Let me first say that I’m new to the biz. I’m comfortable with residential pricing but perplexed with the store fronts. Are they worth doing? It seems like it could be very nice but I’m hearing of low prices so far. Generally this type of work is less than residential work right?
The project that I’m considering pricing is several of these store fronts: Some chain stores and some not
2 panes no grids or divided lites ( 54.6" x 61.6" )
1 standard front entry door with two side lites
all inside and out.
Does anyone have a minimum cost for a stop?
Does anyone have any percentage discounts for say…quarterly, monthly, bi-weekly, weekly?
Any info would be great.
Note: Wouldn’t it make sense to have a sq. ft. price for just glass as this is what storefronts / commercial consist of with various size and shapes?
[MENTION=26039]larryclearlynow[/MENTION], Most storefront glass goes for $1-$3 per pane of glass, most don’t price per sq ft. Most have a min charge of between $15-30 per stop. Yes storefronts can produce good money as long as they are grouped together. Its also a good why to stay afloat during the slow winter months.
My storefronts probably average about $1+ a pane. I have started charging a minimum of $15 regardless of size unless it’s right next to a current customer in a shopping center / complex then it’s a minimum of $10 period. Sometimes I’ll do a discount for repeat based on my mood, but getting away from that. If it’s a stand-alone restaurant / other business in it’s own building I’m minimum-ing about $40 lately.
With most storefronts I found I gain more respect if my prices are non-negotiable, people who you let haggle a bunch are bargain shoppers, and you can bet your lunch they will drop you and your squeegee for the lower priced guy who comes along every 3 months with windex and a dirty rag.
My best advice for getting work is find a niche and watch / observe who your competitors market too - there is a certain corporate company in my area who has it locked down pretty tight. They do a lot of customer “fishing” if you get what I mean. Anyway I watched / ran into one of their salesmen a few times. Over the last month I figured out his “sales route” and the fact that he seems to only visit a certain profile of storefront… So I tried to think about what types of business he was overlooking - found one category and marketed it. I tried my theory at 3 “overlooked” businesses and instantly scored 2 out of the 3, (the one I didn’t score the manager looked like he was drugged up pretty heavy) each business is $40-45 per clean once a month and now I plan on google mapping out all of that business category and marketing it pretty heavy, using the other customers in that category as a reference for them.
I have a min price of $20, unless it is right next to another that pays decent. Big windows are $3 per side. Small or narrow but long are $1-2. Glass doors are $2 per side. As long as I feel I am making money for that stop, then I price what I think I can get. I try to sell for monthly cleanings but many want quarterly.
Right now I am building a commercial route and then will try to pickup some residential.
Hey I’m new to the business and still learning tons and all of y’all’s info on this forum has been an amazing help so far. When y’all are talking per pane pricing on commercial store pricing is that a $1-$3 for both inside and out? Working on a few commercial bids and am trying to make sure I’m thinking correctly. Thanks
I wont do a store front for under $20 exterior only. There is absolutely zero point in showing up for less than that. Have some respect for yourself and the quality you provide. I’d rather have 10 accounts and make as much as the guy who has 20. Less paperwork and headache and normally a happier customer all around. They want it done right and they don’t mind paying for it. Again, keep in mind how long its going to take you. Those upper windows with deep sills are going to provide more of an issue than the stand alone single level subway windows. Don’t even get me started on divided light…
