When you are in negotiations with any window cleaning contractor you will be in a strong position anyway. However, there may be elements of their offer that you would like to improve.
If you could be more flexible on some issues, which are the ones that really make a difference to your contractor to help you get what you want?
Payment terms. Since the amounts involved may be relatively small to a large corporate, paying promptly can be a powerful tool. As for most small companies, cashflow is king. That means that if you can agree to pay in say 15 days, or at the very least pay on time, this will be a major incentive for your contractor to agree to your requirements.
Stability. Having a regular job rather than having to re-quote for it each year can be very valuable to a contractor. Fixing a longer contract (subject to performance of course) can help to keep the cost down. Even another six months might be enough to reduce a percentage point or two off the cost.
Timing for special work. If you have special, one-off type jobs that need doing, but that are not time critical, ask if there is a time when your window cleaning contractor is less busy. These periods occur less frequently these days, but each contractor may have, because of their particular mix of clients, a time of year that is less busy than others. It stands to reason that they might be more flexible over pricing during this period.
Time is the key factor. Since labour cost is the most significant part of your window cleaning contractors costs, the time taken is the critical factor when it comes to pricing. Anything you can do to help them reduce the time taken to carry out the work, will reduce the cost. For example, access to some areas may be difficult because of cars being parked in the car park. If those cars can be moved to another part of the site on the days the window cleaner is due, this might reduce the cost. Alternatively, get the windows cleaned at a time of day when the car park is empty. Even relatively small actions, like ensuring that internal window sills are cleared can make a difference. - 30244
If you could be more flexible on some issues, which are the ones that really make a difference to your contractor to help you get what you want?
Payment terms. Since the amounts involved may be relatively small to a large corporate, paying promptly can be a powerful tool. As for most small companies, cashflow is king. That means that if you can agree to pay in say 15 days, or at the very least pay on time, this will be a major incentive for your contractor to agree to your requirements.
Stability. Having a regular job rather than having to re-quote for it each year can be very valuable to a contractor. Fixing a longer contract (subject to performance of course) can help to keep the cost down. Even another six months might be enough to reduce a percentage point or two off the cost.
Timing for special work. If you have special, one-off type jobs that need doing, but that are not time critical, ask if there is a time when your window cleaning contractor is less busy. These periods occur less frequently these days, but each contractor may have, because of their particular mix of clients, a time of year that is less busy than others. It stands to reason that they might be more flexible over pricing during this period.
Time is the key factor. Since labour cost is the most significant part of your window cleaning contractors costs, the time taken is the critical factor when it comes to pricing. Anything you can do to help them reduce the time taken to carry out the work, will reduce the cost. For example, access to some areas may be difficult because of cars being parked in the car park. If those cars can be moved to another part of the site on the days the window cleaner is due, this might reduce the cost. Alternatively, get the windows cleaned at a time of day when the car park is empty. Even relatively small actions, like ensuring that internal window sills are cleared can make a difference. - 30244
About the Author:
If you are a Buyer make sure you look at Marcus P Weeks' great free commercial window cleaning guide titled 'Everything you need to know about buying commercial window cleaning services' or visit the MPW London window cleanings website.
