[exoclean]

Hi All,

Pretty new to this, so apologies if I come across a bit thick. I have been doing pressure/jet washing now for three months in North/East London and despite an unexpected good start the work has dried up.( Excuse the pun ). My advertising response has been really poor. Have tried the local papers and no real joy apart from competitors winding me up. Of 10,000 leaflets I got 4 responses in fact most of my work has been from recommendations and the sign on my van. Also tried knocking on doors with very little joy.With regards to the work, I have had no problems getting the block paving etc to look good so I am not afraid to tackle any jobs and all of my customers have been really pleased with my work. Not afraid of work but I need some steady work.Was thinking of doing a bit of window cleaning but cant afford to buy a round but willing to help someone out on theirs.

Is it the time of year? Should I expect a downturn this time of year? Just been going through the yellow pages trying to get some commercial work this week so I'll wait to see how that turns out.

I've used all my advertising budget up and I need a bit of help, any advice anyone?

Paul

[Mark Roberts]

Smarten yourself up, steel your nerves and go knock on some doors.
Its free and will get you more work than leaflets or phoning ever will.
A simple hello this is what you do etc will do, leave a card, do this too 2-500 houses everyday then come back here and say you have no work!
Just stick at it, it will work.

Hope that helps

Mark

[exoclean]

Thanks Mark, I have tried that to some degree as previously mentioned but I'll keep at it. If you've tried this can you tell me what sort of response do you get, out of say every 100 doors?

[Doug Holloway]

Paul,

Many moons ago I used to door knock in N/E London.

Some days were great , Sat morning 10.30-12.30 was particularly good.

Other days were awful.

But it does work and its cheap .

I would suggest taking leaflets with you to post where there is no answer and also to give the person who says no thanks.

cheers,

Doug

[exoclean]

Its Saturday morning now and having just read your post I will be knocking on some doors in the next few mins. Thanks.

[Ian Gourlay]

Perhaps you should consider expanding the services that you offer.

[Jonny jones]

try wheelibin cleaning, grffitti removal, or even car valeting nothing to loose a very lot to gain.

go on be a devil

good luck jonny

[exoclean]

Thanks for the advice. Graffitti removal and chewing gun removal are the two obvious services that go hand in glove with what I am doing. The only thing is I know absolutly nothing about either apart from a few oddbits picked up on the net. Since I posted this thread work has picked up a bit. Did a wash for a guy a couple of weeks ago he called me back to seal his drive and now he wants me to do his patio as well. Also got another large patio to wash and re-point which should keep me going for a while.

One thing I should mention is the local chamber of commerce were very helpful and have set up a meet with both them and the local business enterprise services. I let you know how this pans out.

Thanks for your support guys:)

[ianharper]

Hi

I was out the other day and I came across a guy that was driving around high end home looking for block pav drives. he just pulled up and ask if they wanted a clean and seal. he was doing ok from this aproach so its worth it.

The big problem with being selfemployed is that when you are cleaning your are not markeing yourself. so it important that you charge the right price so that you can

1. have say two days a week to market
2. pay someone else to do it
3. this is the best one pay someone to do the work and you do it.

Good luck

Respect

ian Harper

[exoclean]

Hi Ian,

Working for yourself as you will probably will know is a lot harder than some people think. In the short space of time I've been trading I have employed two blokes separately on a part-time basis to do the work on the assumption I go and find new work. However, although one was a decent worker I couldn't offer him a full time job which he wanted. The other was a complete waste of space who apart from being idle he nearly wrecked my equipment on two different occasions.

Nowadays, when I have a few hours of downtime I plug away knocking on doors, calling people on the phone, networking doing anything to put my name out there. Things are better now thanks but the winter's coming and I'm not sure how long the season will last. Cross that bridge, when it comes. Hopefully, by then all the groundwork I've been putting trying to get some commercial work will pay off.

Appreciate all your advise and tips, thanks.

Paul

[Ian Gourlay]

Think what you can clean in the Winter.

You shouls know how good you are at selling, perhaps you could  justify obtain Carpet Cleaning Equipment.

