[Clean12]

Hi, I want to go into the commercial cleaning side of business. Cleaning offices and rest rooms etc, but I don't know how to properly price my services. (frustrating:( )

I was thinking about charging depending on how many visits I do to the office in a week, but that's not exactly realistic as I can charge a fixed amount for my visit, and have to do a vast amount of cleaning which may not be worth my while.

So, I thought of charging by square foot, but now I can't find any company that shows how much they charge by square foot.


I'd appreciate any help please :(

Ive been looking for a business opportunity I can start for so long which I can start from the comfort of my own home rather than an office space, and now I've found one, I want to ensure it succeeds.:)

[Stringer]

You could charge monthly but figure your cost (billing) on your man hours (labor).

May I suggest that you 'search' in the box provided above for; janitorial, cleaning, commercial cleaning, residential cleaning, cleaning/pricing, etc. There is a wide variety of subject matter that has been discussed on this subject.

After you have done this and if you have further questions, please come back and I would be happy to assist you.

Good luck, there is much more to running a successful cleaning than most realize.

Stringer

[Clean12]

Thanks for the advice stringer. I done the searching beforehand and tried searching as much as I could to see how other people set their prices, but I can't find anything specific on pricing by sq ft. That is when I decided to become a member myself, and ask a question to see if I can get any helpful information.

Do you know what the going rate for sq ft cleaning is?


Thanks

[Stringer]

Pricing varies across the board for many reasons Clean12; by geographical area, market (retail, small - large office buildings, warehouse, medical, etc), competition, detail/depth of work, number of cleanings per week, etc.

Yes jobs can be priced out by sq ft... but it is not just that easy, trust me here,

It would probably be best to start a dialog Clean12 so that your question can be answered properly.

Let me start with a simple question so that I have a feel for where I need to start;

Please tell me In detail, exactly how much experience you have in the cleaning business and in management? Number of years in each category please.

I need to have this starting point...

Thanks,

Stringer

[Clean12]

Hi,

Experience wise, I don't have any, apart from studying Business Management at uni. However, I do have a passion for business, and know I can succeed in a business if I start one. My ambition in life is to become an entrepreneur, and this is the second leap towards business. I've also got a market stall in town centre selling socks, underwear etc.

I have read a lot about cleaning businesses and have good understanding in marketing and advertising, as well as getting accounts.

I understand it might not be as simple as it looks, but I believe I can make a go of it and at least achieve something than nothing.

[Stringer]

Pricing varies across the board for many reasons Clean12; by geographical area, market (retail, small - large office buildings, warehouse, medical, etc), competition, detail/depth of work, number of cleanings per week, etc.

Yes jobs can be priced out by sq ft...but it is not just that easy, trust me here,

It would probably be best to start a dialog Clean12 so that your question can be answered properly.

Let me start with a simple question so that I have a feel for where I need to start;

Please tell me in detail, exactly how much experience you have in the cleaning business and in management? Number of years in each category please.

I need to have this starting point....

Thanks,

Stringer

Then to do it right you should start small and try to grow slowly. Attend any and all sales/marketing seminars that you can, read everything that applies to business in general and cleaning specifically. Look up all websites that are about commercial and residential cleaning, such as How to Start a Successful Cleaning Business. Join the site for a small fee, well worth it, I promise.

Ok, remember you are responsible for your own pricing and a lot of times it is 'hit and miss' because there are so many 'other' factors as I highlighted above (and more).

If pressured, I would say that the average price per square foot is somewhere around $0.07 to $0.09 for basic duties. This is for a building that is cleaned at least 5 days/week, about 20,000 sq ft or larger, has medium density and has no special cleaning to be done.

May I suggest that if you find a building to bid that you collect all the specifications and measurements and come back on to discuss that particular job?

Good luck,

Stringer

[Clough]

Hi, Clean12!

Striinger's advice is second to none and worth it's weight in gold!

If you do need any help in advertising/marketing, especially on the Internet, what you do in order for you to get the most exposure, without it costing you anything but your time, please let me know.

I'll be glad to help you.

Thanks!

[Clough]

......May I suggest that if you find a building to bid that you collect all the specifications and measurements and come back on to discuss that particular job?

Good luck,

Stringer

Excellent idea, Stringer!

[Stringer]

And clean12, if I were you I would definitely take Clough up on his offer... his help would be immeasurable...

[Clough]

And clean12, if I were you I would definitely take Clough up on his offer...his help would be immeasurable...

Thank you Stringer!

I wonder if there are some ideas that you might have for someone to get some experience cleaning before they actually embark on advertising what they can do for someone in that regard?

I know that I'm posting a separate question, however, it would appear to be relevant to this thread.

Thanks!

[Stringer]

I understand, if there is no experience in the cleaning business or in business at all, it will be somewhat like putting the cart before the horse Clough. There is a problem in this in that if they use your program and suddenly get some great offers or even take a nice sized piece of business it would almost be like 'Man... what do I do now?! " And without the proper process taking place they would probably lose that business. Experience can be a brutal teacher sometimes. I don't ever want to discourage anyone, but there seems to be an attitude of; 'I can start a cleaning company and all will be rainbows and sunshine, forever?' So very much more needed....a lot of work and devotion to what you are doing, along with wearing many different 'business hats.'

