NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« on: June 03, 2014, 11:39:03 am »
Hi All

I need some expert advice as I am thinking to start a Driveway cleaning business in west London.

I am seriously looking at this website to get their help and advice and buy basic equipment to start
 
http://www.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/Pressure-Cleaning-Services/driveway-cleaning.html 

Is this the best way to get started and do you think it will be enough to make a living ? I know how to advertise ie local papers, leafleting, referrals etc and hopefully will be able to get some customers through this.

Any input will be appreciated.

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2014, 08:12:29 pm »
No it isn't.

If you want some help give me a call. Don't waste your money on a franchise. There is a wealth of information on here ( get stuck into the back posts! ) and some very experienced business owners who will help you out.

Rob ;D

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2014, 08:57:49 pm »
No it isn't.

If you want some help give me a call. Don't waste your money on a franchise. There is a wealth of information on here ( get stuck into the back posts! ) and some very experienced business owners who will help you out.

Rob ;D

Thnx Rob for your reply

No they are not selling franchises , they charge £149 for training and then you can just buy the equipment and start on your own and for any help they will guide you.

I am trying to get as much info as possible. Can you please tell me if this filed will be good to make a good living ?

Regards

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2014, 09:25:16 pm »
That's a big question.

I have and a number of other people make a good living from it but none of what we have has been given to us. We have had to fight for all of it. The problem you have is that you need to be better, offer a quality service, be patient, take on the crap jobs, work for small rewards, all the time looking to the bigger picture, planning how you are going to take it to the next level.

Whether that is residential or commercial there is always levels above where you can see. Don't be disillusioned by where you are now, if you want to make a living then that is down to you. If you want a lifestyle change then that is harder still.

No matter how many pressure washing 'firms' there are out there there will always be room for ones that are 'better'

It's up to you mate - If I was starting again I would build a residential window cleaning round, WFP and then use that as a platform and cash generator to develop a pressure washing side.

Rob ;D


Jettaway

  • Posts: 521
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2014, 09:27:47 pm »
Robs bang on there. Great post.

I am tempted to buy that jetstream dvd for tenner, just for curiosity sake. But then don't want to throw a tenner their way.

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2014, 09:29:23 pm »
You're on the west side of the capital - where exactly, town wise?

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2014, 10:30:50 pm »
Buy into the Smartseal business plan....follow it. It will work...with a little effort from yourself.
Don;t take on Crap jobs...Don't work for small rewards....whats the point?.... We can all be busy fools.
Pressure washing is not hard...it's either clean or it isn't. Getting the work (in winter) is the hard bit.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2014, 10:39:56 pm »
I think further responses may negate your input Chris.

Because when you started you went into it running, had a full diary and only took on cream work - really!!

You and I both know that you have lamented recently on not being busy so what do you base your comments on

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2014, 10:59:36 pm »
I learnt from my mistakes ( and passing on what i have learnt)....we can all work for nothing.
Smartseal will ensure that he has quality leads from day one...it is a very shrewd investment of his money .

www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2014, 11:09:39 pm »
I think that everyone on here will agree, no matter how confident you are in yourself and your kit that the phone just doesn't start ringing because you've arrived in town.

You can have the biggest machine, the swankiest website but if you are crap then you don't get work.

There is no substitute for getting in there and getting sh*t in your face, any job, whether low paid or not is better than turning work down because it doesn't meet an expected pay day.

I won't work for less than £******.** per day is a load of bo**ocks when you first start. You take what you can, learn from the job and then when you build confidence and reputation you can expect to value your service better.

Smartseal - the sponsor on here who contribute nil, churn out template websites and sign the idiots to take their money.

How long have they been on here and what have they contributed. I am not saying that the training is crap but it is only about them making money, not the other way round.

It has been a while since we have had a frank discussion - I missed it!!

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2014, 11:24:37 pm »
Smartseal make money by the operator making money. It is in there best interest that you(the operator) continues to operate and turn a profit.

Quote    "There is no substitute for getting in there and getting sh*t in your face, any job, whether low paid or not is better than turning work down because it doesn't meet an expected pay day." 