If Capital is short perhaps you could lease?

[andyrj1]

The problem you have about knocking on doors is in a lot of towns it is now illegal the councils are making bylaws against this i have found this out here in luton not saying it is like that everywere but seems to be getting rolled out in a lot of places good luck

[exoclean]

Hi Andy,

I don't think that applies in my area, to be honest I am not aware of any bye-laws restricting canvassing in the borough I live in. Not that many people around would care that much anyhow. Since I posted this thread I have taken the advice of some on this forum and have been researching other services I could add. Thanks for the input anyhow.

Regards Paul

[Ian Gourlay]

As far as I know it is local Police Forces and Tradding Standards taking the law into their own hands and advising people this is a no canvass area,

I dont think it has been passed by Parliament.

If anyone can find it Hannsard which records all legislation I would be supprised.

[andyrj1]

Just so you all know it does not have to be passed by an act of parliment that is why it is called a council bylaw it is the same as them stopping people putting leaflets on cars in towns. I was stopped in luton knocking on doors and was told in no uncertain terms if i carried on the police would be called i since took advice on this and was told there was nothing i could do it was infact now an offence to carry on im not telling you not to do it just make sure its allowed so you dont end up in trouble

[Ian Gourlay]

Interesting.

I was aware of the leafleting in streets but was not aware the legislation covered canvassing.

I take it you have not been stopped letter box leafleting/


In my opinion the Industry should have challenged this law as it is dertremental to start ups


With an Economic slow down more people will be wanting to start their own business  Barriers to finding customers should not be put in their way.

Crooked traders need to be stopped but i do not believe this is the way.

[andyrj1]

yes you are correct it is ok to leaflet in these areas this is not covered under the  bylaws what is covered is knocking on doors and will end you up in trouble if there is a complaint this is what happened to me i spoke to trading standards about this and they advised me to leafleting was ok so it seems that is the way to go unless you local council does not have this bylaw in force if they dont lucky you

[George-Reid]

Hi
As a lot of business build their client base through door knocking and it is ileagal to stop someone from earning a wage at their chosen profession I would think that if the bylaw is passed that door knocking is ileagal they would have to operate a licensing scheme.

In Scotland we require a street traders licence to door knock and collect cash.

Andy
Go to your local council and tell them you want a street traders licence and see what they say.

[scott2bclean]

Hello

In Scotland each local authority can put their own special conditions to the standard Street Traders Licence.
But in general you would not need a licence to knock on doors or leaflet drop, unless you were going to carry out the work there and then, and receive payment at the same time.

If you are only taking bookings/giving quotes or advice, a STL is not required.

I think going to speak to the local authority is good advice.

I found an interesting fact when I asked mine -
I knew you needed a Window Cleaners Licence for cleaning windows but if you want to clean just the frames you do not.

'The law is for the guidance of wise men and for the strict obedience by fools'

Regards
John

[preston powerblast]

What about paint removal Paul,
I have just got into this line of work and its really taking off, have been to price quite a few jobs this week.
I am starting another one tomorrow that the third in a week and theres more to come.
I am even thinking of investing in a scaffold tower.

[exoclean]

Hello mate,

funny you should say that. Over the last few weeks I have put serious thought to both graffiti removal and paint removal. Last night, well actually this morning around 3.00 am I was doing my usual research came across this company amongst others that specialises in chemical free paint removal & cleaning. The system looks quit expensive but quite effective. I also recieved a pack this morning from a graffiti removal company that provides low pressure removal systems. The only thing is raising the money to pay for all of this.

Incidently, how are you doing your paint removal? A combination of chemicals and hot water/steam?

Isn't it messy? Do you have to mask everything up and put protective sheets down to catch all the slurry?

Sorry if I'm picking your brains but could do with a few pointers.

Thanks Paul

[kate eddies]

hi just read you post my home town coventry has a guy call round on bin days to jet out the bins his rate is £2.00 per house he gets lots of work more so in the summer SMELLY BINS don't know if you have tryed this
good luck kate