I have a commercial cleaning company and with all the ads I am doing, I am not getting many responses.
What am I doing wrong?
I am describing what I do, where I am, that the cleaning is 100% satisfaction guarateed or it's free.
I am telling them that I am licensed and insured
Free estimates
24/7 emergency service available
I am doing most of my ads in Brevard County and Orlando
Can someone tell me where I am going wrong?
I have done residential cleaning for over 17 years and just started getting into the commercial aspect of it.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Final Touch Pro

How about posting a sample ad?

Hi, nanc1430!

Where and how are you posting your advertising, please? I can help you with this.

Thanks!

Clough
I am posting the ad all over in the free ads right now. I was told that some of the other people get responses from these but they seem to e-mail me once and don't always call back for an interview and estimate.
I am going to do cold calling next week starting Tuesday. I don't call them on Mondays or Fridays because they are usually too busy to talk.

I have passed around a lot of business cards, saw a few people that said they will use me when needed but nothing yet.

I know times are tough but where the banks are forclosing on properties, the people have to go someplace.
I.E. Rentals, other cheaper houses
I really want Real Estate Companies first. I think that would be the best to start with but nothing.

After I get established, then I can pay to advertise but right now, I'm trying to keep the cost down.

I'm running all kinds of specials and even giving them 100 % Satisfaction Guarantee or it's FREE. I can't be any cheaper then that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
nanc1430

One of my ads go something like this

>Contact Information Removed<

We are a full service cleaning company that focuses on customer service through our high quality efforts. We are a locally owned and operated company that provides you with worry free cleaning.

We have 17 + years of experience and are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

All our work is backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or it's FREE!

We have a 24/7 service for all your emergencies that arise.
We are there when you need us.

Final Touch Pro, llc is reasonably priced and all our estimates are always FREE!
No job is too big or small!

Tired of your old cleaning company? Job not getting finished on time? No show?
There is always room for improvement.

We will work with you to meet all your needs as well as your budget.

Discounts are given for any repeat customers

We DON'T cut corners-WE CLEAN THEM

Also a member of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce

Hi, nanc1430!

What I'm seeing, is that you are listing your ad in such a way that it won't be likely to get the optimum exposure for when people are looking for your kind of service where you are located. This is also something with which I can help you. Since I don't moderate this topic area of the site, I have requested that your contact information be removed from your post. Once that is done, I can help to show you how to word an ad on the Internet so that it gets the most exposure and will probably beat most of the competition in the area where you are trying to advertise.

Thanks!

Hi again, nanc1430!

I see that your contact information has been removed now. It's important not to put contact information on this site, because it's not really supposed to be used for advertising.

I am usually on here between the hours of 11:00 P.M. to 2:00 or 3:00 P.M. Central Standard time.

Tonight, I have been on really late because of other things that I have had to do. Hopefully, you and I can touch base and be online at the same time sometime. (I actually should have been to bed hours ago!)

I care about your flourishing in the business that you have! As such, I am hopeful that we can touch base at least at the same time on this site about that and are able to discuss in "real time" about your advertising.

If we don't touch base at the same time, then I will definitely give you some good pointers in how to advertise on the Internet the best!

Most of my business comes from the free ads that I have placed on the Internet. It has gone so well that I have removed myself from the Yellow Pages of the phone book.

You can beat all of the competition in your area on the Internet, if you word your ads just the right way and advertise on certain sites!

Thanks!

Clough
Thank you for wanting to help me.
The only thing I can think of is it's saying commercial and not both.
How can I put it so I only get vacant properties instead of residential?
I was afraid to put residential, unless I specify vacant.
Thank you
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

You're not forgotten here! I've just been really busy outside of doing things on this site!

This weekend, I will be house and dog sitting for some friends who will be going out of town. I plan on moving my computer over to their home. Tonight, Friday night, I'll concentrate on giving you some definitive ways that you can get the most exposure when you post ads on the Internet.

Thanks!

Thank you very much for giving me the time.
I will be on again most of the night. I am usually on this thing most of the day and all of the night. Usually until about 6 in the morning. I am determined to get this thing going.
I did change my ad again but nothing. Usually before when I just submitted an ad, I usually get a call or two when my ad is at the top of the list. I changed it an nothing.
What's up?
Thanks
Nanc1430

Hello ! You there?

I am now, nanc1430!

I'm very sorry that I missed you!

I basically moved out of my home tonight to home-sit and dog-sit (three dogs) for some friends for the weekend who are out of town. Took me quite awhile to get everything, including my computer, moved over here. Had a rehearsal for a musical for which I'm playing that went pretty late tonight. Am planning on being on here more extensively Saturday night because there won't be a rehearsal during the evening, but the rehearsal will be during and for most of the day.

Am hopeful to catch you tonight! About 10:30 my time would be good if it's good for you. If not, then please let me know the time that you might be on here.

Thanks!

I'll keep checking from time to time.
Hope all is going well.
Nanc1430

I'm here right now, Nanc1430! Although, I'm very tired...

I'll still work with you, though! Have been practicing for a very difficult show for which I'm playing.

I'm glad that you're here now!

Won't keep you too long. Just wanted to see what I'm doing with my ads not to be getting more people responding.
Nanc1430

Also keep in mind that A LOT of people are having money issues lately what with the economy and all. Cleaning service is a luxury. So it's not necessarily that your advertising isn't working.

Hi, nanc1430!

Please give me a minute to re-check this thread.

Thanks!

Thank you for responding but I am trying to work both ends of the spectrum.
I'm trying to do post construction cleaning, working for the real estate sale, move/in's move/out's, property management companies and more on that line.
I'm also trying to work for bank foreclosures.
This gives me a wide margin and people that are being thrown out of their homes have to live somewhere.

Have you also tried offices?

One of my ads go something like this

We are a full service cleaning company that focuses on customer service through our high quality efforts. We are a locally owned and operated company that provides you with worry free cleaning.

We have 17 + years of experience and are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

All our work is backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or it’s FREE!

We have a 24/7 service for all your emergencies that arise.
We are there when you need us.

Final Touch Pro, llc is reasonably priced and all our estimates are always FREE!
No job is too big or small!

Tired of your old cleaning company? Job not getting finished on time? No show?
There is always room for improvement.

We will work with you to meet all your needs as well as your budget.

Discounts are given for any repeat customers

We DON’T cut corners-WE CLEAN THEM

Also a member of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce

The above is what you posted in post #5 on this thread. Is that basically what you are posting on the Internet, or is there something else that you have added to other ads?

Thanks!

That is basically the correct one that I use.
I might change a few words here and there.

That's about it.
What am I doing?

Since we are on a new page, I thought that I'd better post what you have posted in post #5, again.


One of my ads go something like this

We are a full service cleaning company that focuses on customer service through our high quality efforts. We are a locally owned and operated company that provides you with worry free cleaning.

We have 17 + years of experience and are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

All our work is backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or it's FREE!

We have a 24/7 service for all your emergencies that arise.
We are there when you need us.

Final Touch Pro, llc is reasonably priced and all our estimates are always FREE!
No job is too big or small!

Tired of your old cleaning company? Job not getting finished on time? No show?
There is always room for improvement.

We will work with you to meet all your needs as well as your budget.

Discounts are given for any repeat customers

We DON'T cut corners-WE CLEAN THEM

Also a member of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce

What you are missing are "keywords" so that people will be able to find what you do where you are located.

People aren't going to be searching for the name of your business, but what you do where you are located.

Those sort of things are what show up in the searches when people are looking for services of any kind.

This is it.

Sounds good, I will change my ad and do just that.
It makes good sense.
Thank you

I'll keep you informed.
Thanks
Night!

Are we done? I wanted to show you some other things about effective advertising on the Internet.

Okay, I can see that you're offline now.

Advertising on the Internet isn't all that simple in order to get the most exposure for what you do where you are conducting your business.

As such, I would appreciate an opportunity to show you how I do it in order to beat all of the competition on the Internet, in the area/region where I am looking for new business.

Thanks!

My initial suggestions:

You want to change the "WEs" to "YOUs"
Focus more on "what's in for the customer"


Why should I do business with you rather than the competition?
What's your "unique selling proposition? to attract customers.

Check FEDEX: "When it aboslutely positively has to be there overnight"
Dominos Pizza: "Fresh steamy pizza, delivered at your door within 30 minutes or less or your money back."


Check out some marketing books or CDs by Dan Kennedy on eBay.

Thanks all!
That all makes sense and I will follow all of it as I am determined to get this going full speed ahead.
nanc1430

Sorry Clough but I didn't want to take up too much of your time last night as you were tired and had to get ready for your engagement.
I appreciate anything that can be done to help me.
Will see you on soon.
Thanks
nanc1430

How about something like this for an ad on the internet?

It still has to be worded differently but something like this.

No Electricity – No Problem
We clean!

We are a full service cleaning company located in Cocoa Florida that focuses on customer service through our high quality efforts. We are a locally owned and operated company that provides you with Worry Free Cleaning.

Our services cover Orlando Florida and Brevard County

You won’t have to go anywhere else for your cleaning needs, as we will do them all for you.

We have 17+ years of experience and are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

ALL of our work is backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or it’s FREE!

You never have to worry about our work not getting done to your specifications.

We have a 24/7 emergency cleaning service available when you need us.

XXX is reasonable priced and our estimates are always FREE.

No job is too big or small! We will handle every cleaning need for you so you can relax.

Tired of your old cleaning company?
Job not getting completed on time?
No Show?

There is always room for improvement.

Try us and we will show you it can be done!

We will work with you to meet all of your needs as well as you budget.

Discounts are given for any repeat customers.

A lot of our cliental is through referrals and we appreciate it.
To show our appreciation we also give discounts for any confirmed referrals.

Once you hire XXXX , you won’t use anyone else.

We do not cut corners – We Clean Them!

We are also a member of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Discounts are also given to members.

Hi, nanc1430!

I am here! Please give me a couple minutes to "un-cloak" and to gather the information that I need for you.

I think that you are very creative in you advertising, by the way! It just needs a few extra things added to it.

Thanks!

I have never done advertising before and seem to like it very much. I have a lot of ideas but not too sure as how to use them yet.

I know I needed something different from the other ads and thought cleaning without power is one of them.

