Why I Do Not Perform Estimates
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The photo of the kitchen on the left side is less square footage and will take more time to detail clean than the photo of the kitchen on the right.
Which is why I do not provide quotes or estimates to those that ask for them when providing me the square footage of their homes. Nor do I come out to other's homes giving estimates. The square footage of someone's home doesn't give me any idea of how much furniture, how many tables, chairs, couches or bookcases (and the things on them) one has. It's not the size of the home that really matters, it's all the things "in" a home that need to be cleaned that do. Some are hoarders, some are minimalist and then the rest are somewhere in between.
So guessing to the amount of work to be accomplished (needed) in a time frame or the costs of, unfortunately I don't do. Things can "look" relatively clean when they are not. Layers of build up on shower walls that can't be seen or grout that needs to be (scrubbed) cleaned on floors which requires hands and knees scrubbing with a scrub brush that can be overlooked with a quick overview of someone's home and floors in with an in person visit or an estimate.
The clients I currently have, and have had for years, hired me after reviewing my website and got to know me and the quality of work I perform after I cleaned for them once. Which is usually how anyone would find out about the quality of any person and their work. Getting an estimate or not. And even with an estimate, that hardly tells one how reliable, trustworthy or professional one is. Just what they would charge. And one does know this information with me, what their investment would be.
Most other cleaners will come out and give others estimates at no charge. So I believe one could easily get all the quotes they would like. I also believe I'll be competitive with any quote one may get. Although unlike many, I am a very thorough cleaner and I take cleaning other's homes very seriously. Being enjoyably devoted to cleaning. Besides maybe being a little obsessive/compulsive about, along with being a bit of a perfectionist.
So being given someone's square footage of their home really gives me no clue to the work that will be involved. Like to the amount of things I will need to be cleaning or the amount of furniture I will be needing to move for their cleaning, in that square footage. Or to the amount of collectibles or personal items they have displayed on their furniture that I also need to remove and clean. As I provide my rates upfront, I find it's not necessary to be giving estimates.
Most, if not all that hire me, are looking for above average cleanings, and/or to be cleaning and doing the things other cleaners don't. I have found most that try me, continue using me. Finding I am easy to work with, showing up each and every time. Not needing to be concerned about their home, animals or their things while I am there. If they are or not. Besides being told consistently by my clients, I am the best cleaner they ever had. So that leads me to believe, I possibly very well could be.
I specialize in detailed cleanings, although I am not limited too. More work and time is involved in cleaning this way. So less square footage typically is cleaned. Spending more time doing so, and rightfully so. Which really can't be compared to a cleaner rushing and skimming through a place doing very basic cleanings. I am hardly breaking any square footage records when I'm needing to be cleaning the inside of refrigerators, ovens, pantries, fireplaces or inside dish, food and bath cabinets. Which many of my clients have me do as part of their regular home cleanings.
I'm ideal for those wanting a more thorough job of the things and places they are wanting cleaned. True top to bottom cleanings. From cleaning (washing, not dusting) ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fans, to cleaning baseboards and steam cleaning carpeting. And cleaning everything else in between. Having furniture moved for their cleanings to clean behind and under them. Like moving couches, recliners, coffee tables, large rugs and the things that aren't moved that often that dirt, sand, and crumbs accumulate easily under and behind. Especially with those that have children and/or animals.
I am ideal for those seeking quality over quantity. Taking the time to clean much more thoroughly and to detail clean the many things and places other cleaners don't or can't do, or would charge more for doing. Matching and more often then, exceeding my rates. As it's not their normal routine to be doing these things as it is mine. Or many times are they equipped to do them.
So when others are asking me for bids, quotes or estimates, I am inclined to think I am not the cleaner for them. As one is looking for, or what appears to be, the lowest rate. What would typically come with or from your average (mainstream) cleaners. In contrast to receiving unrestricted, above average, more thorough, truer detailed cleanings.
So guessing to the amount of work to be accomplished (needed) in a time frame or the costs of, unfortunately I don't do. Things can "look" relatively clean when they are not. Layers of build up on shower walls that can't be seen or grout that needs to be (scrubbed) cleaned on floors which requires hands and knees scrubbing with a scrub brush that can be overlooked with a quick overview of someone's home and floors in with an in person visit or an estimate.
The clients I currently have, and have had for years, hired me after reviewing my website and got to know me and the quality of work I perform after I cleaned for them once. Which is usually how anyone would find out about the quality of any person and their work. Getting an estimate or not. And even with an estimate, that hardly tells one how reliable, trustworthy or professional one is. Just what they would charge. And one does know this information with me, what their investment would be.
Most other cleaners will come out and give others estimates at no charge. So I believe one could easily get all the quotes they would like. I also believe I'll be competitive with any quote one may get. Although unlike many, I am a very thorough cleaner and I take cleaning other's homes very seriously. Being enjoyably devoted to cleaning. Besides maybe being a little obsessive/compulsive about, along with being a bit of a perfectionist.
So being given someone's square footage of their home really gives me no clue to the work that will be involved. Like to the amount of things I will need to be cleaning or the amount of furniture I will be needing to move for their cleaning, in that square footage. Or to the amount of collectibles or personal items they have displayed on their furniture that I also need to remove and clean. As I provide my rates upfront, I find it's not necessary to be giving estimates.
Most, if not all that hire me, are looking for above average cleanings, and/or to be cleaning and doing the things other cleaners don't. I have found most that try me, continue using me. Finding I am easy to work with, showing up each and every time. Not needing to be concerned about their home, animals or their things while I am there. If they are or not. Besides being told consistently by my clients, I am the best cleaner they ever had. So that leads me to believe, I possibly very well could be.
I specialize in detailed cleanings, although I am not limited too. More work and time is involved in cleaning this way. So less square footage typically is cleaned. Spending more time doing so, and rightfully so. Which really can't be compared to a cleaner rushing and skimming through a place doing very basic cleanings. I am hardly breaking any square footage records when I'm needing to be cleaning the inside of refrigerators, ovens, pantries, fireplaces or inside dish, food and bath cabinets. Which many of my clients have me do as part of their regular home cleanings.
I'm ideal for those wanting a more thorough job of the things and places they are wanting cleaned. True top to bottom cleanings. From cleaning (washing, not dusting) ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fans, to cleaning baseboards and steam cleaning carpeting. And cleaning everything else in between. Having furniture moved for their cleanings to clean behind and under them. Like moving couches, recliners, coffee tables, large rugs and the things that aren't moved that often that dirt, sand, and crumbs accumulate easily under and behind. Especially with those that have children and/or animals.
I am ideal for those seeking quality over quantity. Taking the time to clean much more thoroughly and to detail clean the many things and places other cleaners don't or can't do, or would charge more for doing. Matching and more often then, exceeding my rates. As it's not their normal routine to be doing these things as it is mine. Or many times are they equipped to do them.
So when others are asking me for bids, quotes or estimates, I am inclined to think I am not the cleaner for them. As one is looking for, or what appears to be, the lowest rate. What would typically come with or from your average (mainstream) cleaners. In contrast to receiving unrestricted, above average, more thorough, truer detailed cleanings.
Thanks for reading.
- Harry-