|
Post by Stephan on Oct 19, 2006 12:42:27 GMT -5
These blinds seem to be in good shape and not too dirty. At least they look that way!
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Oct 19, 2006 10:29:25 GMT -5
I advised client about the ultrasonic blind cleaning option and told them it would be more expensive than if I cleaned them by hand (not sure if that is true but I've always heard this service is pricey). They said don't bother, just clean them by hand.
Salamander, I'm guessing it will take me 1.5 hours to take them off using scaffolding (I'm already using oit to clean the walls and ceiling for the client., wipe them all down with a cleaner, then put them all back up. I'm going to quote a price of $60.
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Oct 18, 2006 19:49:30 GMT -5
I have a client that wants me to damp wipe their office blinds. The are vertical 6' long, 10' from the floor. There is a total of 5 sets with 12 individual blinds for a total of 60 units.
I'm guessing the best way to clean them it to take them all down, wipe them on a flat surface, then put them all back up. Does that sound good?
I'm already cleaning their walls and ceiling which is 12 high. I'll be using a rolling scaffold so I'll already be up that high. I'm thinking 1.5 hours to take them down, clean, then put them back up. Does that sound about right?
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 29, 2006 9:39:31 GMT -5
How about a list like this one:
If "something" happens, use common sense. If you don't have common sense, please see me after your shift to start filling out some paperwork (dismissal forms)...
Seriously, it's amazing how some people have no sense of being proactive. Unfortunately, making a complete "If this happens" list would use up three full grown Oak trees...
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 24, 2006 21:15:54 GMT -5
Dan, your points are well taken and I do agree with them.
I think I might have worded my post incorrectly. My major concern is I don't like the idea of an "association" dictating how I run my business. I will forever have to abide by what the "association" (looks more like a union to me) dictates. Where's the free enterprise?
My business plan has my employees starting at $11.00/hour going up to $12.50 after the probation period, so it's not about me no longer being able to get away with paying my employees minimum wage ($8.00).
Isn't one of the reasons we open our own business is so that we can make our own decisions?
I've really been thinking about this since I found the association late last night and I've come to realize that all is not lost (also thanks to some discussions with Bill). I will go ahead and start my business, at least we're all playing by the same rules in Quebec (or supposed to be).
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 24, 2006 15:14:25 GMT -5
I know it's a long post, but I really need honest opinions on this subject. I'm only in the start-up stage of my business and I came across this association: The Parity Committee for the Building Services www.cpeep.qc.ca/english/cpeepa.shtmlEven if you are not a unionized company, if you do business in the province of Quebec you have to abide by the Decree of this association. I have to seriously consider going ahead with my business as the pay scale seems very high: ) as of 1 June 2006 a) Class A $13.95; Heavy Cleaner b) Class B $13.55; Light Cleaner c) Class C $14.45; Very Heavy Cleaner 3) as of 1 June 2007 a) Class A $14.30; b) Class B $13.90; c) Class C $14.80; 4) as of 1 June 2008 a) Class A $14.65; b) Class B $14.25; c) Class C $15.15; 5) as of 1 June 2009 a) Class A $15.00; b) Class B $14.60; c) Class C $15.50; 6) as of 1 June 2010 a) Class A $15.35; b) Class B $14.95; c) Class C $15.85. (minimum wage in Quebec is $8/hour) and the payroll program seems a pain to manage: "It is possible that, on the same shift, an employee accomplishes heavy maintenance and light maintenance work. It is then an obligation for the employer to specify the number of hours done in each class of work. You will then be able to pay the employee in accordance with the Decree." Although not a union, and even if you aren't unionized, you fall under this association no matter what. It looks like the big boys have protected themselves from future competition. On the other side, if everyone is required to pay these prices, I'm essentially just entering a level playing field and would have to manage other aspects of the business to remain competitive. I would appreciate everyones honest opinion on this.
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 24, 2006 10:33:41 GMT -5
Anyone have this? Is it worth it? I read it on a cleaning companies website that they have this coverage.
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Sept 1, 2006 15:44:52 GMT -5
I finally seem to be getting somewhere.
Lowest quote so far is $742.38/year tax in ($1,000,000 liability + $1,000 lost key). Only thing is, they don't offer bonded or employee dishonesty insurance.
I need the bonded as most businesses ask for it (even though it is essentially useless), so I'll keep calling around.
Funny thing about the quote I received above is they never asked how long I've been in business or if I've had previous claims. Good for me!
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 24, 2006 10:16:53 GMT -5
Let's hope I can get premiums as low as you guys! Before my old job closed the doors, I asked the cleaning company to fax me proof of insurance (was collecting as much info as possible from other cleaning companies in the area). It contained all the coverage that the company has, and they even left the premium on the sheet for me! For $5,000,000 coverage they are paying $4,790/year. This is a company that started in 1961! I'm hoping to be able to find something no higher than $1,200/year... Bill, I'll give you a call later on today. I have a few errands to run this morning.
