Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 08:01:32 am

Title: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 08:01:32 am
Im at overspill at the minute, If im lucky im running at 5-6 weekly on my 4 weekly work, recently as I pick up work I sell my non compact stuff or 8 weekly stuff to a local guy, Ive got another load of jobs ready to sell to him which is technically due tomorrow but just cant get to it, do I continue to sell it or take someone on?
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: daz1977 on May 11, 2010, 08:03:18 am
depends how well priced the work is,  it u employ someone u do still make good money off it if not sell
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: Window Washers on May 11, 2010, 08:11:20 am
Sell
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: Tom White on May 11, 2010, 08:19:47 am
Subcontract  ;D
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: formb on May 11, 2010, 02:38:35 pm
Employ.

The hardest part of my job is without question employing people.  :(

The most rewarding part of my job is without question employing people.  :)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: jonnyald on May 11, 2010, 03:58:20 pm
formb -  do you still do windows yourself most days? if you dont what do you do each day ? (apart from counting/banking all that money) ,   i heard a boss fellah near me spends quite a lot of time checking on where his lads are 
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 04:05:38 pm
Employ.

The hardest part of my job is without question employing people.  :(

The most rewarding part of my job is without question employing people.  :)

The thing is ive got someone waiting to join me and he is already a w/c, its just the fact that I will take quite a hit on my income to get him to join me, so do I employe someone cheaper with less experience then when I get enough for a 3rd person take him on, Thinking on what tosh said I could sub till I got lots and then take the work back but I then stand a chance to lose the work as the custys would be use to the subby....

Form B which one is you in the hoodie pic on your website?
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: prestigeclean on May 11, 2010, 04:07:05 pm
chris , the only way to really move forward in this business is to take someone on regards alan
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: formb on May 11, 2010, 04:08:35 pm
formb -  do you still do windows yourself most days? if you dont what do you do each day ? (apart from counting/banking all that money) ,   i heard a boss fellah near me spends quite a lot of time checking on where his lads are 

My landrovers need alot of attention............
Employ.

The hardest part of my job is without question employing people.  :(

The most rewarding part of my job is without question employing people.  :)

The thing is ive got someone waiting to join me and he is already a w/c, its just the fact that I will take quite a hit on my income to get him to join me, so do I employe someone cheaper with less experience then when I get enough for a 3rd person take him on, Thinking on what tosh said I could sub till I got lots and then take the work back but I then stand a chance to lose the work as the custys would be use to the subby....

Form B which one is you in the hoodie pic on your website?

Back Centre
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 04:09:39 pm
chris , the only way to really move forward in this business is to take someone on regards alan

 Alen can you text me what you pay your guys a day, I think I know but not 100%
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 04:14:10 pm
Form B Can I ask a few questions?

How long you been going?

Did you buy your work/Canvass/Leaflet?

What ratio domestic/ Commercial are you?

How many guys/Girls do you employe?

How many to a vehicle do you have?

What duration is your cleaning?

Do you still canvass?

Sorry to be a pain  ;D
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: Steve CM on May 11, 2010, 06:08:23 pm
employ someone to work alongside you.

you've already said your behind so if you keep on time the extra revenue you'll bring in from the extra pair of hands will pay for itself and then some....
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: martinsadie on May 11, 2010, 07:52:57 pm
Im at overspill at the minute, If im lucky im running at 5-6 weekly on my 4 weekly work,
funny you once had a pop at me for running behind and not providing a regular service  8)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: lovewindows on May 11, 2010, 08:19:33 pm
One option to explore [ that is if you haven't done it yet ] is to take a step back and look at how you work.
I found that after the big freeze i needed to catch, up and as everyone was waiting but understood that i would be late it was easy for me to change everything round to suit ME. I also took time to examine my working methods and came up with stuff already covered on here but not done by me.
a/ I now dont use my 5ft pole , my 20ft pole covers most things so i'm not trying to carry 2 poles round.
b/ I now keep my trad stuff on my belt all the time , some windows are done quicker trad [ esp old wood framed swines that always bleed ]
c/ Got a trolley system, timed myself and i'm 15mins an hour faster, dont know why poss hosepipe catching poss winding hose in/out really dont know but i am faster.
The thing is take a step back and look at the way you work, maybe dropping jobs that are nice ones with nice people but they dont match your hrly rate requirements, or start quoting higher for those new jobs. It really is amazing the difference YOU can make. 
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 08:23:45 pm
Im at overspill at the minute, If im lucky im running at 5-6 weekly on my 4 weekly work,
funny you once had a pop at me for running behind and not providing a regular service  8)

Me have a pop at you young Stanley, Never  :P
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: weetot on May 11, 2010, 08:23:52 pm
Employing is the way forward, but when i did it you have to trial at least 10 blokes to get 1 decent one.

