Hi Clough and Stringer,
Could someone please give me a rough idea as to how long it might take to clean a new construction home? I have one that is 2500 sq ft and not sure if I'm fast or half fast.
I know there are different circumstances that makes every place different but the adverage is about how many hours?
I just need to know if my fast isn't fast enough.
The construction crew is in there for the rough clean and it's a nightmare. Seems to me that there is a better way to do this. I'm only concentrating on the windows as far as removing the stickers, mud etc. Then I am doing inside around the windows for the mud and paint.
After all that is done, the painter comes and seals the seams and paints. Then I have to take off the paint as well as clean the windows again.
Anything you can suggest would be helpful.
I know it's about 60% of the job but there has to be a little better way.
Thanks
nanc1430

Hi, nanc1430!

I'm going to let Stringer know about your question. This isn't really one of the topic areas where either he or I frequent on a regular basis.

I just happened to come across your question by accident.

Thanks!

Hi Chris,
Just found out now that we might be doing more than we are suppose to.
Most of the window cleaners that I talked to are only doing the windows once after all the sealing and painting has been done. We are cleaning off the window frames that have mud on the edges so they can be sealed and painted after. We are then going back after they seal and paint them to do the windows again for the final. I would like to know if the people that are installing the windows and putting the mud around them are suppose to be cleaning them off. It looks like they are only taking a rag when the mud is wet and running around the edges leaving a lot on there for us to do. Some of the windows are 15 feet high and to do them twice is a little much. If you could find out about this, that would be great.
Another thing that bothers me is why is this full of mud? Where are they getting this from?
Maybe they are filling the cracks around the windows with the mud first to save money and then after go over and seal them a little after. Can't think of anything else it would be used for.
Thanks
Nanc

Are they letting the windows sit on the ground at the jobsite before they install them, or is their scaffolding or hoist eqipment muddy? Seems like you could just give them a once over with a spray from a hose before they are painted unless the mud just smears around. You definitely should be getting twice what they pay to clean up once though.

After I typed that last I remembered there is a kind of glaziers putty that is sort of a dull red that would be covered with the primer paint. That isn't what you are referrring to, is it?

Thank you for responding.
When they put the windows in, they caulk or seal behind them. After that, it looks like regular construction mud around the frames of the windows. (not regular dirt, mud)
What ever they use, I would think the person putting them would be responsible for this.
It looks like they took a rag to clean around them but didn't get it all off. It would be so much easier to get it off while it's still wet. There is quit a bit left of after it dries so we have to take a detail brush to get this off before they seal and paint the windows. Then we go back to the windows to get all the paint off and clean them.
We are spending so much time with the windows that we can't make any money doing the job. Something just doesn't seem right. We have to be doing something we are not suppose to be doing. I wish I knew more on this subject. Trial and error doesn't seem to be cutting it hour wise. Maybe it's to fill in the woodin frames around the windows so it meets. Either way, I thought each person was responsible for his own mess and not all left for the cleaning company. If windows were separate and we got enough to do them, I could see but rough clean and final are one price.
Thank you
Nanc

This must be the reason so many just say, we don't do windows!

That makes sense!
I'm beginning to see why.
Thanks
Nanc

Hi, nanc1430!

I hope that you are doing well!

I did notice your question here a number of days ago. You had mentioned Chris. If this was directed at me, my name is Craig. Or, did you mean someone else, please? I don't normally look at this section of the site.

I do note that you've already received a very fine response to your question.

Thanks!

Sorry Craig,
That was a late night mistake. I have been working a lot lately and had two back to back cleanings. One was 24 hours.
I couldn't turn down an emergency cleaning but then had to go back to the construction site to finish up on the final. They were coming in to inspect it that morning.
Hope all is fine with you.
Thanks
Nanc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nanc1430

Sorry Craig,
That was a late night mistake. I have been working a lot lately and had two back to back cleanings. One was 24 hours.
I couldn't turn down an emergency cleaning but then had to go back to the construction site to finish up on the final. They were coming in to inspect it that morning.
Hope all is fine with you.
Thanks
nanc

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Thanks!

