Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Did I mess up?

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Certainly seems like a good price to me. Sometimes, they know who they want to use but have to solicit other bids to satisfy the owners/board/etc. If they contacted you for a price that's probably what happened.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Anita and Joe,

Bryan has a point. Unfortunately it happens.

How long ago did you bid that job?

Have you stopped by to see the property since then?

I've placed bids and had to wait until the HOA voted on it or the management company decided.

Don't give up and give them a call.

Hank

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Bryan P wrote:
Certainly seems like a good price to me. Sometimes, they know who they want to use but have to solicit other bids to satisfy the owners/board/etc. If they contacted you for a price that's probably what happened.

Well crap! I bet thats what it was then. Didn't even cross my mind.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

waxman18324 wrote:
Anita and Joe,

Bryan has a point. Unfortunately it happens.

How long ago did you bid that job?

Have you stopped by to see the property since then?

I've placed bids and had to wait until the HOA voted on it or the management company decided.

Don't give up and give them a call.

Hank

I gave the bid Friday. And did call them this morning after I posted this. They said the home office in Raleigh hasn't made a decision. So thats good lol

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

All Kleen Softwash Systems wrote:
waxman18324 wrote:
Anita and Joe,

Bryan has a point. Unfortunately it happens.

How long ago did you bid that job?

Have you stopped by to see the property since then?

I've placed bids and had to wait until the HOA voted on it or the management company decided.

Don't give up and give them a call.

Hank
I gave the bid Friday. And did call them this morning after I posted this. They said the home office in Raleigh hasn't made a decision. So thats good lol

Feel out the situation and keep you name in front of them.

Hank

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Just keep calling every other day?

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

That might be a little much. Try once a week.

Hank

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Gotcha! Ty

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Most likely hasnt hit the board meeting yet. I would wait about a week then call back. Most meetings are the 2nd or 3rd week of the month.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Ok ty. Fingers crossed lol

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Is that price for the breezeways too? From what I can see, that seems like a really good price for them. It averages out to $391.00 per building. If someone goes cheaper, you didn't want it anyway!

I don't call PM's once they get my bid. At least the ones I work with on a regular basis don't want to be bothered unless I bring them a gift! If I get the job or they need answers, they will be calling me.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thats a screaming deal!

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

BlueRidge wrote:
Is that price for the breezeways too? From what I can see, that seems like a really good price for them. It averages out to $391.00 per building. If someone goes cheaper, you didn't want it anyway!
I don't call PM's once they get my bid. At least the ones I work with on a regular basis don't want to be bothered unless I bring them a gift! If I get the job or they need answers, they will be calling me.

I charged them 450.00 per big building (5) and 100 for that small office building.

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

No breezeways

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

They wanted a separate bid for the 10 breezeways. I hope to get them too. Their mostly concrete pads and concrete steps

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We get offers to bid often when we know they want us to do the work but need to go thru the bid process.
I include plenty of options to curb costs but when we do get in we often are asked to do the work trimmed out of the proposal.
Those change orders are then charged at a premium rate😁

Philip McCullough · RIP

Maverick Contracting wrote:
We get offers to bid often when we know they want us to do the work but need to go thru the bid process.
I include plenty of options to curb costs but when we do get in we often are asked to do the work trimmed out of the proposal.
Those change orders are then charged at a premium rate😁

^^^^ YES ^^^^ Give a reasonable price on what they ask, your prices look good, then supplement your estimate with other items that WILL need attention such as concrete, rust stain rmoval, gutters, etc....After your bid is accepted the extras are almost a gimme if you sell them right...

Good Luck! Fingers crossed for you!

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Ty sir. I'll remember that for the next bid.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Just bid what it's worth for you to do it! Not more than it's worth to you,. and not less than it's worth to you,...So,..when you bid on your own criteria,..then you know you didn't mess up. Simple as that.

This service we're in has a wide variable when it comes to pricing,..some who do this are retired,..or don't need to make as much as you,..some need to make much more simply due to their own lifestyle/expenses.

But,.at face value,.that is an excellent price for them.

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Jeff Wible wrote:
Just bid what it's worth for you to do it! Not more than it's worth to you,. and not less than it's worth to you,...So,..when you bid on your own criteria,..then you know you didn't mess up. Simple as that.

This service we're in has a wide variable when it comes to pricing,..some who do this are retired,..or don't need to make as much as you,..some need to make much more simply due to their own lifestyle/expenses.

But,.at face value,.that is an excellent price for them.

Jeff

I did that last year. And we stayed pretty busy. But then had other companies talking crap about us saying were too cheap and were bringing down the pricing of the whole area. I told him im just doing what it's worth to me, because I dont have employees or over head. My machine has already paid for itself twice over. It's not my fault they have 3 trucks and 6 employees.

It's a confusing business lol. I'm just going to do what we do and not pay attention to them. I wish their was a website or something that I can find more commercial accounts to bid on.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Cheap prices don't equate to being a hack,..as many seem to think. Poor work,..especially purposely inferior work is what makes someone a hack. But,..don't let anyone dictate your business model in a negative way.

Your story about bringing down the cost in the whole area is funny,..I'd have laughed that one off and said I was glad,.. And soon enough I'll be the only game in town.

That is how competition works!

