Fantastic approach to pricing and how people understand a base rate for a small company, we charge £30 for an external window cleaning service and list our prices online with an online booking calendar. It's 2024 and I still get phone calls asking to beat an unreliable income of i.e £5 per clean... The consumer market really needs to understand some basic business running costs i.e fuel and minimum wage. Any trade should be targeting a base rate of £30 - £45 per hour, labour + materials, equipment, hire or specific requests. Then consider time and quality, often people will pay more for a higher quality, reliable consistency and a relaxed but professional service. No one want to be chasing the dream, we want to be living the dream.. Personally I think it's an easy decision to simply say no to low expectations and pricing, my kids don't feed themselves and my bank is not interested in £10 transactions. Again, fantastic video and approach to the truth about a simple income.
Morning Chris, yes I have made the same mistake. Think I told you when we had a chat a while ago. But I've been addressing it . All the best. Glad summer is on the way out.
I’ve lost count of the customers I’ve got because the old window cleaner has stopped coming and when I give my price they are shocked because the last guy was much cheaper. My answer is I don’t set his prices, I set mine and there’s probably a reason why he no longer cleans windows.
I remember when I said to a lady that some other work will be £10 more she squinted her eyes like I said £10.000 and said that's alot of money messaged her the next day "I wish you all the best".
I'm a window cleaner on the Isle of Wight and only once had someone challenge me on the price, my minimum charge is £15 and that could be for just one window, my price range is between £22 -£45 and they don't bat an eyelid and some sound surprised at the low price ,I've had customers up the price without me asking , I love my job
Great video mate are minimum charge is now £15 was 10 then 12 then 15 start of this year thats the last big jump now im thinking a pound every second tax yr ! I Didn't get much push back but was sorting a mess from when i forst started and i said 10 quid for everything 😂 !! When is the next expo bud? Im really keen to visit one as im thinking of getting a power up reel and look at what else is about just let me know if you know when and where pal cheers keep on keeping on buddy
I'll be at the next one. I believe it's end of March 2025 ish... Blanket pricing might get you the first outlet of years, but if growing is the goal, we need to understand our profit vs loss.
@ChrisAddis ahh sound Chris where is it bud? Be nice to see you down there if your about again wanted to go for years but never get round to it ! Yes currently a 1 man band waiting for the kids to get older hes 10 now 🤣 so I don't have to employ numptys haha but think I'll need a hand before that soon
no its not wtf are you on about you just said yourself in your second sentence "fair rate" just because your "fair rate" is 60£ an hour doesn't make it fair, you have no skills, you should get around 20-30£ an hour being unskilled.
What is fair is subjective..what you think is fair others may disagree with. The point is the customers perception of what the "going rate" is in their mind, is shaped by our actions in keeping the price in line with costs. Also when we talk about fairness, it's unfair for the customer to expect you to swallow increasing costs while keeping your prices low... Everyone does this slightly differently. And it's an art to get right.
@@ReggaeRemake what a load of bull, so if you charge £30 an hour but don’t know what your doing and I charge £60 it takes me half the time! Your obviously not in the game or you wouldn’t use stupid comments like you have no skill
@@ChrisAddis What I took from the video as Going rate is how little people can expect to pay you as perception When I say fair rate that’s what I deem to be fair, which customers agree with as they pay it. If you can justify why you are charging what you do then it’s a fair rate, both to the customer and morally of course.
@ChrisAddis the reason I asked is because some guys charge slightly more, but they spend far too much time on the glass. I charge £12 for 3 bed semi-detached house at the moment. It's hard to charge more when every window cleaner charges the same amount or even less. I put my prices every couple of years by £1-3. Thanks for your reply.
To be honest, Chris, I think you're behind the times. When I started five or six years ago, £15 was the standard, but things have changed. Nowadays, your minimum price should align with what a barber charges for a basic cut, and it’s hard to find a barber charging less than £20. I’m based in Northern Ireland, and even here, £20 is more reasonable, especially after factoring in taxes and expenses. On the mainland, it’s even tougher with added costs like water rates and council tax, particularly near London. I don’t know how anyone can afford to live there and still charge less than £20. You need to be making at least £15 after expenses, so charging £15 for a three-bed semi in 2024/25 seems too low. For example, a £30 job five years ago would now need to be around £38 just for you to earn the same amount. So, those £15 three-bed semis are easily worth £20 today. It's also funny how the people complaining about window cleaners not turning up are usually the ones paying a fiver.
