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kkelly2710 · Jun 18, 2010, 09:11 PM

Hello,

I have just started my new cleaning business and need a little assistance. I read a lot of other threads in regards on how to bid, however rather get my own personal support instead of feeding off someone else thread.

I am a new small office cleaning company provided services to medical & doctor offices, General offices, Daycares and banks. I am having trouble on how to charge. I know square footage is one way of putting the price together, Me being in philadelphia how much do you think will be a good price to charge.

to help you help me, lets put together a scenerio

2 Cleaning Staff for 2 Hours per evening
5x week
2500sq ft
In philadelphia

I was trying to find some other unique way of charging the client to make it easier on both of us, any ideas.

How about solely by hour? Would that work. Keep in mind that I am new so any answers would be greatly appreciated

Clough · Jun 18, 2010, 10:04 PM

Hi, kkelly2710!

How much experience have you already had cleaning for others in order to make a profit for yourself, please?

Thanks!

kkelly2710 · Jun 19, 2010, 10:24 AM

Well, all together I have a about 4 good solid years. I used to work for a franchise owner in 2006 cleaning a huge bank and a few other offices. I bought into a franchise in 2008 which I did enjoy, I managed about 8 accounts as well as cleaned most of them.

I never had an opportunity to actually bid or to figure out how much to charge a specific building. This task was already completed by the franchises operation manager and sometimes I used to just replace another franchise owner because of bad service to the customer.

I decided to start my own company from the ground up because the franchises that way too much money and its was stalling me from growth from profits.

Stringer · Jun 19, 2010, 09:30 PM

I would figure your pricing by the sq ft and hourly, then compare the two for an average.

I would also keep detailed records of the bids that you lose, try to find out what your competitor's prices were as that will keep you on track.

Stringer

kkelly2710 · Jun 20, 2010, 12:30 PM

Stringer

Yeah I was pushing more on the hourly rate of things, because it just seems to be more of an accurate way to do it. Im thinking about you know pricing it per clean.

There aren't many office cleaning companies in Philadelphia, But they are many in the surrounding areas. I called a few pretending if I was an office manager looking to get office cleaning. I have found that to be very effective in guiding me on how to price.

I was trying to put together some type of rewards program for my customers to enhance savings opportunities which will be compensated through special add on services. It like a special perk so to speak.

My plan is to develop some type of competitive advantage that will help my company reach heights. Im 23 years old now, So my goal is by 25 it will be a great business that will provide great service and one that I can live off

HBF · Jul 1, 2010, 05:42 AM

Most small building, day care centers, banks, etc. are done by the hour and large offices done by the square foot. However, you should always give the client a price per clean or per week. Otherwise they will nickel and dime you with the hours. Determine what the going rate is in Philly or more importantly what you need to charge in order to make a profit and then multiply that by the 2 hours in your scenario. Write up a proposal and put the final clean per day or week in your proposal and submit that.

Good luck!