Tile & Grout

What percentage of you revenue is generated from Tile & Grout Cleaning. I would guestimate mine at 15-20%. Years ago I used to charge 1.25 just to clean now it's .75-1.00. What can I do increase my tile and grout cleaning revenue?

This year, my T&G is about 15%...rises to about 32% during the winter months.

The easiest way to raise your revenue is to lower cost if the market will not support your desired rate. Maybe that is a chemical change, or tool choice, or process change. To figure that out, we need to know what your method consists of first.

Could you make more money on that tile if you could clean it with just water, squegee, and shop vac for that same .75 - 1.00 for example? I think we all could. Hopefully, that day is coming.

In some markets, you might be able to sale some grout sealer as well. Most of the ones that I clean have no interest in applying a sealer...just can't seem to change their minds about it.

To raise your revenue in t&g ask everyone even those with the smallest of bathrooms. Tell people you do tile showers too. And/Or do a demo for anyone that will let you. That always sells it for me.

Yes Yes and Yes, some great answers so far!!

Selling sealer?!?!..........it sells itself, if explained properly, I believe!......no offense meant, Robert.   

90% of the T&G/Stone cleaning jobs I do I sell sealer, it's easy. And if you're using a good sealer ($75-100 a gallon), and applying it properly it really makes a HUGE difference in wither the grout/stone stays clean or not!!

Also, Like Ken said, offer a 'demo'/spot test. (or 'accidentally clean the first couple inches of that floor when you're cleaning the carpet, at the transition of course). lol...............or just simply mention you also do 'hard surface' cleaning, counter-tops, showers, fireplaces, brick or stone or even outdoor hard surfaces and that you will give them a FREE QUOTE!...........some of my biggest hard surface job totals have been outdoor jobs, pool decks, patios, porches and so on.....
It's no different than picking up on furniture cleaning, which we all do at least once a week right?~!?

The other thing with that, is simply mentioning I do T&G/stone/hard surface cleaning on my VM message, I get a couple jobs a month from that!   

I charge anywhere from $.65-2.00 sf for cleaning (excluding showers and fireplaces), but normally $1.00-1.25 sf (and about 20% less for sealing) depending on total square footage, type of surface and tile size...........tile size greatly determines how much grout you're cleaning and or sealing.


ABC= Always be closing...............OR I like to think......
ABS= Always be selling!!   ...............no need for it to be high pressure or even seem like you're selling if done correctly.   

I wish it was more successful for me as well, but most of my tile work comes on commercial jobs and they are the cheapest people I know. They just want the urine and ice melt residue removed, but couldn't care less about sealer.

I may have to sharpen my salesmanship?

Something that I am seeing more these days are requests for cleaning concrete...especially store fronts and at apartment complexes. Don't ignore those areas as you already have the equipment and chems and managers do value those areas being cleaned.

Best part is that it is outside...easier on the body when using those 14 ph cleaners. Not so good during these winter temps., but I already have 8 jobs lined up for the spring. Think about the square foot pricing of a bathroom and now compare that to a store front or walkways at an apartment complex.....big difference in income.  

milspec6 wrote:I wish it was more successful for me as well, but most of my tile work comes on commercial jobs and they are the cheapest people I know.  They just want the urine and ice melt residue removed, but couldn't care less about sealer.

I may have to sharpen my salesmanship?

I can see your challenge with the commercial customers.  I mostly do residential, where sealer is probably and easier sell..........not to mention, some commercial, like Restaurants have Epoxy grout that doesn't benefit from sealing.

Although, I do have a couple commercial accounts that I do T&G cleaning for on a regular bases and seal after every cleaning.  And the good thing about selling sealer is it only needs to be 'sold' once.  Because it sells itself by showing it's benefits if you're correctly applying a good sealant, as I stated in my last post.

But yea, you are going to have those customers that just won't buy............but that's where I explain how it will prolong the need for regular professional cleanings, and intern pay for itself, and the benefit also being they have a floor that stays nice looking in between cleanings, and that's all you can really do..  

exactly 4.3% of last year. I will say that is slightly miss represented by other services that we provide that do not deal with carpet cleaning. So to relate to this topic I would say I'm in the 10% percentile.

It as simple as just asking for the biz isn't it fellas.

I don't do shower stall though. With the hard water that we have here in AZ you're gong to need a chisel to clean those and if I have to use a respirator it's definitely n0t for me.

I didn't realize the water was that hard in Arizona...it is pure gravel in my area as well. That works for you though too as carrying a softener on-board makes you stand out and you have an easy up-sell for yourself just waiting for you....check the back of every refrigerator you come across while cleaning.

Most fridges are installed using a cheap plastic hose connecting water to the ice maker or in-door dispenser. The combiantion of trapped heat, vibrations, and hard water will cause them to crack and leak slowly. The owner will never know it until the water stains show up on the ceiling in the basement. By that time, it is time for new cabinets, flooring, and maybe even a sub-floor. So, tell your customer about it and offer to slide the fridge out to look....I will bet that it will be leaking 60% of the time if they are older than 3 years. You become the super hero!

As for the shower stalls...I agree, I don't care to clean those either. I will do the base, but not the walls.

These tools are outrageous too. $300 bills for a hand tool.

U will be surprised at the ad ons and the money u can make with the hand spinner. 2 hours with the hand tool and it's paid off. The tools is so fun to me!

I hate the high prices for some tools as well, but I remember working in the family shop when the Snap-on truck came by. Try paying a $100 for a wrench or $4500 for a small scan tool...it is bad in every industry.

Like was said, if that buy makes you money, it becomes a bargain pretty quick. To me, if it is durable enough to last for years, they are worth the money. I still have those custom wrenches and they will probably be around for another 100 years...that's a buck per year, a bargain.