Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Colin Day on June 28, 2010, 10:48:19 pm
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I'm really losing the will to carry on running my own business because of the unpredictable nature of our industry and not knowing what's happening from one week to the next.....
I've been offered a job today and I'm really tempted to take the "Easy way out!" and sell up!
I will keep the oven cleaning equipment for the odd jobs as I wouldn't really get much money in return for the equipment anyway....
Am I being too hasty ???
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List the benefits and pit falls and sleep on it, what you could do is add another service like window cleaning to make you some more money and also you'll get ready made customers.
Shaun
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In this climate , unless you are averaging at least 2k/month turnover , I would take the job and carry out high priced jobs in your spare time,say 10 hours/week max.
Keeping all the kit for as and when you have enough work to make a good living full time
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i wouldnt be too hasty col. have a good long think
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If you stay on in business Colin, where do you see yourself in five years time or in ten years time. Eeking out a living or a very wealthy businessman?
On the other hand if you take the job where do you see yourself in the same timeframes? Still working for a boss and living from payday to payday or getting lots of promotion and salary raises from year to year. It's a tough choice to make.
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if someone offered me 35 grand, pension & 6 weeks holiday I'd probably pack this lark in
what they offered you?
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Same here Colin have a long hard think before making any decisions. To be honest I've had similar thoughts in the past and works always turned around and made me stick with it.
The problem with this business is the continuous outgoings and unless the work is there every day it doesnt take long to get into trouble.
My brother in-law is an accountant and earns excellent money but still cant believe what we can earn on a good day, week or month! On a good day I can earn what he does in a week but on a bad day I earn nothing.
At the end of the day pull out all the stops to get work and believe in yourself. When you start doubting yourself and our profession is when it starts going downhill I've been there and done that many times.
All the best,
Jason.
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If you choose to take the job i would still keep the Carpet Cleaning equipment as Jason said. Just do it as a side line. Just weekend work could see you get a extra few hundred a week better off.
Richie.
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You may see the job offer as an easy way out. I see it as the harder option. I've been in this game for almost 20 years and it's had it's periods of down turn but the one thing i've always valued is it's in my hands, working for a company or someone else I would be subject to their whim's and fancies. If I p*** off the the boss I only have myself to blame ;D When I first started in 1993 I took horrid part time jobs to keep us going, I had a 3 year old and one on the way so I had too and it caused many a domestic but I'm not sorry now. Remember you are self employed so you can do anything along with your own business.
If the job offers £30'000+ and it's what you want to do, rather than just a pay cheque, then take it. If you'll hate the work then I'd pass it by. I am of course assuming you enjoy carpet cleaning. It's tough if you have a mortgage or the economy is in uncertain times and I can understand your dilemma, but I'd look for ways to supplement your income, I took on a couple of small cleaning contracts for a building society, estate agency, auction house and caravan park. I still run 3 of those and one of them has developed into our single biggest client, but I only took them on until I had enough carpet customers and did all the work myself. It's odd how things work out because I would not part with one of them now.
You've got your head screwed on and I'm sure you will make the right decision for you.
Good luck!
Simon
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Even in these times it would have to be the perfect job (whatever that maybe) for me to stop working for myself. We are lucky in that we have a very low monthly rent (housing association property) so maybe this is part of it but, for me, the benefits of working for yourself outweigh the uncertainties involved.
I can see the temptation though and would definitely go with suggestions above of keeping equipment - you might be so p*ssed off with your boss within a couple of weeks you think this game is a good laugh ;D
Good luck
Simon
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Hi Colin
This is a tough one, we can all give our advise dependant on what's going on in our lives but at the end os the day, you know about your business and what the job offer is offering.
It is going to be dependant on a few things, as mentioned holidays, any pension and most of all actual take home pay.
Again as stated write a list down, what will you lose by going to work and what do you gain. Obviosly you lose a lot of freedom (depending on the job) but you also have to take into account your family and quality of life.
I went back to work part time 9 months ago, fri/sat nights 7pm-3am, it doesn't interfere with my business and brings in an extra £4-500 a month. I did it because business took a dip.
I do love working for myself as we all do, I like the freedom it gives me but what bugs me is the unpredictability that we sometimes get i.e. getting trapped on holiday and not working for a month.
At the end of the day, the decision is yours, just make the right one for you.
Regards
Martin 8)
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You appear to have not been fully happy with c/c circumstances for some time now Colin.
You like the c/c job dont you?
I think you do, but at the end of the day, bills have to be paid.
Your a "young" man with a family and difficult decisions have to be made.
Just think things through carefully.
What none of us know is what the next couple years particularly will bring, referring to the economic mess the country is in. Will business be the same, increase or decrease - none of us really know.
And we are all in diffeent circumstances. For me, at my age, I have no mortgage nor dependants other then the wife at home, so a "good" week for me may be 2/3rds goody week for someone like yourself.
I know you like the job you were doing, is this whats been offered you.
If the offer is something you like doing and you know you will have a good boss then it has to be having strong consideration.
