When you are negotiating with your window cleaning contractor, as the purchaser, you are already in a strong position. Having said that, there may be elements of their offer that you would like to improve.
There are many elements of the contract that will be particularly important for your contractor. If you can be flexible on some of these, you may find they will be happier to agree to the elements you would like to improve.
Payment terms Since the amounts involved may be relatively small to a large corporate client, paying promptly can be a powerful tool. For most small companies cashflow is king. So if you can agree to pay in 15 days, or at least pay on time, this will be a major incentive for your contractor to agree to your requirements.
Stability: Having a regular job and not 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 shave a percentage point or two off the cost.
Timing for special work: If you have special, one-off jobs that need doing, but are not time critical, see when 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 contractor's costs, the time taken is a 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.
Here are some examples: 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. Get the windows cleaned at a time of day when the car park is empty. Ensure that internal window sills are cleared. Provide pre-arranged access for secured areas of the building. A lot of time can be wasted trying to locate someone to unlock a door or gate! Provide the mobile telephone number of the person responsible for signing off work (or opening secured areas) and ensure they can make themselves available promptly. - 30244
There are many elements of the contract that will be particularly important for your contractor. If you can be flexible on some of these, you may find they will be happier to agree to the elements you would like to improve.
Payment terms Since the amounts involved may be relatively small to a large corporate client, paying promptly can be a powerful tool. For most small companies cashflow is king. So if you can agree to pay in 15 days, or at least pay on time, this will be a major incentive for your contractor to agree to your requirements.
Stability: Having a regular job and not 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 shave a percentage point or two off the cost.
Timing for special work: If you have special, one-off jobs that need doing, but are not time critical, see when 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 contractor's costs, the time taken is a 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.
Here are some examples: 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. Get the windows cleaned at a time of day when the car park is empty. Ensure that internal window sills are cleared. Provide pre-arranged access for secured areas of the building. A lot of time can be wasted trying to locate someone to unlock a door or gate! Provide the mobile telephone number of the person responsible for signing off work (or opening secured areas) and ensure they can make themselves available promptly. - 30244
About the Author:
If you are responsible for buyingall window cleaning Londonyou should look at Marcus P Weeks good free of charge guide called 'Everything you need to know about buying all window cleaner services or visit the MPW website.
