I sent to thorSG1, i.e Sal, from Elite Window Washing. In fact I will just copy and paste the same re-question again to you. Here it goes, and thanks in advance if you could further break it down.
“What would be even slightly more helpful is if you could be more specific as to the price you would charge(or are aware of in the industry), per window, and also the various dynamics listed in each of the scenrios. (ie. #1, and the bathroom cleaning part of the job. And cost of both size windows each. In #2, the extra time it takes to scrape tape, etc, off car dealership windows, and how to figure that into the price. And in #3, the cost of the bigger window, and the smaller window each? And then if I should charge extra for the heavier first clean on this job, because of the extra dirt buildup on all the windows and sills?)”
Pertaining to my question #2 in this thread… If you wouldn’t mind actually looking at the pictures of various size, and position windows, from several car dealerships I took, I could get a more accurate idea of what to charge from that point on. I have posted them in the ‘Store Front’ forum, under the thread heading ‘Help pricing jobs from pictures (6 -10 of 13)’.
The windows I talk about in question #2 of this thread for instance, are the ones in the first pic in that other thread. My pic number .058.jpg. Hence the window assignments of 58A, 58B, 58C.
You will notice in each of the 5 pics in that thread I have assigned different numbers and letters based on my pic number, and various window position that should probably be charged a different price. If you would just clinically post the prices you would charge there in San Diego for each window, I think it should be about the same here in Dallas.
PS. If you would like, and have the time, and/or wouldn’t mind… There are 8 more pictures in 2 more threads under ‘Store Fronts’, that you could price for me as well. I think the only window I couldn’t reach with a 24’ ladder would be the Dicks Sporting goods store front windows on the top. Some of the others that are high in other pics I figure I could rest the ladder on the skinny frame inbetween the windows. But should be able to reach the high windows with the ladder.
I’m looking into a water fed pole as an eventuality, as that is an expressed sentiment from some others who have left their opinions to a post or two of mine. The idea, to be more competitive in the market place. And for safety issues, and ease of use.
Approx $50 for fast and accurate work on my part would be acceptable. If I’m slower, then that will be my problem until I pick up speed and accuracy. I don’t see that as a problem though, as I learn fast. And in the future I can modify what I want to earn based on the variables present at “that time”. But for now, even half that money would be fine. I just want to “get at it”, and gain some experience, and become a player in the field, with hands on knowledge that comes with time. With that in mind, would you mind replying to my post #7 of this thread. Your input would be most appreciated. Especially since your rather close to me geographic wise.
One night when it’s late and all the businesses are closed. Go and find some windows that are about the size of the ones you want to clean. Have a friend with you so he can hold the stop watch and he can look out for the business owner. Get all your tools close by so that no time is wasted. Okay now you ready. Now count to 3 and have your friend start the stop watch as you start cleaning. As soon as your done cleaning the window throw your hands and tools in the air and scream “ TIME “ which at this point your friend should stop the stop watch. Do this a few hundred time’s. So now that you now know how long it going to take you to do that size window you will need to compare it to the windows at the job. Now this will only work for an hourly figure. If you want a per window just let me know and I will give you further directions. No problem.
No problem.