That's okay. I hope that all is well with you and that your business is flourishing! :)

Hi all!
Does anyone out there know the going rate is for a re-clean?

That's when you do the rough clean and final clean and then have to go back in because the contractors were there doing extra work.

I am doing my first tomorrow and would like an idea of what the going rate would be before I bill them.

Thanks
nanc1430

Good evening Nanc, how are you?

Since you have completed two clean ups already, I would go for a "time and materials" proposal now with this client. You can't always get this but it is better for you.

Compile your "loaded" rate per hour (remember; labor, taxes, profit, etc) then keep track of your supplies, equipment, etc and then invoice accordingly. You should give the client an approximate total number of hours to complete the job and your supplies/equipment total should be approximately 10% of your total loaded labor.

If they only want a total price then I would ask you to please be more descriptive in exactly what has to be done this time. Example; is there now a lot of dust that is thrown around because the duct work had heavy dust and the systems are now on? Is this THE FINAL CLEAN UP, if so is this clean up a "ready to move in" final? That would mean a lot of detail cleaning; blinds, dust walls, washrooms, vacuuming, any built in counters, (sometimes it means inside drawers and cabinets), inside of windows (outside too?), etc. Ask them if this is final move in cleaning or is there more construction expected?

Stringer

Hi Stringer,
Have been so busy that I haven't been able to get on.
We worked a 24 hour clean the other day for two different cleans
I hope this means we are on our way but don't know for sure.
I explained in my question that it was a re-clean of the final clean.
Meaning this house was a custom home we finished. The customer wasn't satisfied with some of the contractors work and had him go back in to redo certain things . (I won't know what it is until tomorrow and we get there) I have to go back in to do a re-clean and thought there was a set price for doing this.
Since we don't know what it involves until we get there, would it be all right to estimate how long it will take us and go by that price? We will probably have to charge a little more because it's 45 min away.
What do you think?
Thanks
nanc1430

Sorry Stringer I didn't get a chance ask you how you were doing.
I had people over here and was pretty busy at the time.
I just wanted to say thanks for replying but I guess I didn't explain my question correctly.
What do you think about charging them by the man hour? I won't let them know how I charge but thought this would be better and then add a little for the trip back over there.
Thanks
nanc1430

You can tell the contractor that you presently have no idea what has to be done, they should understand that. You don't know what condition the place is in now.

Yes, I would go for time and materials and just add the travel time into you hourly rate and don't mention it, it would only be detrimental in their view.

Have you worked out a loaded hourly rate as yet? You should and I am sure that you will find reason to use it in the future also. And it will be a quick reference for bidding that will help you put your pricing together.

If they insist upon a total price then tell them that you have to survey the job first to actually see what needs done. That is only fair and they should understand that. How in the h*ll (pardone') can they expect you to bid BLIND? Don't, you will get scr... d.

Sorry for being blunt, it has been a very long day of stress...

Thanks.
I will probably work out an hourly rate, charge for travel and add on 7% more for supplies.
Hope you have a better day today.
nanc1430

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nanc1430

Thanks.
I will probably work out an hourly rate, charge for travel and add on 7% more for supplies.
Hope you have a better day today.
nanc1430

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Thank you Nanc, you too.:)

Thank you both very much for the information you gave and help.
I have been pretty busy right now and have not had much time for the computer.
I am taking your suggestion, Stringer and going with the office cleanings and doing residential cleaning right now to get a set figure coming in each week. Then I will expand and do the others as they come. Hopefully I can get some steady residential cleanings out of the holiday special I am running right now. Chris, I wanted to say thanks to you for helping me with the sites. I took your suggestion and I am working to spread my name out in all directions.
I will be on again soon but wanted to say thanks to both of you.
Nanc

Nanc, you are very welcome my dear, I wish you much success in your business. Thank you for saying this.

You said "chris" but I think you may have meant Clough... right? I am sure he is glad also.

Yes that is who I meant.
I'm sure there is going to be other questions and I wouldn't want any other but you two.
Thanks
Nanc

Thanks, nanc1430!

We're always glad to help! We're also looking forward to the other questions that you might post!

