Advice on this job...

[Todd]

Well my Truck vinyl advertisment has finally paid off. Got a call from a Lawyer and he didn't flinch at spending $400.00+ for a house cleaning. Its 3200Sqft., 1 story with 2 peaks. I think he's doing it as a thank you for sending him some business. I'll take it eitherway. I did a google search on his address and here's the house. Looks like its up for sale. He wants his driveway cleaned as well. I know most people cut a break/deal for a house and drive cleaning but what would you suggest for customers that have deep pockets? I still have to go out to his house to give him a detailed estimate on his driveway. I couldn't really get a good estimate on his driveway from the picture. Looks like a big drive to me. What do you guys and gals think? I hope I didn't lowball myself again. I'm still learning and this site has helped me tremendously. Again...Thanks for all the mentorship!

Todd
B&B Pressure Washing
Charleston,SC

 

[Todd]

Heres the back of the house.

 

[CaroliProWash]

If you want to "cut him a deal" on his driveway, figure your "driveway alone" pricing and then discount it. He's getting a good deal on his house for $400....we would usually price a driveway at about .10 / sq ft. then decrease until we made about $80/hr on the driveway since we'd be doing the house already.

Celeste

 

[DanKes]

"but what would you suggest for customers that have deep pockets?"

Why would you treat a customer any differently based on what he does for a living, or what he makes?

 

[Henry Bockman]

I have to agree with Dankes,

Charge a fair rate regardless of how much money he has and do an outstanding job... Usually people with money tend to keep it by not allowing themselves to be overcharged just because they have money. Be fair with all of your clients, regardless of how much money they have and you will earn their respect and their freinds buisiness...

 

[Dan S]

My thoughts excatly!!

I just dont understand

If you want to be in business for a long time treat EVERY customer like you would want to be treated.

DOnt sterotype anybody................You will never get ahead!

 

[Everett]

Without knowing the dimensions of the house $400 looks like more than fair. There are a lot of people who use $1/linear ft./floor. So if a house is 70x35 that is 70+70+35+35=210 linear ft., if it is a two story you would charge about $420.00. Take into consideration problem area and contemporary architecture. I try to get $.10/sq.ft. on commercial work and will not do a residential job for that price. I am usually more like $.25/sq.ft. on residential flatwork.

PS. Dan S, I hope you are proud of me now!!! [wsmile]

 

[Dan S]

Bout-Time.....Buck -`0

 

[Lojobe]

I'm new in the business, but $400.00 for the house and driveway seems kinda low. But pricing in SC may be different then further up north.

 

[5 Star Johnny]

I've commented before on how we charge for house cleaning, which would translate to a bit more than what you're charging for what I see. At least $.25 sq. ft. on flatwork for residential.

Echoing what DanKes & Henry stated, EVERY JOB should start at the same rate with the same approach in respect to quality. Although we make adjustments, it's normally giving retirees or servicemen a discount. Be VERY CAREFUL when making the assumption that higher income clients can be charged more.

I've commented on these types of clients several times in this forum. I tend to chuckle a bit when I see a post from some unsuspecting "contractor" that gets a lead on a "high income" client or subdivision. Their belief is that this is a gold mine and they'll fulfill the year's sales goals with this clientel. Not to say that some contractors might get lucky once in a while when this happens, but our experience is that its usually a dead end. Upscalers don't like to spend a lot of money. 9 times out of 10 when we bid an obvious "richy", they whine about the pricing and tend to go with the lowballer or attempt a DIY job. Our best clients are the middle class, blue & white collar clients who appreciate hard work & quality.

Don't categorize ANY client when doing a bid. Treat them all the same, make adjustments as you see fit and deliver the quality and service you promised. That will go a long way in acheiving success.

Good Luck!

 

[Todd]

Wow!! When I meant "deep pokets" I meant someone who wouldn't argue with my rates. I charge a fair price for my services. I try not to lowball myself but on the same note try not to be the highest price guy in town. I charge the same rates regardless of the customers income. Bigger house of course means more $$$$.... as expected. I didn't get a previous bid on a house this size because the guy was a cheap skate "shallow pockets". Sorry for the mix up. I should have re-read my post. It does seem bad the way I worded it.

Oyea...$400.00 doesn't include the drive/walkways. I will be headed out there today if weather permits to give an estimate for the concrete cleaning. .10Sqft (residential) is my rate if theres no heavy oil or grease buildup/stains.

 

[jeffex11]

$480 is reasonable for the house and driveway as I see from the picture. If the driveway is a long way from the road the up the price. An all brick house is gravy work. That house in vinyl siding would be $550 + the driveway

 

[PressurePros]

Mary and John (5 star) you're comments about the upper end clientele are very true. A Mercedes with an $800 a month payment sitting in the garage but it's like pulling teeth getting to spend the same money to make their property look like it is actually worth $2 million.

Todd, one concern I have is with legitimizing any price to this guy because the results are not going to be dramatic. I know that picture is not up to date but unless there is obvious mold on the brick, you are only going to get mediocre results with a standard housewash. The only treatment that becomes dramatic on pourous stone or brick is to use acid. If that were the case, procedures change and the price would be more than $400.

 

[CCPC]

$480 is reasonable for the house and driveway as I see from the picture. If the driveway is a long way from the road the up the price. An all brick house is gravy work. That house in vinyl siding would be $550 + the driveway

Brick is easier clean than vinyl? Not around here it isn't. First, most people wait twice as long to have their brick cleaned because it doesn't stand out as much. Secondly, brick is far more porous than vinyle, which means you must use either a far more aggresive solution of chem, and/or far more pressure to achieve good results. To me, vinyl is the easiest exterior to clean. Just my opinion.

 

[CCPC]

Mary and John (5 star) you're comments about the upper end clientele are very true. A Mercedes with an $800 a month payment sitting in the garage but it's like pulling teeth getting to spend the same money to make their property look like it is actually worth $2 million.

Todd, one concern I have is with legitimizing any price to this guy because the results are not going to be dramatic. I know that picture is not up to date but unless there is obvious mold on the brick, you are only going to get mediocre results with a standard housewash. The only treatment that becomes dramatic on pourous stone or brick is to use acid. If that were the case, procedures change and the price would be more than $400.

Not all true. The majority of the houses I clean are not that dirty, but homeowner (and hoa) want the properties to remain as clean as possible. Makes for easy work, and even when I think the difference is going to minor, most times I'm plesantly suprised with end result. It does, however, require a keen eye for detail.

 

[jeffex11]

I understand mold grows very fast in FLA. up here in MD it grows at a slower pace but all the brick I have cleaned is easier than vinyl. I have run into small areas on brick houses that are moldy but rarely the whole side of a house. We do get vinyl houses that completely cover the north side with mold. Price the most for what the conditions are in your area.