All up and running now to start my journey

So I’ve sorted all my system brushes vacuum and everything else from help of everyone on here thank you very much for all advice really appreciated :

now would just like some simple guides on pricing ect 

per window ?

or per front house / front and back 

gutter cleaning front/back

and clearing out gutters front/back 

conservatories ?

solar panels 
 

thanks ?

Think pricing is dependent on area and what you are happy earning. I charge per window and door. Gutters I charge £5 per meter emptied and cleaned or £3 per meter cleaned. Conservatory £10 per panel. Solar panels £2 each.

Good luck with your new venture

Google "window cleaning price list" & you'll get an idea.

If someone says you're too expensive don't fall into the trap of pricing the next job too cheaply - I've done that in the past & it can take a few price increases to make the job worth your while.

Pricing is very simple

Start at what you want then tailor it to responses

You quote 10 x 3 bed semis at £20 and get 1 you are too expensive

Quote them at £8 and get them all you are too cheap.

The % of conversions you want is up to you, if you are starting out and want the work you might want 70/80 % conversions, if you are full you might only want the cream so price higher and accept a 20/30 % conversion rate.

My pricing usually produces about 50% conversions. That suits me just fine, im not cheap but not top end but i like to think above average for my area.

adamangler said:

Pricing is very simple

Start at what you want then tailor it to responses

Click to expand...

^What he said.

It's basically what you want to charge. No point charging £8 per house that will take you 2 hours to clean - that's ridiculous. On the other hand charging £40 for a flat that takes 7 minutes isn't going to win you any awards for pricing either.

Look to make at least £15 per hour. If a place is going to take 20 mins then I'd go in at £10. Typically i price many jobs at £15 a few at £20, some at £10 and I do have one who wants fronts only for a fiver - literally 2 windows and a front door which although it's only a fiver it's easy money.

Timing is the key to your pricing really. First cleans take longer, 2nd cleans can often take the same amount of time. Once the windows are tame (typically 3rd or 4th clean) you can normally do them far quicker. You have to be realistic though, when looking at a place don't just think "yeah, 10 minute job easy" as they're often not. You'll find trapped dirt in the frames (uPVC's always have loads in the bottom at the back of the sill) and you'll spend ages trying to get it all out which takes time. Plus extending the pole, bringing it down to adjust the brush angle etc.. all takes time.

Oh and don't be shy about your pricing (unless you're in a run down area where there isn't much money). You have the specialist equipment to get the job done, the typical householder doesn't.You're worth it!

Tango said:

^What he said.

It's basically what you want to charge. No point charging £8 per house that will take you 2 hours to clean - that's ridiculous. On the other hand charging £40 for a flat that takes 7 minutes isn't going to win you any awards for pricing either.

Look to make at least £15 per hour. If a place is going to take 20 mins then I'd go in at £10. Typically i price many jobs at £15 a few at £20, some at £10 and I do have one who wants fronts only for a fiver - literally 2 windows and a front door which although it's only a fiver it's easy money.

Timing is the key to your pricing really. First cleans take longer, 2nd cleans can often take the same amount of time. Once the windows are tame (typically 3rd or 4th clean) you can normally do them far quicker. You have to be realistic though, when looking at a place don't just think "yeah, 10 minute job easy" as they're often not. You'll find trapped dirt in the frames (uPVC's always have loads in the bottom at the back of the sill) and you'll spend ages trying to get it all out which takes time. Plus extending the pole, bringing it down to adjust the brush angle etc.. all takes time.

Oh and don't be shy about your pricing (unless you're in a run down area where there isn't much money). You have the specialist equipment to get the job done, the typical householder doesn't.You're worth it!

Click to expand...

I think any sole trader needs to earn at least £30 per hour , think about it , no sick pay , no holiday pay , cannot work in extreme weather , running a van , buying and replacing kit , insurance, water, accountants fees , and so the list goes on £30 is a minimum preferably £40+ , that might sound a lot but it’s not when taking all the expenses into account , Ime not saying that everyone can earn that 8 hours a day 5 days per week but it should be a minimum target for each hour on the glass , having seen a lot of people start window cleaning and then they cannot make a living beacause they are to cheap  , and then giving up , they say I don’t know how you can make it work , it’s simple you have tk sit down work out your expenses and go from there , if you cannot make a decent living cleaning glass you are doing something wrong , I know some areas are better than others and what people will pay varies but green pro always maintained that he could price and get work all over the country at very similar prices and he has a number of franchisees so he must be doing something right , I think far to many people undersell themselves and there services , windier Cleaning is now viewed by many as a professional job since the introduction of wfp , people have been total different with  me since I changed over , and they expect to pay a reasonable price for a good reliable service , not all will but most do . 

Pjj said:

I think any sole trader needs to earn at least £30 per hour , think about it , no sick pay , no holiday pay , cannot work in extreme weather , running a van , buying and replacing kit , insurance, water, accountants fees , and so the list goes on £30 is a minimum preferably £40+ , that might sound a lot but it’s not when taking all the expenses into account , Ime not saying that everyone can earn that 8 hours a day 5 days per week but it should be a minimum target for each hour on the glass , having seen a lot of people start window cleaning and then they cannot make a living beacause they are to cheap  , and then giving up , they say I don’t know how you can make it work , it’s simple you have tk sit down work out your expenses and go from there , if you cannot make a decent living cleaning glass you are doing something wrong , I know some areas are better than others and what people will pay varies but green pro always maintained that he could price and get work all over the country at very similar prices and he has a number of franchisees so he must be doing something right , I think far to many people undersell themselves and there services , windier Cleaning is now viewed by many as a professional job since the introduction of wfp , people have been total different with  me since I changed over , and they expect to pay a reasonable price for a good reliable service , not all will but most do . 

Click to expand...

Without a doubt you're right but when starting out you can't expect that sort of money quickly or easily. That's why I said a *minimum* of £15 per hour.

Some of us also don't have van costs to worry about either so my outgoings aren't as steep as yours.

Tango said:

Without a doubt you're right but when starting out you can't expect that sort of money quickly or easily. That's why I said a *minimum* of £15 per hour.

Some of us also don't have can costs to worry about either so my outgoings aren't as steep as yours.

Click to expand...

I agree with what you are saying but I found when starting I was to cheap on jobs and became a busy fool , it’s difficult to put up prices significantly once you realise this , but I acceyanyobe starting out it will take time but better to build slowly with good paying jobs than go in cheap and be inundated with work 

Pjj said:

it’s difficult to put up prices significantly once you realise this 

Click to expand...

Not for me lol. I've no problem quoting higher if i think they've got the money but i'm just naff at finding jobs to quote lol.

I did royally screw up with one though, quoted £15 for it over the phone - didn't realise the back had a 2nd floor and a window up there was above an extension. But as a bonus i picked up their neighbours for the same price and their house is a lot easier!