I have just got back into doing interior construcion cleaning. I am having problems finding out what is the going rate per sq. ft. I was in cleaning about 10 yrs ago so the prices have change dramatically. Before I took over the business from someone else, so I never got to do the bidding or pricing. Please help ASAP. I have already had a couple of clients contact me. I am stalling till I can find out. But will loose contracts if I don't give them an answer sooooon.! Thanks a bunch

Pricing construction clean up is somewhat different from pricing general nightly cleaning.

Obviously you need to "walk through" at the actual building WITH the Construction Manager or some other principle person to determine exactly what needs to be done.

1. How much total space? (square footage)

2. What exactly needs to be completed and by when? (Is this a job where you can go and do the complete job once or is it a "progressive clean up"? Progressive clean up: complete a given space now and then complete the other areas when they are finished and ready for you.)
No matter if it is once or progressive; make sure that when you finish the project that you get a "sign off" (create a sign off form indicating that the work was completed as planned and they are happy) by a principle person that they are satisfied with your work. Too often after you finish other work may occur in that area and they may expect you to come back and clean up - not good if not planned and priced for this! (Get a sign off on progressive clean ups on each area when completed.)

3. Find out what the condition of the area/s will be when you are to start the clean up. Example; will there be any large construction garbage; wood, plaster pieces, left over pieces of HVAC, etc, that you will need to throw out? Or will this all be gone and you will only need to do a "final clean up"(called a broom clean)? Find out if you can use an empty construction dumpster if not you will need to plan/price transporting this trash to an authorized dump.

4. Are you to clean the windows? If so, there will probably be manufactures' "stickers" on them which you will need to remove.

5. Find out how much carpet there will installed for you to clean, how much (square footage) & hard floors? (What type of hard floors; VCT, stone, marble, etc, that you will need to sweep and machine clean?) If it is VCT & you are to clean it then you will need to strip off the factory coated "protective coat of sealer" and put down at least 2-4 coates of finish. (If carpets are involved; do you just vacuum or vacuum and machine extract?)

In my area; Suburban Chicago, construction clean up pricing varies quite a bit from job to job. However I would suggest pricing from $ .12 to $ .18 per square foot. As always this may not apply to your competitive area. I suggest that you try to befriend a construction manager and tell him that you have experience (qualify yourself) however you have not been in the business for some time and you would appreciate any help he may give you concerning this matter; hope that he is an honest person. Don't be afraid to go back after your bid to do a "survey" with the prospective client and tell him you want to constantly improve and would he/she be kind enough to answer a few questions. One of these questions is; Who were my competitors? Where did I come in on the pricing? Is there another reason why I didn't receive this job? Would you consider letting me bid in the future? AND; if you are fortunate and get the job AND they are HAPPY, the ask them to recommend you and possibly give you a letter of reference on their Letterhead.

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and give it your best shot. Then LEARN from your own experience for the future, hopefully you won't lose you shirt. Remember the "sign off" sheet. Learning also means getting to know your competition and track their pricing habits
(they will vary, particularly if they are in a "buying" mode and need business.) DO NOT take any jobs where you feel that you are going down with your pricing - it is better to walk. In the cleaning business prices vary all over the board, depending on circumstances; overhead costs, union or non-union jobs, not collecting complete information necessary to do the job, competition that are buying jobs (low balling), etc.

I remember something my uncle told me a lot of years ago; "if you can't find time to something right the first time - please tell me how you will find time to do it over again?"

Sadly, this is a very competitive business. When you establish yourself and you are trusted to do the job on time (very important) and correctly, you can establish value that many (not all) clients will admire and do business with you because they feel paying a bit more is worth it.

Good luck, and let me know what happened?

Stringer

I need to know what the going rate per square foot for post construction work in the south Florida area is.
Can you please advice? I'm trying to place a bid.
Thank You
Javier

If you are asking a question then you should go to "Ask a Question'; main page and yo will get answers. To "tag" on this question will not get you the responses you need.

Stringer

Looking for a price for sq. ft. At a store front construction. C.A.