It probably would be a good idea for you to post them in one of the business forums though, since spreading things out among different topic areas can get kind of confusing if you're looking for help from certain individuals.

For instance, I don't normally come to Other Money & Services except to try to find orphaned posts about things that really should be in the Collectibles topic area.

Thanks!

Sorry, I didn't know and was new at this site.
I'm still trying to work my way around it but will learn it.
I didn't realize it was causing you two more work. If I had known in the beginning, I would have changed it for you.
Talk to you later.
Thanks
Nanc

Hi Clough and Stringer,
Have been really busy but I guess that's good.
I just put up a website for now and thought it would be better to have one than not.
It really needs some tweeking but at least it's there.
I need some help Clough, I still can't seem to find it when I do a search.
I know it's there because the people have been responding to it, but can't seem to find it myself when I look.
Can I get some help with it?
Thanks
Nanc

Hi, nanc1430!

Oh, my goodness! I just happened to come across your post because of going through the pages of this site and answering questions at random from different forums. If I hadn't have been doing that, I probably wouldn't have seen your question for a number of days because I rarely go over to Other Money & Services except to find orphaned questions about collectible coins and currency that really belong in the Collectibles forum.

I think that I've mentioned something about that to you previously and recommended that you post in one of the business areas like Business Plans, Home-Based Business and Small Business. Stringer and I are in those forums a lot.

Concerning your question, do you know where your website is and how do you know that others have been responding to it, please? Have you been getting emails that indicate people have been responding?

That's great that people have been responding to it!!

I'll let Stringer know about your post. I'm also going to request that this thread be moved to Business Plans because that's really more of what it's about.

Thanks!

I'm not really meaning to brag here, but just wanted to show you the power of advertising on the Internet! Below, is a screen capture of a Google search for people to find me by accident for what I do because of looking for anything about Thanksgiving or Christmas around where I'm located. I've had people who've found me by accident when they've done searches in the past and decided to use my services.

My ad was first in the search on the first page of the search! It all depends on how a person words the ads! :)

Attachment 13772

Now, for me, I'm wanting people to find me accidentally so that they might hire me to tune their piano and/or play piano and/or lead a sing-a-long for a party or other type of gathering that's holiday related. The ad is worded in such a way also to remind people to get their pianos tuned so that their holiday gatherings when using the piano will be much more enjoyable because they've had their piano tuned.

Concerning your type of business, you could cleverly word ads and also things on your website to draw people to the ads and/or your website so that people will be reminded that "Oh yeah, it really would be good to have some extra help to get ready for my party!"

Capiche?

Thanks!

Thank you Clough, I think I got most of your idea but still trying to find the procedure for getting your name up in the first two pages.

As far as the people finding my cleaning ads, they called me because of one particular advertisement only and told me that they saw my other ads also and then decided to call.
They haven't called yet as to my website.

It's not professional yet but will have to work on it. I did however do something in it that wasn't professional but I think it makes me stand out from the others and don't know as yet weather it's a good idea or bad one. Don't know what to do about this.
Will be going on the other site from now on to contact you.
Thanks
nanc1430

I am doing commercial / residential cleaning and would like to get about $30.00 an hour to clean. How would I find out what to charge to get a profit and not be too costly to the client? Also how would I charge if I had a helper to get finished sooner?
Need help charging the right amount and still make a profit.
Thanks
nanc1430

Well first of course som may consder 30 dollars a hour too much to start.

But first you have taxes to pay, this will be from 30 to 35 percent. Just to start with,

Are you going to be paying liability insurance, if so, you have to figure that into your cost.

Transportaton costs? Gas, car or truck or van repair, that costs need to be figured,

You are going to be self employed, so are you going to want to have health insurance, that cost has to be figured in.

Are you supplying cleaning equipment ? Or cleaning supplies, that cost has to be added in.

What you have to do, is list every cost you estimate on these jobs, figure an overhead percentage perhaps to work into a forumal

On extra help, remember if they are a employee you have Social tax you have to pay on them, have to pay unemployment taxes and normally provides them workers comp insurance.