Most of the ads also say 100% Satisfaction or we will re clean for nothing. (that's nothing, that's what they are paying for) At least I am offering to re do it and have them pay nothing if they still don't like it.

I know this has to take off.

I am writing up some door hangers now for cleaning offices. I can leave them on doors when they aren't even open. I will give them some specials also.

Just need a little help getting started.

Thanks, I appreciate everything I can get to help.
Hope you did good with your engagement you were rehearsing for

Yes, the rehearsal went well, but we still have a long way to go before the show is in tip-top shape. Too bad that it starts in just three days! Thank you for your concern and making a logical, caring decision last night not to continue here. I have a tendency to spend way too much time here, because I like to help people, when I should actually be getting my own stuff done...

My response concerning the advertising is coming...

nanc1430, if you click on the following links to searches, you will get an idea as to what you need to do concerning getting your advertising exposed the most when people search for services that are around where you are located and can be found on the Internet.

Clough Quad Cities - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Clough+Quad+Cities&btnG=Search)

Piano Tuner Quad Cities - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Piano+Tuner+Quad+Cities)

Quad Cities Handyman - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Quad+Cities+Handyman)

Quad Cities Party Pianist - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Quad+Cities+Party+Pianist)

Painting and Restoration Quad Cities - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Painting+and+Restoration+Quad+Cities)

Rock Island, IL Piano Tuner - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Rock+Island%2C+IL+Piano+Tuner)

Now, since I haven't put any contact information in this post and what I have in the links is not likely to be found when people do searches for things on the Internet because the words are interconnected with a URL, this post should be okay concerning my not using this site as an advertising tool. I try very hard not to even imply that I am doing any advertising here in order to preserve the integrity of this site.

My ads will dominate a number of pages in the searches.

If you have further questions, please let me know. I do know how to word your ad so that it will get better exposure. Also, there are good and bad sites on which a person can advertise as far as getting good exposure. I think that I know most of the best sites on which to advertise.

My first name is Craig. You will see it in the ads.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

[Edit] I just took off the last search link because my email address was part of the search. But, it was really good!

You said that you had a few more things I might ad to the ads. Will I find it on the sites?
I will go there now and look around. Thank you
Talk to you after if your still on.
nanc1430

Yes, you will find the extra words in my ads that you could also tailor to be in your ads according to your location. Even if a link doesn't look like it might be one of my ads, it might still be a good idea to click on the link, because my ads might be in there.

I'm going to wait around awhile here...

Just moved back into my home after house and dog-sitting for the weekend. It's been a very busy weekend!

By the way, I also have a cousin, Adam Clough who is also figuring pretty prominently in the dinner theater circuit around the U.S. I'm seeing stuff come up about him more and more in searches. He's about the same age as my daughter.

Thank you, I will check these all out and then if your still on I will get back to you but don't wait for me. I don't know how long this will take.

Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated.

Did you get my private message?

I'm impressed!
Still looking everything over.
Plants are one of my great hobbies
Will have to keep looking.
You are a pretty busy man.

Yeah, I am... Probably too busy..

And, It's just about time for me to get off here so that I can be able to get up to do my work that is scheduled for the morning.

Would you like for me to give you some ideas in the near future as to how you might word your ads on the Internet, but with keeping within the boundaries of the rules of this site?

If you would like for me to do that, I would be glad to do it. It's part of the reason that I'm on this site!

Sounds great to me. Thank you so much for your help.
I will probably be on your sites all night.
I'll let you know more later.
So far it's coming to me that you have all aspects of your work covered and backed up.
There is no way around them.
Great Idea!
Talk soon

Thanks! That's cool! I can even show you how you can advertise for specials around certain times of the year so that you can have people find you by accident and might decide to use your services.

For instance, one time I had a married couple hire me to tune their piano. They had been looking for goats in Iowa. They run an animal rescue operation. Because my ads were on the same site where they were looking for the goats, they decided to get there piano tuned!

Another example would be for Valentine's Day. I run a special around then for my services for whatever. I know how to beat all of the florists in the area in order to find me by accident!

Later...

That's great!

I don't have any idea right now as how you might do it but would love to know.

I can give out gift certificates or something around the holidays to have their places cleaned or something on that idea.
I think I am going to do residential cleaning also. I don't want to do it myself, but getting temp help for that wouldn't be too bad.
Paying them less than the going rate for cleaning but paying them a little more than min wage. It won't cost me more than checking on them once in a while. I'll give the employees some slips with " how do you rate my work" to get the customer sign it.
After they get so many good comments, I will give them gratuities or something like that to look forward to. (Just a little incentive) It will also make most of them very aware of their cleaning so they will probably do a good job. It will also tell me what the person thinks of the cleaner doing the work.

So many ideas and not enough knowledge.

I'll learn!

Clough
Don't know how long I will be able to be on tonight as the contractor called me today for the job I was bidding on and I start Wednesday.
I really have to hustle tomorrow to get ready for Wednesday morning.
If you have some ideas or thoughts, they would really be appreciated.
I think I know what you were telling me the other night.
I will have to re word my ads and put them out on a lot of free ad space.
Will talk to you later.
Thanks
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

Congratulations on getting the job with the contractor! I don't have very much time right now either because I have to practice my fingers off in order to prepare for a first dress rehearsal for the show which is tomorrow night.

We will be in touch soon, though!

Good luck with your's
Talk soon
nanc1430

Meant to say thanks for congratulations. I will really work for this one as the parade of homes is coming up and I would like to be part of it.

On my custom home cleaning, every window was sprayed with paint. Not overspray, paint.
We were very new at it and didn't know exactly how to handle it.
My help cleaned the windows inside but left the french doors as they were sprayed like someone frosted them.
I later got a hold of the foreman on the job and he said he was going to get the painter to come back and fix them.
The question I have is, are windows all included in the price in Florida or do you charge extra for them? To my knowledge, they are included but was told to charge extra if they are oversprayed a lot.
Also what is adverage for rough clean and final clean? Was told that they usually take 1/2 of the square foot price to do the final clean. The contractors office said they usually pay one rate across the board. Is this usual and does it include inside and outside windows?
Lots of questions but not sure of correct answer as to how to handle this.
Thanks
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

I have waited a number of hours to get back onto this site because of some kind of upgrade that was going on. I am leery of posting things because the format of the site would appear to have changed quite a bit. I really don't care very much for this little rectangle in which to post responses and wish that they would change that back to the way that it was.

In my opinion, you should charge extra for cleaning windows, if it's outside of the cleaning service that was already agreed to in the first place.

Is it usual that post construction window cleaning is included in Florida?
I was on a site that said it was but don't know for sure.
It takes up most of our time just doing windows.
Want to do what we are suppose to do but think we should charge a little more.

Hi, nanc1430!

I hope that you're doing well! I need to go call someone before it gets too late, but I will return, if you can still be around.

I think that if you have a written agreement with a customer as to what you are supposed to do for a certain price and something additional is added later to the agreement, that you should charge extra. What I put in my Contracts with Customers is that there is a clause that states basically, that any additional work and subsequent costs are to be mutually agreed to in writing by both the Contractor and the Customer.

Do you have written contracts with your customers? I can't remember if we've already discussed that, but will be reviewing this thread. Have been really busy playing for a show, the preparation for and performance of that has taken up a lot of my time.

Thanks!

No contract was written up as this was my first post construction cleaning. I really wanted to get my feet in the door so I knew it was going to be a little extra work the first time.

I bid for this contractor last year but because my insurance wasn't what they required, and I was unable to get the bid.
I really like what I am doing but wanted to know what was expected of me and what was usual.
I know if you let them, they will use you for what ever they can get away with.
The Parade of Homes is coming up soon next month and I really wanted to be included in that.
I think I can get to know a lot of people and really do a great job. It's contacts I need right now.
How would you handle this one?
I will be back on in a few.

Thanks
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

I'm back. In order to protect yourself and avoid any confusion, I really would strongly suggest that you write up a simple contract specifying what you will be doing and for how much. If you do have contracts, especially with your larger customers, you will appear to be more professional, organized and attentive to the needs of your customers.

Sounds good.
I do already have one made up but it seemed as if this bid happened so quick that I never went to the office to meet with them or anything. They called me up one day and had me start the next morning. I had a lot to get ready so I never got the chance to go down. I took this job blind but felt good about it. I needed a start and didn't want to turn this down.
I will work on that contract now.
I also have a glass waiver made up and will start using that also.
Thanks for your suggestion.
nanc1430

I know that oftentimes we really need to jump on things and be "Johnny on the Spot" when the opportunities are presented to us as far as making bids and being available right away and doing the jobs. Those sort of things also look good to the potential customers.

If you are presenting a contract to them after the fact of starting the job, I'm sure that they will understand if you explain to them that you knew that they needed the work done right away, wanted to get it done for them, but that you also need for you and they to sign the contract for their benefit so that nothings left to wonder about concerning what needs to be done according to their satisfaction and that both you and they are clear about that.

Just some words that you might use in a verbal explanation to them...

Thank you, that sounds good.
I made it a point to go down to the office after I started the job just to meet the lady behind the telephone voice that I was talking to.
She thought that was very nice. Hopefully that will go along way. Most people really don't care as long as the money is coming in.
I don't know if I could do that for this particular job after going down there already but will tell her for the next job that I know I have. They are doing a spec house and will need post cleaning done and then after that weekly until they sell.
I will sure give her a contract for that.
I like to try to be different.
I am trying to run this whole idea and specials as different also.
I think that might be the key to standing out from the crowd.
Give them something that no one bothers to do anymore. (CARE)
I just now expanded to residential and office cleaning. I am going to let my help clean residential as I do not like it myself but know I have to stay up with it.
I am giving the employees a customer survey slip to give to the customer with the employees name on it. I am also putting a stamp on it so all the customer has to do is to put it in the mail box.
After the employees get 10 or so good reports, they will get a gratuity or something like that. If they get one bad one, they start over. I will also tell the employees that I will call the customers at random to make sure they filled it out and not the employees.
Sort of keeping tabs on everyone at the same time. I just think it might work.
What do you think?

Another question if I might ask is on a large residential complex with about 20 bldg. can you ask for partial payment as the job commences to pay your employees or do you have to wait until the whole job is done?
Lot of questions, sorry
Thank you
nanc1430

I'm going to have to think about the "keeping tabs" on the employees thing.

