Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mlscontractcleaner on June 26, 2010, 09:37:28 pm

Title: Do you diversify???
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on June 26, 2010, 09:37:28 pm
Just wondering, how many of you on here offer something other than window cleaning - clean answers only please ;).

We are a contract cleaning firm so carry out daily cleans, mostly in night clubs and pubs, plus we do a lot of carpet cleaning aswell as domestic and commercial window cleaning.

We started off as a small window cleaning round and just got in to the other stuff, mostly by accident really.

So, 100% glass shiner or other services - again, no naughty answers ;)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: david watts on June 26, 2010, 10:08:29 pm
thinking of going in to hireing out cherry pickers myself
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on June 26, 2010, 10:10:39 pm
So you're in to fruit farming then ;)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: bobby p on June 26, 2010, 10:29:42 pm
only intrested in cleaning glass ,not carpet
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: actualcleaning on June 27, 2010, 06:38:44 am
Upvc cleaning and repairs :)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Londoner on June 27, 2010, 08:02:18 am
I have looked at carpet cleaning in the past and went quite a long way into it, also looked at pressure washing in its various forms but in both cases decided its better not to get side tracked. I was mainly put off because you would be constantly chasing one off jobs where as window cleaning is regular

I have a friend who hires out bouncy castles and that is a suprisingly good business at weekends and I have been tempted to have a go at that. It would fit in well with window cleaning and its money for old rope. I have the van already so I'm half way there. On a good weekend he makes £480 for a few hours work. Total investment about three grand but initial investment about £750 to get you started with your first castle.

There are loads of suppliers but have a look at this  site.   www.beetee.co.uk

If anyone else is interested in that let me know. I have loads of info on it. And its not affected by the hosepipe ban.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Ian101 on June 27, 2010, 09:06:40 am
Early days for me but definately another market for specialising in conservertory cleaning.

Done 3 within last 2 weeks.

Can charge good money for it and only takes a few hours.

If it keeps going I will be investing in some proper conservatory ladders.

Seems to be only a few firms on the net just doing conny cleaning if you google it.

Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: glen parva on June 27, 2010, 11:05:05 am
we offer gutters fasica upvc cleaning and connys
always got work at the mo
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Darranvps on June 27, 2010, 12:22:05 pm
We offer property management and rentals in Bulgaria www.vps.bg
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: james44 on June 27, 2010, 01:27:20 pm
Quote
If anyone else is interested in that let me know. I have loads of info on it. And its not affected by the hosepipe ban.


any chance of some info vince

     jamesy000748@talktalk.net

Tried your e-mail address undelivered


thanks james44
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: martinsadie on June 27, 2010, 02:28:09 pm
struggling to keep up with windows without starting anything else
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Steven Shoreditch on June 27, 2010, 04:10:22 pm
 ;)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: actualcleaning on June 27, 2010, 04:48:06 pm
Im thinking of diversifying into football.I am sure i can score as many goals as the top paid english players did in this world cup... ;D
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Nathanael Jones on June 27, 2010, 08:56:50 pm
I do a lot of pressure washing work. It pays better than window cleaning & I really enjoy it too.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Londoner on June 27, 2010, 10:00:38 pm
Im thinking of diversifying into football.I am sure i can score as many goals as the top paid english players did in this world cup... ;D
You couldn't do much worse.

But don't take it personally just because the Germans beat us at our national pastime. After all, we always beat them at theirs
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Ian Rochester on June 27, 2010, 10:05:46 pm
We diversified into window cleaning, started out as carpet cleaning, now do just about everything
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Ron Rogers on June 27, 2010, 11:55:04 pm
Hi
I am new to this forum and this is my first post, i do lawnmowing as well as windows i call it glass and grass. I find they go together great and the lawnmowing is sometimes more regular than the windows every 2 weeks.
I have customers who have the grass and windows done on the same visit.
I also find that the older people like it as they have the same person doing the both jobs. When the grass season is over i am just on the windows.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: sherco on June 28, 2010, 05:58:48 am
I lay Natural Stone floors, clean and renovate Natural stone floors, i also do Carpet cleaning and have just started to offer window cleaning. Once you have done a job for a customer and got there trust they will give you other jobs if you offer them.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on June 28, 2010, 11:24:51 pm
gardening thats a add on to our business but going into internal cleans and carpets do anything me as long as there a fab price to it  8)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Pj on June 29, 2010, 12:03:22 am
Just do what you know works.  If you are good at one thing then strive to be the best at it!  No one will complain if you do a good job.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Portisgreg on June 30, 2010, 02:35:43 pm
I do 3D Animation/Visualization and "diversified" into window cleaning!  ;)
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Nathanael Jones on June 30, 2010, 02:37:47 pm
I do 3D Animation/Visualization and "diversified" into window cleaning!  ;)

That sounds like a lot of fun,.. why did you want to change?
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Portisgreg on June 30, 2010, 03:03:15 pm
I do 3D Animation/Visualization and "diversified" into window cleaning!  ;)

That sounds like a lot of fun,.. why did you want to change?

