Hello everyone! New guy here. I recently started a company in Broward County, Florida. Ive been having issues getting a solid handle on my pricing though, especially for roof washing. Im somehow always too high even though according to all of my resources im lower than most. For example im always told $300 is too much for washing a 4000 sqft roof. Can anyone help me here becuase i need work and dont want to ivercharge people. Thanks in advance.
It’s not the pricing.
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Not in your market, but the guy I started out with five years ago was charging double, maybe even triple, for a roof that size. I can only imagine his prices have gone up since then. I’m with @PMG on this one… it’s not the price.
Please elaborate, becuase ive had multiple people say that im the “highest quote”. Not necessarily that im "too expensive " just the highest. Ive also seen companies in my area that quote $190-$200.
Exactly what ive been getting told. Google says that, other owners have said that, different pricing websites/ apps say that. Im a little confused. I was thinking maybe i just need to sell myself better (and i do) but according to quotes ive gotten from local competitors im $100 higher than the market seems to be.
If you’re the “new guy” in town, chances are people are saying no because you don’t yet have a proven track record or much social proof. Presentation also plays a big role in how people perceive your pricing. What does your truck, equipment, or attire say about the quality of your work?
Do you have a website or marketing materials with solid before-and-after photos? How are you finding these clients in the first place?
It sounds like your local market values roof cleaning at around $200. If that’s the going rate and you can still do it profitably, then that’s just part of starting out. You might need to take on a few lower-priced jobs to build momentum. Once you’re more established, you can start raising your rates by adding value in small ways over time that justify an extra $100 over the other guys.
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So basically, adjust my pricing some and focus on getting work so i can show people i know what im doing. I have a work van with branding on it that has my rig inside. I have uniform shirts coming in next week. So i wont sweat it too much-yet. Thanks.
That would be a good place to start. If you’re still not landing jobs and your pricing is the same or even lower, then like was mentioned earlier, the issue probably isn’t your pricing.
I’m a part timer, having said that if you are sitting at home you are making zero dollars. To me, the best way to make money at this gig is to be working. I mainly get work via word of mouth referrals, or someone driving by or lives nearby saw me working.
There used to be several washers in here from FLA. Some of them stated that their competition wasn’t using chemicals and was using pressure, didn’t have insurance, and were illegal. They said their market is tight, so it might be hard for you to crack it.
I don’t do roofs. Having said that I did a mossy porch roof on a house I washed today. I only added $50 to my normal bill because it only took 30 minutes to do with a little brushing of the bigger clumps. They were happy, I got paid, and it makes the neighbors/drive by’s see a huge difference in the house (future tacos for me).
300 dollars for 4000 square foot roof. Y’all would fill yer britches if you knew what I charged 
I definitely think it’s something to do with how you are appearing to the customer. Or, they are cheap. That’s a possibility. I get cheap people and I just keep on trucking because those people aren’t my customer. You gotta find out who your customer is and go from there. Also practicing your spiel helps too so keep on at it.
I have a box truck that’s wrapped, and a color matching uniform. I feel like it makes me seem less fly by night but to be honest my closing rate has been about 60% this whole time I’ve been in business.
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Yes, i agree, my issue is i have companies in my area quoting people $195 for roofs like that. So should i focus my energy on other things i knkw my prices are correct on while i build up a portfolio/ track record of roof jobs? Its not like ive gotten none because ive done 2 or 3 and had happy customers after. I just keep getting told by people in evey city i go to (usually over the phone because i dont quote in person right now with my day job) that $300 is higher than everyone else, sometimes by $50, sometimes by $100.
That’s FL for you. Pressure washers are a dime a dozen around here and there’s always some guy willing to do it for less. I stopped cleaning roofs several years ago. It’s worth it if you have a helper, I think, but if you’re running solo the numbers just don’t work. It simply takes too long.
I guess it depends. How much money are you actually making after spending money on chemicals, wear/tear on machine and body, etc.
Do these people doing it for peanuts have insurance? If people want to pay as little as possible and that’s the bottom line, they might not be your customer. I think framing it in a way that you’re not going anywhere, dependable, insured, etc is the way to go but to be honest I’m on the opposite side of the country then you so our business model is very different.
That’s not a company that’s a desperate individual.
You lost money
I wouldn’t say he lost money… just didn’t make as much as he could.
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That’s true he did make money
I’m not disputing your statement, far from it, just curious about price. What would you charge for a 12-16 foot wide porch roof with moss? 6’ deep maybe 8’ at most. I figured it would take me 30 minutes. I just put my x5 ladder up, stepped up on it and brushed the roof with a stiff broom from the ladder (never stepped on roof). It took me a little longer cause I had to clear the downspout/gutter as it was clogged and I wasn’t letting it drip over the side and splatter on the house.
First thing the guy did was walk out of the house and immediately turn around to look at the roof. He flips houses, hired me off a word of mouth referral, said he was going to keep me in mind for future jobs. It made a pretty dramatic change to the overall look, which is a job interview with people up and down the road (at least that is how I see it). I’m in a rural area, people watch through their windows or in this case a couple of neighbors were on their porch chairs watching.
I spent the whole day yesterday installing an above ground pool and made less money than on that house. F’n clay and shale pit and a new guy on the crew.
I don’t do roof cleanings, but the guy I refer those to said he would be at around $175 depending on how bad it was for that size.
Honestly i dont jave much experience with moss. I would nore than likey ask people such as yourself for advice on how to handle it and probably pricing. However if i had to go out on a limb i would guess $75 for just that part.
