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I just had a lady call and ask me how much it would be to clean the three large cushions on her sofa. It’s one of those where the large pillow cushions are used instead of the traditional back rests. I hadn’t thought about pricing only pieces of the furniture so I was wondering if anyone had a price for this service and how much? Also, I’m getting pretty comfortable ‘evaluating’ carpets over the phone to determine what kind of situation/ types they are, but upholstery is a different issue because of the higher risks we take with them. If a customer isn’t overly helpful in describing the upholstery how do you handle the call? Do you just tell them you would like to come over and see it, but are sure that you can handle it? Thank you.
That’s a tough one, because you don’t want to take a trip to somebody’s house to give them a $65 bid, and then not get the job. Even if you do, when you factor in the drive time you really aren’t making much. Try to get the dimensions of the cushions from her, and base your price on how long it will take you. If you include set up time I can’t see 3 large cushions taking more than 30-40 minutes to do.
Thanks Neil. I know that it probably won’t take too much time to actually clean the cushions. The problem is whether I can make it worth my time or not. I’m still really new and business is excrutiatingly slow, but it has started to trickle in and build consistentlly within the last few days. I will eventually need to have a minimum charge for jobs to be worth it, but when you’re new and hungry you’re willing to spend $25 in gas to make $50. I’m sure that you can empathize with the situation as I’m sure that most of you have been there before like me. Later Neil.
I quote them my regular price of $90 for a couch and if there are pillow/cushion backs they will run slightly higher depending on the number of pillows/cushions which I add $5 additional for each one.
We always recommend cleaning the whole piece of furniture. There is always a chance of the fabric bleeding color and if you only clean the 3 cushions, they may appear lighter than the rest of the couch if this happens. Then the customer may come after you (worst case scenario) for a new couch. Just not worth it in most cases. Besides, the cushions are the toughest part to clean (see dirtiest). Minus the armrest, the sides and back are usually the easiest to clean unless an animal rubs up against it a lot. I would hardly discount it at all if I was only going to clean the cushions. All or nothing, that’s my 2 cents….although if you are new and just need the biz/customers (hey, milk aint free) do what you gotta do.
If you ever do a job just because you have the time and want the biz, always mark on the ticket what the regular FULL PRICE is, and then what the price is after whatever discount you give them. Let them know you are giving them a deal this time. They don’t have to know that you don’t have any jobs that day, had somebody cancel, or whatever the case is that caused you to have the free time to want that job for less than your normal price.
Thanks for the reply guys. Needless to say she didn’t call me back and I’m glad because after I thought about it I didn’t really want to do only half of a job. If I’m going to put in the extra physical work for upholstery than I want it to be worth it. You make a good point about the difference in the color if bleeding occurs even on a minimal level. Do you think that I should recommend to customers that all upholstery be cleaned at once or not all? Even if bleeding doesn’t occur over time won’t the regularly cleaned portions be slightly different in coloring? This would be kind of like the carpet does in high traffic or sunlight exposed areas regardless of what care you take with them? I guess I could make an exception for an ’emergency’ spill or accident that only occurred to one section, but it would still probably benefit both myself and the furniture to have the entire piece on the same cleaning regimen. Just a thought.
I have been running a special of 10 a running ft. leather 20 a ft. extra 10 % for extra pillows
Thanks Blair. I really appreciate the info. I guess I’m just going to have to decide what I’m comfortable with and go with it. Later.
Agree with above – I wouldn’t do any “piece-meal” work. I would explain that there WILL be a noticeable difference in what you clean and don’t clean. I charge $129.95 for standard sofa – includes protector. I don’t give option of no protector on furniture. If you do upholstery right – it takes time. The only way I feel I’m getting compensated fairly and still doing a good job is too include protector in the price!!
I agree. I’ve only cleaned two pieces now and even though I was satisfied with the results there are so many varieties out there I guess that I’m psyching myself out a little when it comes to doing them for customers. I’m figuring out that about 90% of this is all mental as with most things in life. I think us new guys (especially me) have a habit of overthinking things instead of just trusting the process and the methods. Upholstery is very pain-staking and should always be treated with respect, but it is not really complicated. Now, I just need to go out and do it with confidence. Hey Jeff, I like the price that you’re using for cleaning and protecting sofas. Is this price for your standard ‘7 sofa or the larger 9 footers? Or is this for sofas regardless of the size? Thanks.
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