help with Move-in/out bid

[AmofOhio]

When we do these types of cleanings there is a lot involved, usually refrigerator, oven, windows, clean inside all cabinets and closets, baseboards etc

Exactly my point.
There is nothing in the home, no appliances,and they don't want cabinet insides done. No windows done either.

Its not my typical move-in/out cleaning.

I've done many ,many move-in/outs and i also clean repo's for realtors. Its my main source of business.
But this one isn't my typical move-in/out cleaning.
Its just like doing a regular residential minus, furniture,appliances,windows,baseboards,cabinets, and such.

I just wasn't sure if i should still keep to my minimum, even if it should only take me 2-3 hours max to clean,or not.
Sounds like alot of money for only 2-3 hours work and it not following my typical move-in/out detail.


Thanks everyone for the advise.
I'll let ya know what i decide and how it turns out.

[kimmierue]

amofohio said:

I was thinking maybe $75-80 since i do have to bring some water to clean with.
What do you guess think?
Too low?

I definately wouldn't charge that low. You might think this will only be a 2 hour job, but remember that you've never cleaned in this house before and usually when things seem simple they turn into anything but!

And whatever you do, please do not charge hourly. *cringes* You could walk out of there with only $50 in your pocket and that would be terrible!

So let's say we have a minimum for move-in/move-out cleaning that is $150. This cleaning includes x,y, and z. A client calls and requests a move-in/move-out clean and they are wanting only x done in their home. Then the price of y and z could be deducted and you would have a new minimum.

If a circumstance arises that this client refers a friend and this friend wants to know why you quoted them $175 and your past client was only $120, then you simply explain the logic. Unless their homes are the exact same size, with exact same flooring, same number of kids and pets, same amount of furniture, and they want the same exact services completed in their home - this new referred client should understand. If not that is their problem.

Oh, and to get out of all the "minimum" trouble to begin with....phrase it "My prices starts at....." Sounds much better I think.

BTW, how do you plan on transporting the water? That sounds like a pain in the butt.

[AmofOhio]

BTW, how do you plan on transporting the water? That sounds like a pain in the butt.

I clean alot of repo's and most have been winterized before i go to clean, so the pipes don't freeze .So i usually have to bring water. So this isn't a problem for me. I have 5 gallon buckets with lids i fill with water to bring.

And whatever you do, please do not charge hourly. *cringes* You could walk out of there with only $50 in your pocket and that would be terrible!

When i say hourly, i don't mean that i am going to tell them i will submit a bill after i'm done based on the hours worked.
When i say hourly, i mean that i figure up how many hours I FEEL it will take and x that by my hourly rate.
I have a minimum of $65 for any residential job i do.
So $50 for a job wouldn't ever happen.

I originally figured 2-3 hours of cleaning @ $25 an hour plus add an extra $10 on for water.
But I did decide to up it to 4 hours of cleaning.
I think i will sweep off there porch and patio because there covered in leaves, and sweep out there garage because there's mud where people was moving stuff in and out the garage. So i added another hour for that. And if i end up cleaning longer inside, that extra hour will cover me and i just won't do the garage,porch or patio.
So 4 hours @ $25 an hour and $10 for water.
That $110 plus tax

As far as clients comparing prices, i could care less.
This is my business and If they compare prices with friends and get upset, then they can find someone else.
Like i said above, i never tell anyone my prices or minimums.
I tell them i charge by the job. I don't tell them i base my price on sqft, or hourly, etc... cause then they will hold you to that.

If this home would have been a repo. i wouldn't have dropped my price of $150. Simply because i deal with so many banks, and realtors and i know how they work.
They get multiple estimates, and it doesn't matter what you offer in your cleaning packages, they will always pick the lowest bid no matter what.
I figure, you get what you pay for and i won't budge on my prices for any bank or realtor .
I have seen the work other services have provided and there is no way i could run my business the way they do. Some of the homes look like they just took a wet rag and wiped off counters, vacuumed and hit the door!
I have a detailed list of what i do, and i stick with the list, and i stick with my prices.
But again, i have never told anyone my base price /minimum's. Even on post-constrcution jobs i do, i never tell what i'm basing my price on. Even though i know i'm chraging so much per sqft.
The estimates they get are estimated by the job

;D

[AmofOhio]

The lady called Monday morning and said she wanted me to do the job and asked how soon i could get it done because the carpet cleaner's would be coming sometime this week. And she would schedule them as soon as she schedules my cleaning.
I told her i would do it Tuesday morning for her.
She told me to not vacuum the floors,just mop the So floors with tile and linoleum. The carpet cleaner's are supposed to get the carpeted areas.
I cleaned it, and was done with the house and swept out the garage,porch and patio in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

So i still made a good profit charging $110.Thats over $50 an hour i made.

[Kevin]

[glow=pink,2,300]Great Job!!!!! [/glow]

[glow=purple,2,300]Way to Go!!! [/glow]

[glow=gold,2,300]Nice Work!!![/glow]