Keeping The Tab Open

[Spurlington]

Most of the time we can pretty much guess how long a project will take and the price we give will give us the profit we are looking for. How about those times we run into situations where its going to take much longer than anticipated but weve already given the price.

Anybody here keep an open estimate until the end of the job? To cover themselves incase something comes up. Ive been in a situation where it required more time and product. As Im working hard to revive/restore to the best possible results Im also thinking about how my profits are dwindling. Even though we know were going to lose money, we want to provide the best results possible.

If we can keep an open tab for incidentals, we could comfortably up the price based on amount of extra effort. Were in business to be profitable.

Im an anal cleaner, not a colonoscopist, and I have a hard time leaving a carpet that could use more effort to reach the best possible results. It would just be nice to say to the customer," Hey this room right here is not responding well to a normal cleaning. Would you like to upgrade your cleaning to include the maximum effort?" Im not talking about dirt. More like excessive staining, odor issues etc.

 

[Cleanworks]

We give ball park estimates over the phone and let the customer know that the price may change if we find anything different when we arrive. Before we start cleaning, we do a full walk thru with the customer, a thorough inspection and a firm price. You will always find that over the phone, the rooms are small and very clean but when you get there, the place is huge and a pig sty.

 

[Kellie Hiler]

If I see something in the walk through that concerns me I will let them know that if it takes longer than expected to deal with it I may have to charge a little more and I give them a maximum amount that I would add on if needed. I reassure them that I will only the charge extra if absolutely necessary and I will notify them beforehand and if onsite will show them firsthand what the issue is.
I really do my best to do a thorough inspection upon walk through, but there can definitely be some things that don't look bad until you start working on them.

 

[mirf]

After we start that is the price.

 

[Desk Jockey]

A lot of the work we do is that way. We have an idea of what they want done but it's basically a running tab.

 

[Nate The Great]

We have to eat the cost even if it takes longer... Hopefully we can make it up on the future cleanings... It's our fault for not recognizing the "bad areas" and/or forgot to account for it...

We don't like to

 

[Desk Jockey]

Me neither. I prefer quarter and fiddy cents.

 

[Mikey P]

For the first time in my business career I'll be charging "time and materials"


on this upcoming chicken wire project..