Other than experience, I don't really know what the answer is. However, without taking that 'first step' experience will never happen.

I think that there are many ways to get started and a lot of it has to do with their enthusiasm, desire and sometimes just being hungry. Maybe they won't really drown if they just jump into the deep water, who knows?

I think that all we can do is just help all we can for their benefit and hope that they will come back for additional advice, not that I have all the answers, but I have been around the block a few times as you have my friend. We do know what to expect and where the thin ice is....

In a more direct answer to your question Clough, "I don't really know." Continue to offer help, advice and be ready to help again... right? I really want them to start the right way and be prepared for the future in their business, and to be successful. The truth in all this is that 3 out of 5 new businesses fail in the first year and another 2 of 5 the second year, there are no guarantees... except that it will take a lot of work.

Thanks for taking all this time to read my 'wordy' response.

Stringer

[Clough]

Thanks for the responsel, Stringer!

I remember that when I started with the commercial cleaining, many years ago, I got a part-time job at a bank.

The head of maintenance there was my mentor. In addition to just general cleaning and garbage pick-up and removal, I was the main floor person taking care of vinyl, terrazzo, carpet and square brick flooring.

Having that experience with someone who really knew his stuff helped my to the get a part-time job as the sole janitor at a church that had a similar flooring surfaces. When I interviewed for that p[osition, the person who hired me said that I "was the obvious choice".

Since it was part-time, that allowed me the time to develop my other businesses that I did at the time.

The point that I'm making is, that if someone doesn't know all of the things involved in a particular business, then getting that part-time job and then having someone "show them the ropes", so to speak, might be a wise choice in order to get started learning how to do the things that they will need to do.

Thanks!

[Stringer]

Thanks for the responsel, Stringer!

I remember that when I started out with the commercial cleaining, many years ago, I got a part-time job at a bank.

The head of maintenance there was my mentor. In addition to just general cleaning and garbage pick-up and removal, I was the main floor person taking care of vinyl, terrazzo, carpet and square brick flooring.

Having that experience with someone who really knew his stuff helped my to the get a part-time job as the sole janitor at a church that had a similar flooring surfaces. When I interviewed for that p[osition, the person who hired me said that I "was the obvious choice".

Since it was part-time, that allowed me the time to develop my other businesses that I did at the time.

The point that I'm making is, that if someone doesn't know all of the things involved in a particular business, then getting that part-time job and then having someone "show them the ropes", so to speak, might be a wise choice in order to get started learning how to do the things that they will need to do.

Thanks!

Exactly my friend, exactly... :)

[Clough]

You're still up, Stringer? Wow!

[Clough]

Exactly my friend, exactly....:)

Thanks again, Stringer! Now, to this day, if I was going to go for a commercial cleaning job of some kind, especially if it involved the cleaning and maintenance of any kind of floor surface, I could do so with confidence, knowing that I know that I can sell myself as the best person for the job, the one who really know how to do it and also the one who'll be indispensable at doing it.

As a matter of fact, if I had a slow and high speed buffer right now, I'd be plugging the floor maintanence thing however and wherever I could.

Thanks!

[Stringer]

Thanks again, Stringer! Now, to this day, if I was going to go for a commercial cleaning job of some kind, especially if it involved the cleaning and maintenance of any kind of floor surface, I could do so with confidence, knowing that I know that I can sell myself as the best person for the job, the one who really know how to do it and also the one who'll be indispensable at doing it.

As a matter of fact, if I had a slow and high speed buffer right now, I'd be plugging the floor maintanence thing however and whever I could.

Thanks!

Yeah, I am going to try to go back to bed this nausea from the diabetes shots is terrible.

My best response at the moment is and old one Clough: "Knowledge IS power..."

Good night bud,

Stringer

[Clough]

I'm sorry that you're not feeling well, Stringer!

I do wish you a pleasant rest of your night!

I just love:

It is not so much how "busy" you are, but "why" you are busy. The Bee is praised, while the Mosquito is squashed...

How true!

Thanks!

[Stringer]

I'm sorry that you're not feeling well, Stringer!

I do wish you a pleasant rest of your night!

I just love:



How true!

Thanks!

Thank you.

[Clean12]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice, time and advice again lol.

Sorry to hear your not well stringer.

I understand its best to climb the ropes and learn everything and then go into the cleaning business, but the problem is, its sooo hard to find a job in anything! Let alone cleaning, therefore I thought it would be better if I could just start something and grow. And like you said stringer, its good to start small and grow, which is what I intend to do.

And Clough, thanks for giving the opportunity to come to you for advice on advertising- which I will be taking up once I've started.

Starting a business is the only way to earn some sort of income at the moment, even if it's a little.
At least its some sort of achievement, as well as providing a source of income.

And also guys, I don't think I should actually specialise in anything at the moment, like carpet cleaning etc. as I am only starting up. What do you think?

Do you think I should go into office cleaning only at the moment, rather than commercial cleaning? As commercial is more detailed and tougher to get into for a start-up? What's your view?
And for office,should I charge the price per sq ft again or set it as if its e.g 1100 sq ft, then price would be X?:S

^^ (researching this atm) ^^


Apologies for the mini essay guys

Thank you ever so much for your help. I reaaallly needed someone like both yourselves who can guide me in the right direction.

God Bless
TC