[Sharonsky]

It's amazing that there is such an ability to profit since there seem to be a lot of people out there who price the job too low. I called our contact today to make sure that she got our bid. She wanted it emailed. She said they are reviewing them and she should know by the end of the week. I'll let you know what happens.

Thank you again for all of your help. We will have to think about whether we want to pursue more commercial cleaning or not. Residential can be tough and some of the customers can be so difficult. We just had to drop a customer who was constantly hanging over our shoulders while we cleaned and walked on the floor while we were cleaning it. I guess you don't get a lot of those problems in commercial.

[Stringer]

Anything I can do I will. I'll be here, just call.

No we don't hon and we are not haggled over $5.00 either.

When you start getting commercial jobs that are higher volume (sq ft) the profits are damn good. Personally, unless I had to I wouldn't touch residential with a ten foot pole.

[Sharonsky]

I don't blame you. We've been getting so tired of the stuff we've had to put up with lately. It's harder than ever to get customers with this economy and the ones we have gotten have been the worst pains.

We haven't heard back from them yet. She said she thought they would know by the end of last week but either they haven't picked us or haven't picked anyone yet. I will probably wait until the end of the week and then give her a call. I don't want to pester her. I'm not sure how long is appropriate to wait to call back. I called one a few weeks ago after she didn't call the week she said she would and she kind of brushed me off saying she hadn't heard anything yet. That was almost 3 weeks ago and we still haven't heard from her.

[Stringer]

What price did you go with?

I would call her tomorrow Friday and tell her that you certainly do not want to bother her however you are very interested and just in case you were fortunate in receiving the contract you would like a little time to prepare; equipment, scheduling, etc.

Good luck, I wouldn't wait until Monday.

If per chance you didn't get it do an exit interview with her.

Tell her that of course you are disappointed however you always want to get better is it possible that she could give you a few minutes?

Can you tell me if there was anything that I could have done better?

Was I too high in my price?

Can you please tell me who received the contract, are they a local company?

Don't rush, give her time to respond to you. You will learn some things for your next bid hopefully.

Again good luck, let me know.

I have been out of town on business, I will be here tomorrow but gone again next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Stringer

[Sharonsky]

I called one of them today - the one with the clubhouse and model homes. She said the price of the company they went with was much lower than the price we gave them. She gave me quite a bit of information on her own and said she would be happy to tell me the prices that they got. I have to call her tomorrow because she's not at the office. She also volunteered the name of the other company who got the contract.

I'm still trying to get in touch with the other lady - the main topic of this thread. We went with $1895 for our price. It looks like we didn't get it though.

I'll let you know more after I talk to her. Thanks again for all the helpful advice. I think that calling people back is an excellent idea.

[Stringer]

Sorry that the results weren't exactly what you wanted Sharon but it is also a learning process... know your competitors.

[SSweetJane]

Stringer,

You may be the answer to my prayer.I tripped on this site, your information is encouraging. Would you tell me of the site, book or person who determines the time required for a task? If the service requires specific handling, ie: blood, waste, environmental hazard,andsafety, what is the additional time given?

My interest relates to custodial cleaning of elementary schools. There is a formula being applied to our work. I don't know where it came from or why but it is ridiclous.

Would I look under county or state?? Something referring to timelines or am I using the incorrect wording?

Thank you

[Stringer]

Stringer,

You may be the answer to my prayer.I tripped on this site, your information is encouraging. Would you tell me of the site, book or person who determines the time required for a task? If the service requires specific handling, ie: blood, waste, enviromental hazard,andsafety, what is the additional time given?

My interest relates to custodial cleaning of elementary schools. There is a formula being applied to our work. I don't know where it came from or why but it is ridiclous.

Would I look under county or state ??? something referring to timelines or am I using the incorrect wording?

Thank you

Hi SSweet,

There are many schedule tables out there few are realistic however but give you a sense of how much time it takes to complete different tasks for cleaning. Take a look at these sites:

BSCAI - Building Service Contractors Association International

How to Start a Cleaning Business or Janitorial Service

Also check out 'janitorial hazardous cleaning' on the internet. Such sites as government, trades, etc. will actually give you a 'hazardous communication program' to follow by accepted standards.

Good luck, please let me know if you have any success.

SSweet, you should actually start your own thread so that we can address your situation directly.

Come back an let me know,

Stringer