What to charge?

[tmb0309]

Does anyone know some rates for the Seattle area or at least the west coast. I've been advertising on craigslist and have suddenly got bombarded with estimates. I keep underbidding I think. Today we did the worst house (1600 sq ft) I have seen. We spent 5hrs 2 people and its still filthy(my standards). It had dusty dirt stuck onto nicotine on everything. Lots of clutter and nicknack's everywhere. A 10ft kitchen wall splattered with grease. The white cabinets (16 total) were covered with dirt.
Plus after we get there her note says shes allergic to bleach and we could not run the water for long because of the well. Can you believe it? I had told her $145 for initial and $80 bi-weekly I am I an idiot? Does anyone have some input? I would really appreciate it.


Thank You
Trina
www.staycleancleaning.net

[tcmb04]

Did you look at the place before bidding? That is the perfect example why do not like giving bids over the phone and when insisting on i tell them that is a ballpark figure site unseen which gives me an opportunity to give accurate bid in person and even if i want the job at all.

[FreedomClean]

When I first started I thought I could get more business by offering over the phone or email estimates. So I put a spot on my website where a potential customer could post a request for an estimate. I got a lot of calls and quite a few emails from craigslist postings and gave a lot of prices, some I later regretted. So I have taken to giving ranges ($75.00 - $90.00, bi-weekly) depending on the information they give me. Then I tell them that if this price is competitive with others they have gotten and they would like a more accurate bid, I would be happy to come out to thier home and give them a free estimate.

[tmb0309]

Thanks for the help!

I got an e-mail from her today with a couple complaints. At first I was a little upset but then I realized its not her fault I underbid. So I offered to go there on my day off and clean some more. My employee thinks I am nuts, but I have to make it right. Oh by the way I did see the place briefly she showed me and walked us to the back porch. I saw it was cluttered but I had know idea everything was caked with stuck on dirt. I am new what should I look for in a walk through how do you guys do it?

Trina
www.staycleancleaning.net

[executive1]

It's always better for a in home estimate.

[AmofOhio]

It's always better for a in home estimate.

She said they walked her through it briefly. She saw the house before she bid.

Seems to me like you did exactly what i used to do.
Walk in their home, glance around, and talk most of the time to the client hoping to get the job. I never wanted to offend them by running my fingers over items to see how much dust was on stuff.
Majority start out this way, and learn real fast after underbidding.

When i go in a home, i look very closely at items to see dust amounts.
Look for pet hair and accumulation of nicotine,smoke/suet accumulation from gas stoves and fireplaces,
I run my fingers overtop of door frames and banisters.
Look at baseboards and see how much dust accumulation there is.
In the kitchens,look real good at the appliances,backsplashes,cabinets,floors..etc... Things that are time consuming to clean.
Bathrooms...peek inside the showerstalls ,bathtubs and look inside toilet bowls and sinks. Look for hardwater buildup,soapscum,mold/mildew.Things that require extra scrubbing time and special products.

Take note of the type of flooring they have.
Wood is time consuming.So add extra time for wood flooring.
Ask how they prefer you to clean the hardwood.
I have some clients that just want me to use a dust mop or broom over it.
Some want a swiffer ran over it. And some want certain products they have,or vinegar and water on it with a damp mop etc.... Always ask before doing it.

Tile,vinyl,linoleum,etc... mop,but ask if theres a product they prefer you use especially on tile. You don't wanna use a harsh product on sealed tile that will deteriorate the sealer on the grout and tile.(if its sealed)
If in doubt always use a PH nuetral cleaner that won't harm .

Then.... I go home! Tell them you will contact them,email them or bring there estimate back to them.
This works best when your just starting out.
I always gave my estimates in person at the walkthrough and would get home and kick myself in butt for bidding what i bid.
I like to come home and look over the specs of the home and what the client wants performed. Run some numbers through my head and then come up with my estimate.
Sometimes i still give an estimate at the walkthrough if i am certain in my head i know exactly what i wanna bid.
But alot of times i go home and think about it 1st.


Just my 2 cents.

[tcmb04]

Freedomclean i like your way of wording i will start that way and Amofohio like your 2 cents

Tina

[Linda]

Hey everyone,

Can anyone help me on what you think the size of this home is? The lady has no idea and she is an hour away. She is looking for a wkly and bi-wkly clean. She said the home is fairly large so I am thinking around 2500 sq.ft. from what she has given me.

Main floor...

Foyer - Hardwood
Kitchen - Hardwood
1/2 Bath - Hardwood
Living Room - Carpet
Dining Room - Carpet
Full Bath - Carpet
Master Bedroom - Carpet
Laundry Room - Linoleum

Upstairs...

Open Loft - Carpet
Office - Carpet
Small Bedroom - Carpet
Full Bath (Do only Sink, Toilet, Floor) She doesnt want tub or shower cleaned.

Finished Basement...

Dust/Vac only
Full Bath - Tile

Can anyone help me on quoting this one before seeing it?

Thanks,
Linda

[Kathleen]

Linda-

I am thinking that the house sounds like 3000-3500sq.ft. including the basement. Without seeing it I would say somewhere around $300-$350 Prelim and $125-160 Weekly, $160-185 Bi-Weekly. Of course ....Depends on condition, number of people in the home and pets, etc. Plus at an hour away...geesh I would say another $15 bucks for gas...

I would try to see if she wants a monthly clean only based on distance.

Good Luck -

Kat

[Linda]

Thanks Kat I actually decided to turn this one over to someone in her area. I dont know anyone that is willing to drive the distance and I just cant do it right now. My original thoughts were $250.00 Initial and $150.00 weekly-biweekly. I figured the size was probably more than I was thinking and I would say you are right.
I appreciate the feedback. Spring is coming and I am sure there will be others alot closer.

Thanks,
Linda