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Post by Crowz on Sept 4, 2005 21:30:39 GMT -5
Good to know Jude, thanx! We have a contract client with 6 large rooms of hardwood laminate that are scuffed and scratched up. Perhaps we should make them an offer. Worth doing the research on prices I think!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Sept 4, 2005 11:39:58 GMT -5
Wow! Beautiful hardwood floors Jude! We've never gotten a call for hardwood floors here. Most have laminate. Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 27, 2005 13:21:27 GMT -5
Does anyone do new construction cleans on custom homes? What would you charge for a 2300 sq ft residential? If you got an agreement from the home builder/contractor to clean all new constructions, would you bill on account or would you ask for pay upon completion of each?
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 27, 2005 13:11:27 GMT -5
Not yet, but for a full year agreement would definitely consider it! Have 2 on the table who haven't responded, perhaps should offer them both that deal. Both needed initial because the asphalt tile floors were so dirty. One, a medical facility, needs strip/wax in the worst way, besides actually scrubbing then mopping first just to see how bad it really is. The other is offices for window/door Mfg. company, and they don't care about the waxing..... just wanted CLEAN. Build up of dirt is so bad that floors have black built up around the edges!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 26, 2005 18:04:50 GMT -5
I got a phone call today to do an estimate on a 5000 square foot home with offices. It has about 17 rooms and yes, some of them are used as business offices with a lot of traffic. No kids, no pets. We are talking about an initial cleaning then weekly maintenance. We charge $20 an hour, and I figure initial is probably 2 people, 10 hours, or $400, then $200 for maintenance @ about 4-5 hours. We do an on-site for estimate on 7/28, Thursday, in the AM. Anyone care to rough estimate this? I'd sure appreciate it!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 11, 2005 18:52:32 GMT -5
Patti,
Am going through almost exactly the same thing with our chiropractor client. Think I posted under 'How was your day?' section. Will be updating that one soon.... the drama goes on! John is pretty fed up and just wants to quit all services. Me, I'm a bit more diplomatic. LOLOL!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 8, 2005 12:24:45 GMT -5
Candi,
We had a client like that once..... and only once. She not only stood over John's shoulder but actually told him how to mop the floor! She also insisted we use her vacuum, rags, and chemicals.... she mixed the 2 BIG NO"s in the toilet and walked away while I was in the shower cleaning the tile. The result was an asthma attack. Dow scrubbing bubbles do the same thing to me... dunno what's in there but it is nasty stuff. Anyway, we decided it wasn't worth the stress over a $75.00 bi-weekly and dropped her..... in a nice way of course ;D
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 26, 2005 18:18:33 GMT -5
We base our initials on the condition of the residence to be cleaned and how much time it will take to clean. Maintenance cleaning takes about half the time, thus half the $$$. I was looking into estimates the other day and found that the word it's self means "best guess" or "educated guess". I have read that estimates can be binding, or non-binding.... in other words, if non-binding you can raise or lower your estimate after getting the job. I think I will state that on our written estimates "THIS ESTIMATE IS NON-BINDING", or visa-versa, from now on!