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 06:07:40 AM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

There is an important part of this pricing discussion that has been left out. Charging what you need is one thing. Charging what you need to make a profit and afford to buy the equipment, make the repairs on both equipment and trucks is a different story. Having employees shouldn't dictate what you charge. You too are an employee no matter how you look at it. To grow a company, you must turn a profit. One that will not only give you a good living but buy your equipment without having to borrow. Case in point, you have stated you are buying a new rig with an insurance settlement. Wouldn't it be nice to put that money away because you made enough profit to buy your new rig?

As to more commercial accounts... you have to go find them, knock on doors and shake some hands. A few will find you but most will look for an easy path and if you let them know you are around, they will give you a call when the time comes.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

BlueRidge wrote:
There is an important part of this pricing discussion that has been left out. Charging what you need is one thing. Charging what you need to make a profit and afford to buy the equipment, make the repairs on both equipment and trucks is a different story. Having employees shouldn't dictate what you charge. You too are an employee no matter how you look at it. To grow a company, you must turn a profit. One that will not only give you a good living but buy your equipment without having to borrow. Case in point, you have stated you are buying a new rig with an insurance settlement. Wouldn't it be nice to put that money away because you made enough profit to buy your new rig?
As to more commercial accounts... you have to go find them, knock on doors and shake some hands. A few will find you but most will look for an easy path and if you let them know you are around, they will give you a call when the time comes.

Hey Brett,..those things you mention are all part of"charging what you need"

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

BlueRidge wrote:
There is an important part of this pricing discussion that has been left out. Charging what you need is one thing. Charging what you need to make a profit and afford to buy the equipment, make the repairs on both equipment and trucks is a different story. Having employees shouldn't dictate what you charge. You too are an employee no matter how you look at it. To grow a company, you must turn a profit. One that will not only give you a good living but buy your equipment without having to borrow. Case in point, you have stated you are buying a new rig with an insurance settlement. Wouldn't it be nice to put that money away because you made enough profit to buy your new rig?
As to more commercial accounts... you have to go find them, knock on doors and shake some hands. A few will find you but most will look for an easy path and if you let them know you are around, they will give you a call when the time comes.

Absolutely! I love to put money away lol. I do it for every job. I just like pricing jobs as its worth it to me.

Take the apartment complex for instance. Will probably take me 3 days maybe 4 depending on weather. And ill be making 2350.00 in 4 days. 1500.00 of that is going in savings. After all set said and done , I'll probably clear 1900.00 in profit. In 4 days. That's more than enough for me and the family.

I bet you the competition is up over 3500, to 4000. Because they have to pay those 2 or 3 employees. Only employee I have is me. I'm ok with paying myself 100-150 a day.. just my thoughts.

Is this the wrong way of thinking for a successful business?

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Honestly that is a bad way of thinking. You should strive for your business to make 1500-2000 a day. I want to make 100-150 an hour as the owner plus pay my guys and all the up keep on equipment and supplies. With that said if you think you will be there for 4 days then that job should be between 3500-5000.

Please don't take offense to this but do you want to be an employee or an owner? I pay my employees 100-150 a day. As an owner you could be out selling and building your business. I too was once in your shoes but now with employees doing the work i have tripled my business since i turned over the reins. I still have my struggles with other parts of my company but i and working on them as well.

This is just my thoughts and it dosen't mean that the way you run your business is incorrect because we all have different goals.

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 12:18:51 PM

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Honestly that is a bad way of thinking. You should strive for your business to make 1500-2000 a day. I want to make 100-150 an hour as the owner plus pay my guys and all the up keep on equipment and supplies. With that said if you think you will be there for 4 days then that job should be between 3500-5000.

Please don't take offense to this but do you want to be an employee or an owner? I pay my employees 100-150 a day. As an owner you could be out selling and building your business. I too was once in your shoes but now with employees doing the work i have tripled my business since i turned over the reins. I still have my struggles with other parts of my company but i and working on them as well.

This is just my thoughts and it dosen't mean that the way you run your business is incorrect because we all have different goals.

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 12:18:51 PM

No offense taken, i assure you.

Their is no way we could make that much an hour around here. We are not in that big of a city. Wilmington NC. Isnt the size of big cities like new York city or Dallas.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

In this business, a typical hourly rate for an owner/operator with 1-2 people is $100-$200 an hour. This sounds like alot,..but when equipped properly and you know your stuff it is a very attainable goal. I bet very few if any exterior cleaning companies bid hourly,..most of it is done flat rate or sq.ft.. I prefer flat rate. Customers don't want to hear $200.00 an hour.

But don't sell yourself short,..getting $100-$200 an hour can be had.

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

We wash doublewide trailers for 100.00 they take about 45-50 mins. Then wrapped the rig up, and go to the next one.
Maybe i should up that price.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Well that depends on what you want,..honestly,.if you're happy with that,..that's really all that matters. I think you'll know when it's not enough. Starting out it just feels good to be working and getting that experience,..and the money of course. As you grow and gain speed,..you'll see your hourly rate go up,...simply by default. I still do work for people I've worked for for years and haven't increased their cost,..but my hourly rate went up due to all the snazzy ideas I've come up with and also what I've learned from these boards.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Thursday 2nd of February 2017 01:41:55 PM