charge or not to charge

S

Slim Pickens

New member
Just wondering do you charge extra for taking the blk streaks out
of the gutters or should that be included. I'am charging extra now
and when I tell the customer it's extra they tell me that everyone
else includes it Are they right?.


Thanks

Jim
Quality Cleaning Contractors
 
Absolutely not. Charge and Charge away. Gutter Cleaing is seperate from exterior wash. Sure you clean the gutters on the exterior wash but to actually get up there and remove the black streaks, that is a different story. Charge away.
 
Thanks Gordon What I found out from customers is that a couple
of off duty _ops in my area banging doors.

Thanks
JIM

Quality Cleaning Contractors
 
I include gutters, front and back steps. If the gutters are very bad, I take that in consideration, when estimating the job.

If the gutters are not bad, it takes minimum time to clean, you are already there, set-up with the equipment and chemicals.
 
Tim what product are you using on the gutters maybe I will give it a try it. Because it could be better yhan what I'am using.


JIM
Quality Cleaning Contractors
 
I'm with Tim...the gutters (exterior, mind you) are part of the house. There is now way I would pay someone EXTRA to wash a PART of my house if I am already paying them to wash the house.

The INSIDE of gutters, i.e. getting on the roof and/or ladders, is definitely something COMPLETELY different and should be charged extra.
 
I always include washing the exterior of the gutters. Dirty gutters on a house I just washed is bad advertising. Like Tim, if they are real bad, I might increase my price a bit, but I can't take a chance that a customer will decline paying for the gutters.

This is also why I usually charge a smaller fee for the driveway - most are $25 - $35, because I want them to get it done so that it doesn't detract from the clean house.

I usually use diluted Krud Kutter (the blue in the clear jug) from HD - about $5/gal - and brush it on with a 24' pole/brush. It does not need to be scrubbed, simply wiping it on is usually enough.
 
Hey John,

How do you get the soap on the gutters that are 3 stories up or more?
 
What are alot of you using to was your homes [pre-made] or[self
made] mixes.


JIM
Quality Cleaning Contractors
 
Slim

I use a degreaser that I purchase for Steve Rowlett - works good on gutters. Remember that some gutters will not come completely clean.

I alway tell and put in my contract, that I will attempt to get the gutters as clean as possible without damaging the gutters.
 
I agree with Tim and the rest...cleaning the gutters, including removing the black streaks, should be part of the housewash. Sure, the "other" guys are including it in their fee also, but I would imagine that most of the splash and dash guys haven't a clue how to remove the black streaks...The fact that you can is just another reason why they ought to hire you instead of the guy carrying his pressurewasher around in a station wagon and writing his proposals on notebook paper.

Like John said, dirty gutters on a house you just washed is a bad reflection on your company.

I have mixed feelings about freebies, depending on what it is. If it is something small and I can clean it in a couple minutes, I'll go ahead and do it. For example, I just cleaned a pool deck and screen enclosure for a homeowner...I went ahead and cleaned her four chaise lounge chairs while I was there...Just something extra that didn't really take any time to do that will help set me apart in the homeowner's mind next time they're needing something washed.
 
Mike

Sometimes when you do onething for customers and you come
the next time they expect that you are going to do that favor again . I started that ONCE!!!! never again, Iwent back the next time they expected that FAVOR and then something else next thing you know you just made a whole job out of it that you could of been making on another job .My time is Valuable I only have so many months to make my money,I see your in florida so the weather is not a problem for you.



JIM
Quality Cleaning Contractors
 
I will ALWAYS do the LITTLE things mentioned below. Remember...it's the LITTLE things that customers REMEMBER and not the big things that they are paying for and EXPECT. Chaise lounges, patio furniture (non-wood), BBQ grills, etc. are things that take a few SECONDS to clean that the customer did NOT expect to be cleaned that make a HUGE and lasting impression. I guarantee these are the things that seperate you from the rest and assure that they will tell their friends and family about! Well worth a few minutes or seconds, in my book! If they call you back and MENTION any extra items, i.e, patio enclosures or childrens playscapes, which go above and beyond the LITTLE extras...well then, and only, then you charge EXTRA!

That's my .02 cents and it has paid off in HUGE amounts of referrals, which are cheaper than lawn signs and newspaper ads.
 
I always do extra.

For example, when I do a deck that on the second story and theres a concrete patio beneath - Why not take 15 minutes and clean the patio. Your chemical are already on it from the deck.

Did a deck last year and did the patio furniture for free (lots of mold), it took me about twenty minutes. Customer was so happy.


A little extra and you have a happy customer that will be a good saleman for you - referrals.
 
To all vets.

Anyone mind giving me a homemade housewashing mixture that works for them? In a a 5 gallon bucket. Currently using R109 from Delco. Wondering if I can make formula at a cheaper cost.

Degraff
 
Crazy

You are completely crazy if you dont charge extra for gutter cleaning,
for a typical ranch, I charge 65.00 front 65.00 back, 2 story, 85.00 front 85.00 back, #1 the chems to do the job right are expensive, #2 it takes almost half as long to clean the gutters as it does the house, (if done right) For example, a guy you get a bid from to cut your grass, do you xpect him to edge around your patio, driveway, porch etc..? NO WAY, he would say get lost.. I always upsell, when doing a house wash, say for $250.00 I hardly ever walk away with less than $400-$500, yes the gutters are included in the house wash with my house wash mix, but it never removes the mold, streaks etc.. so it cost me more time, fuel, chems, equipment, etc.. Someone has to pay for all that, I usually get 90% of my house washing customers to get their gutters cleaned after I show them a 2- 3 foot sample cleaning, time is money folks
Now if someone is spending $2000 -$3000 on a deck and house wash, then I will throw in the gutters, patio, whatever for free, Im in this business to make money, not do free work, if you wash 10 homes a week, and include the gutters on each, and it takes an extra 45 minutes a piece plus fuel, chems, etc.. that is 4.5 hours lost now at $150.00 an hour that comes to
$675 in lost wages and probably another $50 in chems and fuel...
that is a ton of money you lost, just think about it...
 
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