Not charging enough

[William Robert Mccrea]

Hi I wondered if I could get the concensus on what to do?

I started window cleaning a few years ago, but I got my work by canvassing. However, I didn't know what to charge and quoted way to low . So consequently I have ended up with loads of work that I resent doing. I have got to know other window cleaners who charge nearly double what I charge. I can't put the window up too much as I will risk losin

What to do?

Thanks for your input

 

[Clisty1989]

If you put all up by £2 and lose 1 £10 house but 5 say yes then your not losing any money, and you've got space for someone better priced

 

[Dave B]

You're not the only one i know several guys who did that at first..i had the advantage of working for others before i went on my own so knew what to charge

Personally i would canvass a bit of new work at decent prices (say £150) and then put up some of your old customers by a couple of quid

If they are happy then you have just gained more work and priced some of your old work better

If you lose a couple then you already have work to replace it

Then repeat with more of your customers

If you start losing a few then you just need to canvass a few to replace and they will be better priced

You may be ok and not need to canvass new work but best to get a bit in case

Example

10 x £10 jobs = £100

Put them up a quid and lose one and you have 9 x £11 jobs which is £99

Replace the lost one with another £11 job and now you have 10 jobs for £110

As long as you don't jump too high in price you should keep most of them and be a lot better off

 

[J and S]

Put your prices up.

Say you have 100 semis @ £5 each...put them up by £2 each and you can afford to lose 28 of them and still make more money...£504.

Put them up by £2.50 = lose 32 and still make more money...£510.

Just post a note through each door telling how much it's going up together with a reason why.

Main thing is don't be scared of the customer but at the same time be nice to them.

 

[spruce]

Hi I wondered if I could get the concensus on what to do?I started window cleaning a few years ago, but I got my work by canvassing. However, I didn't know what to charge and quoted way to low . So consequently I have ended up with loads of work that I resent doing. I have got to know other window cleaners who charge nearly double what I charge. I can't put the window up too much as I will risk losin

What to do?

Thanks for your input

......and I don't think there is anything wrong with advising (not telling) your customer that you need to increase your prices as you originally under quoted for the job.

I've got that T shirt.

Put your prices up.Say you have 100 semis @ £5 each...put them up by £2 each and you can afford to lose 28 of them and still make more money...£504.

Put them up by £2.50 = lose 32 and still make more money...£510.

Just post a note through each door telling how much it's going up together with a reason why.

Main thing is don't be scared of the customer but at the same time be nice to them.

Sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out. I like the reasoning J and S.

However its all about customer perception of the price they are paying. If they feel its too much then its too much, even if it isn't. Others will know already that they were getting a very good price and will have expected a price rise anyway.

.

 

[PJ Bullard]

If your in a big town with other towns close by, or if your in or near a city then get new custys with better prices like the boys have advised. If you are in a remote location then its not so easy. Then drop the jobs you resent doing or if the custys that are priced too low are approachable, speak to them and say, 'Look, we've had to increase our prices staring from your next clean due to higher overheads'. This should be enough said. If they give you hag, then its best to walk away because as I've learnt myself - there is nothing worse than doing work you know you've underpriced. You wont want to be there and you wont do a proper job either. Hope it helps

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

Oh thanks very much for all your reply lads I have got some real good advice hear, and I'm glad I'm not on my own in charging to little. I do get resentful when doing a lot of jobs. But I now no what to do.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Rosewood]

Just experiment with a few customers, there's no need to do a wholesale price increase. Pick the ones you really resent doing and go for it, not just a pound or two.

One way is to offer something extra, perhaps you don't clean frames and sills as standard if not start and bump the price up that way customers can see there getting more for there money.

I resently quoted on a bungalow, they had got fed up of windy not wiping sills I quoted £12. Oh that's a lot more than where paying was the reply. So what are you paying then says I, the reply £4.

The frames and sills where minging no time to do a proper job if your only charging £4

I got the job and there happy to pay and get a decent job.