Then theres the worry of leaving them on their own, do you have time to check their work afterwards and before you collect?

I,m with Tosh on this one, sub it out, at least its partially their work if it goes pear shaped, and you're happy in the knowledge youve sold rounds before therefore you're going to gain more work in the future.

Plus it makes them responsible for their own NIC, Pension, Hols etc:
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 11, 2010, 08:48:43 pm
I will buy any of your ok priced seaford work if your selling ;)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 11, 2010, 09:04:42 pm
I will buy any of your ok priced seaford work if your selling ;)

All my Seaford work is priced well, Im there tomorrow and Thursday  ;)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 11, 2010, 09:12:44 pm
you not selling it then?
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 11, 2010, 09:13:54 pm
saw one of your colleagues out there the other week ;)

so i probably know the answer to the previous post
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: NJWindowCleaning on May 11, 2010, 10:03:20 pm
You need to employ but at the minium wage rate and have them self employed so they do there own taxes and ni.
But if your mind made up to sell then sell. Its really up to you at the end of the day.
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: suds window service on May 11, 2010, 10:41:18 pm
to get the best out of your staff you have to pay well .involve them in the biz and be a good motivator.
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: suds window service on May 11, 2010, 10:44:57 pm
You need to employ but at the minium wage rate .
yawn what a load of tosh....sorry tosh
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: Platinum on May 11, 2010, 11:10:11 pm
The way to see it is you have reached your maximum earning potential for your method of work.

It now depends on whether you want to remain at that limited size or if you want to expand and make more money. If its expand employ

Good luck ;)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: TLC on May 11, 2010, 11:51:44 pm
put ALL your work up 20% with a very good letter explaining how you need to increase in order to carry on window cleaning. the the ratio you lose will more than even out with the increased money and you will end up doin less work for same or more money!! Thats one suggestion, the other way is take 2 lads on who both make money elswhere make them buy own equipment etc. use them a coupla days a week each and you can just about get away with not employing them. employment is hassle.

Hope all goes well
Tim
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: STEVE-UK on May 12, 2010, 06:47:55 am
You will probably be surprised how quick the work load goes down with 2 vans running, I have bought my 2nd van but operated by a taxi driver friend who is flexible on a part time self employed basis, that way your not committed but get the additional help without the hassle of employees insurance, holiday & sick pay etc, when you have enough work for them full time then employ them
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: formb on May 12, 2010, 10:27:40 am
Form B Can I ask a few questions?

How long you been going?

Est 1992

Did you buy your work/Canvass/Leaflet?

Leaflet only

What ratio domestic/ Commercial are you?

90% Domestic

How many guys/Girls do you employe?

There are 10 including 2 directors

How many to a vehicle do you have?

6

What duration is your cleaning?

Monthly

Do you still canvass?

Leaflet, daily

Sorry to be a pain  ;D

Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on May 12, 2010, 01:18:00 pm
Before you sell/employ/subcontract have a good hard look at the work to see if you can sort the rounds more efficiently. I've joined Alan and although I'm slow at window cleaning because I'm new (at the moment) I've been able to spend some time on the organising and now we are getting round to everyone no problems - when we looked at it 6 weeks ago thought we'd never do it.

Problem with employing is that unless you tie them down with a water tight contract they can pinch your customers. Personally, I wouldn't entertain it. If organising can't do it then consider selling.

Getting the partner/wife on board has worked in our business. I love it - prefer it to the gardens now!
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 12, 2010, 07:27:47 pm
saw one of your colleagues out there the other week ;)

so i probably know the answer to the previous post

 ::) who was that.

Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: martinsadie on May 12, 2010, 07:35:14 pm
i got on top of my work by workink with other window cleaners when they have spare days  ;)
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: prestigeclean on May 12, 2010, 10:29:00 pm
just a thought chris , you could borrow one of my guys for a day or two , give me a bell if your interested regards alan
Title: Re: Employe or Sell
Post by: R W C™ on May 13, 2010, 08:04:46 am
just a thought chris , you could borrow one of my guys for a day or two , give me a bell if your interested regards alan

Cheers mate ill keep that in mind  ;)