I'm going to ask Stringer to be a part of this thread now, because he is an expert at running a large cleaning service in a very large metropolitan area.

I'm glad that your business is going so well!

Concerning your advertising, I would definitely like to get back on track with that, because that's something that's my expertise.

Please click on the following link to see how much good exposure something already posted on this thread is getting. What you posted should be first on the top of the list in the Google search.

I am doing most of my ads in Brevard County and Orlando - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=I+am+doing+most+of+my+ads+in+Brevard+County+and+ Orlando&btnG=Search)

Looks good.
Glad this helps.
My business is just getting started but I am putting my all in it because I really believe it can do it.
There is no limit to knowledge and I would like to get as much as possible on this subject.
I think if you are doing something that you should know all about it.
As far as the employees, it gives them something for them to work for, finding out how the customer likes them and how I can improve my business.
This is all in one survey.
The ads I still need help with. That's where I need help. I know what I want but do not know how to send it across.
If you can take my ad and make something of it, please do. I am opened for criticism and thoughts.
I am now cold calling and finding out it's not that bad after all. I was leary of getting out there but determination made me do it.
I have two very possible developments out of it when they are ready.
One is 120 units and the other is 159 units.
I am also making up some door hangers for residential and office cleaning.
I also tell them if they already have someone to put me on their bid list when the contracts for cleaning expires.
As again, thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.
nanc1430

I have Private Messaged Stringer asking him to join in on this thread. I know that he will be a big help here. As for me right now, I do need to be getting to bed because I have to direct my barbershop chorus in a performance as well as play for a separate show tomorrow.

I will return to here at some point in the near future...

Thank you and good luck
nanc1430

Good afternoon Nanc,

I have been in the commercial cleaning business for over 27 years in the Chicago 8 county area. We do just under $7m annually. We do commercial only and about 75% of it is medical cleaning... our niche. There are approximately 3700 licensed commercial cleaning companies in this market. We have over 200 full time employees and about 315 buildings that we clean every night... AND I am always in the "learning" mode my dear.

I helped my wife start a residential cleaning business from scratch about 6 years ago. She went from one house to having over 85 homes when she sold it 3 years later for over $60,000.00.

Clough is an expert in what he does; take his advice very seriously he knows his stuff. You will benefit a great deal from his free advice in business and advertising.

There is so much to cover here so it will best be handled by a question and answer process. I would be happy to share any knowledge that I may have with you so this may take a while.

You seem serious about making your business a success; that is good and a first step. Caring, determination, endurance, ability to change things, customer service, long hours/sometimes seven days a week, ability to step back and review, etc are only a few of the intangible items necessary to be a success.

Starting a new business or even starting a new division of the company requires a dedication that is unique and most don't have the "gumption" for it over the long haul...

So, although my experience blankets most areas in business I would like to address the sales and operations areas.

For the most part Nanc, can we do this in a format of questions and answers?

I will start;

Please give me some background;

Your personal experience; college (what majors?) I ask this only to see at what level we can start. I.e; do you have any courses in marketing or business management, accounting, etc?

How long have you been in the residential cleaning business?
How many homes are you presently cleaning?
How many employees presently? (Possibly move some good ones over to commercial to have a base of good workers... )

I am "fishing" I know, but if I can get a "handle" on where we are it will help to save time and effort my dear.

Stringer

Clough, thanks for the invitation my friend. :)

"What I put in my Contracts with Customers is that there is a clause that states basically, that any additional work and subsequent costs are to be mutually agreed to in writing by both the Contractor and the Customer."
- Clough

This is exactly what I have in all my contracts, way to go Clough-Stringer

Stringer,

Thank you for responding.

You will be surprised to hear that I have only a high school education with a hairdressers license.
I really didn't care for that and started working for a residential cleaning company that I knew. It was all great until the owner passed away and his wife took over but could not handle it any longer and finally went out of business.

I never thought I would be doing this but my son who has a slight handicap kept saying we have to go in business for ourselves. He said it over and over again. I couldn't think of anything that he would be able to do without dealing with money and directly with people. I was always afraid to get something started and not be able to make it. I was also looking for something that wouldn't cost too much to get started in either. I finally came up with commercial cleaning. You only have to deal with a few people at a time and there is no cash involved. There is still money but not like in sales.

I started this business myself. Did all the paperwork involved like making up invoices, quote sheets etc. got my license, business cards, flyers (that I made up myself) I joined the Chamber of Commerce, went to all the meetings and leads groups, along with networking and staying online 24/7 learning.

Then I got the idea to sign up with a temp agency for insurnces, workmans comp and have employees handy if I needed them. I knew that the insurances were up front money the first year and I had to find some way around it.

Another thing also that made me decide to do commercial cleaning was I could work with contractors one time and when the market is slow for them, take on real estate move/in's and move/out's along with sales. I was also focusing on property management companies. I wanted to do bank foreclosures also so I would be taking on people at either end. The people have to live somewhere and if they can't afford to buy a house or if they lose a house in forclosures, I would probably catch them for rentals or buying smaller houses after.

I made up a list of contractors, real estate companies and property management companies and called everyone of them. I asked them if I could fax them some info and they said yes.

I sent out hundreds of faxes and really only got a couple of responses. One of them was this company I am finally working for now.
When they called for me to bid, they asked about insurances and workmans comp.
I told them we were suppose to be exempt from them because of the amount of employees and they said that unless we met their criteria, we couldn't work on their sites.

I immediately sent her a letter saying thank you very much for her input and I would have all the qualifications they would need in the future.

They just called me and told me to send in a bid. The only idea as to the price was surfing the internet.
I sent the bid in and was only $48.00 off. I felt really good about this but for that reason , didn't get my hopes up to work for them as I was off but was very pleased with myself as far as being so close without really knowing.

She called me back and said to drop it down to their square footage price and I could start two days later.

I dropped it down and told her that I was giving her the 10% off for new customers which brought the price down to the price they were willing to pay.

I went out bought a trailer the very next day, went down to get it registered, bought my cleaning products that I needed and got myself and uniform ready for the next day.
A friend of the family was willing to give his time to help and get me started and went with me after we signed up with the temp agency.

We worked about 9 hours, and didn't know if it was about right or not but he spent all day on the windows and I did the rest of the cleaning.
(It was a 2500 sq ft house).

Now we are just waiting to go back to do the final clean.

I went down to the contractors office to meet the person behind the voice on the phone and she thought that was great and at the same time she said the other spec house would be ready by the end of the month and she would call when we could start that one.
I guess we got it!

That is a touch up once a week after that until they sell the house.

Now I am getting into residential cleaning and going to hire employees through the temp agency to do this. I am only making a few dollars more an hour per employee but thought that would give me a little more coming in and later, raise the cleaning price. I am keeping it very low right now hoping that it will bring in some customers.

I am also working on cleaning office buildings.

I am making up some door hangers that look pretty good as far as residential and office cleaning and will be placing them here and there as I go around.

I just need some help getting myself out there. I know this will work and I feel good about it knowing there is a lot of potential.
I have come too far to quit now. I am giving it my all and really believe this will work.

I am still trying to feel my way around everything and not seem unprofessional completely.

I am now cold calling and have two very possible residential complexes. One is 120 units to be finished in Dec. and the other one is 159 units and they only have 10 done.

I am pulling all the permits applied for in land development hoping to get a jump on other cleaning companies. I also want to be known to out of state contractors that work in this state. They will have to pay expenses and perdiem if they go with their cleaning companies and if they go with mine, it won't cost them additional expenses.

Sorry but I have been jumping around a little but have been on this thing all day and starting to see all the words running together.

One more idea that I have is the girls for the residential cleaning. I was thinking of a customer survey slip that the employees sign when they start the house and give it to the owners. This is self stamped and addressed to me. It is asking the customer about the employee and what we could do to improve our services. All the have to do it drop it in a mailbox. To keep the employees honest, I will tell them I will call the customers from time to time to check to see if they mailed the survey but never know who I will call.
I will give the girls some gratuity or something like that after 10 good reports. If they get one bad one, the 10 starts over. I thought that would be something for them to work for, give input from my customers and everyone wins. What do you think of that idea?

Well, enough for now. Hope you can make something out of this mess. I will clarify anything that is not clear after you read this.

I am trying to advertise for free on the internet and need some help with wording.
I know what I want but don't know how to put it on paper.
Thank you and hope this wasn't too much but you did ask for some info on me.

The only problem I would have right now is if you said I wasn't cut out for this.

The spell check is not working and you will have to excuse me if it's not correct as I have been writing all day.

Thank you
nanc1430 :eek:

Hi, nanc1430!

If you're still logged on here, please hang around for a number of minutes, if you can, because I'm writing you a lengthy reply that will take me a number of minutes to develop.

Ok?

Thanks!

No problem, I understand. It took me a while to send it.
Thanks
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

Wow, that's some mighty post that you wrote in #66 above! It does sound like you are doing some really good things as far as promoting your business on paper as well as in person! Great and helpful post by Stringer, also!

I can't be on here long tonight because I have a matinée performance tomorrow for that show that I'm playing for and also have to prepare for another type of rehearsal tomorrow evening. Fortunately, tomorrows show is the last one! After tomorrow evening, I will have much more flexible time.

Concerning your advertising online, I do have a plan for that. I am going to do a re-write of your ad as I said I would some time ago. I do guarantee that you will get excellent results when people do look for what you do in the location(s) where you would like to work.

I can't do the above tonight, but will sometime in the next 48 hours.

What I would like you to do, is to join the following sites where you can advertise for free by signing-up, joining, registering or applying for an account. They are among the best of the best places to advertise that get the most exposure in searches. Please do everything that's asked for on them. You won't get spammed if you submit your email address, but be sure to look if there's any boxes to check to not receive any promotional things. I've never been spammed by any site where I have advertised.

http://www.hoobly.com/

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/fl
Please choose the city that is nearest to you and then apply for an account. I haven't done that in a long time since I've been a member of that site for many years. I know they have changed some of the ways that they do things since I have joined.

http://www.domesticsale.com/

http://www.naymz.com/

http://www.olx.com/

http://www.webclassifieds.us/

You don't have to give me your username or password for any of them. I like to keep my username and password simple and the same for just about every site that I'm on. I also copy and paste any information that I've posted on an advertising site into the Draft file of my email so that I have a record of what I've done. I also have another Draft folder that has all my usernames and passwords in it. Some sites want people to be more complicated with their usernames and passords then I like to be.