Really?

www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2014, 11:34:05 pm »
Stand back and look - who is talking sense, living in the real world and just who is blowing smoke up their smart arsp  :P

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2014, 11:34:17 pm »
Would you rather not work and sit on your backside because the job wasn't worth it or do the work and have some money?

We are talking about a start up here Chris, someone with no experience, no capability and you suggest he should take your route that I cannot see is overly successful, not from your perspective but from most of the Smartseal operators I see. If you have made a success out of Smartseal you are doing a really good job of hiding it ;)

Good game plan

Rob ;D

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2014, 11:47:40 pm »
Chris

Love to stay on and chat but after pricing up an Asda complete store clean, a Tesco store clean and having worked on the Sainsbury's job I posted in the What have you cleaned thread, in the last three days I have got to be up early to get back on the same job, through the weekend till next Wednesday.

Keep busy and keep smiling ;D

I've missed the real you

Rob ;D

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2014, 06:51:45 pm »
I think that everyone on here will agree, no matter how confident you are in yourself and your kit that the phone just doesn't start ringing because you've arrived in town.

You can have the biggest machine, the swankiest website but if you are crap then you don't get work.

There is no substitute for getting in there and getting sh*t in your face, any job, whether low paid or not is better than turning work down because it doesn't meet an expected pay day.

I won't work for less than £******.** per day is a load of bo**ocks when you first start. You take what you can, learn from the job and then when you build confidence and reputation you can expect to value your service better.

Smartseal - the sponsor on here who contribute nil, churn out template websites and sign the idiots to take their money.

How long have they been on here and what have they contributed. I am not saying that the training is crap but it is only about them making money, not the other way round.

It has been a while since we have had a frank discussion - I missed it!!

Rob ;D

Thanks Rob I agree with you in start will do any job that comes in.
And do you think the above company is OK If I attend their training day and then buy the basic equipment and start ?

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #15 on: June 04, 2014, 09:13:36 pm »
By doing any job and cheap is wrong.
This business is all about repeat custom and word of mouth advertising.
You want your customer base to build year on year.
If you do a £150 job for £100 just to work you cannot return to your customer the following year and ask for £160.(so you show a profit). You are only devaluing yourself and the service you offer. Yes you need to be sensible with pricing...but every job has an associated  cost to do properly and take profit.
If the customer does not want to pay a realistic price for a proper job forget him/her....these are not the type of customers you want.
Smartseal will put you together a professional website for a couple of hundred quid..up running and fully SEO'D within a week. Buy products of them and they will generate work for you.There equipment prices are competitively priced and of sound quality...Gloria sprayers,Honda engines,Interpumps etc
If your skint  Buy a secondhand washer, 20,000 leaflets and your off. Nigel or Nick are always on the end of the phone to answer questions. The products  are excellent if applied correctly .
Go on a Smartseal training day ...it will cost you around £70. It gives you a (basic) game plan for running your business ,,,covering substrates,application,advertising,time management etc.
I cannot comment on the Jetstream one as i have never attended one....just as most who slate the "Smartseal installers" have never attended one of there courses.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #16 on: June 04, 2014, 10:30:45 pm »
By doing any job and cheap is wrong.
This business is all about repeat custom and word of mouth advertising.
You want your customer base to build year on year.
If you do a £150 job for £100 just to work you cannot return to your customer the following year and ask for £160.(so you show a profit). You are only devaluing yourself and the service you offer. Yes you need to be sensible with pricing...but every job has an associated  cost to do properly and take profit.
If the customer does not want to pay a realistic price for a proper job forget him/her....these are not the type of customers you want.
Smartseal will put you together a professional website for a couple of hundred quid..up running and fully SEO'D within a week. Buy products of them and they will generate work for you.There equipment prices are competitively priced and of sound quality...Gloria sprayers,Honda engines,Interpumps etc
If your skint  Buy a secondhand washer, 20,000 leaflets and your off. Nigel or Nick are always on the end of the phone to answer questions. The products  are excellent if applied correctly .
Go on a Smartseal training day ...it will cost you around £70. It gives you a (basic) game plan for running your business ,,,covering substrates,application,advertising,time management etc.
I cannot comment on the Jetstream one as i have never attended one....just as most who slate the "Smartseal installers" have never attended one of there courses.


