SSet Prices

[acaudill]

Does anyone here use a set price on houses. I have been using $1.00 a foot for single story and $2.00 a foot for 2 story houses. Everyone seems to think this is to high of a price.

I bid on a two story house yesterday that is 79 feet long by 24 feet wide. and was 2 stories. I used the $2.00 a foot price and the guy thought I was out of my mind. This was about 30 miles frommy house.

 

[FullBlast]

Is that a sq.ft. or what?? No I did some figureing and you most figure all the length. 79+24X2X$2 Is that how you figure?

 

[Cat Powerwash]

I have never done square foot or linear foot pricing. I pretty much look at a house, see how dirty and determine how long. Example: Cape cod $250.00 Bilevel $350.00 Colonial $500.00 It all depends on how big and dirty.

 

[Larry B]

My experience has shown that $1.00 for single level makes people squawk. I think that somewhere near $2.00 is appropriate for 2 stories because of the added hassle, equipment and chems.

 

[acaudill]

Is that a sq.ft. or what?? No I did some figureing and you most figure all the length. 79+24X2X$2 Is that how you figure?

yes that was how I was figuring it. Plus I added in the price to rent the extension wand for a day and the price of gas to drive out there. I told the guy $550.00.

He came back and said that he had it done last year for $200.00 and that included the sidewalks.

 

[Larry B]

One thing that I have found to be effective is to go back to the job after the cheap guy is done. I will do a demo section for the homeowner or business owner to show them how much better it looks when I do it. It helps to get the job the next time. It is not the best way and it costs me money and time, but so does advertising etc..

 

[RogerG]

Many things factor into what to charge for a house wash....geographics included. Housewashes around here are $145 - $225. Size sometimes isn't a big deal...with the proper equipment and chemicals, a second story doesn't make a bit of difference but a small house with tons of shrubbery - what a pain. We'd charge the same for both considering those factors. If you're new to this, consider figuring how long it's going to take you and do an hourly rate (in your head) then toss out the number to the homeowner. Realistically, if you can charge $50-$75 an hour and clean the house in about 2 hours....the homeowner will be happy and you'll have made your rate. You have to know your capabilities and limitations to do it this way.

 

[5 Star Johnny]

We charge $1.50 - $1.75 per lin. ft./per story and get very little resistance to our pricing. Our work is top quality and we sell on that point. When viewing the property we also add on for obstructions, difficult grades, etc. There's not as much competition in our geographical market, so maybe that's why we get more.

 

[hollt1]

Your pricing is close to the national average. The problem is the home owner has had it washed by a "Weekender" who has little experience, little invested in his equipment and prices just to get the work. He and others like him have put me out of business! I tried selling my work by slamming the weekenders, telling the homeowner of poor results and possible damage but even that didn't work. You can try it but you may have the same problem I did. People in my area care about price and not results. You may have the same problem.
Home owners do not realize that if they have an older home that was built with the old "Black Board", serious damage "WILL" be caused by washing under high pressure. The water is simply pushed under the siding and gets the black board wet. Old untreated and painted wood siding is just as bad. Newer homes are almost assuredly built with Tyvek Home wrap and not a problem. Painted surfaces are delicate and can be blown off by inexperienced PWs. To operate a PW business you first have to be in an area that will support the market, secondly you have to KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING to get the word out of your work!

 

[mikew]

Your pricing is close to the national average. The problem is the home owner has had it washed by a "Weekender" who has little experience, little invested in his equipment and prices just to get the work. He and others like him have put me out of business! I tried selling my work by slamming the weekenders, telling the homeowner of poor results and possible damage but even that didn't work. You can try it but you may have the same problem I did. People in my area care about price and not results. You may have the same problem.
Home owners do not realize that if they have an older home that was built with the old "Black Board", serious damage "WILL" be caused by washing under high pressure. The water is simply pushed under the siding and gets the black board wet. Old untreated and painted wood siding is just as bad. Newer homes are almost assuredly built with Tyvek Home wrap and not a problem. Painted surfaces are delicate and can be blown off by inexperienced PWs. To operate a PW business you first have to be in an area that will support the market, secondly you have to KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING to get the word out of your work!

How long have you been trying to establish your business?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[the_GUNN_man]

I have never done square foot or linear foot pricing. I pretty much look at a house, see how dirty and determine how long. Example: Cape cod $250.00 Bilevel $350.00 Colonial $500.00 It all depends on how big and dirty.

This is how I do it. Once you do it long enough you throw out the square foot stuff. You can look and see how long it takes. Most houses will be done in a 2 -4 hour range. I only use the square footage when doing decks because the extra footage not seen can sneak up on you.