Many cleaning professionals visit the International Custodial Advisors Network (ICAN) Ask the Experts (ATEX) page for insight. They deliver advice to help you perform your job.
Wednesday’s Question
How do I bid on a 2,600-square-foot remodel cleanup?
Wednesday’s Answer
It will depend on what they need to have done. Generally, you will need to remove all dust and debris; remove stickers from glass and any new restroom fixtures and clean them; vacuum carpeting; and probably do some mopping of tile or roll goods installed. I have seen jobs where tile finishing was needed and others where the carpeting needed wet cleaning due to it being installed too soon or left uncovered and unprotected from heavy traffic.
First, you will have to determine the scope of the work, or what needs doing to prepare for occupancy. That means doing an on-site inspection and taking measurements.
Then, you must decide on the time and materials needed to get the work done. This sets labor and supply costs. Here, a lot depends on the equipment you have and your experience.
The last step is to put these numbers together along with your overhead, supervision, travel, and related business expenses, and then add a profit for the job.
If you are uncertain, give them a respectable hourly rate and plan to move as efficiently as possible. Track your production times and use those numbers to bid the next similar assignment.
If you are just learning how to do this work, 2,600-square-feet jobs are reasonably safe. If you are off a few minutes one way or the other, you will not go bankrupt.
Lynn E. Krafft, ICAN/ATEX Editor
View additional Bidding and Estimating questions and answers from ICAN/ATEX here.
