Going rate for sq foot
- Thread starter WillH
- Start date
PrimaDonna
Megatron
You are going to get so many answers, based on so many factors.
It depends on what part of the country, cleaning method - (hwe portable or truck mount, encapsulation, both) , level of soil, cleaning during business hours or after hour/weekend access, how many sq. ft. (500 or 5,000, usually a discount for larger jobs). Will you need to bring on extra help to get it done or is this a one man gig? Will the be going on a maintenence program agreement with regularly scheduled cleanings or is it a one time clean? Will you need to move furniture or just open areas (I know this on is empty).
Most importantly, what is your cost of business and how much profit do you want to make? Pricing should be based on that.
We are between .17-.60 sq ft depending on the above factors. Plus scotchgard.
It depends on what part of the country, cleaning method - (hwe portable or truck mount, encapsulation, both) , level of soil, cleaning during business hours or after hour/weekend access, how many sq. ft. (500 or 5,000, usually a discount for larger jobs). Will you need to bring on extra help to get it done or is this a one man gig? Will the be going on a maintenence program agreement with regularly scheduled cleanings or is it a one time clean? Will you need to move furniture or just open areas (I know this on is empty).
Most importantly, what is your cost of business and how much profit do you want to make? Pricing should be based on that.
We are between .17-.60 sq ft depending on the above factors. Plus scotchgard.
Wayne Thompson
Member
In southern Oregon I never go below .25 and most of my jobs are at .33 per square foot. I had a job that the owner of the commercial building already had 2 other bids , one at 600.00 one at 1200.00 and mine at 1800.00 my bid was based on .28. He went with me, I asked him about the other bids and he said one cleaner told him that his vacuum was better than they used, the other cleaner said that he only sprayed a prespray and extracted, what ever else the carpet needed was not his fault. I told him I would vacuum with a high powered vacuum, pre spray with a great prespray, treat any spots that needed it with the right products and leave it as clean and dry as possible but it would have drying time because I only use HWE but it cleans the best. The job took me 4 hours with just me and no helpers.
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,372
So you cleans 6500 sqft in 4 hours plus vacuuming?
Dolly Llama
Number 5
If my math is right, that's 6400sf
Vac'd, pre-spray and HWE...by yourself
dayum, you must be really good ...at something
Welcome to the board, Wayne
..L.T.A.
Desk Jockey
Member
.12-28 for commercial, depending on size, soiling, access, time available.
.38 residential
.38 residential
Dolly Llama
Number 5
dammit ...you beat me to the draw by seconds , Steveo
as a highly skilled and practiced pistolero, dat hert..
..L.T.A.
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,372
I've done similar but without vaccing and with help.dammit ...you beat me to the draw by seconds , Steveo
as a highly skilled and practiced pistolero, dat hert..
..L.T.A.
And it's ok lar I'm sure you will get the next one.
hogjowl
Idiot™
8 cents a sf will get more work than you can handle.
You'll make it up in volume
You'll make it up in volume
Desk Jockey
Member
I'm so going to do this!
Cleanworks
Moderator
Do I hear .07?
Desk Jockey
Member
Wayne Thompson
Member
Sorry, I wrote 1800, I meant to write 1400 which I just looked at the paperwork and the job was 5000 sq ft of carpet. The red stained areas were pre treated and by the time I got to them they were ready to extract. The carpet was not that old and it cleaned really well. I told him that I would vacuum but when I went to do the job the janitor said he just finished vacuuming. Details , details but the point was I made good money and the customer is happy. I am scheduled to do the place on a 6 month basis.
hogjowl
Idiot™
Theres always an excuse for not vacuuming...
Wayne Thompson
Member
That is true
Cleanworks
Moderator
so, what's yours?
Dolly Llama
Number 5
ain't no "one size fits all" Will
Meg (Prima Donna) nailed it with her post
It really boils down to a few simple things;
- Knowing how many sf you can clean per hour on a particular com job
- Knowing your costs and how much you "need" to break even
- Knowing how much profit you need/want to make
- and how late the van payment is ......
Figure that out, and you'll know where you need to be
My outfit personally, we could "get by" @ .15 sf on wide open com. ("in general")
I targeted .18 to .22 depending how large/small the job
Price quotes went up or down from there contingent on custy needs and/or PITA factors
...and how late the van payment was/is
..L.T.A.
Wayne Thompson
Member
When the place has just been vacuumed, do you think it is worth doing it again with your own vacuum?
hogjowl
Idiot™
Yes
Every time
Wayne Thompson
Member
Are you serious?
hogjowl
Idiot™
Quite serious
steve_64
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 13,372
carpetcleaner
Member
You told the owner that you would vacuum with a high powered vacuum and didn't. Did you ask the owner if you could skip a step that you were charging for?
I'm at 8 cents a sqft like MARTY.
Might as well have too much work than none at all.
Marty gives real world prices not internet BS .
I have special out right now for mobile homes, no furniture moved and at $49.95.
Which if you really figure out sq ft prices I am at 50 cents a sq ft! BEAT THAT IDIOTS!
Might as well have too much work than none at all.
Marty gives real world prices not internet BS .
I have special out right now for mobile homes, no furniture moved and at $49.95.
Which if you really figure out sq ft prices I am at 50 cents a sq ft! BEAT THAT IDIOTS!
Wayne Thompson
Member
I guess every area of the country is different. I was dealing with the maintenance manager when I showed up to do the job. His employee,the janitor, was just finishing up vacuuming when I arrived. I don't break down my bids, one price for the job and that is it. They are happy and they know that I did not do the vacuuming. I am not sure why everyone is so concerned with who vacuums the carpet. I use a commercial Sanitaire vacuum and they had one that was comparable. I have a Pile Lifter but it doesn't seem to do any better than the Sanitaire. A quick story: I vacuumed a carpet really well, the customer had vacuumed the carpet really well for years. I pre sprayed the carpet , agitated the pre spray in and put the wand down on the carpet. I went to the truck and started the truck mount. When I picked up the wand there was a bright red line across the carpet where the lip was touching the carpet. I started vacuuming with the wand and the whole area turned red. We pulled the carpet back and someone had spilled red chalk on the pad before it was installed. All that vacuuming over the years and all my time vacuuming and the wand attached to the truck mount was the one that finally pulled the red chalk dust through the carpet. Bottom line is I stay busy , I do not advertise, all of my business is word of mouth , so my customers are happy and I make good money, I have a new truck mount, a new van, I have been cleaning carpet for 24 years. I do have one small listing in the phone book, it costs me 32 dollars a month.
www.tntcpt.com/shop
www.tntcpt.com/shop
hogjowl
Idiot™
Made you blink
Goober
Goober
Sierra Clean Care
Member
Up to 5000 sqft?..... then .10 cents there after..... stay busier than a cat on a hot tin roof.....
First room FREE!
If i am gonna do that then i gotta get generator for my portable, otherwise I'd be popping breaker all the time in them trailers..
