Why you shouldn’t settle on the cheapest window cleaner (and how to make the right choice)
You need to get your shop’s windows cleaned, you get some quotes, and the prices vary wildly. Which quote is the right one to go for, the cheapest, the most expensive or the one that’s the middle ground?
Here are three points to consider that can help you make that decision
- How do window cleaners determine their prices
- Why that low price may not be the bargain, you think it is
- Why quoting is a science and not a magic trick
How do window cleaners determine their prices?
For commercial window cleaning (that’s shops), the going market rates can be anywhere between $30.00 to $90.00 per hour. The fluctuations in these prices can depend on factors such as specialized equipment, chemicals, skills required to do the job or the persons experience.
What you’re mostly paying for with a window cleaner is time. Arriving at a dollar figure for a quote is a merely a case of dividing the hourly rate by the amount of time the job will take. For example, if a window cleaner is working off an hourly rate of $50.00 and thinks the job can be completed in 30 minutes, he will charge you $25.00.
Well then, why shouldn’t you just go for the window cleaner who offers the lowest price?
Why that low price is not the bargain you might think it is
Some window cleaners use the lure of the low prices to win business. To make a profit. However, they will need to get your job done fast, meaning the quality of the work may not be that great, with streaks, water tears left on your glass. They may also look for shortcuts they can take to save time on the job.
In either case, the result is a job that’s not 100% and fails to make your business look fantastic. Here is an example of when an ex-client decided to go with a cheaper alternative
A client stopped using my service some time back because another window cleaner came along with a price too good to refuse. Some months later this customer got back in touch with me again after letting that window cleaner go because of his attitude.
Probing further, I found out that the client wasn’t happy with the quality of the window cleaners work. When he was addressing the window cleaner about this, his response was “I’ve already been working on this job for 30 minutes….. The marks you’re referring too won’t come out of the glass.” (which was just his excuse, so he wouldn’t have to spend more time on the job).
My ex-client paid him, dismissed him and was now back at square one.
Quoting is not like pulling a rabbit from a hat
One of the reasons window cleaners may under charge is that they give out quotes based on guess work. Without washing a piece of glass or two, he won’t be able to calculate with certainty how long or how difficult the job will be. This quoting rarely leads to an accurate price.
If he feels that he has underquoted the job, he may stop turning up because the job is unprofitable, or he might try to bump up the price or will start looking for shortcuts to keep his profit margin healthy.
In Summary
To choose the right window cleaner, keep the following points in mind. They will help you know what to look out for when comparing prices between window cleaners
Don’t be tempted to pick a window cleaner because his price is the cheapest
Does he take the time to learn about your business, its needs and even wash a few panels of glass?
Take a few minutes to ask him questions and understand exactly how he is going to clean your glass and look after your business
Try finding a local window cleaner. He may be able to offer you a better price and service because they are regularly in the area
Next Step
You can find any number of local window cleaners on the internet, just type in ‘window cleaning’ and your suburb. Or you can give SqueegeeMEclean a call, and we’ll be happy to help you keep your business looking beautiful.