Does that help at all? Also, use Specification (task) Sheet and Service Agreement located under Useful Documents in this residential section of the Forum. That will keep customers from adding on services.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 25, 2005 15:52:51 GMT -5
Well, we haven't had that problem yet. It is a very smart suggestion though. We always demand payment at time of service for residential carpet cleaning though. We depend on having the Service Agreement and Spec./Task sheets for continuing service. Will definitely consider asking for payment of initial and acct. set-up fee in advance on new residential accounts now! Thanx for the advice! ;D
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 25, 2005 14:53:06 GMT -5
I agree with Gail. We estimate by time/hours plus if there are children, pets, the condition of the house/office, even distance to the account. The only time we use square feet is when it is a very large commercial account, say over 10,000 sq.ft.. We use a specification/task sheet for each job so we know exactly what the customer wants done and when. Our initial cleaning is 25 to 50% more of what we would charge for maintenance cleaning. We also charge a one time $10 account set-up fee. Say you estimate an office at $90.00 for weekly, add up to $45 for initial. If the same office is to be cleaned 2x weekly, drop down to $70 per visit, 3x @ $50 per. Bi-monthly/monthly go up $20 or more per visit. That's how we do it anyway.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jun 20, 2005 15:47:31 GMT -5
Yes, on some jobs (both residential and commercial), we charge an initial cleaning fee. It depends on the condition of home to be cleaned.... that is why we feel it is worth the $$ and time to do an on-site visual estimate. We have charged as much as double for really bad places. Patti, I chuckled at this... "the home was just cleaned last week because most times the cleaning service they had before was a wipe and go service." Never heard it said quite that way before. Love the expression, and can't wait to use it! ;D ;D ;D
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on May 27, 2005 21:42:55 GMT -5
Foreclosures are like eviction rental clean-outs. Sometimes they can be BAAAAD! We were asked to clean one... the former owner took all the faucets, carpet, fixtures and half the windows! Clean what??? LOL! Then there was the eviction over in the Butler district... feces smeared every where, stuffed toys glued/stapled/nailed to the ceiling, garbage stuffed under the mobile home so tight, garbage, bikes, car parts all burried half way in the back yard. clothes, toys, mattresses, and garbage strewn inside and out. I just stood there iin the front room nauseated by the smell... when I turned to walk away my shoes actually stuck to the carpet! Like velcro, I swear! We told the property management company that it was a case for the health department.... besides our license won't allow for any single job over $700.00 and it would have cost THOUSANDS to clean that up! John told them to haul the mobile out to the desert and burn it then level the property and start over. They had never even bothered to go look at it....... Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it
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Post by Crowz on Jun 11, 2005 14:15:29 GMT -5
You are welcome! Glad to help. Actually Kevin gave me the idea and also a shell for the service agreement we use. I have had requests for these documents, so will post both under the Commercial Cleaning section titled Useful Forms.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on May 31, 2005 17:28:13 GMT -5
We've had simillar problems. Use service agreement with job spec sheet now so everyone knows exactly what is to be done and when. That way if they have a complaint you point out to them and if they want to add it tell them you will charge more. Here is a copy of our spec sheet:
Crowz Cleaning & Maintenance, 3880 Stockton Hill Rd., Kingman, AZ, 86401, (928)753-4589
Job Specification Sheet
All Areas/Rooms
Trash receptacles emptied and liners replaced Glass on entry doors cleaned Switch plates wiped down Resilient floors swept/dust mopped and damp mopped Carpet vacuumed edge-to-edge Entry rugs vacuumed Exposed baseboards swept/dusted/vacuumed
Lobby/Reception/Common Areas/Offices
Fan blades, fixtures, and sills dusted, cobwebs removed as needed Tables, countertops, and work spaces, dusted/wiped down/polished Telephone receivers disinfected Terminal screens dusted
Restroom/Lavatory
Clean and disinfect toilets, sinks, and urinals Clean countertops and spot clean partitions Clean mirrors Clean and fill dispensers
Kitchen/Break Room/Cafeteria
Sinks, countertops, and tables wiped down Outside of appliances wiped down Spot clean outside cabinets Clean and fill dispensers
***We do not supply hand soap, paper products, or trash can liners unless otherwise specified below and agreed upon***we do supply and use our own quality cleaning agents and use our own equipment, mops, buckets, towels, and all other cleaning supplies unless otherwise specified below and agreed upon.***
Please use this area to customize to your cleaning needs. Attach additional sheets as necessary:
use it if you wish! feel free to change to fit your company.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 26, 2005 19:03:14 GMT -5
Actual charge on the invoice is "per cleaning".... always the same amount. We figure just like you Patti, look at a place then figure how long it will take, multiply that by hourly charge and give one charge to the customer.
Natalie
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