What I would like for you to do next, is wait for me to re-write your ad in such a way that it will get excellent exposure via those sites. This will happen right on this thread, but will be done in such a way as to not to use this site for advertising but so that it will be obvious to you that you will know how to correctly word your ads on those sites. Please don't place any ads on those sites just yet.

Are you willing to join those sites?

Thanks!

Sorry but already beat you to most of them. I told you I have been really busy.
I put some ads on them except for naymz and hoobly. Not too sure about domesticscale also.
I know I will be able to edit most of them and repost after that.
Will wait for you to do anything else.
Thank you again for helping and hope all goes well with your performance.

nanc1430

Did you list specific cities in your ads, and, how long ago did you place the ads, please?

I specified Orlando Florida and Brevard County. That takes in a lot of territory. Orlando is about 40 min from here but is very big and busy and thought I would have to do something like that to get a lot of responses.
Most of the ads expire in 30-45 days and then I have to re submit them.
nanc1430

But, how long ago did you place the ads? Knowing that makes a difference in how I'm going to respond next.

Thanks!

I edit them as I find something I would like to ad but the last time I did this was about two weeks ago.

I'll be right back. Just have to do some simple searches. If you started posting them a couple of weeks ago, then they should be showing up by now in the searches.

Do links to your ads show up on any of the following searches on the first or second pages of them?

Cleaning Service Orlando, Florida - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Cleaning+Service+Orlando%2C+Florida&btnG=Search)

Cleaning Service, Brevard County, Florida - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Cleaning+Service%2C+Brevard+County%2C+Florida&btnG=Search)

Janitorial Service, Orlando, Florida - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Janitorial+Service%2C+Orlando%2C+Florida&btnG=Search)

Janitorial Service, Brevard County, Florida - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Janitorial+Service%2C+Brevard+County%2C+Florida&btnG=Search)

I do not understand the way that some of them work but willing to find out.
I will see if they come up.

Nothing !
I'm starting to understand.
What do I have to do? It's getting pretty late for you. Let this go until later.
It can wait.
Thanks
nanc1430

Okay. Our objective is for you to beat the competition. Ideally, your ads should be coming up on the first page and toward the top of the page in any of those kinds of searches. If they aren't coming up in the way that I have described, then that's something that we're going to work to fix.

I got to go do some practice now! Thanks for wishing me well! If your interested in seeing any of the reviews, please let me know.

Thanks!

Love to see them.
Good Luck
nanc1430

Yes, we'll do this later...

One last thing though... you did mention something in an earlier post about the Spell Check not working. Did you mean the Spell Check on this site or on a program that you're using?

Thanks!

This site
I have tried it more than once.
nanc1430

I have just been going over the contract clause you put in your contracts and was wondering how this would work with me.
I am working for the contractor and don't deal with the customer directly. How would something like this be worded for my situation? Does the contractor have to sign this or do I have to get signatures from the office?
Thanks
Nanc1430

Originally posted by Clough

Yes, we'll do this later...

One last thing though... you did mention something in an earlier post about the Spell Check not working. Did you mean the Spell Check on this site or on a program that you're using?

Thanks!


Originally posted by nanc1430

This site
I have tried it more than once.
Nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

The last performance for the show was this afternoon, and then I had a major rehearsal for something else this evening. So, I'm really just ready to veg out and not really get into something where I need to think a lot.

Concerning the Spell Check thing. I have checked it, and the one that's available at the bottom of the posting rectangle isn't working for me either. However, many months ago, I switched over to the one that's in the upper right hand corner of the posting rectangles where the ABC is located.

I think that if you click on it, a box will appear for how to download it. That Spell Check is working just fine for me and I like it a lot better than the other one. There were problems with the other one even before it quit working altogether.

No problem you are entitled to veggin out sometimes. Everyone needs it.
Catch you again when your rested and not busy.
Thanks:)
nanc1430

Thanks! Please try that other Spell Check thing and let me know if it works for you. Ok?

It works great for me, even though the other one isn't working now.

Nanc and Clough... HI,

I was called away for the weekend and just got back and settled in. It is about 12 midnight and I am tired, have a big day tomorrow so I am calling it a night. I will try to get back on tomorrow afternoon or evening; Monday if I can.

Stringer

Stringer and Clough

Talk to you both tomorrow

Nanc1430

Sounds like a plan... good. It has to be after 1am there Nanc... get some sleep, you will need it.

Sounds like a plan...good. It has to be after 1am there Nanc...get some sleep, you will need it.

Yeah, I agree! :)

Hi Nanc,

How are you?

First do me a favor and go back to my post # 65 and please answer the questions I posted, this will give me some insight.

One of the first things I would like to establish is that you clearly separate in your mind the difference between residential type cleaning from commercial.

Anything that has to do with houses/homes even house construction clean ups are residential type cleaning. Any cleaning that is businesses; non-profit/profit is commercial. Example if you do a clean up of a house for a contractor; residential. If you do a clean up of a bank, store, warehouse, etc; commercial.

It will be better if you separate the two, it will be easier. My expertise is primarily in commercial with backstage experience in residential (wife's business).

So please answer post # 65 and we can go further hon.

I have read all of your posts and Clough's and have taken some notes for myself to cover with you.

Warning... I am dead serious about success and what is necessary to be successful my dear. So if you disagree with me on any points, let me know please... as I learn something new everyday. And I am 63 years old... yeah... but my wife has trouble keeping "that little boy" in me in check...

When you are ready come back. I will be in staff meetings tomorrow (Tuesday) from early morning until about 5 pm my time... 6 pm yours.

Stringer

Stringer,
Thank you for trying to help.
I did answer your #65 with my #66. If I left something out, please let me know.
I am only going to be working with contractors, real estate, property mgmt. residential and office cleaning.
I was told that contractors is considered commercial cleaning. If I'm wrong, please let me know.
Let me know also if you did not get my #66.
Thanks
nanc1430

I need to know when do you send the contract to be signed? Do I send this with the bid?
Do I send the glass waiver with it also or when? I don't know what comes first, the horse or carriage. Need some help with that aspect of it also.
Are you able to send me something like a contract for me to see or aren't you allowed?
I have one but don't know if anything was left out or if I need to put something in it.
Thanks
nanc1430

"How long have you been in the residential cleaning business?
How many homes are you presently cleaning?
How many employees presently? (Possibly move some good ones over to commercial to have a base of good workers...)" -Stringer, Please answer these...

My proposal and contract are one and the same. And the last page is the "signature page."

Everything should be covered in this proposal/contract.

For example in the specifications list exactly what you are to do in detail and what the price is: Lump sum for a one time job and a monthly price for on-going business.

Then list the "options" that are available; cleaning windows, large trash removal, possible stripping and refinishing VCT floors, cleaning upholstered chairs, etc, if not in the basic price. Cleaning (extracting) the carpets (detailed vacuuming should be in the basic proposal). Line item these things with a total price or as a second choice; a price per square foot.

I will look into copying one of my proposal/contracts, but I will have to take the time to erase all pertinent information as per HIPPA. This will take some time.

Also I have at least three primary proposal/contracts as different client markets apply; medical (detailed), regular office, construction clean ups, etc.

You want to make it as EASY as possible for you prospects to become clients. BUT you MUST do your due diligence as far as CYA...
Stringer.

I have to leave for a while Nanc... I am sorry... if I can make it back here later I will...

Hi Stringer
I currently have three new houses for contractors that I am working on. I just started this business down here in Florida. I was only doing residential up north for 17 years but the owner passed away and they dissolved the business.
I just started the residential and office cleaning part of it and thought this would take some of the slack up when I'm not busy with contractors. If and when I do get busy with contractors, I will have employees to handle the rest of it along with me checking on them.
I know I can do this. I just need to get started the right way.
I was doing some cold calling and found this complex in the making. We went in to see the foreman and he said that it was a company from Texas that is doing the construction and they do have a cleaning company coming with them. The foreman said that he told them already that he wanted a local cleaning company. I told he we were just around the corner and we could handle everything that he might need.

I went right home and got a letter mailed out to the contractor in Texas saying if he gets a cleaning company from Texas that he would be paying travel expenses along with perdiem and that we would love the opportunity to service his cleaning needs. (I sort of played stupid when I wrote to him saying I didn't know if he already had a cleaning company) I just wanted to give him something to think about. There are certain cleaning clauses in some contracts that will let him out of it under certain circumstances.
I also said if he already had a cleaning company I would appreciate it if he would put me on his bid list for the future or when the contract ends.

I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I am pulling a list of new permits applied for to see if I can get a jump on the cleaning companies.

I am also finding out what construction companies from other states that do work here so I can send them an introduction letter before time.

I don't know what is usual but it seems good to me. "Early bird gets the worm"

If you see anything I am missing or isn't right, please let me know.

I will be on later tonight as it is 10 p.m. and I haven't even had dinner yet.

Thank you
nanc1430

Clough and Stringer Thank you
I'm sorry to have to pick your brain but that's how I have to learn.
Glad you are here!
nanc1430

Just briefly, before I have to leave for "all day" staff meetings today.

For the most part there are two basic markets; Residential and commercial, for our thought processes:

Almost every thing else falls into a niche market. Please refer back to my explanation in my prior post Nanc.

Cleaning on a regular basis of either of these markets (nightly or semi-nightly) is interfered and allows steady income.

Construction clean ups, in my opinion are a side line to the commercial business and visa versa...

If this is to be you main source of income we need to redefine our thinking hon.

Later, I am not a champion of sitting in one place for hours... but that is my fate today.

Hi Stringer,
Sorry I missed you.
I do like construction cleaning along with real estate-move/in's and move/out's & sales.
I like property management companies and banks-foreclosures. I am now doing residential and office cleaning as it might be more weekly and steady. The residential part of it I am going to give my employees (when needed) to do. I do not want to do that myself but wanted to cover most aspects of cleaning. I do not have any daily or weekly cleaning. I really don't know if I would like that aspect of it even thought it is steady income. I probably won't turn any down like restaurants or something like that but not specifically going after those.
I will be on later tonight but don't know for sure what exact time. Hope to catch you than.
Thanks
nanc1430

k...

