What would you charge?

[Louis]

10k sf. Office cgd wide open with 9 offices along exterior walls. About 10 areas where the carpet is worn down from chairs. Lots of spots. Hasn't been cleaned in at least 5 years. I just lost a bid to do this job. I thought I was low. Just curious what your area is going for. I will post what I bid later.

My bid included vacuum, pretreat, pre-scrub, fans, post bonnet as necessary.

Thank You

 

[tres davis]

It's tough to get those here. Lot of people coming in at .10 or so
They definately aren't following all the steps you outlined though

 

[Desk Jockey]

HWE .18, Encap .12

 

[rhino1]

I have seen it bid as little as .10 for HWE but it doesn't mean the cheapest will get it, sometimes you can get the job by being comfortably in the middle or including more and explaining why you are a better choice. I dont do alot of commercial work anymore, but what usually works out the best for me is to give 2 or 3 different choices... a low bid to just pre-spray and extract, one with some added features - like a pre-vac & pre-scrub, and a "cadillac" bid with protector included.

Let them know that because YOU will supply drying equipment, your cleaning method will dry faster and be more convenient for them. Let them know that you will be happy to come back and re-treat or re-clean any areas they aren't happy with. If it is a nursing home, and you have done other nursing homes, talk about it with the customer so they will know you understand their problems and needs and you have the experience to deal with it.

Also, include a copy of your current insurance and workmans comp, I don't know how many jobs I got where the decision maker picked us because we did that. I had one building director say she was impressed because we were actually a "real business" because we included the insurance info before she asked for it.

Do you know for sure they picked a bid lower than yours? If that was the only reason they didn't go with you then you are probably better off for not getting the job because it will be another 5 years before they will do it again!

 

[Mike Draper]

being in california makes a difference also. Your prices should higher than most. If I was pre-scrubbing, steam cleaning and post capping I'd probably be .25 a foot if it was large open areas.

it looks like it is actually 11% more to live in modesto Ca vs where I live.
http://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/logan-ut/modesto-ca/50000

 

[Louis]

Mikey is about 2 hours from me but we may as well be in a different state. My price was .19 sf. I have been trying to raise my price a little after going to Sfs but people don't care about quality here. I guess if I want to eat this winter I'm going to have to hack my way till spring.

 

[ruff]

California is a big state with very different local economies (and cost of living).
I am sure Louis knows his community and what's doable quite well.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Three tech crew could process it in 3.5 hours. One tech vacuuming the other two with Zippers 1500sq/ft hour x 2
Same sq/ft an hour Encap each operator with Cimex and third tech vacuuming.
Encap is priced lower since you have no TM adding to the cost of sale.

Should make decent money either process

 

[bob vawter]

i did those all the time for a dime............volume.......

 

[Louis]

I hope to get a zipper and a cimex soon. Then I could go lower and just cimex part of it. Right now it's just one wand gig so no high production stuff here. 10k with a ti and you are one sore puppy.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Rent or borrow a Zipper just to see how much it would help you. I see used Cimex's in Cali on craigslist often for $1200.00. Either system will save you from a lot of effort over slinging a wand.

Once you use either of those tools you'll enjoy processing commercial work and can be more competitive while delivering an end product that looks great.

 

[Nate The Great]

Do the @dealtimeman , redneck zipper, wand strokes........ Basically a long ass wand stroke..... Or get an RX20...... I've grew up on powerhead/RE tools.... I'm too lazy to sling a wand, but I sling my Zipper..........(with and without women around)

 

[Desk Jockey]

(with and without women around)

Like you care who is around!

 

[dealtimeman]

3500

 

[Captain America]

I sometimes just eyeball bid or go by the room and ask what the other bids are going for...
And either Match it or a little lower

 

[Captain America]

One of my first zipper jobs was 7000 sq ft ....took about 9 hours with equipment breakdown and with too many cubicles to count......
Charged about .10 total of 750$ On a subcontract to help payoff my zipper, don't know what the other guy charged.
That's about 80$ hour including a 2 hour breakdown.
That open space should take about 8-10 hours that's about 100$ an hour at .10 foot.
Not bad for 1 days work