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andy hinson · Oct 16, 2009

RE: Formula for measuring Square Footage...

KP Diamond · Guest

You know what Andy, I wish you would get serious, I asked quote to the penny and you come up with 12 bucks EVEN? Besides, that is more than twice what I would have bid loloOooolololllol.

KP Diamond · Guest

I have a trick, I look for complications before I look at square footage. Without complications, 4000 sq ft. Could easily be less $ than 2000 sq ft. with complications.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

I just hired a part time salesman and I'd say that trying to explain how to estimate what I call the "difficulty factor" has been pretty tough. I walk every single property before to give an accurate estimate.

I've had prospects tell me that they have "the exact same house" as the house that I just cleaned. Naturaly, they expect that the price to clean their house to be exactly the same. Well wouldn't that be ideal - if all properties were created equal?

plinscott · Guest

You guy's are just plain silly! biggrin

Seriously though, it's not rocket science and we have a really good profit margin sooo... don't get too anal retentive about your bidding.

Remember time is money and you can drive yourself crazy second guessing yourself.

Pick a square footage price or a per gallon price and go kill some algae. For every tough job you do you will have two or three easy ones to make up for it.

Go forth and clean! wink

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

Well said Pat. Well said.

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

I'm a little less precise on my estimate of square footage now but I still show the calculations on the estimate for the customer. I think this comes across as more professional than just throwing a number at them. Any other thoughts on that?

plinscott · Guest

Round up or down on the square footage for an even number i.e. "you have 2746 s/f here but I am rounding that down to 2700 s/f for you. At $.?? per s/f that

will be $???.??"

Give the Quote/Bid on a nice looking Bid sheet. (Price good for 30 days)

Then they will say "OH my... how professional you are Mr. Roof Cleaner man, Please clean my roof today!"

Be sure to tell them you will be inspecting their roof and gutters while you are up there, looking for any obvious hail damage or metal flashing problems, loose vents or ridge cap, chimney caps, clogged gutters or loose gutter screens.

You do not have to be a pro roofer to do this and you are simply looking for obvious problems that the customer may need to address.

They will love this special treatment you are giving them.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

There is no doubt that (our) presentation of the estimate/quote is important. The only caveat about bringing the exact square footage to the customer's attention is that it better be accurate! 90+% of customers won't care about the details but, some will check your calculations by measuring the roof for themselves. Imagine that you are ten sq. ft. too high, the customer that decides to double check on you is the same customer that will bitch and moan about a $4 discrepancy and then tell his/her neighbors that you are a lousy crook because you tried to over charge.

I have recently modified my estimate sheet so that I can be a little more vague. By doing this I have saved myself some headaches because I don't have to explain myself anymore. The customer either likes the price or doesn't. No more quibbling over $4!!! More often than not, we use the square footage to help us get a "base" measurement. Based on the many variables, we look at the "job" as a whole and put a total "job" price on it which of course requires some subjective figuring. That's were experience will be so valuable.

Telling the customer that you will report any "issues" that you find is a nice idea. I go a step further and suggest that the customer check flood lights so that "while I'm on the ladder, perhaps i can replace them for them (for free). I like to say that I'm selling an "experience" instead of a service.

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

Offering to look for and do other small things for the customer are great ideas! I guess I've done that for really obvious stuff but have never let the customer know that I'd be looking before hand. On the square footage, I always give them an "exact estimate". They know I'm ballparking it as best I can. Haven't had any problems yet but I'll put some more thought into it. Thanks!

plinscott · Guest

I never give an estimate! Only a solid quote. Customer knows what it will cost before he agrees to purchase. No surprises & no haggling. If it takes me longer or cost me more in chemicals then it's on me. I, the professional, should have known.

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

Right. My customers know the square footage is my best estimate but the cost quote is solid.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

I guess it would make better sense to give a "quote" rather than an estimate. I'm used to giving estimates for window cleaning. There are time that glass needs "restoration" rather than just cleaning. To restore glass usually requires 3X the effort and cost of materials goes way up so, I can't really give a solid quote for that because it is often impossible to see what condition the glass is in until you get up on it and try to clean it.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

All my experience comes from window cleaning. My customer base tends to have "disposable" income and are too often tight-azzes. I've had lots of customers want a $2 or $3 credit on their $1500 "estimate" because they chose at the last minute to skip cleaning a cracked garage window or whatever. It's ridiculous the way some people beat me up even after all of the extras that I throw in for free.

Man, I hate to generalize but, the stereotype of the "rich" being "cheap" is just TRUE.

Am I bitter?

Ohio Roof Cleaning · Guest

Woodytwin, earlier you mentioned how some customers beat you up over things even after all the extras you throw in for free. I was taught in sales training to always get something in return for everything you give. It may just be increased customer satisfaction but make sure they know the value of what you're giving them. Also, always keep some things back as "negotiables". These are things that could be done easily but aren't necessary. The job is almost finished and the customer wants to skip that cracked window to save $2. No problem. Now you can pull out that negotiable item and offer to do it for...oh, I don't know....$2? Just some thoughts.

Roof Cleaning Collegeville PA · Guest

You've got a good point Bill. I think that my "business sense" isn't what it should be. For whatever reason, I find it very uncomfortable to ask for my hard earned money. I wish that I could spend all of my time volunteering. Thanks for that advice Bill. I often need to be reminded that I am allowed to make a profit.

LPWash · Guest

will do mildew wrote:

You can get a laser that measures feet at homedepot for 39.99 measure length and measure width then multiply together for your total square footage. then add in exteas

leith

Does this work outside in the daylight to measure?

CovenantCarl · Guest

Ive been using the same formula that Roof Brite uses
I use a rolling measurer to measure roofline
I estimate what the roof pitch is
After doing several youll be pretty accurate

Whats Eating Your Roof · Guest

I went to the hardware store and got a free pitch finder from the clerk in the shingles department. It's basically just a clear plastic card that you hold up to the roof and find the angle that most closely matches the roof. The pitch finder card will show you what the multiplyer factor is.

Here is a picture of one:

http://www.promo-wholesale.com/Upfiles/Prod_r/Roof-Pitch-Guide_20090816080.jpg

Guest

http://www.promo-wholesale.com/Upfiles/Prod_r/Roof-Pitch-Guide_20090816080.jpg

Cool Idea I'm gonna go see if I can get one around here

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"