Originally Posted by
Stringer
Hi Cleaningman.
May I ask you a few questions?
How long have you been in the residential cleaning business?
Are you incorporated? Do you have employees?
Do you have special equipment such as a carpet cleaning machine, backpac vacuum, etc?
Cleaning commercial is for the most part a different animal, than residential cleaning. You need the knowledge and proper equipment to do the job properly, quickly and effectively; time IS money especially in this business.
You say that you bid $.06 for 6,000 sq ft. That is $360.00 per month, I have to assume that that was not 5 days per week cleaning, probably 2 or maybe 3 days per week.
Getting started in the commercial cleaning business even if you have experience in residential is not always easy. You are almost forced initially to go after the smaller accounts where there isn't too much competition from the mid to larger companies.
But going after 3,500, 4,000, 6,000 sq ft buildings is a good start. But you want at least 3 days per week, preferably 5 days a week service, that is the boost that is needed to go beyond the 'red line' costs.
You say that they never called you back? Did you call them back? If I may I would like to say here that 'order takers' give prices, salespeople go after the sale and have much more success. The market presently is extremely competitive and all the salespeople from your competitors are out in force making deals that a year ago they would not have considered.
You bid $.06 and didn't get the job, to me that was a very low bid. Many things happen in this business, a friend knows a friend kind of thing...your example may be just an abnormally. Have you bid any other commercial jobs, if so please explain.
Please answer the above and we can get together again to move forward.
By the way, I am in the Chicago area (and no I do not mind competition at all), what town are you in, if I may ask?
Thanks,
Stringer