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S&S Cleaning
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home | Bidding & Estimating
 

Bidding & Estimating

What can make or break a cleaning company is bidding and estimating correctly. 

Too high of a bid and you are most likely going to lose the job, but too low of a bid and you will not make any profit.  A proper bid depends on the type and size of the building, the services you are asked to provide, and the production rates for your cleaning company. 

The articles in this section will help you learn the many factors that go into preparing that successful cleaning bid - from measuring a building correctly, to knowing what questions to ask the building's owner, to analyzing employee workloads, and much more!

Should I Price My Cleaning Services By The Hour Or By The Square Foot?
Steve Hanson
This is a question we get from commercial cleaning business owners all the time. For those of you who do residential cleaning, there ARE some companies that price by the square foot, but it is much more common to estimate your time and apply your hourly rate. But for you commercial cleaners, it becomes a bit more complicated since there are so many different types of commercial cleaning accounts and dozens of variables that affect your ultimate price. . . . keep reading
Episode #33 -- Winning the Bid and Winning the Customer -- What's the Difference?
Jean Hanson
Episode #33 -- Winning the Bid and Winning the Customer -- What's the Difference? Dick Ollek of Consultants in Cleaning discusses the difference between "bidding" the job and submitting a proposal and why it's important to know the difference. He also shares what it takes to win the customer. . . . keep reading
FORM: Pre-existing Surface Damage Waiver
FORM: Pre-existing Surface Damage Waiver Have your client sign this form before cleaning a surface, when pre-existing surface damage exists. The form includes space to describe the pre-existing damage. It also documents when and how the customer was informed of the damage and that they agree to have you clean the surface anyway. . . . keep reading
I Submitted My Cleaning Proposal ... Now What?
Steve Hanson
I can't tell you the number of times cleaning business owners have asked us this question. They did a walk through, submitted a proposal, and then left with hopes of getting a new client. The problem is, they left the proposal with the prospect and didn't schedule a time to follow up. That means they put the control into the hands of the prospect, instead of guiding them through the process of making a decision. What should you do instead? . . . keep reading
Episode #23 -- Following Up After Submitting A Cleaning Proposal
Episode #23 -- Following Up After Submitting A Cleaning Proposal Have you ever submitted a cleaning proposal and then didn't get a reply as to whether or not you got the account? This episode will help you figure out how to solve this common problem. . . . keep reading
Is Price Really the Objection?
Sharon L. Cowan, CBSE
Is Price Really the Objection? We hear daily about proposals being rejected because of price or that prospects are looking at bottom line numbers only and don't care about the delivery of service. Or perhaps you are reading that EVERY prospect is price driven and the only way to win accounts is to be the lowest guy in town. Now, while many RFPs or ITBs require that lowest price wins the award, there are many prospects who are looking for a different level of service when hiring a janitorial company. Seeking out those who are value driven and marketing to those prospects will be a great use of your time and energy. . . . keep reading
Episode #22 -- What Does it Take to Win the Cleaning Bid Over The Competition?
Episode #22 -- What Does it Take to Win the Cleaning Bid Over The Competition? A lot of cleaning business owners struggle with losing a new account to a competitor. They wonder to themselves, "what the heck does it take to win the bid over the competition?" . . . keep reading
Episode #17 Why Cleaning Prospects Don't Make a Decision & Efficiency Tips
Episode #17 Why Cleaning Prospects Don't Make a Decision & Efficiency Tips In this episode find out why some cleaning prospects don't get back to you with a decision on your proposal and just what you can do about it. . . . keep reading
RECORDED WEBINAR SERIES: Bidding & Estimating Basics for Commercial Cleaning Companies
RECORDED WEBINAR SERIES: Bidding & Estimating Basics for Commercial Cleaning Companies By this time next month you could win more proposals with these winning strategies! Join Steve Hanson, co-founder of TheJanitorialStore.com for this recorded webinar series as he shares the strategies he has used for bidding and estimating to build 2 successful cleaning companies. This is a series of 4 webinars. Also receive 31 documents including handouts for each session, sample proposal covers, cover letters, 4 sample proposals, walk through worksheets, supply worksheets and more. Read more about what is covered each day, and buy the CD. . . . keep reading
You Got The Appointment To Sell Your Cleaning Service...Now What?
Steve Hanson
You Got The Appointment To Sell Your Cleaning Service...Now What? You did it! You successfully booked an appointment with the person who makes decisions on the cleaning service. Now What? Getting the appointment is just the first step. Don't let yourself down by not preparing -- this is an important part of the sales process if you have any hopes of closing the deal. Here are some tips for pre-planning your appointment: . . . keep reading
NEW DVD! How To Walk Through And Measure a Building For A Cleaning Proposal
NEW DVD! How To Walk Through And Measure a Building For A Cleaning Proposal Congratulations! You did it! You successfully booked an appointment to do a walk through with the person who makes decisions on the cleaning service. Now What? Getting the appointment is just the first step. Don't let yourself down by not preparing -- this is an important part of the sales process if you have any hopes of closing the deal. This DVD is designed to help you learn how to present yourself at the walk through, how to interact with the prospect, and how to measure the space. When you do it right, you are on your way to making the sale! . . . keep reading
How To Respond to A Prospect Who Rejects Your Cleaning Proposal
Dick Ollek
How To Respond to A Prospect Who Rejects Your Cleaning Proposal A cleaning business owner asked the following question. Question: I'm interested in your feedback regarding the best way to handle bid denials and the feedback regarding the bid. . . . keep reading
Information Gathering During a Walkthrough: What Must You Know to Prepare the Proposal and Give a Fair Price?
Sharon L Cowan
Information Gathering During a Walkthrough: 
What Must You Know to Prepare the Proposal and Give a Fair Price? Cross Concepts Series: 7th In Our Series Last time we discussed some of the differences in estimating a commercial property versus a residential home. Today we will get to some specifics about what you need to know. . . . keep reading
Commercial Building First Impressions: Your Responsibility as a Building Service Contractor
Steve Hanson
They say first impressions are the most memorable. When you comes to commercial buildings, where are first impressions created? The entry? The lobby? The reception area? No. The first thing you see when you pull into the parking lot is the exterior grounds. Is there trash blowing around the parking lot? Empty pop cans, bottles, bags, papers, or any debris often litter the parking lot. What does this say about the business owner? . . . keep reading
No Wonder You Want To Change Cleaning Companies!
Jean Hanson
An important part of gaining new customers for your cleaning business is to walk through your prospect's place of business in order get the information you need to put together a cleaning proposal. It is also an opportunity to get to know the prospect and to show him or her the value of doing business with your company. . . . keep reading
VIDEO: Right and Wrong Ways To Do a Cleaning Proposal Walk-Through
VIDEO: Right and Wrong Ways To Do a Cleaning Proposal Walk-Through There are RIGHT ways to do a cleaning proposal walk-through and WRONG ways. In Part 1, "Wrong-Way Willie" shows you how NOT to do the walk-through. In Part 2, learn the RIGHT way to do the walk-through. Steve Hanson and Sharon Cowan did this role play at the Tools for Success Seminar, hosted by Sharon and Debbie Sardone. . . . keep reading
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