The point being people will happily pay more

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

If your in a big town with other towns close by, or if your in or near a city then get new custys with better prices like the boys have advised. If you are in a remote location then its not so easy. Then drop the jobs you resent doing or if the custys that are priced too low are approachable, speak to them and say, 'Look, we've had to increase our prices staring from your next clean due to higher overheads'. This should be enough said. If they give you hag, then its best to walk away because as I've learnt myself - there is nothing worse than doing work you know you've underpriced. You wont want to be there and you wont do a proper job either. Hope it helps

Thanks very much mate

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

You're not the only one i know several guys who did that at first..i had the advantage of working for others before i went on my own so knew what to charge
Personally i would canvass a bit of new work at decent prices (say £150) and then put up some of your old customers by a couple of quid

If they are happy then you have just gained more work and priced some of your old work better

If you lose a couple then you already have work to replace it

Then repeat with more of your customers

If you start losing a few then you just need to canvass a few to replace and they will be better priced

You may be ok and not need to canvass new work but best to get a bit in case

Example

10 x £10 jobs = £100

Put them up a quid and lose one and you have 9 x £11 jobs which is £99

Replace the lost one with another £11 job and now you have 10 jobs for £110

As long as you don't jump too high in price you should keep most of them and be a lot better off

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

Put your prices up.Say you have 100 semis @ £5 each...put them up by £2 each and you can afford to lose 28 of them and still make more money...£504.

Put them up by £2.50 = lose 32 and still make more money...£510.

Just post a note through each door telling how much it's going up together with a reason why.

Main thing is don't be scared of the customer but at the same time be nice to them.

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

......and I don't think there is anything wrong with advising (not telling) your customer that you need to increase your prices as you originally under quoted for the job.
I've got that T shirt.

Sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out. I like the reasoning J and S.

However its all about customer perception of the price they are paying. If they feel its too much then its too much, even if it isn't. Others will know already that they were getting a very good price and will have expected a price rise anyway.

.

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

If your in a big town with other towns close by, or if your in or near a city then get new custys with better prices like the boys have advised. If you are in a remote location then its not so easy. Then drop the jobs you resent doing or if the custys that are priced too low are approachable, speak to them and say, 'Look, we've had to increase our prices staring from your next clean due to higher overheads'. This should be enough said. If they give you hag, then its best to walk away because as I've learnt myself - there is nothing worse than doing work you know you've underpriced. You wont want to be there and you wont do a proper job either. Hope it helps

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

Just experiment with a few customers, there's no need to do a wholesale price increase. Pick the ones you really resent doing and go for it, not just a pound or twne way is to offer something extra, perhaps you don't clean frames and sills as standard if not start and bump the price up that way customers can see there getting more for there money.

I resently quoted on a bungalow, they had got fed up of windy not wiping sills I quoted £12. Oh that's a lot more than where paying was the reply. So what are you paying then says I, the reply £4.

The frames and sills where minging no time to do a proper job if your only charging £4

I got the job and there happy to pay and get a decent job.

The point being people will happily pay more

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[William Robert Mccrea]

Just experiment with a few customers, there's no need to do a wholesale price increase. Pick the ones you really resent doing and go for it, not just a pound or twne way is to offer something extra, perhaps you don't clean frames and sills as standard if not start and bump the price up that way customers can see there getting more for there money.

I resently quoted on a bungalow, they had got fed up of windy not wiping sills I quoted £12. Oh that's a lot more than where paying was the reply. So what are you paying then says I, the reply £4.

The frames and sills where minging no time to do a proper job if your only charging £4

I got the job and there happy to pay and get a decent job.

The point being people will happily pay more

Thanks very much mate very helpful

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Matt Clarke]

I had the best customer the other day. He gave me more than usual I said that's too much.

He said you have been cleaning my windows for 3 years and you haven't put your prices up so I have put it for you.

If only all customers were like that.

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[adamangler]

Hi I wondered if I could get the concensus on what to do?I started window cleaning a few years ago, but I got my work by canvassing. However, I didn't know what to charge and quoted way to low . So consequently I have ended up with loads of work that I resent doing. I have got to know other window cleaners who charge nearly double what I charge. I can't put the window up too much as I will risk losin

What to do?

Thanks for your input

Start a marketting campaign to slowly replace them.

What else can you do?

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Put asside some canvass time.

Go canvass 5 new custies at the right money. Next chose 5 old custys you resent and put their prices to what they should be.

Even if you loose all 5 ot dont matter as you replaced them already.

I predict you wont. 1 or 2 per 5 will drop you but no big deal as you will still be quids in.