Hi Nathanael,

I was under a lot of pressure and I needed a change, my contract in London ended last august and I immediately started window cleaning. I find working outdoors and being my own boss is far better for me mentally however I do find it a bit mind-numbing at times so I've kept both going. (Not to mention wfp pays better!!!!)

Although, at the moment, I'm back at the same 3D contract it's on a 4 days per week basis and I'm trying to keep my round going on weekends! This "plate-spinning" is hard work but great for paying off all the money I had to borrow for a van and wfp system. Make hay while the sun shines as they say.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: AuRavelling79 on June 30, 2010, 05:07:19 pm
Hi
I am new to this forum and this is my first post, i do lawnmowing as well as windows i call it glass and grass. I find they go together great and the lawnmowing is sometimes more regular than the windows every 2 weeks.
I have customers who have the grass and windows done on the same visit.
I also find that the older people like it as they have the same person doing the both jobs. When the grass season is over i am just on the windows.

Interesting - do you strictly keep to grass (not other gardening) and do you strim it as well?
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on June 30, 2010, 05:58:35 pm
We do pressure washing and also do gardening - everything from turfing to planting schemes etc. Alan is the window cleaner, I'm the gardener but we both help each other. Works very well - people like having one person to do more than one job. Alan is always getting asked to do carpentry as well!
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on June 30, 2010, 06:00:22 pm
i would like to get into presure washing what cheap first set up and pricing do you recomend A & J?
thanks in advance, george.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on June 30, 2010, 07:43:14 pm
We are just using a top end Karcher at the moment. Pricing tends to be from £50 - but that would be a very small path area. A large paved area to jet wash and reseal could be £400. It's Alan's area really so I'll ask him when he gets back - he's out pressure washing!!
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: johnny_h on June 30, 2010, 08:13:27 pm
yes i also now do pest control
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: forestwindows on June 30, 2010, 08:58:01 pm
I have looked at carpet cleaning in the past and went quite a long way into it, also looked at pressure washing in its various forms but in both cases decided its better not to get side tracked. I was mainly put off because you would be constantly chasing one off jobs where as window cleaning is regular

I have a friend who hires out bouncy castles and that is a suprisingly good business at weekends and I have been tempted to have a go at that. It would fit in well with window cleaning and its money for old rope. I have the van already so I'm half way there. On a good weekend he makes £480 for a few hours work. Total investment about three grand but initial investment about £750 to get you started with your first castle.

There are loads of suppliers but have a look at this  site.   www.beetee.co.uk

If anyone else is interested in that let me know. I have loads of info on it. And its not affected by the hosepipe ban.

im interested in any info you got mate, thanks email drevitt@live.co.uk
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: Ron Rogers on June 30, 2010, 10:44:41 pm
Interesting - do you strictly keep to grass (not other gardening) and do you strim it as well?

I just stick to grass cutting, just strim the edges mow the grass and thats it.I do get asked to do other work but wont do it  i am trying to build up a good window round and want to spend more time doing that otherwise when the grass stops growing i wont have enough windows to clean. But it is a good add on  to window cleaning as a lot of people think if im having my windows done  i might as well have the grass done the same time save me doing it on the weekend.
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on July 01, 2010, 01:56:16 pm
We do full range of garden work - including things like turfing etc - avoid the hard landscaping though - too much hassle. Also, do a bit of office type work as back up. Way it is at mo best to have lots of options open!
Title: Re: Do you diversify???
Post by: lee09 on July 01, 2010, 03:30:01 pm
Interesting - do you strictly keep to grass (not other gardening) and do you strim it as well?

I just stick to grass cutting, just strim the edges mow the grass and thats it.I do get asked to do other work but wont do it  i am trying to build up a good window round and want to spend more time doing that otherwise when the grass stops growing i wont have enough windows to clean. But it is a good add on  to window cleaning as a lot of people think if im having my windows done  i might as well have the grass done the same time save me doing it on the weekend.

Hi Ron
If you offer 15 cuts per season at (for example) £12.00 per cut It would equate to £!80 a year.
Divide that by 12, (months of the year) and collect £15.00 on the first of each and every month throughout the year.
Gives your custies a regular amount to help them budget.
Ties them into your service,
Gives you an income through 12 months.
Just don't let them die in the Autumn, as you will lose out. This worked well for me.
Lee