Again I have to apologize Nanc and Clough. I have been extremely busy with work lately. I have wanted to get back on here to address this issue but I seriously haven't had time. Please do not think that I have abandoned you, that is not my intention.

When I get a moment I will be back... thanks for being patient.

Stringer

No problem, I understand but if someone else could give me some input right now that would be great as I don't have a lot of time.
I want to be ready when they are if I'm going to get any of it.
Sorry to have to keep bothering you but I really need some help. I'm not one to wait until the last minute and not be ready.
Thanks and have a nice day!
nanc1430

I will get back as soon as I can Nanc... possibly tomorrow evening.

Thank you I really appreciate it.
Take care
nanc1430

Dear nanc1430,

Here is the re-write of your ad that I have been promising to you that will get you results! I have had my own battles to fight here...

Please use the following titles on your ads.

Orlando, Florida Cleaning Company

Orlando, Florida Maid Service

Orlando, Florida Janitorial Service

Orlando, Florida Cleaning Service

Orlando, Florida House Cleaning Service

Full service cleaning and janitorial service serving the Orlando, Florida and Brevard County area.

We are a full service cleaning company that focuses on customer service through our high quality efforts. We are a locally owned and operated company that provides you with worry free cleaning.

We have 17 + years of experience and are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

All our work is backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or it’s FREE!

We have a 24/7 service for all your emergencies that arise.
We are there when you need us.

Final Touch Pro, llc is reasonably priced and all our estimates are always FREE!
No job is too big or small!

Tired of your old cleaning company? Job not getting finished on time? No show?
There is always room for improvement.

We will work with you to meet all your needs as well as your budget.

Discounts given for any repeat customers

We DON’T cut corners-WE CLEAN THEM

We are a proud member of the Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce

Please contact (your name) (contact information such as email address, phone numbers, website address, etc.)

Keywords: All-Pro cleaning services, Spotless House Cleaning in Orlando, Florida, Janitorial service in Brevard County, Florida, Janitor services in Orlando, FL, Home Cleaning Services in Orlando, Florida, Royal Maid Service in Florida, Hire a Maid, Maid Brigade for Hire

Clough
I'm sorry to have bothered you so much when you are busy with your business.
Please forgive me!
I will get these on the internet as soon as possible.
Thank you for all your help.
Hope all goes well for you.
nanc1430

Clough
When you are rested and have a minute, I would like to see the reviews if possible.
I am really interested and would love to see them.
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

I'm here and should be for at least another hour or so...

Thanks for asking about seeing the reviews! Please give me a few minutes to find the links to them.

Okay?

Thanks!

Okay, I will be here for a little while longer as I have been on most of the night already advertising.
I am doing what you said but still have more to do tomorrow.
nanc1430

Here are the links:

River Cities&#039; Reader - Alone/Together: "Closer Than Ever," at the Village Theatre through September 28 (http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13106&Itemid=48)

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=405051

New Ground shows its heart in 'Closer Than Ever' / QCTimes.com (http://www.qctimes.com/articles/2008/09/24/entertainment/theater/review/doc48da97c8cb77f411987211.txt)

I hope that the links still work.

Thanks!

I'll check it out.
Thanks
nanc1430

Craig,
Thank you for the review site. I am having a little problem being able to open two of them . I will keep trying as I don't think it's the site, I think it might be at my end. If I can't get to them I will let you know tomorrow.
Have a good night!
nanc1430

I also emailed you the articles, just in case one of the links didn't work.

If you click on the link below, you will see links to some information that I just put "out there" a couple of days ago about the male barbershop chorus that I direct and our upcoming guest night. It's a not-for-profit group.

Quad Cities Barbershop Chorus - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Quad+Cities+Barbershop+Chorus&aq=f&oq=)

Those websites where I placed the information obviously work quite well and are fast to appear. If you study the wording, sentences and keywords that I have used, that will give you an idea as to how you might transfer similar ideas onto your ads or website.

Not only was I trying to get the information out there concerning what was happening with our chorus, I was also trying to beat the Davenport group in the placement when people would search for such a group.

Please do note, that I've worded everything in this post so as to not to advertise and so the group across the river will probably never find this thread because of looking for something like in the search where I provided the link above.

I'm going to look around the Orlando area on the net and see what else I can find for you to use...

If you aren't aware of the following sites, you might want to check them out for advertising for free! They are right in you area!

Orlando Classifieds: Real Estate, Rentals, Used Cars for Sale (http://orlando4sale.com/)

Orlando, Florida Free Classifieds (http://www.floridasads.com/)

Orlando Fl Classifieds (http://www.orlandoflclassifieds.com/)

I think that at least the first two sites are free to use. Not sure about the third one though, because there weren't very many ads on it.

I will be checking those sites out in the near future to see how good of exposure that they do get when people do searches for things. Since they're right near a major metropolitan area, I would think that some good exposure would be a given.

Here is the link to the main search that I used to find those sites.

Orlando, Florida Classifieds - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Orlando%2C+Florida+Classifieds)

There are other sites listed, but they are ones that I have already given the links to you previously. There's also another one listed on that search that has something to do with an institution of higher learning.

Hey, Stringer!

Would you please also check out this other thread that nanc1430 had started?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/other-money-services/new-residential-development-266027.html

Thanks!

Hi Nanc... are you there?

Clough how about you?

Stringer, are you on?
It's 11:51 and I'm here for a little while and then I will be back on after a few.
nanc1430

Craig
I went on a lot of free sites to advertise today and hopefully I did them right.
I will have to wait a little to see.
I live in Cocoa, which is about 35 min from Orlando but Orlando is a large city and I think I might get more business there right now.
I am also advertising in the Space Coast area, which is Melbourne, Cocoa etc.
I am running a special where we only charge a little an hour to clean residential homes.
I am still making a few dollars an hour but thought this would get more customers my way and get to know me. I will go up a little later.
Trying to underbid everyone else and still make money for doing nothing but supervising.
I will be on later tonight if your around.
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

Thanks for providing a little more information! Knowing a few extra things about your business and location will help us to help you better here!

Later...

Hi Nanc,

I am a little confused as to which way to proceed with this? May I ask some questions of you?

1. Are you wanting to start a "conventional" commercial cleaning company?

If you are then the way to go is to seek out business that will be cleaning 3 to 6/7 days per week on a regular basis.

2. If you are not, then you are going after business that only comes up periodically right?

Depending on this type is OK however it is somewhat like recreating the wheel each time. Even though you are "on their bid lists" you only get this business when it is available. And creates much more "sweat" and less stability (steady growth income).

In my opinion and this is the way I set up my business is to go after the steady/nightly cleaning which means that you will have that account on-going with the profit from it coming in each month. Then when you get the second, third, fourth, etc "steady" account of the same kind your bottom line will will continue to layer in a positive way.

Now after you establish the steady business (nightly) you have more options for additional profits; carpet cleaning, scrub and refinish VCT (hard floors), window cleaning, fabric chair cleaning, etc from these "nightly" accounts/clients.

Then possibly go after the construction clean ups, the new house clean ups, the "move out" clean ups.

I chose to have a steady income from the commercial business and sold the other things for additional business and profits.

This is only my opinion, do as you choose obviously, but I think that this business model would work better for you now and certainly in the future. And the steady income provides more financial and job security.

In these nightly commercial accounts I always list things such as carpets, hard floors, windows, etc as an available "option" with a price in the original proposal which they sign and is now the contract. By the way, whenever possible I never put a time line in the proposal, unless the request it. This allows the contract to go on without disruption. You should put a "30 day termination" clause in the proposal, this allows you or your customer to terminate after a 30 day notification, in writing.

Did I make any sense to you on this? If it does and you want to proceed with this then we can move on to "how to do this." As Clough has given you excellent advice on how to market and advertise your business. You need to have a Business Plan, a written one for your on benefit and clear planning for you and your company.

Stringer

Stringer,
That's a very good idea. I will concentrate on the nightly jobs and then everything else is gravy.
I just didn't know where to start with bidding on restaurants. I know most of the cleaning companies don't do the kitchen. They only do the front room but as far as bidding, I don't have a clue if they charge by the square foot or hourly. I know that offices pay by the element but don't know the going rate for this also. I will have to contact a friend in Pennsylvania that did that down here as to what they might charge by the element.
I thought by doing the other type first, it would give me some time in between to feel my way through. Your right though, it's only when they have houses. I know they are getting ready for the parade of homes and wanted to be included in that. I am doing a spec house Wednesday for a contractor and think I will be servicing it once a week until they sell it. I walked the beat today and tonight with door hangers. I put them on offices, (each type has their own different saying and specials)
Nice houses and houses for sale or rent.
If I had a clue as to what they pay for restaurants, I would feel a lot better about them.
Is there any way I can find out a ball park figure and I can go from there?
Can you help me with the restaurants?
I really want to make a go of it and with the economy these days, have to give a little more for the money but don't want it to cost me either.
Thanks
nanc1430

Originally Posted by Stringer

Hi Nanc,

I am a little confused as to which way to proceed with this? May I ask some questions of you?

1. Are you wanting to start a "conventional" commercial cleaning company?

If you are then the way to go is to seek out business that will be cleaning 3 to 6/7 days per week on a regular basis.

2. If you are not, then you are going after business that only comes up periodically right?

Depending on this type is OK however it is somewhat like recreating the wheel each time. Even though you are "on their bid lists" you only get this business when it is available. And creates much more "sweat" and less stability (steady growth income).

In my opinion and this is the way I set up my business is to go after the steady/nightly cleaning which means that you will have that account on-going with the profit from it coming in each month. Then when you get the second, third, fourth, etc "steady" account of the same kind your bottom line will will continue to layer in a positive way.

Now after you establish the steady business (nightly) you have more options for additional profits; carpet cleaning, scrub and refinish VCT (hard floors), window cleaning, fabric chair cleaning, etc from these "nightly" accounts/clients.

Then possibly go after the construction clean ups, the new house clean ups, the "move out" clean ups.

I chose to have a steady income from the commercial business and sold the other things for additional business and profits.

This is only my opinion, do as you choose obviously, but I think that this business model would work better for you now and certainly in the future. And the steady income provides more financial and job security.