Thanks Chris its really informative

How much do you think Smartseal basic business package will cost ?
And when you say "They will generate business for you" what does that mean ? they advertise as well ?
And who are Nigel and Nick ?

regards

Aqua Power Solutions

  • Posts: 802
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #17 on: June 04, 2014, 10:32:19 pm »
Rob & Chris both have relevant points however i also  feel that the most important factor is a regular income stream. Money makes the world go around and cashflow makes your business turn around . Setting up is the easy bit , achieving success is the hard bit.

Ed (Dragon Den entrepreneur)
Aqua Power Solutions external property maintenance 01423 541 400 Mobile 0752 158 3240  Visit our Facebook page for examples of our work https://www.facebook.com/Aqua-Power-Solutions-332485570200950/

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #18 on: June 05, 2014, 07:22:59 am »
By doing any job and cheap is wrong.
This business is all about repeat custom and word of mouth advertising.
You want your customer base to build year on year.
If you do a £150 job for £100 just to work you cannot return to your customer the following year and ask for £160.(so you show a profit). You are only devaluing yourself and the service you offer. Yes you need to be sensible with pricing...but every job has an associated  cost to do properly and take profit.
If the customer does not want to pay a realistic price for a proper job forget him/her....these are not the type of customers you want.
Smartseal will put you together a professional website for a couple of hundred quid..up running and fully SEO'D within a week. Buy products of them and they will generate work for you.There equipment prices are competitively priced and of sound quality...Gloria sprayers,Honda engines,Interpumps etc
If your skint  Buy a secondhand washer, 20,000 leaflets and your off. Nigel or Nick are always on the end of the phone to answer questions. The products  are excellent if applied correctly .
Go on a Smartseal training day ...it will cost you around £70. It gives you a (basic) game plan for running your business ,,,covering substrates,application,advertising,time management etc.
I cannot comment on the Jetstream one as i have never attended one....just as most who slate the "Smartseal installers" have never attended one of there courses.


Thanks Chris its really informative

How much do you think Smartseal basic business package will cost ?
And when you say "They will generate business for you" what does that mean ? they advertise as well ?
And who are Nigel and Nick ?

regards
Cost depends on how much you want to spend....new/secondhand machine . You will need a website £300ish,
Leaflets 1000 or 40,000? etc.
You could get up and running for less than a grand.
Nick and Nigel own smartseal.
Yes they advertise...in a big way. They produce qualified leads for around £10 +vat ...they then sell the products to complete the job. This is how they make money. If you are busy and successful...they make more money.
Lots of Start up,s fail for various reasons...most possibly following  Robs work for nothing advice !
Before taking advice on here.... go to companies house and check out who is actually making money and who is not. You will see there turnovers for the year,the debts they have and profits ....make up your own mind. ;D
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Mike Halliday

  • Posts: 11581
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #19 on: June 05, 2014, 08:46:19 am »
I'm on holiday right now sat by the pool reading an interesting marketing book.

It gives some good advice about starting a new business, it basically says.....

think of the company you want to be in 5 or 10 or 15yrs and be that company now.

Obviously you can't take this literally as you might want to be a company that  has million pound contracts and 50 employees but it's more about the basics. Especially pricing and business systems.

In 5yrs time do you want to be a company who prices cheap to make sure you have some cash in your pocket? Or a company charging premium prices for a premium service.

You could say it's ok reading this in a book but we live in a real world where bill need to be paid but this book I'm reading is about successful business and the attitude of the owners right from the beginning (a lot of it is about the computer company IBM)
Mike Halliday.  www.henryhalliday.co.uk

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #20 on: June 05, 2014, 09:20:01 am »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.

Kevin Miller

  • Posts: 260
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #21 on: June 05, 2014, 11:35:19 am »
If you get a chance look in the classified section on here I think jettaway has a couple for sale which look very good.

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #22 on: June 05, 2014, 07:51:34 pm »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.

