I have been picking up a bit on referrals, and have been scheduling 2 jobs a day (Morning and afternoon). I am just trying to figure out how I can fit the third job in the day. I know it depends on your production rate, but I was just wondering the different systems used out there.
Hows do you guys block your appointments?
- Thread starter Rescue
- Start date
Kevin B
Member
I use agendus pro for palm. It connects the contacts with your calendar so you can just click a contact and schedule the meeting.
I generally go
8AM
10-12
12-2
2-4
sometimes, if my day is really busy, I may do AM/PM appointments.
I generally go
8AM
10-12
12-2
2-4
sometimes, if my day is really busy, I may do AM/PM appointments.
roro
Member
Re: Hows do you guys block you appointments?
Start on your first job at 0800 or earlier - Don't spend so long at McD's - take a packed lunch. You should be able to do between 3 and 4 homes per day assuming you are working in suburbs, using a truckmount and working without an off-sider.
roro
Rescue said:
Start on your first job at 0800 or earlier - Don't spend so long at McD's - take a packed lunch. You should be able to do between 3 and 4 homes per day assuming you are working in suburbs, using a truckmount and working without an off-sider.
roro
jerry ACC
Member
I can't do a job in 2 hours and be at the next right away. Actually it is not possible to do a job correctly in 2 hours working by myself unless it is one room which I do not do. How can anyone alone actually do a job in less than 2 hours ?
Introduce - Inspect 10-15 Minutes
bring in gear 10 minutes
Pre-Vacuum 20-30 minutes
Pre-Spray 10-15 minutes
Agitate 15-20 minutes
Extract 45-60 minutes
Add Protector 15-30 minutes
Post Groom 15-20 minutes
Pack Up 20-30 minutes
These are conservative figures on 500sqf + (3 rooms).
Add time to drive to the next appt. ????
How can I do it right and save more time ?
Introduce - Inspect 10-15 Minutes
bring in gear 10 minutes
Pre-Vacuum 20-30 minutes
Pre-Spray 10-15 minutes
Agitate 15-20 minutes
Extract 45-60 minutes
Add Protector 15-30 minutes
Post Groom 15-20 minutes
Pack Up 20-30 minutes
These are conservative figures on 500sqf + (3 rooms).
Add time to drive to the next appt. ????
How can I do it right and save more time ?
Dolly Llama
Number 5
Re: Hows do you guys block you appointments?
Joe, I schedule jobs with in a 2 hour window.
I'll explain,
I know *appx* how long each job will take.
So if the first appointment is at 9am and i estimate it to take us 2 hours, I'll schedule the next job between 11am and 1pm.
If i estimate that job to take us an hour, I'll schedule the 3rd for between noon to 2..
That gives us time to do additional work Ms Phiff might want done, or the occasion when time estimate is way off.
That will work for you if you have a "general" idea how long it takes you clean a typical order.
Whether it be 2 rooms and a hall, or sofa, lv seat and chair
For empties and apts, It's rare we even give a time anymore.
I ask them to have the door unlocked by 9am and we'll get it done that "day"
..L.T.A.
Rescue said:
Joe, I schedule jobs with in a 2 hour window.
I'll explain,
I know *appx* how long each job will take.
So if the first appointment is at 9am and i estimate it to take us 2 hours, I'll schedule the next job between 11am and 1pm.
If i estimate that job to take us an hour, I'll schedule the 3rd for between noon to 2..
That gives us time to do additional work Ms Phiff might want done, or the occasion when time estimate is way off.
That will work for you if you have a "general" idea how long it takes you clean a typical order.
Whether it be 2 rooms and a hall, or sofa, lv seat and chair
For empties and apts, It's rare we even give a time anymore.
I ask them to have the door unlocked by 9am and we'll get it done that "day"
..L.T.A.
Dolly Llama
Number 5
WHISKER said:
3 hours to clean 500sf??
man, Jerry I hope you're getting Rampage/Hicks & Co prices.
Please don't take offense, but i don't how a guy could make any dough at 170sf pr hour at "normal" prices
..L.T.A.
alazo1
Member
Once you know your production times it's easier to schedule a third. We give a one hour window but have always thought about 2hrs as Larry does.
First job 9 - 10. If it's 2 or3 rooms second job is 11- 12 and I usually start the first by around 9:30 so there's no lag time. I don't like to be out too early due to traffic and I go to bed real late
. If your schedule is getting full it becomes more important that you schedule jobs close to each other.
unfortunately production times is not the only thing. I don't know about your area but if it's a lot like SF driving to and access can be much different for you. As you know there's mostly track homes in San Jose so it's more predictable. Most important, if you're running late give them a call well ahead of time.
Albert
First job 9 - 10. If it's 2 or3 rooms second job is 11- 12 and I usually start the first by around 9:30 so there's no lag time. I don't like to be out too early due to traffic and I go to bed real late
. If your schedule is getting full it becomes more important that you schedule jobs close to each other.unfortunately production times is not the only thing. I don't know about your area but if it's a lot like SF driving to and access can be much different for you. As you know there's mostly track homes in San Jose so it's more predictable. Most important, if you're running late give them a call well ahead of time.
