Surveys
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Surveys |
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Contractors Estimate Sweeping Frequency on Commercial Properties, 2009by Ranger Kidwell-Ross This information is the result of a survey instigated by WorldSweeper.com in early September of 2009. Although only 43 contractors chose to participate, the results provide a snapshot of the industry that's worth the review. Below are shown the questions that were asked and the results from each. Editor's Note: During the survey, I received several comments on how I'd set the survey up. The most crucial to the results was that 'zero' (or other numbers less than 10%) were not allowed answers in the survey design. The problem: There may be some who chose 10% as their answer in a category when they would have liked to choose less than 10%, or even zero. Good point, the ramifications of which are also discussed in various places in the analysis, below. A weighted average for each question is shown along with each of the corresponding charts. This number was reached by multiplying the percentage chosen (times) the number of respondents who chose that percentage. These totals are added together and that total is divided by 43, the total number of participants. When added up, the result equals more than 100%. This may be attributed to the methodology and, in all probabililty, because 'zero' was not an allowed answer. 
"What percentage of commercial properties do you estimate are swept DAILY?"
As shown in the chart, almost 70% of respondents believe that 10% (or fewer, given the comment noted above) of commercial properties are swept daily. Interestingly, several people had significantly higher estimates. However, with such a small sample size of respondents this is to be expected. When the responses are averaged using the method outlined in the introduction, the result is a combined opinion that 20% (19.76% for those of you doing the math...) of commercial properties are, on average, swept daily.
"What percentage do you estimate are swept 5 or 6 times per week?"
A whopping 93% of respondents agree that 30% or fewer commercial properties are swept with this frequency. A majority of 63% believe only 10% or fewer properties are swept this often. The weighted average number is 17%.
"What percentage of commercial properties do you estimate are swept 3 or 4 times per week?"
Most (81%) still concur that 30% or fewer properties are swept even three or four times per week. 16% of contractors go with this frequency being 40% - 60% of properties, though. The weighted average is 23%; however, this is somewhat higher than it would be if one person hadn't been of the opinion that 90% of properties are swept at this frequency.
"What percentage of commercial properties would you estimate are swept once per week?"
With this question, 90% of respondents believe from 10% to 40% of properties are swept, on average, only once per week. The weighted average is 21%.
"What percentage of commercial properties do you estimate are swept between once per week and once per month?"
There wasn't much difference in the choice between this question and the previous one. The weighted average, 20%, is also very similar.
"What percentage of commercial properties do you estimate are swept less than once per month?"
Although 80% believe only 10% or fewer commercial properties are swept less than once a month, the spread below that is perhaps somewhat surprising. About 16% are of the opinion that 20% to 50% of properties are swept less than once a month. Due, in part, to the person who chose 80%, there was an overall weighted average of 15%.
"What percentage of commercial properties do you estimate are never swept?"
This question is likely the one most impacted by respondents' inability to choose 'zero' for an answer. At least that may well be the case for the 63% who chose 10% as their answer. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how many of those might have chosen a smaller number if allowed to do so.
However, about 35% of respondents are of the opinion that 20% to 50% of properties aren't ever being swept, a somewhat surprising number. The weighted average is 16%.
If it's true that there are over 15% of properties that are not now ever being swept, that's good news for sweeping contractors. That's because it would seem to indicate that there are a large number of property owners who would sign up for sweeping if they only knew the facts. As a sweeping contractor, you know the many benefits of keeping parking areas clean, right?! Make sure all owners of commercial parking areas you come into contact with do, too!
If you have comments or further information on this article, please let us know.
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