To small and way too expensive.
Here you go.. http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=186236.0
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #23 on: June 06, 2014, 07:38:58 am »
Chris

The smiley would infer that you have done a search on M-CLEAN UK LTD and see a set of figures that have been given to HMRC.

There are one or two people on here that are aware of my circumstances and those circumstances are directly linked to whatever you have bought (as far as reports).

I'll put it out there Chris - we made a loss last year and there is outstanding monies owed to HMRC - I don't feel ashamed to say that I very nearly closed the business down about 1 month ago and it is still very much dependant on whether we get the next two/three quotes on whether the limited company survives.

I have M-CLEAN UK still active, though it is dormant and if I do close down I will operate as a sole trader.

My accountant is an absolute wizard and there may be multiple, allowable ways of showing loss on accounts or it may just be easier to file losses, I have learnt massively over the last three months.

Through my circumstances, which were no fault of my own (medical) I continued to run a business that has expected me in multiple locations around the country, this in itself was a challenge.

M-CLEAN UK LTD is still a business that is getting self generated leads, still getting cream work coming through the door and will pull itself to a minimum, into the positive, in more ways than one.

I don't have to pay anyone for those leads, I have learned to market my business, through leaflets, through other avenues and certainly through my websites.

My works are large, multiple service and for the top 5 supermarkets, they are on trading stores, peripheral and store front, making us work directly next to the public and with the ever watchful eye of both store managers, site managers and supermarket seniority.

I work under strict guidelines, laid out mainly by my own RAMS and they are closely monitored and always read.

I operate two vans, can call in at least three other teams if I needed them and possibly scratch another two together, if desperate, so am versed in looking after the largest works.

Similarly I have just started gaining domestic work, of very high quality and will be introducing a further stand alone business of Mac Drains within a month.

The balance sheet of a business may only be a very small picture to a lot more going on but that balance sheet does not make the owner less capable or less able and certainly less of a success.

My business (es) will get me back where we were in 2012 and more, of that I am confident because I am confident in myself.

How much experience do you really have to be giving information out Chris because i've gone from buying a 20 quid ladder twelve years ago, that got me out of a £6.00 per hour warehouse job to where I am now (and I would rather be where I am than where you are)

NaCC - the offer remains, before you make a decision to purchase any kit or make business decisions, call me or ask the questions on here because you don't need to buy into someone elses money making scheme, you can keep all of the profit (or loss) to yourself.

All the best

Rob ;D

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #24 on: June 06, 2014, 07:42:00 am »
Oh and another thing

Chris - you're still a tit ;)

Rob ;D

Aqua Power Solutions

  • Posts: 802
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #25 on: June 06, 2014, 08:40:49 am »
Rob, you dont have to explain  or justify to anyone on a forum about your own internal affairs about your business. I respect your complete honesty and hope you future success to come . Ed
Aqua Power Solutions external property maintenance 01423 541 400 Mobile 0752 158 3240  Visit our Facebook page for examples of our work https://www.facebook.com/Aqua-Power-Solutions-332485570200950/

B Bailey

  • Posts: 198
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #26 on: June 06, 2014, 01:28:49 pm »
Rob, you dont have to explain  or justify to anyone on a forum about your own internal affairs about your business. I respect your complete honesty and hope you future success to come . Ed
Totally agree, unlike you Rob, I had to fold my company and start again, offered hmrc all monies within a timeframe, they said no then ended up with nothing.
Best of luck to you.

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #27 on: June 06, 2014, 03:16:01 pm »


 -  ;)

Rob ;D

Ok Thanks Rob

Can you please guide step by step where to start. I was thinking to attend the training day with a company
http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/index.php?cPath=37&osCsid=f82031299a153810e3c364b6b75190f0

Is it a good idea or shall I just start on my own, ie buy the equipment and start

1) Need Van , insurance etc
2) Need Machine ,
3) Website, Leaflet distribution, local papers advertisement etc
4) How to do training ? where can I get basic hands on the machine ? How to bill customers ? How Do I know what to charge etc ?