In these nightly commercial accounts I always list things such as carpets, hard floors, windows, etc as an available "option" with a price in the original proposal which they sign and is now the contract. By the way, whenever possible I never put a time line in the proposal, unless the request it. This allows the contract to go on without disruption. You should put a "30 day termination" clause in the proposal, this allows you or your customer to terminate after a 30 day notification, in writing.

Did I make any sense to you on this? If it does and you want to proceed with this then we can move on to "how to do this." As Clough has given you excellent advice on how to market and advertise your business. You need to have a Business Plan, a written one for your on benefit and clear planning for you and your company.

Stringer



Stringer,
That's a very good idea. I will concentrate on the nightly jobs and then everything else is gravy.
I just didn't know where to start with bidding on restaurants. I know most of the cleaning companies don't do the kitchen. They only do the front room but as far as bidding, I don't have a clue if they charge by the square foot or hourly. I know that offices pay by the element but don't know the going rate for this also. I will have to contact a friend in Pennsylvania that did that down here as to what they might charge by the element.
I thought by doing the other type first, it would give me some time in between to feel my way through. Your right though, it's only when they have houses. I know they are getting ready for the parade of homes and wanted to be included in that. I am doing a spec house Wednesday for a contractor and think I will be servicing it once a week until they sell it. I walked the beat today and tonight with door hangers. I put them on offices, (each type has their own different saying and specials)
Nice houses and houses for sale or rent.
If I had a clue as to what they pay for restaurants, I would feel a lot better about them.
Is there any way I can find out a ball park figure and I can go from there?
Can you help me with the restaurants?
I really want to make a go of it and with the economy these days, have to give a little more for the money but don't want it to cost me either.
Thanks
Nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430 and Stringer!

Since posts did go on to another page here, I thought that I would re-cap things a bit so as to make things easier for people to follow.

I do agree with you Stringer, that developing a business plan would be the thing to do at this point. Something like that concerning Nancys business could be developed right on this thread.

Part of the problem with doing that is that we all aren't necessarily on here at the same time, in addition to whatever else we have going on in our individual schedules. This is something that we do need to talk about. There are times when we are on here together late at night. Hopefully, we can get together in the next few days when we are all on here at the same time late at night.

Nancy, since you have placed some ads, I am going to go looking for them according to what I advised you to post in order to see how well they are getting exposure. If you could list the sites where you have already posted ads, that would be helpful.

Thanks!

Hi Chris,
I have posted so far on Hoobly, OLX, Craigslist (both brevard and Orlando), Us Freeads,
Domestic Sale, Live Simon, Free Ads.com and a few more that I can't seem to find the list right now as I am getting ready to go and do a final clean on one job and want to meet with the contractor that has 149 houses yet to build and the first cleaning company was charging too much and the other one never showed up. I'm trying to stay with him on this.
Hopefully some of the ads showed up.
Will be on for a while tonight but can't be too late as I have a Rough clean to start Wednesday.
This is a spec house so I will get the once a week clean to go with it.
Talk later
nanc1430

Good morning Nanc and Clough,

Nanc, there are several good, simple books available to you on Business Planning, check out Barnes and Noble and Borders;

"Complete Book of Business Plans" - Covello & Hazelgren
"The Market Planning Guide" - Bangs (5th edition)
"The Everything Business Planning Book" - Marlene Jensen

These books are in layman's terms and easy to understand as some get much too detailed for beginners. Also please look into the "For Dummies" series. Please do not be offended by the title Nanc but again they are very easy to understand and have some very good sales advice for beginners.

We started cleaning about 8 restaurants about 16 years ago and after about a year gave them up. The "nature" of these accounts is pay little expect a ton... And you are correct usually it is the "front of the house" that is cleaned by a service. There are a lot of other reasons we gave them up, but just suffice to say the sweat to reward ratio was NOT good... and there were always problems. The first time that another company came in with a bid $10.00 less they would change. We cleaned some very prominent and large ones... same with most of them, we made the decision not to do this. I am sorry, it has been over 15 years and I don't remember pricing except that we got fleeced and I did not like that, along with the constant complaining.

As far as sales and what to put in your hand outs; ALWAYS remember that no matter what you are selling there are always others doing the same and are bombarding prospects constantly. So how do you succeed with this happening?

Easy... here's the secret; just listen to your prospects, honestly and seriously LISTEN and take notes. Companies, especially new ones feel that they have to blow their trumpet constantly about them and what they can do. Guess what... all the rest are doing this also and the prospects are turning a deft ear... If you can learn this lesson now... it will help you immensely.

ALWAYS think from your prospects perspective---ALWAYS!!

When they hear the "line" again and again they are thinking... here we go again... You haven't related to them at all.

Making a decision to buy is always emotional (when everything else is equal), you have to find their pain, yes pain. If they are making a change there is a reason and it has caused them some level of "pain."

Tell them in a nutshell who and what you are (period), this isn't easy because it is in our human nature to talk... all the time most often.

ASK them QUESTIONS, yes questions. Since we have established that people like to talk and expose what they think, take full advantage of this... right. They will give you the information you need AND they will LIKE you.... THIS is an emotion Nanc... yes liking you is an advantage! You ask... they talk, easy. Remember this always (even in personal relationships) it works... free information that you would have paid a lot of $$$$ to find out otherwise...

I know I spoke of this before... but it is very important to distinguish you from the masses.

Keep this in mind in everything; on the phone, in person and in your ads and leave behind pamphlets.

Here are some examples to use:

Keeping in mind that usually... if they are talking to you then they are considering FIXING a problem that they feel or perceive they have... YOU need to expose that problem (emotional area) and offer a solution... how, by asking questions and acknowledging their "pain."

Examples:

-What prompted you to look into resolving your problem?
-What are your expectations?
-How do you see the process of fixing this?
-What is it that you'd like to see accomplished?
-What are the top three things that you are not satisfied with presently? (This gets them to put it into words... works)
-Can you help me understand that a little better..
-What does that mean..
-How is the process working now..
-What challenges are you facing now with this process?
-What challenges has that/this caused you in the past?
-What IS working now with this process?
-What other items should we discuss?

And one of the most important questions; Is there something that I may have forgotten to ASK YOU????

Questions that get them to talk... when you begin ask them if you might take about 10 minutes to ask some important questions to better understand what exactly they need AND how you can solve/fix the problem/s. Do this before you walk through the facility to review the building. Because... you have begun to establish a rapport with him/her already and it will be much easier.

Now... does this work every time... no obviously, BUT the philosophy is sound and it works, it breaks down barriers when YOU let them TALK... they will like you and really not know why, after all they just met you, but people are not given the chance to expose their problems and TALK... it is nice just to have someone listen... take their "lead" if they want to get right down to business that is fine... ask away nanc. If they want to discuss the Olympics... fine for a bit... it all builds a business relationship.

Absorb this, I know it is long, and get back to me... K?

Stringer,
This sounds good and I will look into the books this week.
What are you talking about to clean 3-4 times nightly? I am sort of confused about that.
I can't think of anything but restaurants that would clean so often. Maybe a large beauty shop. Other than that, I can't think of anything.
What is out there that cleans that often?
Thanks
nanc1430

This is for Craig but Stringer if you can help, please do.
I have been getting ads for advertising on my space. What do you think of that?
Is there a downside or does everything help?
Thanks
Nanc

Stringer,
This sounds good and I will look into the books this week.
What are you talking about to clean 3-4 times nightly? I am sort of confused about that.
I can't think of anything but restaurants that would clean so often. Maybe a large beauty shop. Other than that, I can't think of anything.
What is out there that cleans that often?
Thanks
nanc1430

There are a TON of business offices... that is the foundation. A lot of companies, including mine, have gotten to the point where they don't even call on small and medium sized businesses anymore.

Buildings that are 5, 7, 10,000 square feet, smaller ones. They are all over the place Nanc, all over. These are the buildings that have cleaning on a regular basis. They contract for once, three, five nights per WEEK (not a night). This is the target for the commercial cleaning we have spoken about. Think about it; if you get three buildings that have you clean 3 nights per week, that is 39 nights per month. If the average charge per night is around $40.00 that is a gross income of: $1,560.00 just for three buildings and for only three nights per week. AND, it comes in every month that you keep the account/s. Then as you add other business/commercial buildings that figure increases.

This is a "market" area (size of business buildings) that has a lot of growth. Then you gain experience and then move to buildings that are 5 or 6 days per week... and so on.

Nanc, please do not over look the part about asking questions... this is important.

Stringer

String, thank you.
That is one of the places I was checking on last night. I will have to concentrate more on them. What would be the adverage prices for them? Is it by the square foot or still by the element?
I need a ball park to go on and then when talking to them can feel them out more.
Thank you
Have to leave for my final clean but will be on later tonight.
Nanc

My next door neighbor is one of the big wigs in one of the largest newspaper companies down here. Would I need any special equiptment or just the usual? They might want rugs done but I can sub that part out if I knew.
Thanks
Nanc

The pricing for these small to medium sized businesses (real estate offices, insurance offices, travel offices,. all offices) can be established by also asking this question;

"Can you tell me what you present budget is for cleaning?" Some will not tell you, some will lie and tell you less than it is, but you will get an idea.

The smaller the building the larger the price is per square foot, general rule.

Pricing is always difficult Nanc;

-Going competitive pricing in your area.
-Price per sq ft; varies, an average is probably around $.10 to $.15 per sq ft. For business this size, larger buildings have a lessor price per sq ft.
-Price by how many labor hours and other costs (insurance, supplies, equipment, administrative, profit, etc) Figure your monthly price (YES... in this type of business always price monthly!)
-Volume in the offices has a lot to do with pricing also; a lot of employees; more trashcans to empty, more paper to replace in the washrooms, more to do in their lunchroom, etc. If the place is heavily congested the I would increase the price, because you will have more work to do each night.
-Usually a combination of all of the above and more.

By the way... it is always better to have the client provide; hand soaps, toilet paper, paper towels, all sizes of trashcan liners (plastic) and you leave them a note when supplies are low... it is a pain and there is no profit (pennies) in this for you to do it.

Another suggestion Nanc; now you are dealing directly with live people who will judge what you and your people do EACH night. Each person has a work area that they are at all day long... they will notice anything that is not done properly or is missed, keep them happy. Call on them during the day (maybe once every week or two) and tell them you are there to check with them to make sure that everything is completed to their satisfaction. AND IF they tell you something... fix and don't let it happen again... ever. AND ALWAYS, always thank them for telling you!! YOU need to know, it is when they stop telling you or calling you that you have to worry... they have already given up on you. So complaints are an opportunity to create a relationship... but fix the problems.

