more money

adcc007 wrote: I live in Illinois.  Can anyone tell me how much I should charge per sqft?  Is charging by sqft the way to go or having a set price per room with a certain amount of sqft?  Also, do I charge for moving furniture?  What all furniture she be moved?  If anyone can give me some advice that would be great!

Most other carpet cleaners here quote over the phone by the room, then add on charges as they get there.  Common extra charges include: room size larger then standard, pale coloured carpet, pre-vauum, furniture moving, extra drying pass, heavily soiled carpet, call-out fees, after-hour fees, weekend fees, grooming, whatever they can think of. 

Some people feel that this is a legitimate way to do business. I feel that they should just raise the Jolly Roger and accept who they really are.

If I quote over the phone, I loose the job most of the time, unless they have been recommended.  So I quote in person when possible. There are a couple of other people that do this also. It's not always practical, and YES, that means two visits to the house usually.  I have won most jobs I quote in person. I make it worth my while.  I give a firm, written price. They are charged by the area I clean.  Here, that's 'per square metre.'

The price I charge will not help you, but call up 30 other carpet cleaners, get a quote on three rooms and a hallway, stairs, upholstered chairs, an antique persian rug that belonged to your grandmother, and a rocker/recliner.  Find out when they can do it and how long it will take. See if they do anything else.  Get a quote on that as well.  Ask how business is.  Ask if they're busy.  Ask if they do both commercial and domestic.  Ask what other charges you may be up for.   The best will charge more, take longer, guarentee their work, and be booked out longer, and not add on any silly charges.  They may press other services though.  This is where we aimed our business. Write down your results.  Ask THEM the difference between wet and 'dry' cleaning.  It's usually funny to hear what one says about the other.

Just as a note: to get hold of 30 carpet cleaners, I had to call 38 businesses.  Draw your own conclusions.

The only furniture I am willing to move are those items which are easy to move, and I never touch TVs or VCRs or computers.  I don't want to tune in their stations later, or be blamed for something not working. This is discussed at the quoting stage.  If a china closet is never moved around, why on earth would you clean underneath it?  Chairs, lounge suites on rollers, coffee tables.... usually not a problem.  Move 'em to one side of the room, or the centre of the room, clean, move again, place plastic under the metal or wooden legs to prevent causing rust or staining.  If the legs are pointed, DO NOT DRAG IT.  That pointed metal leg will catch on the one thread that's loose, and you'll end up paying for new carpet.

Good luck... have fun!

-Allen

I live in Illinois.  Can anyone tell me how much I should charge per sqft?  Is charging by sqft the way to go or having a set price per room with a certain amount of sqft?  Also, do I charge for moving furniture?  What all furniture she be moved? 

If anyone can give me some advice that would be great!

Yes it was taken from the manual.

Was about the only good thing that course or outfit  did for me.

I don't care who gets what or in  what area.

I charge 20 cents a sq .

And yes we move most furniture,and do a great job. Why shop if you have the best?

Why do people by B.M.W PORCH AND ROLLS? Because you get what you pay for.

That is why we have clients and only clients.Regards Terry

Edited by terry

i can't recall a client ever complaining anytime our price has gone up. they want good service and they are willing to pay for it. and if they don't want to pay, they can go else where.

I don't want customers i want clients.

Raise your price ,if you have built a great client base it should not be a problem.The ones you lose will be made up with the new prices.

p.s you might lose a couple but it should all come out in the wash.

is anyone putting up their price this spring. 2 or 3 cents per sq makes a huge difference.