charging for window cleaning - Page 2 - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Ike · #11 (**permalink**) 09-05-02

Gleam 3 doesn't sud so it is easier to wipe.

It helps the water stay wet longer.

With McDonald playlands and reflective glass I cut my time by 20

percent!

I hope this answers your question Dan.

Being a fellow Texan you know how fast water dries in the

summer!

Glad to share some of my window experience with you guys who

have helped me with part time power washing!

robo404 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-10-02

Sorry I meant he is charging $2.50 for the whole job.

Ike · #13 (**permalink**) 09-10-02

for $ 2.50 he won't last long!

Start overnight, Gone overnight!

midstateclean · #14 (**permalink**) 09-10-02

hello,

new to the site

my background is in windowcleaning, over 9 years in the South Florida area, with about a 70/30 mix of residential/commercial.

i recently moved and am considering on adding pressure cleaning due to so many people asking me, "do you do pressure cleaning?" so i will be reading alot of these threads for advice.

all the windowcleaners i know use Dawn dish detergent, it cuts grease/fingerprints like an animal, it keeps cleaning no matter how dirty the water is. i have used the GG3 and it does work good for less soiled windows, leaves a nice scent and does slow down the drying time.

just a comment to the person regarding the low cost on the storefront .... this is not uncommon for there to be lots of low prices for strip center work, especially in large metro areas...where i used to live in south florida, large windowcleaning companies would come in and offer new stores in strip centers 1 year free of windowcleaning to get their business, they would do this by billing them every other month for only 1 month of service, they do this for the first 2 years thus giving them a free year of service. the larger companies were able to usually "muscle" into large majority of the stores in the strip center. hey, they were usually just sending a guy out there to work and paying him $6-8 dollars anyway, so it was profitable to the owners of the companies. not saying it is wrong or right , just the way that i know that it is done.

i personally like the residential market because there is only a fracition if any competition in it, the key in my opinion is to be professional in your appearance/work as these people are letting you into their homes.

it can be very challenging to bid residential work, i never use a standard formula, because EVERY job is different. different windows are easier or harder to clean. i personally go and look at every job i do before i give a quote. i can give the person a rough estimate on the phone, but nothing solid unless i see it. you can cause yourself alot of grief by giving out quotes on the phone. if you tell the customer, "i will need to see it before i can give you and exact quote due to certain variables like size of windows, accessible, stains or paint on windows, etc,".... they will always understand and accept this as a mark of your professionalism.

Mark T.

Ike · #15 (**permalink**) 09-11-02

I may sound like a wuss, but Dawn also dries your hands out!

I don't if your wife likes steel wool hands, but the Gleam 3

doesn't make my hands feel like the skin shrunk at the end of the

day!

Ike · #16 (**permalink**) 09-14-02

A hint for making the most of Gleam3,

Instead of using the recommended 1/10 of an ounce for one

gallon of water, use 1 full ounce for 3 to 5 gallon bucket. That

makes all the difference I found out to have a sheet of water on

the window without splotches. Doing this will make up for the

extra cost of the soap, with what you save in squeegee blades!

Your friendly rednecktex,

Ike

mdh · #17 (**permalink**) 01-06-03

I like Glass Gleam 4, since I have to deal with hard water here in Central Texas. I buy it from Dallas Window Cleaning Supply. You have to keep the water clean though--if want to use the same bucket for a big job, nothing beats Dawn. I know another co. in our area that uses Dawn and a bit of vinegar, but I don't like leaving that smell around on my good accounts. I only use vinegar in the mix on residential exteriors that haven't been cleaned in years. My wife complains about the Dawn taking her skin off! She is free help, so I have to accomodate her...but I use Dawn when she isn't around.

Be careful asking for actual bid prices or prices per window--this can be construed as price fixing (a crime!) The best way to come up with a price is to go and look at the job. Look at what kind of junk is stuck on the windows, sloping landscaping, mud, dogs that grab your rags and pee on the ladder, furniture in the way, etc. Then add $ for everything that looks like it is going to be a headache--like screens that are screwed on on 2nd and 3rd story windows--you WILL drop screws that cannot be found. Make sure you add extra for ladder work.

If the customer doesn't like your bid--don't go down unless you deduct some work. Like, "I'll deduct $30 (or whatever) if you don't want me to open the windows and clean the tracks." Don't give your work away! You won't be able to get your full price on all the word of mouth from that customer. Don't ask me how I know

Then when you get done with each job, figure out how much you made per man hour compared to what you want to make. Doing this each time will help you bid in the future. Under-bidding a few jobs will help you look more closely on the next window count!