I am still working on the template proposal/contract fro you... soon.

Stringer

My next door neighbor is one of the big wigs in one of the largest newspaper companies down here. Would I need any special equiptment or just the usual? They might want rugs done but I can sub that part out if I knew.
Thanks
nanc

Nanc that sounds great... at first. To take a large building without the experience is very dangerous and costly. You might ask her if they have some "off site" smaller buildings first and then move up to the larger building in the future. And, just some advice, God forbid that this doesn't work out... and she, being your neighbor, recommends you... what effect will this have on your relationship with someone whom you will see everyday? Just thinking...

Here is another piece of good advice Nanc;

Go to "www.The Janitorial Store" on line, join and you will get endless help from other professionals who are in our business too. The price of joining is small compared to the valuable advice received.

Lots of articles and you can ask direct questions too.

Equipment for this type and probable size; vacuums (prefer back packs), brute barrels with bras (we do not use carts), mops/buckets, dusters (not feather), commercial cloths (prefer micro cloths), detergents, glass cleaner, brooms for the hard floors and dust pans, etc...

When you are given the keys to a building and give them to your workers, have a plan to secure them so they are not lost. If you loose them you will be responsible to pay to re-key the facility. And probably lose the account.

Stringer

Element? I have not heard this term before Nanc. You may be referring to the part I referred to earlier; pricing by the labor hours. This is an effective process IF you have the experience to do it this way.

Again go to the web site I mentioned and you will find stats on how much average time is involved for each task; vacuuming, dusting (high and low), washrooms, emptying trashcans, etc. this will help you get an idea of the labor hours necessary. POINT: these are suggestions only, competition bears heavily on these figures... because "density" of employees, desks, trashcans, etc have a large bearing on the time involved.

Stringer,
Thank you so much for the information.
That is a big big help.
At least I have something to go on.
I just got home about 11:30 tonight.
The final clean got started a little late this afternoon and knew we were up for the night finishing it.
It works out that way sometimes. We went cold calling to a contractor just down the street that has 149 units to go and said the other cleaning company was too expensive and they had one in line and they never showed up.
It looks good for us but not right now. They just finished 10 and were already cleaned.
I will follow up with him in a couple of weeks to keep in touch.
We have another rough clean of a spec house in the morning for the same contractor.
Hopefully it's because they like us and are satisfied with our work.
We will be going back to clean this house once a week after that until it sells.

As far as charging by the element, I will check with a friend of mine when I get a chance but thought it was what had to be done in certain offices.

I will start looking for offices this week. Seems like a great idea.
I will try anything. (except for the real big ones right now until I have enough employees and I know for sure what I am doing.
I know when to back off. There is nothing worse than to bite off more than you can chew and with this is hurts your name.
I'm trying to build it up and not hurt it.

I don't have the thread in front of me about .10-.12 cents a square ft but, is that price for a month or how does this work? i.e. If I was to clean a 5000 sq ft office at .10, it would be 500.00. That's monthly right?

I am so tired right now I will have to check it out tomorrow when I can think clear and let you know more later.
Thanks again for helping.
Nanc

Thank you again to both stringer and clough.
Have to print this all out to remember everything. It's great information and I will use it.
Until tomorrow
Nanc

Hi, nanc1430!

I'm sorry that I missed seeing that you were on here! Yes, printing things out would be a good thing. You could also copy and paste information that you want into a word processing program of some kind so that it's really saved on your computer. Since the information is just really kind of "out there" in cyber-space, one never knows when something might happen to a site or even the information on a site.

Later... :)

Glad to see you on but don't know how much longer I will be able to see straight.
It's almost 3 am and have to do a rough clean in the morning.
I was just on the site that Stringer was telling me about. He said to go on and join the Janitorial site. I was just looking it over and it seems pretty good. Haven't finished with it yet but what I did read already was great.
I seem to have a few questions out there right now but don't feel that I am trying to take all your time for me. I know there are other people out there that need as much as I do.
I wasn't figuring on office building for a steady income but Stringer pointed this out to me and it's seems great.
I have a game plan that I have been working on but do not have it all fine tuned as yet but will get one of the books at the book store and start reading about it.
I am also reading on the internet about domination of the internet for advertising as you mentioned to me. That's sounds real helpful.
I will probably be going to bed soon as I have to get up in the morning and don't even have everything done yet but wanted to see if either you or Stringer were on.
I'll be here for a few more minutes if there is anything else I should know tonight.
Thanks
Nanc

No, I haven't gone to bed yet. I was thinking do most contractors for new homes do separate prices for rough clean and then final clean or do they just combined them both into one?
I am working for a construction company right now that only pays a certain price per square foot. Is this common specially in these times? I was under the impression that they pay one price for rough clean and then about half for the final.
Thanks,
Nanc

Hi, nanc1430!

I just came back on to the site here. Have been busy contacting newspapers concerning upcoming guest night next week for my barbershop chorus. Has taken me a number of hours tonight to do that. Hope to catch up with you, soon!

I wish you the best concerning the current job that you're doing for someone! :)

We make a distinction between Construction clean ups:

1. Complete construction clean; includes removing all clutter: garbage, pieces of wood, metal, etc (large garbage) and then a regular clean, usually a little more in your pricing.
2. "Broom Clean": all large items have already been removed, do regular cleaning, a little less in pricing
3. "Finial Clean" or "Initial Cleaning" the last cleaning before turning the building over to client as finished. Depending on the condition of the building; this is usually the same price as # 1 above. Because you must be more detailed; cleaning all ceiling vents, baseboards, windows (again), sills, frames, detailed vacuuming, spotless washrooms, etc.

Correction:

By the way, in my earlier post my math was off... 5 nights/week is 12 nights/month x (say) $40.00 per day charge = $480.00 per building x 6 buildings = $2,880.00 total.

Nanc, here is a copy of a proposal/contract that I put together. Use what you can from this with my permission, but even though I have posted this I would appreciate it if you don't readily spread this around. Make any adjustment you fell warranted to this...

This is long for a post and I offer my apology as I didn't know how to post just a one liner to open...

*The "layout didn't transfer to this post; example the 1st page should be centered"

I would highly suggest that you get some letterhead WITH a logo.

Please get back to me...

(Starts here... )

THIS PROPOSAL IS SPECIFICALLY PREPARED FOR :



(XYZ CORPORATION)


FOR


JANITORIAL SERVICES


BY


(ABC JANITORIAL)


(COMPETE ADDRESS)























October 11, 2008

COMPANY
(ADDRESS)

Attention: XXXXXXX, Director of Information *(Use full name---WITH THEIR TITLE----some people are proud of their titles)

Dear XXXXXX, *(Use their surname “first name”)

Thank you for the opportunity to submit our proposal.

Having evaluated the needs, and thoroughly inspected your facility, we have been able to prepare the following proposal outlining how we can provide quality service to (prospect)

Our approach to maintaining your facility is based in part on the following points which we consider to be of major importance:

- Trained management and direct supervisory control of the cleaning program.

- Efficient and trained cleaning staff developed and maintained for your individual needs.

- Continuous motivation and evaluation of our personnel's performance.

- Quality equipment, chemicals and tools provided for your facility.

(Your company) has a policy to be good managers of our business. To manage by, with and through people. We also have two obsessions--an obsession with winning and an obsession with quality. You can't have the former unless you deliver the latter. On a much simpler level, our job is to clean, but clean is more than vacuuming, dusting or wiping, it is an attitude.

In our business, you must continually prove yourself, we are
Ready to prove to you that you have chosen the right company.
We appreciate the opportunity to present ourselves and await
The next step; performance.









Good service, that's what clients need, that's what they want, that's what they demand and that's what they deserve.
I am at your disposal should you have any questions, again thank you for the opportunity to submit this proposal. I look forward to our professional relationship.


Warmest regards,




Stringer

(Your company); President

Stringer/ms






























SUMMARY;

Service to be rendered five (5) days per week, Monday and Friday, except legal holidays.

(Prospect) agrees to provide consumable products, i.e. paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap, trash can liners, etc.

(Your company) will supply all labor, cleaning supplies, equipment and supervision necessary to perform our service.

A certificate of insurance will be provided upon request.

(Porspect) shall provide to (your company) secured space/s for storage of our equipment and supplies.

We will comply with any safety rules or security regulations pertaining to our service.

(Your company) is an independent contractor of (prospect). No representative of (your company) shall be a representative of (prospect).

(Your company) shall, based on the terms and conditions herein, determine the best methods of performing the services we provide pursuant of this agreement.

Requests by the client for additional services not contracted for herein shall be invoiced at a cost to be determined for each additional service.

System of cleaning; Each housekeeper will be given specific areas of responsibility and will
Be closely supervised. After careful time costing and work loading evaluations, each housekeeper will comply with their respective duties as per the specifications. We believe a marriage of mutual satisfaction will be the result.

A log book will be placed on-site for enhancement of communication, recording any situations or special requests.

The prices quoted shall be in effect for the period of this contract. If wage rates or benefits increase, or if new or additional federal, state, and/or city taxes are levied, and/or if insurance costs are increased or square footage is increased, then in any or all of such events, the amounts to be paid to us shall be increased, by the amount necessary to cover such increases.






CHARGES:


The forgoing services shall be rendered to your entire satisfaction for the sum of
$________.00 per month, to be billed by the first (1st) of each month being serviced and paid by the fifteenth (15th) of that same month. (*See increase/letter)

Per your request for future pricing, we are suggesting the following;

*(this was for a new building that was not completely occupied at present)
The above pricing is for the “volume” of people and space that is presently anticipated,
And is based upon approximately 65% of total cleanable space.

At 75% capacity: $____.00 per month

At 100% capacity: $____.00 per month

These suggested prices are only anticipated and both parties may negotiate at the appropriate time of increase.

Additional charges;

The following services are also provided:

Service Description Amount


A. Carpet cleaning (Wall to wall: 100% of carpet)
(Hot water extraction method): $.13/sq. ft.

B. Carpet cleaning (Traffic Lanes; approx. 70% of carpet): $.13/sq. ft.

Carpet cleaning is recommended quarterly.