Mitchellmoxo

  • Posts: 425
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #28 on: June 06, 2014, 06:04:02 pm »


 -  ;)

Rob ;D

Ok Thanks Rob

Can you please guide step by step where to start. I was thinking to attend the training day with a company
http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/index.php?cPath=37&osCsid=f82031299a153810e3c364b6b75190f0

Is it a good idea or shall I just start on my own, ie buy the equipment and start

1) Need Van , insurance etc
2) Need Machine ,
3) Website, Leaflet distribution, local papers advertisement etc
4) How to do training ? where can I get basic hands on the machine ? How to bill customers ? How Do I know what to charge etc ?




A step by step guide on how to start a business and be told everything which has taken the rest of us years to discover and find out from our own mistakes ?!?!?


chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #29 on: June 06, 2014, 06:24:41 pm »
Rob
I wasn't aimed at you.
I did not realise things were that bad. If there is anything I could do to help ,please let me know.

Why should the man struggle to put a pressure washing business together when there are easier options ...formulas that work.
We are in 2014 ,
Do you post quotes or email them?
Do you go to the library to check things out or "google" them?
Teletex or internet?
Van or horse and cart?
Like it or not "Smartseal " courses give a good in-site into driveway and patio restoration. You could struggle onwards and learn by your mistakes if you want .Or attend a one day coarse for £70.
Whilst i appreciate you will not learn everything in one day (and there is no real substitute for experience),they do offer excellent value for money and loads of tried and tested ways to make you business succeed.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Simon@Pristine Pathways

  • Posts: 397
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #30 on: June 06, 2014, 07:08:34 pm »
"If there is anything I could do to help, please let me know"

Well you could start by stop contradicting all his posts.

If you were as good as your posts make you out to be you would be a millionaire but the reallity is your not.

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #31 on: June 06, 2014, 07:24:21 pm »
"If there is anything I could do to help, please let me know"

Well you could start by stop contradicting all his posts.

If you were as good as your posts make you out to be you would be a millionaire but the reallity is your not.
You lost me there Simon...but thanks for your input anyway.

www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Tony Edwards

  • Posts: 791
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #32 on: June 06, 2014, 07:38:05 pm »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.

To small and way too expensive.
Here you go.. http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=186236.0



Chris

Rubbish to both those comments

I had a yanmar its a great machne

Price wish is a very fair price .£850-900 on fleabay

Roger Oakley

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #33 on: June 06, 2014, 10:07:10 pm »
NaCC

Where  about's in London are you based?

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #34 on: June 06, 2014, 10:08:31 pm »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.

To small and way too expensive.
Here you go.. http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=186236.0



Chris

Rubbish to both those comments

I had a yanmar its a great machne

Price wish is a very fair price .£850-900 on fleabay
The yanmar is ok hence the link ...it's the jetstream one thats too small and too expensive.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #35 on: June 07, 2014, 08:47:39 am »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.
We can all make professional looking websites...it's getting them found thats the problem.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #36 on: June 07, 2014, 09:51:38 am »
NaCC

Where  about's in London are you based?


HI Roger Oakley

I am in Hounslow

regards

NaCC

  • Posts: 8
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #37 on: June 07, 2014, 09:52:50 am »
Thanks Chris , I will call them today.

Btw Which machine (New or used) do you think will be Good for startup ? this one any good ?

http://www.shop.jetstreamdriveclean.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=196

And I can make professional websites myself. and leafleting isnt an issue.
We can all make professional looking websites...it's getting them found thats the problem.



Thats Not an issue as well :) , Anything else ?

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #38 on: June 07, 2014, 10:42:46 am »
NaCC if you go to this web site and sign up they send you an email with a start up guide it helps with pricing up a job, equipment, templates for sending out letters, images to use  its some where to start .http://www.sealersdirect.co.uk/business_opportunity.html     ITS NOT A FRANCHISE

wpclean

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #39 on: June 07, 2014, 02:48:18 pm »
NaCC if you go to this web site and sign up they send you an email with a start up guide it helps with pricing up a job, equipment, templates for sending out letters, images to use  its some where to start .http://www.sealersdirect.co.uk/business_opportunity.html     ITS NOT A FRANCHISE
Do you have eperience of using the their products ?


Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #41 on: June 07, 2014, 09:55:52 pm »
NaCC if you go to this web site and sign up they send you an email with a start up guide it helps with pricing up a job, equipment, templates for sending out letters, images to use  its some where to start .http://www.sealersdirect.co.uk/business_opportunity.html     ITS NOT A FRANCHISE
Do you have eperience of using the their products ?

No i havnt used the products samson i was just pointing out the start up guide for him as it answered some of the questions he was asking.

P.D.Crosbie

  • Posts: 1
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #42 on: June 09, 2014, 12:19:13 pm »
Dear NaCC

This subject matter certainly created a reaction in the forum after which I am not sure you know which way to turn.

Please allow me to introduce myself my name is Paul from Jet Stream Drive Clean and I run the training day, Jet Stream Drive Clean is the Business Opportunity department of Spinaclean

Your would be more than welcome to attend our training day during which we will offer you some good honest advice after which you will be able to make a fully informed decision as to whether this is a business opportunity that suits you and your lifestyle with no pressure from us.

As a one of for you only and to help you make sense of it if you feel the training day was not helpful to you we will refund your £149

I hope this helps

Kind regards
Paul.

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #43 on: July 04, 2014, 02:07:27 pm »
Just to update on this one.

Probably one month from closing the business down it has absolutely exploded. We are being pulled into so many different directions it is frightening and I think that the business is in it's busiest period ever.

I spoke to a couple of the other contractors on site @ Chesham and it turns out it has been quiet for everyone.

Moving forward it seems we are becoming known and required for the Tesco refurb programmes, with a recommendation this morning for works on the distribution centres and I have got Tescos lined up all over the country.

I've kept away from the forum to concentrate on the circumstances and it seems It has paid off.

Thanks for all the support

Rob ;D


B Bailey

  • Posts: 198
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #44 on: July 04, 2014, 05:31:21 pm »
Good to hear Rob, hope all turns out well.

cleaning4usussex

  • Posts: 243
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #45 on: July 04, 2014, 09:05:40 pm »
 :) :) :) :)well done!

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #46 on: July 04, 2014, 09:21:23 pm »
Just to update on this one.

Probably one month from closing the business down it has absolutely exploded. We are being pulled into so many different directions it is frightening and I think that the business is in it's busiest period ever.

I spoke to a couple of the other contractors on site @ Chesham and it turns out it has been quiet for everyone.

Moving forward it seems we are becoming known and required for the Tesco refurb programmes, with a recommendation this morning for works on the distribution centres and I have got Tescos lined up all over the country.

I've kept away from the forum to concentrate on the circumstances and it seems It has paid off.

Thanks for all the support

Rob ;D


It's good to hear you are back up and running.
What did you do to turn it all around?
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
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Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #47 on: July 04, 2014, 09:34:39 pm »
I did my last job as if it was my last job ;)

Rob ;D

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #48 on: July 04, 2014, 10:00:03 pm »
If I'm honest I don't know what happened.

The business has always been self generating but the phone stopped ringing when I needed a big start to the year.

I was kept off the tools for nearly all of last year, that had a cost, that cost built, we lost works because I couldn't be around. I bought the shot blasting set up at the wrong time. If I hadn't bought it we would have been well into profit.

The shot blaster sat in the unit, not earning money when I also needed it to be working.

As soon as I got a big job in, April, I was back on the tools, new client and the job in Kingston, for Asda, that impressed a couple of people, recommended to someone else.

I had a call from the Tesco programme and we have impressed more people by doing what we always do and now it is snowball time.

The blaster is going out next Friday, to clean a tank out and there is a big wood job pending.

Work starting @

Sainsburys in Oxfordshire
Tesco Gloucestershire
Works Kent

Recommended for works @

Tesco Gloucestershire
Tesco Bucks
Tesco Cambridgeshire

Further works every month till winter

Rob ;D



chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #49 on: July 05, 2014, 07:38:03 am »
Cleaning a tank "out" with the blaster? That does not sound good to me.
Regarding work ....did the ar5e fall out of your basket. You should do something about it while you are busy again.
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www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
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TomCrowther

  • Posts: 1965
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #50 on: July 05, 2014, 07:54:59 pm »
The harder you work, the "luckier" you get. Well done Rob.

