Additional charges to do difficult set ups or portable work?

The Great Oz · Aug 8, 2014

At the last Mikeyfest I talked to Ofer and a couple of other guys about high-rise, downtown, yachts and other jobs that incur time and maybe parking penalties.

We have a higher price for cleaning boats, but have trouble drawing the line on raising prices for high rise work. So the questions are:

If you charge the customer for parking, do you charge more than the cost? A flat rate? How do you decide when to quote that over the phone?

If you charge extra for high rise or portable work, where do you draw the line between running hoses and breaking out the porty? How much extra?

ruff · Aug 8, 2014

Bryan,
I ask them if the building allows contractor's parking, if not it will be the cleaning cost + our cost of parking. (I don't specify an exact price. If it is close by, it is just the cost I pay to park. If I have to go a few times around the block and spend time finding it, it will be more.)

Here's my cost structure and what I email:

In general, the cost for cleaning up to 300 square feet of synthetic carpeting (measured wall to wall-our minimum charge) or 30 stairs is: [FONT=&amp]$184.00[/FONT][FONT=&amp]- If it is the 1[SUP]st[/SUP], or second floor and if we can use a truck mount unit (be able to legally[/FONT] park right by your place). Third floor or more than 150 feet of hose- $234.00. If we have to use a portable machine (takes a lot longer) - $284.00 + our cost of parking (if free parking is not available.)

· [FONT=&amp]A[/FONT]ny additional footage, thereafter, costs 45 cents per square foot (portable machine- 50 cents). Normal width stairs (approximately 30” wide) are $5.00 per stair. The best cleaning is done with a truck mounted unit, for which we’ll need to be able to park in front of your place (or block your driveway) and be able to hook up to a faucet.

· Wool and woven carpets are charged at a higher rate.

And no matter how much extra I charge for these Down Town highrises, I still make less per hour.

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Desk Jockey · Aug 8, 2014

We charge the same rate for the cleaning but charge for a "Setup Fee". Normally $50.00 but can be more depending on distance and difficulty in getting set up to clean. We do the same with setup and breakdowns when you can't access the area to cleaned from one location.

We don't punish the client for having a property difficult to reach but we also need to compensate for the additional time it will take vs cleaning any other property.

GCCLee · Aug 9, 2014

I charged a little extra on our last porty job. $20
They added two exam rooms on me totaling about 30sqft of cleanable carpet.

No way am I submitting a bill that small! Not that it was difficult or anything.

Ron K · Aug 10, 2014

Maybe just charge by the hour plus expenses. Just like Offer we always end up spending more time then we should/plan. Cleaning Yachts is just like owning one "it's a hole in the water you throw money into!"

renegade_cowboy · Aug 10, 2014

I make it super easy Bryan.. I just refer them to DA Burns.

Joe Appleby · Aug 11, 2014

We ask that the custy provide parking or pay for the cost of metered parking with no mark up.
Portable work is a 250.00 min and we add .10 a sf.

Bjorn · Aug 11, 2014

PIA FEE this is not rocket science ( pain in the ass fee) some apartments condos boats and houses may require a set up fee.

The Great Oz · Aug 12, 2014

Not rocket science Terry, but it is social science.

It seems we're not the only ones taking a bit of a loss on portable work to not "overcharge" for cleaning a postage stamp of carpet... on the 29th floor... where they can afford to pay for the service. The office staff just needs a formula easy enough to understand that customers will say, "OK, I get it" when we talk to them on the phone. We'll work with the suggestions and try a few combinations.

Thanks for your help!

ruff · Aug 12, 2014

As a multiple van company it may be worth it for you to absorb the difference in earning, yet keep your guys working, potential other jobs etc.

For me and I assume other O/O that are pretty heavily booked, it means that I will work harder and actually earn less.

Most people that live downtown can definitely afford it. I see no reason to subsidize them. Simple logic: It takes me longer time and the work is harder- I charge more. Less time & easier work- I charge less.

Simplicity is beautiful :winky:

tmdry · Aug 13, 2014

We are in the suburbs and most of our work are no more than 3-4 level buildings, and we do have the high rise clients calling in I refer them to a competitor, most high rise do not want to pay for the extra setup time, over time we've found they are not even worth the PIA fee, it's maybe 1 for every 100 calls.

steve_64 · Aug 13, 2014

the more work i have to do the more i charge.

TomKing · Aug 13, 2014

Ofer Kolton said:
As a multiple van company it may be worth it for you to absorb the difference in earning, yet keep your guys working, potential other jobs etc.

For me and I assume other O/O that are pretty heavily booked, it means that I will work harder and actually earn less.

Most people that live downtown can definitely afford it. I see no reason to subsidize them. Simple logic: It takes me longer time and the work is harder- I charge more. Less time & easier work- I charge less.

Simplicity is beautiful

Ofer I agree with everything except multi truck losing on some to stay busy. i don't want to do that.

We just bought our first portable this year after 4 truck mounts.

it is a PITA

1. Takes time to load up at the shop.
2. Needs a special area for storage and organization for quick load up.
3. takes longer to clean on the job
4. takes more thought on the office staff for taking the order and scheduling.
5. Takes time to put away when returned to the shop.

