What to charge?

Hello everyone,

We are in the process of starting a OP carpet business and we were wondering what to charge? Should we charge by the square foot or by the room? What are your experiences

Thank you,

Bri

Bri... that is my daughters name, she is a carpet cleaner too.

We use the square foot method, think it is by far the most fair to all concerned.

I have a large home I do that is 5 HUGE rooms for about 1,200.00, by the room you would have to bid it as about 38 rooms, don't kow quite how to do that....LOL

Converting HWE customer to VLM customers for 30 Years!

Ouch.......Some things to ponder.

(he took me out behind the wood shed there....)

I am having a lot of success pricing cleaning by the room. Of course there are always extra services to sell by the square ft. but it's much easier to get in the door to with a set price than go out for an estimate to measure.

I charge about $30/large room/stairs, $20/bedroom/ $10 halls/walk in closets/other small areas. I also run specials, Any 4 rooms $99, things like that. It generates a lot of new business and the customers know what to expect and you know when you get into the home you are going to get paid at least SOMETHING! And with those $99 jobs, 90% of the time they come out to $200 when everything is said and done. I've walked out with $2000 before on a $99 job from adding disinfectants, pet stain treatments, oriental rugs, upholstery, etc. etc. etc.

Some people swear by the sq. footage though. It's a double edged sword in my opinion.

Let me add though that the cost of your products should determine the price (like someone stated above). I've come up with a general cleaner and spot treatment that costs me LITERALLY 25 cents a gallon and works AMAZINGLY! It gets out about 80% of normal stains and of course I carry other treatments in case of special conditions but I usually charge a minimal charge to use those. So my cleaning cost is less than a dollar for the average 5 bedroom home with normal stains.

Advertising though.. hahaha, that is a whole different story! I spend A LOT of money getting these jobs.

So those are 2 things to consider.

PS No, I will not tell you my secret formula... but it's absolutely AMAZING at what is does for the cost!

Edited by chris12345 - 06/October/2006 at 12:32pm

Do people question you when you showup in full PPE to apply this so called formulated wonder brew??

Just My opinion

Chris should take his show on the road. He could hit all the county fairs. "Ladies and gentlemen this product not only does a fantastic job on your oven its also safe on your carpets!" Think of the possibilities!

Could somebody just clean my carpets!

Classic? Are you calling us old?

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orbit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20/May/2006 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote orbit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: What to charge? Posted: 20/May/2006 at 6:19pm
	Hello everyone, We are in the process of starting a OP carpet business and we were wondering what to charge? Should we charge by the square foot or by the room? What are your experiences Thank you, Bri

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cmaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List IICRC Instigator Joined: 29/January/2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 29693	Post Options Post Reply Quote cmaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20/May/2006 at 6:57pm
	Try asking on this site. This is where all the padders hang out academy.ccsop.com

PadMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Dr. Low Moisture http://ccsop.com Joined: 11/March/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1032	Post Options Post Reply Quote PadMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23/May/2006 at 9:22am
	Bri... that is my daughters name, she is a carpet cleaner too. We use the square foot method, think it is by far the most fair to all concerned. I have a large home I do that is 5 HUGE rooms for about 1,200.00, by the room you would have to bid it as about 38 rooms, don't kow quite how to do that....LOL
	Converting HWE customer to VLM customers for 30 Years!

carpetologist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List The Great Hardini Hocus Pocus Joined: 20/January/2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1712	Post Options Post Reply Quote carpetologist Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26/May/2006 at 1:12pm
	orbit, If you fail to plan you plan to fail. You know the cost of your products and OP unit. You should know your cost of labour. Put on the profit you feel you are happy with. Now keep in mind most people will pay more for OP than Steam and many cities charge different pricing. Go upscale and charge accordingly. But you will soon get a shock that your unit, products and labour is nothing compared to effective start-up advertising package that gets your phone ringing. Anyone who claims being in business for yourself is easy and profitable obviously has never been there. If you have to ask the above questions you purchased from the wrong supplier. As your supplier should have guided you on this info before you even purchased. Live and Learn, and Maybe Earn
	Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc. New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies

orbit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20/May/2006 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote orbit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28/May/2006 at 3:56pm
	Ouch.......Some things to ponder. (he took me out behind the wood shed there....)

