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Free Window Cleaning Business Tips
Periodically raise prices
Once you establish a working relationship with a good client
it is not out of line to raise a $10 or $12 job by a buck or two after a years service. Look for the best opportunities to do this, like when gas hits a high point, or when you know their
business is doing very well.
Most businesses have seasonal trends too, so if you approach them on price increases,
wait unit their season is in full swing; like a Jimmy Johns Sandwich shop, or an ice cream store in the summer, not the winter.
Be smart about this, and remember that
most businesses have peaks and valleys in their business patterns, so you timing is crucial. Get a feel for what you can charge,
and if you have an account that is very pricey ($50 or $60), then raise the price some more.
Go for bigger jobs
To try saving on your gas cost per job by offering price breaks on bigger jobs. I am a firm believer that a big job, like an office park, or even a Goodyear, works well because
the cost to drive there (in ratio to the price of the job) is far better than a $12 job.
You will find this is
especially true if you drive a truck or big van. So, I may charge a bit less per window to be more competitive on a higher
ticket job, especially if is located near my home or one of my established routes.
This is not a difficult technique to attempt, and a nice strip mall where you could easily service
7 units in a row works by the same principal.
Trade
service for service
Let’s say you
go into a hair salon, and for whatever reason they say no to your best offer. Maybe their business is slow, but they need
your services and don’t think they can afford to spend the money. Think about this… if you have to pay someone to get your hair cut, that’s an expense.
So why not offer the salon a trade for services. You are donating your time, but saving yourself from paying out cash every
month for a haircut. In essence, this works for both of you, you both win, and you can save yourself a few bucks on income
tax.
This is what we call a business
solution, and there are, of course many opportunities to do this for products or services you use besides a salon; like a
dentist office, pizza shop, and so on.
Twice
a month to every other week
If
you land an account where they want service twice a month, specify every other week. The reason is that some months (5 I think)
have five weeks, giving you the potential for three services that month instead of two.
Also, you don’t want to have a service area where some of your clients are serviced twice a
month, and some are serviced every other week. You’ll find yourself going back for or one or two in that area on off-weeks
if you let this be the case.
In addition, it is a very good idea to discuss your service agreement in detail during
your initial discussion. Include how to handle signs they
may have in the front window, what time may be the best for service, and things like that. Be specific.
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