C. Strip and refinish tile and hard floors: $.25/sq. ft. (Completely strip off all old wax and refinish,
Suggested twice per year).

D. Pricing for exterior window cleaning is available.


The above intervals for floor service are industry recommendations, the client decides when this service will be performed, thus better controlling their costs

CLEANING SCHEDULE:


I. NIGHTLY CLEANING, UNLESS NOTED:

A. Entrances, lobby, executive offices, general office space, conference rooms, lunch
Room, etc:

1. All trash receptacles are to be emptied, and trash removed to collection point.

2. Vacuum all open areas of carpet once per week, detail monthly.

3. Clean and polish drinking fountains/water coolers.

4. Dust all horizontal surfaces, including desk tops, files,
window sills, chairs, tables, pictures, etc. once per week.
.
5. Damp wipe horizontal surfaces to remove coffee rings and
spillage as needed.

6. Dust telephones, once per week.

7. Dust mop hard surface floors with a treated dust mop, remove
gum, etc. as needed.

8. Damp mop hard surface floors at entrance.

9. Damp wipe entrance metal and fingerprints on entrance glass.

10. Spot clean partition glass, twice per week

11. Police entrance stoop for debris, litter, cigarette butts, etc..


Elevator:

1. Doors and frames spot cleaned, completely washed weekly.

2. Floor, swept, mopped and/or vacuumed.

3. Interior walls spot cleaned.


B. Restrooms:

1. Stock towels, tissue, and hand soap, etc (To be furnished by client).

2. Empty trash receptacles.

3. Dust partitions.

4. Spot wipe towel dispensers and cabinets.

6. Toilets and urinals to be cleaned and disinfected inside and
outside. Polish bright work.

7. Toilet seats to be cleaned on both sides and disinfected.

8. Clean and sanitize all basins. Polish bright work.

9. Clean mirrors.

10. Remove splash marks from around basins.

11. Wet mop and rinse restroom floors with disinfectant.

12. Damp wipe partitions and ceramic walls with disinfectant (weekly).




NIGHTLY CLEANING: (Lunch Area):

1. All trash receptacles are to be emptied and trash removed to
collection area. (Liners to be furnished by client).

2. Dust mop hard surface floor with a treated dust mop.

3. Damp mop hard surface floor to remove spillage or soiled areas.

4. Clean and damp wipe tables and chairs.

5. Clean microwave/s.

6. Spot clean walls near trash receptacles with a disinfectant.

7. Clean fronts, tops, and sides of trash receptacles with a disinfectant
as needed.
8. Use disinfectant for proper sanitation as
required. i.e. sinks.

9. Clean and polish drinking any fountain/water cooler.

10. Spot clean fronts of any vending machines.

11. Damp wipe with disinfectant, counter tops to remove coffee rings
And spillage.

12. Spot clean partition glass. Thoroughly wash monthly.

13. Spot clean and disinfect refrigerator. (Weekly; empty as instructed
By client).



II. WEEKLY CLEANING:

A. Entrances, lobby, executive offices, private offices,
general office space, conference rooms, lunch room, etc:

1. Damp wipe telephones, using disinfectant.

2. Thoroughly damp mop hard surface floors.



III. MONTHLY CLEANING:

A. Entrances, lobby, executive offices, private offices,
general office space, conference rooms, lunch room, etc:


1. Accomplish all high dusting not reached in the above mentioned
cleaning, to reachable height.

2. Remove fingerprints and marks from around light switches and
door frames.

3. Spot clean all upholstered furniture.

4. Wash all partition glass.





IV. SEMI-ANNUAL CLEANING:

A. Named areas (windows and carpeting):

1. Thoroughly wash all exterior windows; (both sides, additional charge).

2. Thoroughly shampoo all carpeting using the hot water extraction
Method; (additional charge).

3. Thoroughly shampoo all traffic lanes using the hot water
extraction method.

Carpet cleaning is recommended four times per year, example; wall to wall cleaning then three months later traffic lanes, then wall to wall , etc.(additional charge).

























REFERENCES:



(Present client) (Person's name) (Direct phone number)

*(Usually at least three references are required)

*( NOTE; check with EACH of your references to make sure it is OK to list them and to make sure that they are happy presently with your service. If done properly, you can “coach” them telling them what type of questions the prospect is going to ask them.

*(I. E; How long doing business with you, are you pleased with the service, what complaints do you have, are they competitive, would you use them again…. )



The enclosed list of references are confidential and owned by (your company) and are for the exclusive use of our clients and perspective clients by rights given by (your company) only.
































The proposal set forth on this date is hereby agreed to by and between the parties
Listed below:





ACCEPTED:____________________________________
(Prospects's name: title) (Prospect's company name)


ACCEPTED:____________________________________
Stringer, President ((Company's name)




STARTING DATE:________________________2008





REMITTING ADDRESS: ALL PAYMENTS TO:

(Your company's name and complete address)
(At least two phone numbers to reach you)

WOW! Excellent and outstanding post above, Stringer! I'm sure what you have posted will be a boon to many others down the line here!

Thank you sir, you are a gentleman as always.

This is a "rough" profile of the many proposals/contracts that I use that I have developed over the last 25 years and has been approved by our attorneys to be binding.

There are many others that are aligned to a specific market I. E; health care, manufacturing, banking, warehousing, office buildings (direct to owner or to property management companies), and so on...

What I am trying to say here is that you should twink them to make them appropriate to the particular market AND to your particular prospect; If they tell you they are concerned about a certain part of their present service then address that in your proposal AND how you WILL CORRECT THAT.

They will pay much more attention to you, however... if you do not fix this problem they WILL not be happy.

Stringer

Wow Stringer, this is great!
Will change some things so it isn't exactly the same but it gives me everything I need to get a proposal written up.
I am working on offices right now along with property management companies.
I will be on later today to write some more.
Thanks
nanc1430

Good... I am glad that it helped you...

If you notice there are a lot of things covered in the proposal/contract that CYA (cover you a**) and are important as these things will eventually come up for discussion and you want to be professional and have them covered up front. Only the voice of experience...

If someone has a problem with any part of the proposal/contract, I would begin to wonder what their motives are for now and down the road. Is is a sorry situation that you have to take the trouble to do this but it will benefit you and your company in the long run... always be prepared not sorry.

Nanc, here is a decent website for "business plans" you can browse and see if you can learn anything new. As I mentioned, you have to have a plan... I know that at this time when you are trying to get things started that you are busy, but this is necessary learning and planning... try it;

Business Plan Software and Free Sample Business Plans (http://www.bplans.com/)

Hi Nanc, I haven't seen you here lately but I have posted below some more info on hiring janitorial employees from The Janitorial Store as an example of the type of information that is available at this site:

Tip of the Week:
10 Topics to Discuss in Janitorial Orientations

When you hire a new employee you need to make sure your paperwork is in order before they can start working. But you also need to review your company policies so they understand what is expected of them as an employee. Here are 10 topics you should cover during employee orientations:

Attendance and Punctuality. You may think all your employees know they should show up to work and be on time. But many people don't have a sense urgency when it comes to being prompt for work, so you need to stress the importance of being on time and also the importance of good attendance.


Hours and Locations. Janitorial workers may work at different times and different locations depending on your customers' needs. Ensure they know what their hours are each day and the locations they'll be reporting to.


Breaks. Do you have a policy for break times? Make sure your employees not only know if they are eligible for a break, but when and where they should take their break. Sitting at the president's desk at your client's office is not acceptable.


Timekeeping Policy. Do your employees have to fill out a time sheet? Do you have an automated timekeeping system? Train each employee on how to fill out the time sheet or call into the timekeeping system.


Payday. Let your employees know when payday is and if they can pick up their check at your office or if you will deliver it to them when they report to work.


Dress Code. Do you have a company shirt that each employee is required to wear? Are they allowed to wear blue jeans or do you want them to wear black pants? What about shoes? If you don't allow sandals then you need to tell your employees of this policy.


Use of Client Property. It may be common sense to you, but you need to make sure employees understand that they are not allowed to use client property. Give examples like fax machines, copiers, telephones and computers. Let them know they are not allowed to open desk drawers or cabinets or sit at people's desks.


Breakage. If an employee breaks something when cleaning, they need to know how to handle the situation. Tell them if they should leave a note, call a supervisor, etc.


Discipline. Explain your discipline policy to each employee. Most companies start with verbal warnings. Then if the situation escalates, use written warnings, probation, suspension and finally termination. Give examples of company violations that would trigger a disciplinary action.


Voluntary Termination. Let your employees know that you expect sufficient notification of termination. Also let them know who to give notice to and what needs to be turned in and when (keys, uniforms, handbooks, equipment, vehicles).
These are just a few of the company policies that should be covered with your new employees at orientation. By covering these important topics you'll avoid problems down the road.

Copyright (c) The Janitorial Store (TM)

NOTE: If you don't have an employee manual that covers many of these topics then you might be interested in The Janitorial Store's Cleaning Company Policy Manual and Employee Handbook.

Thanks Stringer,
Good to hear from you.
I have been pretty busy with this spec house.
They have to get it done by this Sat for the parade of houses and they are having lots of problems. (plummer)
Due to these problems, it's keeping us from doing a complete clean until all that is rectified.
I will keep this information you gave me for later. It is very helpful. Thank you
I will be using temp services if I need any help right now. It is only my son, a friend of the family(which doesn't take all they are suppose to for pay right now) and me.
We are going through temp ourselves right now as I really don't need the hassle of the bookwork on top of everything else.
I have been spending my time advertising, doing work and trying to cold call.
Later on I will start doing my own payroll.
I am putting everything I can back into the business.
They pay everything and insurances also. It's costing me about $4.50 more per hour but worth it.
I will probably be on tonight if your around.
Hope to be talking to you
Nanc

Make sure that you client knows about the delays, actually you should keep them informed as to your progress always. This avoids any questions later.

I think you are doing the right thing presently by using the temp service. However as you continue in this competitive and present economic market this will be an adverse decision as you will not be competitive in getting new jobs. And even if you cut your profits to compensate, it WILL damage your bottom line... severely.

Original question is now old and has had more than enough, sufficient answers. Original poster has not returned to this thread in a long time and it's now becoming prone to attracting spam advertisers.

Thread is now CLOSED.