I think it largely depends on a number of factors. You'd be right in thinking £20 plus for VAT registered businesses for what we do...and I think its coming. I can definitely see a point where there may be need to raise prices again. Houses in the South tend to be bigger. I have friends in the south of England doing minimums of £20 plus for a house. Some of these new builds are pokey little houses with a door 2 windows on the front 1 small bathroom window and maybe 3 small windows on the back...for me that's worth £15. But there's houses down south done 8 weekly that are a third bigger than what we do charged at £22! That's mad
@ChrisAddis To be honest, Chris, you should consider charging as if you are VAT registered. Even though I'm not currently VAT registered, I price my services as if I were because I will be at some point, so the price remains consistent for the customer. For instance, with services like plumbing, electrical work, and gardening-where gardeners charge around £20 every two weeks for lawn care-£20 for window cleaning seems fair. If people don’t see the value, that’s their decision. Additionally, I haven’t made my first million with the rates I charge, and I’d assume you’re in the same situation. We're not millionaires; we’re hard-working, self-employed individuals supporting our families. My point is that the service we provide needs to be paid for-it’s not something we’re doing for free.
Any unskilled job doesn't pay much! Window cleaning isn't a skill, anybody can do it with minimal equipment. Trades people have gone through 3-4 year apprenticeships and need expensive tooling. Their skills you would expect to pay more for!!!
True, but a factor that most people miss out on is a willingness to do the job...skill is almost secondary. Whether it's because people can't/won't climb a ladder and do it, view at as beneath them or completely lack the ability to do a job....YOU are solving a problem, YOU step in to do something that needs doing. People get a cockstand about "skill"...there are many skillful people in the world, but that skill counts for nothing if it doesn't solve a problem that people will pay for you to solve..
@adornwindowcleaning7739 agreed to a point....good manners and customer service cost nothing....the investment in equipment, fuel and all other costs are not
Thanks Chris - I think we agree ? I think window cleaning is a skill And along with good customer service and the cost of running a business and the rising cost of living we need and deserve to be sufficiently paid - thanks Deane
Buy cheap buy twice, people don’t understand the costings of equipment and running a vehicle plus spending time on the job longer than the cheaper window cleaner down the road
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Great video, mate. We raise our prices by £1 every two years. This way all our clients know when and how much the price will rise by. Works a treat.
Fantastic approach to pricing and how people understand a base rate for a small company, we charge £30 for an external window cleaning service and list our prices online with an online booking calendar. It's 2024 and I still get phone calls asking to beat an unreliable income of i.e £5 per clean... The consumer market really needs to understand some basic business running costs i.e fuel and minimum wage. Any trade should be targeting a base rate of £30 - £45 per hour, labour + materials, equipment, hire or specific requests. Then consider time and quality, often people will pay more for a higher quality, reliable consistency and a relaxed but professional service. No one want to be chasing the dream, we want to be living the dream.. Personally I think it's an easy decision to simply say no to low expectations and pricing, my kids don't feed themselves and my bank is not interested in £10 transactions. Again, fantastic video and approach to the truth about a simple income.
Thanks for watching 😊
Morning Chris, yes I have made the same mistake. Think I told you when we had a chat a while ago. But I've been addressing it . All the best. Glad summer is on the way out.
You, me and everyone else has made these mistakes mate. It's what you dongoing forward that makes the difference
I’ve lost count of the customers I’ve got because the old window cleaner has stopped coming and when I give my price they are shocked because the last guy was much cheaper. My answer is I don’t set his prices, I set mine and there’s probably a reason why he no longer cleans windows.
Me too buddy. You gave to have the strength of your conviction and charge YOUR worth
I remember when I said to a lady that some other work will be £10 more she squinted her eyes like I said £10.000 and said that's alot of money messaged her the next day "I wish you all the best".
People need to understand value before price.....those are my people. Good luck to the rest
I'm a window cleaner on the Isle of Wight and only once had someone challenge me on the price, my minimum charge is £15 and that could be for just one window, my price range is between £22 -£45 and they don't bat an eyelid and some sound surprised at the low price ,I've had customers up the price without me asking , I love my job
Great video mate are minimum charge is now £15 was 10 then 12 then 15 start of this year thats the last big jump now im thinking a pound every second tax yr ! I Didn't get much push back but was sorting a mess from when i forst started and i said 10 quid for everything 😂 !! When is the next expo bud? Im really keen to visit one as im thinking of getting a power up reel and look at what else is about just let me know if you know when and where pal cheers keep on keeping on buddy
I'll be at the next one. I believe it's end of March 2025 ish...
Blanket pricing might get you the first outlet of years, but if growing is the goal, we need to understand our profit vs loss.
@ChrisAddis ahh sound Chris where is it bud? Be nice to see you down there if your about again wanted to go for years but never get round to it ! Yes currently a 1 man band waiting for the kids to get older hes 10 now 🤣 so I don't have to employ numptys haha but think I'll need a hand before that soon
The going rate is what ever you decide it to be!
We find this issue massively on gutter cleaning people don’t want to pay a fair rate
no its not wtf are you on about you just said yourself in your second sentence "fair rate"
just because your "fair rate" is 60£ an hour doesn't make it fair, you have no skills, you should get around 20-30£ an hour being unskilled.
What is fair is subjective..what you think is fair others may disagree with.
The point is the customers perception of what the "going rate" is in their mind, is shaped by our actions in keeping the price in line with costs.
Also when we talk about fairness, it's unfair for the customer to expect you to swallow increasing costs while keeping your prices low...
