Contacting commercial properties

[meridion]

We've started emailing PDF invoices as these get their quicker and save a ridiculous amount on postage.

When tendering for work with commercial clients, you need to provide risk and method statements. Method statements would be quite generic but a lot of the time the risk assessments can be specific to the site as there are different factors to take into consideration.

Thanks a lot mate, any other tips regarding commercial work? It's not the be all and end all, but I was checking out your website and you know what you're doing lol

Thanks

 

[Iain]

We've started emailing PDF invoices as these get their quicker and save a ridiculous amount on postage.

When tendering for work with commercial clients, you need to provide risk and method statements. Method statements would be quite generic but a lot of the time the risk assessments can be specific to the site as there are different factors to take into consideration.

Thanks a lot mate, any other tips regarding commercial work? It's not the be all and end all, but I was checking out your website and you know what you're doing lol

Thanks

Cheers mate

The only other advice I could give would be to have a look at any local business groups in your area. Most regions have their own Chamber of Commerce but membership tends to be quite pricey. 9 times out of 10, there's a free alternative though.

Also keep an eye on upcoming tenders in places like Contrax Weekly. This is mainly for public sector work but still a great source.

Other than that, the good old "meet and greet" never fails. City centres are rive with large commercial buildings and there's no harm in popping in and asking if reception know who manages the window cleaning. We're still in a recession so most businesses will welcome someone if they can do the work cheaper. HTH

 

[meridion]

Sound, thanks man! By the way, do you employ anyone window cleaning wise? Once my round gets big enough, I'll be looking at how to employ someone or subcontract somehow, as it's cheaper lol

 

[Iain]

We've got a team of about 20 window cleaners in London but the majority of our business is daily office cleaning, data centre cleaning, etc. If you're going to employ people, you're going to be best off finding an accountant to help with PAYE as it's a real headache. Subcontracting isn't too difficult as they'll be employed by other company and you're just renting their time.

 

[meridion]

Is there a way to subcontract self-employed window cleaners?

 

[Iain]

It's the same as subcontracting a company. The responsibility is passed over to them for almost everything including insurance. Make sure you get a signed agreement so that everyone knows what they're responsible for and what's expected of them.

It would also be an idea to get a non compete agreement in place. This would stop your subbie from bypassing you one day and going straight to your client. This happens. A lot.

 

[meridion]

Ah ok. Yeah I was thinking of putting in a term about not being allowed to take any of my customers etc

 

[Paul]

I don't think you could do anything If somebody did go direct to tour custy.

 

[Iain]

When sub contracting its always best to have a seperate non compete agreement. They're relatively straight forward to put together without a solicitor.

If you're just going to add a clause to the contract, make sure it's air tight as otherwise there's nothing to stop your client going direct to your subbie and cutting you out.

I don't think you could do anything If somebody did go direct to tour custy.

That's why you need a non compete agreement. If the subbie did play silly buggers then you could take him to court for damages, depending on what's written into the agreement.

If you've built up a relationship with your client then you need to protect that relationship and stop your subbie from cutting you out.

 

[meridion]

Exactly, You can. You draft up an agreement between you and them saying that they can't take any of your customers listed in document X ( which is a seperate file where all your clients are listed) and if they stop working for you, they can't try to take your customers either. Companies do it all the time.

 

[Paul]

What would happen to them??

 

[meridion]

Depending on how much they try and take, breach of contract, employment tribunal or small claims court.

 

[Paul]

But it could only last for so long after employment ? You couldn't possibly ban them from contacting forever

 

[meridion]

Course you can. Nobody is forcing them to sign that agreement lol, it can say the have to do the irish jigg as well. An agreement is an agreement as long as it's not illegal.

 

[Iain]

Normally you would stop your subbie from working directly for the client for 12 months after you stop working for them. It's quite common for subbies to be banned from working direct with the client for an indefinite time period once they've worked as a subbie for them.

Its common for subbies to not want to sign but it's normally a case of "if you don't sign it, you don't get the work"! You need to protect yourself in these times unfortunately.