Handyman: I spoke with someone at
K & S Real Estate Management, a property management firm in northern California. Here's his input:
He agreed with you that you don't have enough information yet to make a decision here as to whether you want this business or how to charge for it. Here are a few details you'll need to get:
* What kind of properties are you dealing with? Taking care of offices is going to be a lot more work than retail centers.
* Approximate square footage
* What kind of neighborhoods the properties are in
* Client expectations - e.g. how often will windows be washed, carpets be cleaned, etc.
He counseled you to be careful. Without enough information up front to make an accurate estimate, you could end up losing money on the account. Also, keep in mind that because this contract is so much bigger than your existing business, it will put a lot of pressure on your company resources - you don't want to lose your existing customers in the shuffle.
The best way to charge for services like this is a set monthly fee, he says.
Hope this helps!