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 24, 2006 2:40:05 GMT -5
Well, the hunt for insurance is killing me. My latest phone conversation was very interesting. After getting turned down once again (I didn't actually get turned down, but $12,000/year for the lowest amount of ceverage tells me they don't want me), I asked the insurance guy a few questions: Me: Ok, since we won't be doing business together, tell me, what's holding me back from getting insurance? Him: You have zero experience so no one wants to touch you. If they do, it's going to be for a hefty price. Me: So what's my way around this? Him: Ok, this conversation never happened. You have to lie and tell them you have a minimum of three years experience. From my experience even if there is a claim, they will never ask for proof of the amount of experience you said you had. Me: What else? Him: I know you said you don't want to do residential, but if you did, it would make it that much harder as you might be dealing with animals, children playing on the floor that you just cleaned with chemicals. Stay away from residential. Me: Anything else? Him: Stay away from industrial. They are worried about you or your staff working around heavy machinery. Also, don't sell commercial cleaning products. Paper products are fine, but stay away from selling the chemicals. Me: Hey, thanks for the honesty. Him: Look, I know it's super tough for new small businesses. Good luck. So, does this leave me with my only solution of lying about my experience? I guess I have no choice. I'll be calling a few tomorrow ready with my sheet of lies
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 21, 2006 14:36:23 GMT -5
I know this can vary due to region, wage, etc., but what do you think a reasonable profit margin is for a small to medium size office building? This is assuming normal cleaning specs. I'm just finishing off my business plan and I posed this question to myself
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 21, 2006 13:54:25 GMT -5
What would consider a small office, a medium office and a large office?
Is it purely square footage? Does it depend on density?
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 29, 2006 6:49:31 GMT -5
Points well taken Dan. I sometimes still find myself in my old job frame of mind in which I had to give instructions to the staff (hence the hitting the chairs part).
I'll make the changes! Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 28, 2006 16:31:36 GMT -5
Trying to put together a basic list of specs to present to clients since they normaly don't have one.
Anything I should change?
D = Daily W = Weekly M = Monthly
It's based on a 5 days/week cleaning.
Entrance, Reception Area, and Corridors D Collect Trash and Replace Liners as needed D Wipe Down Lobby Glass up to Entrance Door D Height Removing Fingerprints, Smudges, etc. D Dust Mop all Hard Surface Floors D Vacuum Carpets, Spot Clean as Needed D Clean Glass Tabletop D Check Recycling Containers, empty as needed W Detail Vacuum W Damp Wipe all Furniture W Wipe Window Sills and Ledges W Spot Clean Walls, Doors, and Baseboards M Vacuum all Upholstered Furniture M Dust Blinds with a Treated Duster M Damp Wipe Tables, Chairs, and Pictures in Lobby M Dust Vertical Surfaces, Walls, and Woodwork Offices and Conference Rooms D Collect Trash, Replace Plastic Liners as Needed D Remove Cardboard Boxes Designated as Recycling D Dust Mop Uncarpeted Floors D Vacuum all Carpets with Special Attention not to Hit Chairs, Desks, and Baseboards D Remove Fingerprints from Doors, Walls, and Light Switches D Remove Smudges and Fingerprints from Glass W Damp Wipe Desks (even if not cleared) – Make Neat Piles and Clean the Desks W Vacuum under Desks and Hard to Reach Places (Detail Vacuum) W Sanitize Phones W Damp Wipe Tops of File Cabinets and Remove Smudges from Front, Furniture, Phones, Window Ledges, etc. W Spot Clean Walls, Doors, and Baseboards W Damp Mop all Hard Surface Floors M High Dust Areas up to 8 Feet M Vacuum Upholstered Furniture, Wet Wiping Bases M Wipe Down Blinds with Treated Duster M Vacuum Air Vents and Return Ducts M Damp Wipe Chairs, Tables, and Pictures Lunch/Break Room D Remove Trash and Replace Liners as Needed D Wipe Clean Exterior of Trash Can D Dust and Damp Mop Hard Surface Floors D Wipe Clean Chairs and Tables D Spot Clean Doors and Remove Fingerprints from Switch Plates D Wipe Down insides and Outsides of Microwaves D Clean Sinks - NO Dishes D Wipe Down Outsides of Refrigerator and any Vending Machines Restrooms D Clean Bowls, Basins, Seats,Urinals, Walls,Partitions, and Ceremic Tile with Disinfectant D Polish Fixtures, Dispensers, and Mirrors D Refill Soap, Towel, Tissue, and Napkin Dispensers D Damp Wipe and Clean Walls and Partitions with Germicide D Clean Walls Behind Urinals and Toilets D Dust and Damp Mop Floor with Disinfectant D Collect Trash and Replace Plastic Liners
|
|
|
Post by Stephan on Aug 17, 2006 15:27:27 GMT -5
I've read that it is obligatory to leave all relevant MSDS info on site. Ex. The janitorial closet at an office building you service. My questions is, does this also go for us Canadians? Bill?
|
|