Everyone does this slightly differently. And it's an art to get right.
@@ReggaeRemake what a load of bull, so if you charge £30 an hour but don’t know what your doing and I charge £60 it takes me half the time!
Your obviously not in the game or you wouldn’t use stupid comments like you have no skill
@@ChrisAddis
What I took from the video as
Going rate is how little people can expect to pay you as perception
When I say fair rate that’s what I deem to be fair, which customers agree with as they pay it.
If you can justify why you are charging what you do then it’s a fair rate, both to the customer and morally of course.
Hi Chris, how long doest it take your employees to clean 3 bed semi-detached house? Great content as always.
Depends on access, parking etc...around 7 to 10 mins...some are bigger and might take longer.
Very hard to be accurate
@ChrisAddis the reason I asked is because some guys charge slightly more, but they spend far too much time on the glass. I charge £12 for 3 bed semi-detached house at the moment. It's hard to charge more when every window cleaner charges the same amount or even less. I put my prices every couple of years by £1-3. Thanks for your reply.
Well said 👌
Thanks for the support 🙏
To be honest, Chris, I think you're behind the times. When I started five or six years ago, £15 was the standard, but things have changed. Nowadays, your minimum price should align with what a barber charges for a basic cut, and it’s hard to find a barber charging less than £20. I’m based in Northern Ireland, and even here, £20 is more reasonable, especially after factoring in taxes and expenses.
On the mainland, it’s even tougher with added costs like water rates and council tax, particularly near London. I don’t know how anyone can afford to live there and still charge less than £20. You need to be making at least £15 after expenses, so charging £15 for a three-bed semi in 2024/25 seems too low.
For example, a £30 job five years ago would now need to be around £38 just for you to earn the same amount. So, those £15 three-bed semis are easily worth £20 today. It's also funny how the people complaining about window cleaners not turning up are usually the ones paying a fiver.
I think it largely depends on a number of factors. You'd be right in thinking £20 plus for VAT registered businesses for what we do...and I think its coming.
I can definitely see a point where there may be need to raise prices again.
Houses in the South tend to be bigger. I have friends in the south of England doing minimums of £20 plus for a house.
Some of these new builds are pokey little houses with a door 2 windows on the front 1 small bathroom window and maybe 3 small windows on the back...for me that's worth £15.
But there's houses down south done 8 weekly that are a third bigger than what we do charged at £22! That's mad
@ChrisAddis To be honest, Chris, you should consider charging as if you are VAT registered. Even though I'm not currently VAT registered, I price my services as if I were because I will be at some point, so the price remains consistent for the customer. For instance, with services like plumbing, electrical work, and gardening-where gardeners charge around £20 every two weeks for lawn care-£20 for window cleaning seems fair. If people don’t see the value, that’s their decision.
Additionally, I haven’t made my first million with the rates I charge, and I’d assume you’re in the same situation. We're not millionaires; we’re hard-working, self-employed individuals supporting our families. My point is that the service we provide needs to be paid for-it’s not something we’re doing for free.
@@uniteallaction amen
All window cleaners do us a favor £15 minimum charge!
Would be nice
As you say real inflation is more like 20% for the average person. We have to keep up with it just to maintain!
Tell me about it 😄
Any unskilled job doesn't pay much! Window cleaning isn't a skill, anybody can do it with minimal equipment.
Trades people have gone through 3-4 year apprenticeships and need expensive tooling. Their skills you would expect to pay more for!!!
True, but a factor that most people miss out on is a willingness to do the job...skill is almost secondary.
Whether it's because people can't/won't climb a ladder and do it, view at as beneath them or completely lack the ability to do a job....YOU are solving a problem, YOU step in to do something that needs doing.
People get a cockstand about "skill"...there are many skillful people in the world, but that skill counts for nothing if it doesn't solve a problem that people will pay for you to solve..
Doesn't matter whether you are cleaning toilets or windows - self employment has different rules -
You won't succeed otherwise
Let's say window cleaning isn't a skill -but good customer service certainly is - and is rare in many trades unfortunately
@adornwindowcleaning7739 agreed to a point....good manners and customer service cost nothing....the investment in equipment, fuel and all other costs are not
Thanks Chris - I think we agree ?
I think window cleaning is a skill
And along with good customer service and the cost of running a business and the rising cost of living we need and deserve to be sufficiently paid - thanks Deane
Its the idiots working cash in hand working for beer money that spoil it for everyone mate, also inexperienced newbies!
Certainly makes it difficult both for them and for us
Some exceptions for a good reason only
Old story , I say get him back for that price . My price is??? Take it or leave it ( but more polite )
...only just 😄
I would say bye Clean your own sir
Yup. 💯
Buy cheap buy twice, people don’t understand the costings of equipment and running a vehicle plus spending time on the job longer than the cheaper window cleaner down the road
100%. Costs are costs
No such thing as the going rate
Price given is the price period don’t like it find someone else
People need to wake up and realise it’s 2024 not 1980
Yup 💯
Just move on and find new customers. You can't be guided by them