I was wondering if it’s good or bad business to have the home owner remove and install the screens themselves? I’ve had several ask me if they should have the screens removed before I arrive. I showed up to one house and they were already out.
What are your thoughts? To me it seems like a time saver.
A lot of people around here seem to expect that they have to remove their screens. But I like to sell my service as a “don’t worry about a thing” service. In fact, i dont even have them move anything anymore except for knick-knacks, which most people forget and i just do for them anyway.
Do you add the extras into the price? I tell them to move the furniture out of the way before I get there. It saves me time as I’m still new to this and not very fast yet.
If it’s something crazy. For example, if I have to take an A/C out of the window, definitely. But usually it’s just scooting a couch over or something easy that only takes a few seconds. Regardless of how you sell your service, you have to price it in a way that will work for you.
I guess I’m more concerned with the end table or any kind of table in front of window that has many breakable items on it. The type that requires moving piece by piece onto another table just so you can move the current table out from the window.
I don’t know if it is good or bad. We prefer they don’t remove the screens. Unless they want the outside windows done and won’t be home.
The customer should be moving that, not you. Ask them to move it and go work on another window.
Yeah those kind of things I encourage them to move as we do our walk-through for the estimate…usually accompanied by some corny joke related to me breaking them.
It would be nice if they all removed the screens. That way when they break you can upsell the repair. But most don’t even ask. I’ve only had one customer remove the screens. I’d be happy if they all removed the nic-naks, but they usually don’t do that either.
Thanks for your comment. I guess my main concern would be is it bad business to ask them to move furniture for you ahead of time. Thanks.
Window cleaning is sort of a luxury business. People aren’t really paying you to “clean windows”. Anyone- yes A-N-Y-O-N-E- can do that. They’re paying you to get up on ladders, to get scratched by prickly bushes, to work in the heat, the cold, navigate a ladder inside a home, be careful with water drippings…
I personally approach my business with those things in mind. You have to ask yourself what sort of service your company provides. If there is something you can safely move, I’d say, do it. Make them keep wanting to hire your services knowing deep down they’re not paying you not to clean a window, but to do everything else well.
Depends on whether or not you’re a furniture mover or just a window cleaner.
I don’t mind moving a few things and I can work around a LOT of stuff, but I’m not going to move something that could be really expensive like a piano or knick-knacks.
I see your point. Thanks. I guess it’s because I’m still trying to improve my technique so I can be faster.
Don’t worry…you’ll improve. If you don’t already have it, get yourself some storefront work. I think it’s ideal for improving your speed.
Chavez- I worried about “speed” after seeing so many guys talk about it here. I think my quality went down a little when i was doing that. I’m not saying it’s that way for everyone, but my paradigm was so focused on “how much am I making an hour?”. It was bad for me. I’d be bumbed if I wasn’t making more than $75/ hour. Don’t get me wrong, speed is a big part of the picture. But (and, again, this is speaking for myself, no one else) its a small part of the picture. What really separates me (what I strive for anyways) from everyone else is getting things done close to perfect.
I wouldn’t mind doing store fronts. The problem I’ve confronted is they’re all taken by these companies who drive the prices way down. I honestly prefer to go to one place and be done.
I only ask for them to be removed if we are only cleaning the outside, since we will usually be using a wfp.
That’s interesting. I was worried about the low ballers too. I have 11 storefront locations that range from $15 to $130 per month. I don’t know your market, but my guess is if you canvas your area and be patient you will get your price. I don’t actively seek storefront, but every time I have made a day of it I get something. The last time I spent a day canvassing I picked up a chain with three locations worth nearly $200 per month. Stick to your price and you’ll get it.
That’s exactly what I focus on. I’m almost too picky when it comes to window cleaning. I would like to be able to be “fast” enough to finish a residential in less than 9 hours!
I live on the outskirts of San Antonio Texas. I believe I started out asking $3 per pane, inside and out. I’m semi retired now that I have this business. My goal is to work no more than 2-3 jobs a week. If my residential work doesn’t pick up maybe I’ll canvass store fronts.