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #51 on: July 05, 2014, 08:40:16 pm »
Thanks Bill & Tom.

Does 'ar5e fall out of your basket' mean - why didn't you put something aside?

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #52 on: July 05, 2014, 09:07:16 pm »
Thanks Bill & Tom.

Does 'ar5e fall out of your basket' mean - why didn't you put something aside?

Rob ;D
No ...It means "Don't put all your eggs in one basket...incase the bottom falls out of it".
 
You need more clients ..so if Tesco gets somebody to do it cheaper (which  they will eventually) or they will  force you to do it for next to nothing,which might already be the case....then your f***ed again.

How many clients do you have?  Do you mainly work for the same people?
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #53 on: July 06, 2014, 10:15:28 am »
We gauge the year from the previous years activities and go from there. Because it is a nine month year it is very difficult to fill the quiet three months, December through to February.

That was why the shotblasting set up was bought, to start feeding cash flow into the business and be ready for the winters quiet time.

The website had been set up with nil SEO (I didn't know about this till we had lost the momentum on it) and Wasn't being picked up by Google, that had a knock on effect. By this point I was in a set of medical circumstances that could not have been seen.

I think you may have missed the point, I was ill last year, everything was revolving & developing from me. It was a critical time for the business, moving outwards to create diversification, so just this set of circumstances wouldn't happen.

I am back on my feet again now, i've been told yesterday that another principal contractor wants to be giving us more work so I am juggling at the moment, keeping everything the right way up.

It is highly unlikely that I am going to see more ill health so the plan is back on, new main website imminent
drain jetting has had to be put on hold but the blasting is being pushed and I know it will get easier.

I feel I did all I could do under the circumstances. Within the next three weeks the business debts will be cleared.

Do I know how to run a business monsignor Christophe?

Rob ;D


chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #54 on: July 06, 2014, 10:47:43 am »

Do I know how to run a business monsignor Christophe?
Do I know how to run a business monsignor Christophe?
Rob ;D


You are a one man band...you don't have any employees.It's always quite in winter...go back to Thailand for a month or two 8)
You were considering closing down your business cause you were not making money. Most one man bands make it pay in one form or another.
So to answer your question "Do I know how to run a business monsignor Christophe?" ....NO.
Thats not a  dig at yourself.
I just think you are working in the wrong way.
I don't doubt you do an exception job....maybe you are not charging enough? Working for the wrong people? We can all work for nothing.
I know nothing of your health problems and i sincerely hope you recover/are recovering.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #55 on: July 08, 2014, 08:30:00 pm »
Put me right then Chris?

Tell me how I should be doing it

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #56 on: July 08, 2014, 09:04:44 pm »
Review your prices  while you have plenty of work.(even at the risk of losing work). That job you priced for me was ridiculously cheap.
Look for other customers....so you are not tied to a few.
Ask yourself  if it is the type of work you wish to continue doing...you seem to be run ragged all over the place.Working days /nights away from home....this is not good at your/our age!
Sometimes we are so busy trying to earn a living,we miss opportunities to make money.
Maybe you could earn more by just working by yourself doing domestics and the odd cleaning jobs that nobody else will tackle?
Change your web designer....nobody builds websites without taking SEO into consideration...nobody!
Go to a Smartseal training day (£80).
Book a months holiday start of Feb when it;s cheap ...go somewhere hot and come back when the season really gets going....any Feb jobs can wait.
I might be wrong but  Sell the blaster. Thats a s88t job.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #57 on: July 08, 2014, 10:12:09 pm »
You've got it so wrong my friend

Your job would have taken two days, what was the price 3500.00, 1750 per day!!!!

I always go away in December - Pacific coast of Mexico this winter.

I'm busy now but run ragged - not really.

