Flat rates?

[nunu]

I made a website and I give prices on homes according to how many bedrooms/bathrooms they have. I just wanted to get your opinions. I know a lot of places need more information before they give a custom rate. But I thought I would just simplify it and post rates so people could see the price without having to contact me. I have placed some ads on craigslist and got a few requests for quotes. I think I gave reasonable quotes but I never hear back from most people. So instead of going through all this just give them my website and let them take a look and see if they are interested.

Also I wanted to know what you all would charge for a regular 3 bed/2bath home that's not in bad shape to begin with.

[Kevin]

Hi Nunu! Listed below is a survey that got lots of opinion on placing prices on websites, I think that average prices are good, but keep them below average and then suggestive sell. Without more specs i can not give you an exact price , something like that in Michigan, Ball Park $80-100

Survey on prices on websites
usacleaning.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=surveys&action=display&thread=1142228368

[Housework Maid Easy]

Hi Nunu
When I first started I tried to give prices over the phone based on a typical houses. I found that there was no such thing. And by having to change a stated price after seeing it customs thought that the stated price was a come on, which it may have been.
Now I tell them that we have to meet and talk about their needs.
By being able to selling me first then the servive I get what the job is really worth. And usually a loyal customer.
Welcome! Your going to love it here! Marsha

[Lisa]

Hi!
I myself do not give prices over the phone. I always say, what day fits your schedule, I have Monday or Wednesday open for an in home consultation? That always works for me.
Have a good day! Lisa
LISA'S PERSONAL CLEANING SERVICE

[FreedomClean]

Hi nunu and welcome! I think most people who call and want rates are just shopping. I give them a range (like Kevin did above) and tell them that if they want an exact price, I will need to see the home, first. If they are serious about hiring someone they will have you out to give them an estimate.

[freddie2]

We don't give quotes or the phone either we usually set an appointment and do a walk Thur and then discuss a price that way you don't get in a spot of the price you gave and now you want to charge more , because of it being a bigger job than you thought .Some people like to try to hold you to that first price .

[nunu]

I find it is hard to come up with quotes sometimes because I want to give a reasonable rate a little on the low end though to get customers but not so low it's not even worth it. There are lots of ads out there but of course you have to call and talk to them to get a quote so I get confused on what to charge. I am now trying to come up with a quote for 4/3 weekly and bi-weekly.

[Linda]

Ok need opinions also. I did a walk thru couple days ago. I did get the job doing the initial and the wife was setting me up on a bi-weekly when the hubby got a bit nervous and thought maybe they should at least talk about it lol. She was ready that is for sure. I am going to say 1500 sq.ft, maybe 1700 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 child with enough toys to own his own Walmart lol. 1 inside dog, 1 inside cat. I told her $70.00 plus the tax for a bi-weekly. I figured even if I have to pick up the toys it wouldnt take me and my sister any more than 2 hours to clean, maybe an hour. I dont know yet. I gave her a check list, but I have a feeling the toys will be there when I get there. Anyway, what do you think?

Thanks,
Linda

[nunu]

Well 2 sisters in that case I think I over priced my quote For a 4/3 I said $80 weekly or $90 biweekly. Was that too much?

[Linda]

In my opinion, no that is not too much. I am having problems in my area with pricing, because there are so many here doing this type work. I mean there are new ones almost everyday now popping up and so many established companies that my price range is not competitive. Mine seems to be way too high. I own a 3 bedroom 2 bath home around 1500 sq.ft. and I was quoted at $50.00 for a bi-weekly clean If I have to come down that low to get jobs I will be changing business's. It is rediculous here.

Linda

[FreedomClean]

I think you're both about right on the money, (pardon the pun). Most of my 1000-1500 sq ft-ers are in the $75-$80 range for a bi-weekly, but I think I may have under bid. These usually take me about 3 hours, by myself.
Rest assured that you're on the right track, nunu.

[Grizzly]

I won't go into prices because they very from city to city and in fact from area of city to area of city. For the same square footage of house , the same specifications and same materials to be cleaned , i can get almost 30% more in one neighbourhood versus another. Be confident and sell the quality of work that you do, there will always be lowballers out there that will sell a job only on price. You cannot compete if you only sell price. Keep the confidence Linda, and choose only the jobs that give you a fair return for your efforts. They will come.

Bill

[nunu]

I have one more question I thought I'd post here instead of making a new topic. When you first started on your own you were a new business without the much needed professional reputation and current references from clients. Did you or would you clean houses for free just to build up a list of references? Someone asked me for 5 references from current clients which I don't have. I only have 1. What should I do?

[freddie2]

Just be honest and give what you have and don't mislead anyone ,ever .. that's just bad business. just explain your position and that you are just starting out. They'll respect that or not.and never clean for free just do the leg work (flier's, post cards, website) we drove around and wrote down addresses and made post cards to mail out so we didn't have to buy a mailing list,you just have to find the zip codes for the areas. free website through Microsoft office live ,i thinks it great.check it out . they say you have to work 12 hours a day rather it be in the morning or at night , so get busy and don't give up.

[Linda]

Do you have any experience from maybe working for another company doing cleaning? When I first started I have experience doing commercial for other companies, but not really residentials. I have helped clean for family members before, but not as a professional with my own service. I use to clean out closets for family/friends for $20.00 per closet lol or I would do their dishes for like $5.00 sometimes $10.00. I was never asked for references, but I would have use those if needed. I wouldn't clean 5 houses for free. If you have no one that can give some kind of reference then you could always help a few ppl for a reference, but that is what I would do, help and tell the lady you are just getting started on your own. When I was asked how long I have been doing this I was honest about it, but I do have 15 years cleaning experience with other companies in the commercial area.

Linda