I'm sorry Chuck, I didn't tell you all the details.
The 30.00 was a typo. It was 25.00 an hour.
I am getting all my help right now as I just started from the temp agency's.
They pay everything.
I am also signed up with the temp agency for myself as they pay all. The taxes, insurances, bonding and what ever else has to be paid.
Once I get established, I will still be going through a payroll company to do my payrolls but will be paying everything else myself.
I just wanted an idea of what is usual and customary to increase the price so I will be making something on it plus getting my hourly wage without charging too much to the people.
Is there a formula I can use to go on right now?
I know 25.00 an hour but how much extra do I charge to make anything for the company?
Most of my pay is going there also right now but would like some info on it as to how to charge.
i.e. 25.00x6hrsx? =
(That's 25.00 per hour times say 6 hours plus what would be the total?)
I think I explained myself but if it's not clear, please let me know.
I appreciate all the information I can get.
Thank you very much
nanc1430

Well, I the company I work for has a maid service, and they don't have to clean that much here, but they clean once a week for about 20 minutes and they charge us 107 dollars for the week. So, we pay it and don't complain. I hope that helps somewhat!

Hi Everyone,
Could someone please help me as to how I should charge for residential cleaning and make a profit without charging too much.
I started a cleaning company a short time ago and have been really busy but think I am charging too little for my work.

Most of the sites say that the going rates for cleaning are from 30-40 an hour.
Is this per man hour or total time and how do you figure this out and still make a profit.
Some houses require two to three people to clean.

Is there a formula for this?

Thank you
Nanc1430

Typically yes, it is per person. For instance, our cleaners charge a $100/hour rate but includes 3 people.

The formula is pretty simple... How much do you feel you should clear per hour? Add to that the cost of running the business and that's what you charge.

So if you want to make $25/hr and figure in $10 in supplies and transportation, you charge $35/hr. If you have to pay someone $20/hr and they use the same $10 in supplies, they cost 30/hr to have on site. As the business owner you should make a profit for having the employee so you would charge 35 or 40 per hour.

Where I live 60-70/hr for a 2 person crew is not at all out of the ordinary.

Best bet would be to call your local competitors and get quotes on what they are charging. Then either charge the same, a bit less to attract more clients or more but offer more in return.

To Steve that helped me with my last question. I figured on about 10.00 for supplies and travel but still need to know how to add a markup if I am going to be paying everything else out for labor and 10.00 for travel, where does the markup come in?
I need some more information on how to markup and still be able to make a profit for the company.

Thanks
Nanc1430

You have to pass the cost on to the customer or pay your employees less. If the market only bears $30/hr per worker and it costs you $10 to have them on site, you cannot make a profit if you either

A) only charge $30/hr
B) pay your employee $20/hr

Now it's a bad job market so you are likely to be able to find quality employees for less than you would otherwise, but you also need to weigh the future.

This is the challenge of business... weighing profit vs cost. There is something to be said for not clear any profit while building a business too.

Sorry that I can't answer better - I've no idea what your market can bear.

Thanks Stevetcg,
I think I have it now.
I was thinking somewhere in that line but didn't know for sure.
I know building a business doesn't make that much profit but wanted to see if I was on the right track.
Thanks for your help.
nanc1430

Glad I could help and let us know how things turn out. This is a bad economy and everyone likes stories of success in 'dark' times such as these.

And if you happen to be in the Melbourne area of Central Florida, maybe we'll do business in the future together!

Thanks again Stevetcg
Yes we are in the Melbourne area and keep in touch. I do need some help from time to time as this is new and I am feeling my way through it.
As far as the times being bad that's why I picked the job that I did. I thought if the rentals were bad, the sales would be good and visa versa. With this I didn't think I would lose much.
As far as the rates, I am doing just what you said but didn't know if it's right or not but now I know.
Thanks again.

We use Molly Maids here. I believe it is $125/3 people if we have them come once a month, $100 if we have them come twice.

Also, since you are local, check out that ad magazine that comes in the mail every other week. I cannot recall the name, but it has a lot of local restaurants and home type stuff. We find a lot of our services through that. That might help out business.