I drive to Cheltenham tomorrow, unexpected job, very big client, not supermarket related (diversification)
Leisurely drive back in the company pick up.

Drive to Tesco in Cambridgeshire, price up and then down to Kent, accommodation - very nice, quality place, nice secure parking.

Very well paid job on Friday. Drive back up north.

Three lads on site today at a store, I worked at Witney. Four of us out. Do you really think I have got it wrong.

Chris - you talk sh*t. as has been suggested to me in the past, I guess I ask for the inane comments because I enjoy the retort and you humour me but I will continue down my route rather than the expert and clearly more educated response of yourself.

You clearly haven't followed your own advice.

My earnings this year are nothing to do with the forum but be the snidey s*it that you are and look online next winter. I wont be taking the advice but maybe you ought to, keyboard ble*ding guru!!

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #58 on: July 08, 2014, 10:28:26 pm »
I know i confuse myself with 5hit i come out with....glad your so busy. ;D
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https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #59 on: July 08, 2014, 10:30:02 pm »
Come on expand a little

I don't charge enough. I've told you my rate, time taken, why is that undercharging or did you expect me to take a week?

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #60 on: July 08, 2014, 10:45:18 pm »
I thought it would take longer maybe 3/4 days 3 men...then travelling or accom. Then cherrypicker £150/200 per day ,diesel etc.
Maybe it's me thats way out...thats why I never get the work.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #61 on: July 08, 2014, 10:50:44 pm »
I work on large scale every day, you were the one that was way out. That job was a piece of cake.

I ain't going to tell you it will take two days or you think I am taking the pi*s and don't go with the cost.

I tell you for the price you will get an as new, with no guarantees, building and the cost is well spent for the end result.

I'm looking forward to future mentoring ;)

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #62 on: July 08, 2014, 10:55:11 pm »
I couldn't give a f*** if it took you 2 hours or 2 years as long as the price quoted was the price I payed.(subject to the quality of your work ,which i never doubted.
Shall i post the pic again so we could get a comparison from others?
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob_Mac

Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #63 on: July 08, 2014, 10:57:07 pm »
You can post whatever you want but i've got to go now as I am going to bed. Are you visiting any new clients this week?

Rob ;D

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #64 on: July 08, 2014, 11:01:10 pm »
Got a tiny patio to do in the morning...only take half an hour.Then i'm off watch jeremy kyle and wait for my Giro to arrive.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #65 on: July 08, 2014, 11:03:07 pm »



www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

KLEENAWAY

  • Posts: 891
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #66 on: July 08, 2014, 11:21:42 pm »
Id say about £3499  ;D

Danny

Rob@Blast off

  • Posts: 875
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #67 on: July 09, 2014, 01:09:54 am »
£2500  ;)

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #68 on: July 09, 2014, 06:49:00 am »
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Rob@Blast off

  • Posts: 875
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #69 on: July 09, 2014, 08:50:14 am »
I'm not vat registered so it would be all in, what did you quote?

Matt Gibson

  • Posts: 2482
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #70 on: July 09, 2014, 08:52:26 am »
£10,000 and i'd do it in a day with a team of Purple Rhinos purple oompa loompas..

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #71 on: July 09, 2014, 07:04:16 pm »
I'm not vat registered so it would be all in, what did you quote?
How would you clean it?
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267

Kenny83

  • Posts: 1131
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #72 on: July 09, 2014, 07:12:32 pm »
2 men, 3 days, plus cherry picker etc, extra if they want the windows cleaning via wfp after  ;D
Pressure Washing -
www.powerwashcleaning.co.uk

Nameless Drudge

  • Posts: 997
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #73 on: November 19, 2014, 10:53:30 pm »
Who cleaned this building and how much?

chris scott

  • Posts: 3414
Re: Starting Up Driveway Cleaning business
« Reply #74 on: November 19, 2014, 11:00:30 pm »
Not me....I was too expensive.
www.cleaning-service.uk.com
www.render-cleaning.co
https://www.cleaning-service.uk.com/bromoco-systems/
Exterior cleaning specialists covering Merseyside,Lancashire and Cheshire. TEL 08000 933267