Albert
SRI Cleaning
Member
We do the same thing as meat. Give a time window of 2 hours and it will give you enough time to allow for almost any situation.
The Great Oz
Member
First, schedule your appointments BY AREA.
If you're headed South on Tuesday, don't book a job somewhere else on that day. It takes some discipline to look at an open afternoon and tell a caller that your first opening is on Wednesday, but nothing else will make as much difference as cutting down your drive-time.
Next, schedule a few ride-alongs with the guys that respond about how fast they are. Some may cut corners you don't want cut, but the others will have learned some efficiencies that you need to know.
If you're headed South on Tuesday, don't book a job somewhere else on that day. It takes some discipline to look at an open afternoon and tell a caller that your first opening is on Wednesday, but nothing else will make as much difference as cutting down your drive-time.
Next, schedule a few ride-alongs with the guys that respond about how fast they are. Some may cut corners you don't want cut, but the others will have learned some efficiencies that you need to know.
Royal Man
Member
I block off 2 hours for each job, larger jobs get 2 time blocks.
I think that up to 1 hour + 20 minutes is excessive to apply protector, groom and load equipment.
Maybe you need a helper to help you be more efficient.
He or she could bring in equipment while you pre-inspect.Move and pad furniture while you clean and load equipment while you apply protector and groom.
I think that up to 1 hour + 20 minutes is excessive to apply protector, groom and load equipment.
Maybe you need a helper to help you be more efficient.
He or she could bring in equipment while you pre-inspect.Move and pad furniture while you clean and load equipment while you apply protector and groom.
Dolly Llama
Number 5
Dave Yoakum said:
I figure Wisker will get there.
i see he's only been at it for 2 years.
adding a second man (and knowing how to work together "efficiently") will double (or triple in the scenario he described) his production times without sacrificing quality
..L.T.A.
Contemporary Carpet Clean
Member
1st job 9-930am to avoid traffic try to book furthest from the shop work your way out then in. Just in case Mrs. smiths dog shits or pisses you can hit on the way home or in between a job if you finish early.
2nd job 12-1pm but ask them if they will be home around 11am just in case 1st job gets finished earlier...ask people for cell #s and home #s to get ahold of them especially if your running ahead of schedule
3rd job 2-3pm
4th job if need be 3-5 depending on season. If in winter time when it gets dark at 430-5pm you really don't want to start too late because of shadows and harder to see "spots that the custy sees only in the daylight". Also temps in winter time drop so higher risk of freezing hoses/machine. Summer time heck sometimes the latest we start might be at 5-6pm...but thats only a few times here and there....but not a big job...unless a commerical job
We do not give specific times for empty apt rentals unless the maint. super requests a morn or late in the day. We just do those in between jobs or if there are too many for one truck we will send out another to just do apts for the day.
I would suggest calling custys before going to the next job, this will assure them you are coming and save you a wasted trip to an appointment that your custy wrote down wrong or forgot about.
We tell custys between 12-1pm and some don't show up to their houses til 1pm....which is frustrating b/c the cable company or anyone else give a 3-4hr window appointment. But having all possible numbers including work phone #s will alleviate some scheduling/productivity problems. Just call next job before finishing up at prior job and that will give people enough time to get home so you aren't kept waiting.
2nd job 12-1pm but ask them if they will be home around 11am just in case 1st job gets finished earlier...ask people for cell #s and home #s to get ahold of them especially if your running ahead of schedule
3rd job 2-3pm
4th job if need be 3-5 depending on season. If in winter time when it gets dark at 430-5pm you really don't want to start too late because of shadows and harder to see "spots that the custy sees only in the daylight". Also temps in winter time drop so higher risk of freezing hoses/machine. Summer time heck sometimes the latest we start might be at 5-6pm...but thats only a few times here and there....but not a big job...unless a commerical job
We do not give specific times for empty apt rentals unless the maint. super requests a morn or late in the day. We just do those in between jobs or if there are too many for one truck we will send out another to just do apts for the day.
I would suggest calling custys before going to the next job, this will assure them you are coming and save you a wasted trip to an appointment that your custy wrote down wrong or forgot about.
We tell custys between 12-1pm and some don't show up to their houses til 1pm....which is frustrating b/c the cable company or anyone else give a 3-4hr window appointment. But having all possible numbers including work phone #s will alleviate some scheduling/productivity problems. Just call next job before finishing up at prior job and that will give people enough time to get home so you aren't kept waiting.
TimP
Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2007
- Messages
- 4,055
Since I'm not super busy I try to schedule 2-3 jobs per day. One in morning, one afternoon and late afternoon. I start at 8:30/9:30 depending on time zone I'm working in. Second job is usually scheduled at 12-1 and I tell people we will call with a better estimate once we get the first job estimated. I have found that nobody knows how much they have to clean so it's hard to know till I get there. Plus it's nice to know I don't have to rush. Anyway calling and giving a heads up is the best way I have found for me. A lot of times a job can take 1-1.5 hours and then some can take 3-4 hours depends on what they have to clean obviously. This is probably one of the more annoying aspects to this business and I have found it's best to make the customer flexible and be flexible yourself because you never know what you're getting into till you arrive at a job.