orbit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20/May/2006 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote orbit Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30/May/2006 at 12:09am
	Thanks again Carpetoligist, We are working on our marketing, and we definitely are learning from you Wise business men. We appreciate all your help!

chris12345 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06/October/2006 Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote chris12345 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/October/2006 at 12:28pm
	I am having a lot of success pricing cleaning by the room. Of course there are always extra services to sell by the square ft. but it's much easier to get in the door to with a set price than go out for an estimate to measure. I charge about $30/large room/stairs, $20/bedroom/ $10 halls/walk in closets/other small areas. I also run specials, Any 4 rooms $99, things like that. It generates a lot of new business and the customers know what to expect and you know when you get into the home you are going to get paid at least SOMETHING! And with those $99 jobs, 90% of the time they come out to $200 when everything is said and done. I've walked out with $2000 before on a $99 job from adding disinfectants, pet stain treatments, oriental rugs, upholstery, etc. etc. etc. Some people swear by the sq. footage though. It's a double edged sword in my opinion. Let me add though that the cost of your products should determine the price (like someone stated above). I've come up with a general cleaner and spot treatment that costs me LITERALLY 25 cents a gallon and works AMAZINGLY! It gets out about 80% of normal stains and of course I carry other treatments in case of special conditions but I usually charge a minimal charge to use those. So my cleaning cost is less than a dollar for the average 5 bedroom home with normal stains. Advertising though.. hahaha, that is a whole different story! I spend A LOT of money getting these jobs. So those are 2 things to consider. PS No, I will not tell you my secret formula... but it's absolutely AMAZING at what is does for the cost! Edited by chris12345 - 06/October/2006 at 12:32pm

Hammy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Carpet Cleaning Guru Joined: 27/September/2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 10330	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hammy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/October/2006 at 9:15am
	How do you know your magic poison is safe on different types of carpet? or people for that matter. I can't seem to find a MSDS under secret formula. I guess it's all about saving a $. Who cares about peoples health. Edited by Hammy - 08/October/2006 at 9:40am
	Could somebody just clean my carpets!

doug Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List King of the One Liners Just My opinion Joined: 31/January/2004 Status: Offline Points: 32711	Post Options Post Reply Quote doug Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/October/2006 at 10:10am
	Do people question you when you showup in full PPE to apply this so called formulated wonder brew??
	Just My opinion

cmaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List IICRC Instigator Joined: 29/January/2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 29693	Post Options Post Reply Quote cmaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/October/2006 at 10:18am
	Somebody needs a lecture from Mr. Senter

Hammy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Carpet Cleaning Guru Joined: 27/September/2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 10330	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hammy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08/October/2006 at 10:26am
	Chris should take his show on the road. He could hit all the county fairs. "Ladies and gentlemen this product not only does a fantastic job on your oven its also safe on your carpets!" Think of the possibilities!
	Could somebody just clean my carpets!

chris12345 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06/October/2006 Status: Offline Points: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote chris12345 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09/October/2006 at 9:29pm
	hahaha! Come on guys, don't be jealous! Why do you immediately assume that no research was done coming up with this solution? The pH is at the carpet manufactuers specifications and I have MSDS sheets for all of the components that make up this treatment. HAHAHAHA, classic carpet cleaners at their FINEST!!!

cmaster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List IICRC Instigator Joined: 29/January/2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 29693	Post Options Post Reply Quote cmaster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09/October/2006 at 10:03pm
	Classic? Are you calling us old?

danmarck82 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Carpet Cleaning Specialist Joined: 08/February/2004 Status: Offline Points: 618	Post Options Post Reply Quote danmarck82 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10/October/2006 at 12:50am
	Having msds for ingredient one and MSDS for ingredient 2 does not qualify for having an msds on solution or Special Concoction #3. That doesn't mean I don't have my own too, after 24 years I have a few!!! and they work Great !

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What to charge?