We have been adding a $75 up charge for it and it is not enough.

I like some of the things I have heard thanks guys.

ruff · Aug 13, 2014

As a side note: Anybody that learns how to clean well with a portable, will be a better cleaner when working with a truck mount.
And a whole lot more appreciative.

So, in a way, it is a very good training for your techs.

Willy P · Aug 13, 2014

Lord help me........ BUFFOONS!

Desk Jockey · Aug 14, 2014

As a side note: Anybody that learns how to clean well with a portable, will be a better cleaner when working with a truck mount.
And a whole lot more appreciative.

So, in a way, it is a very good training for your techs.

We had a "Portable job" yesterday at a nursing home in the assisted living section. Small 1-bed room apt, carpet mattress and a chair.
The guys were whining and crying about having to use a portable (I don't know where they get the attitude! :biggrin:

) but it was on 4th floor and impossible to string hoses through the hallways with out ridiculous liability. They finally got their gear together and out of here.

Later I saw them and asked them how it went and they told me they opened up a window and dropped hoses to down the Butler and knocked it out in short time. :lol:

Pussies, afraid of a little porty work.
:winky:

Willy P · Aug 14, 2014

Doc Holliday said:
Pussies, afraid of a little porty work.

EXACTLY!

ruff · Aug 14, 2014

Ofer Kolton said:
As a side note: Anybody that learns how to clean well with a portable, will be a better cleaner when working with a truck mount.

Correction: Anybody that learns how to clean well with a portable, unless his name is Willy, will be a better cleaner when working with a truck mount.

For willy I would guess, working with a porti is a religious act and or possibly he made Zeus really pissed off.
Of course, It could also be that he's the anti-Chavez.

Desk Jockey · Aug 14, 2014

Brian H · Aug 14, 2014

We don't do a lot of portable work, maybe only 4 to 6 a day, but when we do, it's the same pricing we use for homes.

We used to charge a premium a long time ago. However after trumpeting about how powerful our Truck Mounted Equipment was, I had a customer ask why we were charging more for using "inferior" equipment. I did the usual explanation about how the job would be the same, it just takes us longer and more of a hassle. After I hung up, I thought about what I had said and decided it wasn't worth the negative image in charging a premium.

Our guys don't like them, but they are part of working for Hagopian. Sometimes jobs are really easy and some times they are PITA. They do have a way of balancing out over time.

ruff · Aug 14, 2014

Brian H said:
I had a customer ask why we were charging more for using "inferior" equipment.

You charge more because they chose to live where they did.
The equipment is not inferior, as there's a perfectly good truck mount parked in their highrise's garage doing practically nothing :winky:

. While a state of the art portable is being used, which takes longer and requires harder work and actually more skill.

Brian H said:
After I hung up, I thought about what I had said and decided it wasn't worth the negative image in charging a premium.

Not doubting your business decision Brian, as I am sure it was well thought out and the right one for Hagopian. You know your business.

However, there's no negative image in charging premium. There are plenty of companies here that do quite well with it, as long as they provide great results and other tangible benefits. There's a negative image for charging premiums for specific companies that have built their business promoting something else.

Desk Jockey · Aug 15, 2014

I had a customer ask why we were charging more for using "inferior" equipment.

You can't fool the client, they know its just a glorified Rug Doctor. They want a TM but they know that's not possible so they have to settle for a portable. :neutral:

I would like to see the industry classify this type of cleaning as "Semi Professional"!
Oz can you help me get this pushed though the right channels?

ruff · Aug 15, 2014

It pains me when my good friend and former saint, Richard from Nimrod carpet cleaning, shows his ignorance in public.

And I thought Topeka was in good hands.

Oz, pay no attention to the mumbling coming from the office staff at Nimrod's.

Desk Jockey · Aug 15, 2014

Hey, I can't get any one to argue with me about Tony Stewart so I had to make due. :lol:

Oz please look into that for me!

The Great Oz · Aug 15, 2014

I would like to see the industry classify this type of cleaning as "Semi Professional"!
Oz can you help me get this pushed though the right channels?

Do it yourself, Bub. I seem to remember you being included on that committee.

Desk Jockey · Aug 15, 2014

The CRI?
They kicked me off for trying to push that bit of legislation through.
They think I'm a nut case.....so who told on me?

No I was talking about the IICRC, take that to Tony and see if he can help the cause.

Goomer · Aug 15, 2014

Doc Holliday said:
You can't fool the client, they know its just a glorified Rug Doctor. They want a TM but they know that's not possible so they have to settle for a portable.

I would like to see the industry classify this type of cleaning as "Semi Professional"!
Oz can you help me get this pushed though the right channels?

I would laugh too if you rolled in with an old beat-up Cheyene.

"Semi-Professional"???

I prefer the term…………..

Desk Jockey · Aug 15, 2014

LOL

Frank go read the thread about giving yourself titles. It has no value unless an authority gives it to you!

Soooo by all means let ME give you one!
"Certified NY HACK"

Goomer · Aug 15, 2014

Am I like……. Knighted now??

Desk Jockey · Aug 15, 2014

Yes. Demand that everyone call you "Sir".

Additional charges to do difficult set ups or portable work?

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