Take on board comments that been put forward to you, but only you (with your wife no doubt) can make the decision.
Whatever you choose, may it be the best decision for you and your family.
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Morning Colin Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.If you do decide to get a normal job keep the kit for part time stuff as you can still be a damn good professional even if your main income is something else then maybe down the line return to it full time as you seem to enjoy it.Regards Alan(swindon)
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Fully understandable in the unpredictable world we live in and if married with kids the monthly cheque offers a certain amount of security.
By the number of machines being sold it appears quite a few have made the same decision.
As long as time permits you could still keep your business running and be able to consider other ways of doing things if / when the economy picks up.
I've been working VERY part time for the past 5-6 years due to some serious medical problems but it's surprising how much work keeps coming to me.
You have the luxury of an offer which many would jump at and it's all very well having some suggest you could be a " wealthy " businessman by staying in this industry. The only genuinely wealthy people I know in this industry own large companies with hundreds of employees and obtain their work through competitive pricing.
Anyway............Good luck whichever way you go Colin
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Colin I think you've only been down Cornwall a couple of years at most. It takes at least 5 years to build up a decent client base. This is when the business starts to pay dividends.
Lad up here had been going 10 years and decided to pack in. He got a job and it only took him 2 days to realise he'd done the wrong thing. He's now back on track with a little help and he's never been as busy.
Try and diversify a bit more, maybe do some fire and flood training, the works adhoc but a couple of decent jobs a year can really boost your income and you are in a very flood prone region. Even though the franchises get the bulk there is a lot of other work nocking about.
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Colin, think about window cleaning, it can work out very well along side with carpet cleaning.
Feel free to email me for any info.
Regards
Mr B
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if someone offered me 35 grand, pension & 6 weeks holiday I'd probably pack this lark in
what they offered you?
To be honest, nothing like what you've suggested.... And it's not even secure either :(
I've slept on it and I really want the business to work and I have to say that for most of the time, things are good..... It just seems that when my chips are down I start to see the grass being greener on the other side and an offer seems to pop it's head up....
In reality, I should know that things are never going to be easy, otherwise everybody would be carpet cleaning, so I'm making no hasty decissions..... Thanks for the replies all!
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Colin,
These are hard times and it's no fun for anyone, especially for you while you are still in the business building phase. If you could just tough it out and get through these tough economic times I'm sure you'll reap the benefits.
Remember, it isn't supposed to be easy - if it were everyone would be running their own business.
Simon
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At the moment I'm earning nearly as much window cleaning as carpet cleaning.
Glad I kept some work, was going to sell all rounds and concentrate solely
on the carpet cleaning side.
Pretty slow round here again after 4 weeks of not bad.
Still beats working for someone.
John
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don't you dare quit now yang man,
get pounding them streets with some leaflets col. you will get work from it. study where most of your work is coming from and target your leaflets at that type of house, contact all your old custies, and if you email me i'll give you a little tip for some work that i'll be trying out soon, not sure it will work but its cheap and worth a shot. ;)
its all about doing, like i said a few months ago, ive gone full time now, lot of people didn't get it but 9 to 5 regardless, and extra if need be. bluddy hard work but rewarding, just had my best month ever.. unfortunately i'm doing the books today, yawn.
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Hi Colin
Some good posts above and also the ones stating if it was that easy everyone would be working for them selves mate..
I know you did get an offer last year didnt you for employment?
Its is hard at the mo for most of the newbies am sure,some are spending vast amounts on the web sites to get work in too..
As robert said there seems to be lots of machines around for sale so thats a sign too that things are not easy mate..
Think if you do go for the job do you really want to be spending your time off stil working cleaning carpets or spending some time with yor familly mate..
good luck whatever you choose mate.
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Colin
Are you getting the calls but not the work, or aren't you getting the calls??
John
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How ironic that this has come up just at a time whem I'm thinking of packing in my job and going full time CC.
I dont earn a good wage in my day job anymore and when Ive paid my taxes and petrol to travel the 34 mile dailly round journey I have about £230 left.Luckily Im not the main bread winner anymore and my wife earns a decent wage.My kids are grown up and off our hands so personallyI dont think Ive much to lose.
Ive been going 6 months part time now and getting about 6 jobs a week that I do at weekends and evenings,and its too much now, its one or the other.I can earn what I have in day job wages from doing about 10/12 hours CC and build things up in the other hours.I havent done any leaflets properly for 2 months but get work from my website and a small adv in the weekly paper.
Having read the above I'm wondering if I'm doing the right thing going fulltime,I suppose a lot depends on personal circumstances.
What should I do?
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Wayne,
I don't know if you have an accountant yet.
If you don't, it's probably a very good time. There are lots of things that will actually be legitimate business expenses that you can offset against tax (totally legal).
That alone could make a big difference to how you are operating by paying for everything from net (already taxed) income. The decision may be a lot easier after a discussion with an accountant.
Hope this helps,
:)Garry
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Stay!
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Stay!
Cheers mate... Nick rang me today and told me to get off my backside ;D
He was as helpful as ever with a bag of good idea's, as are everyone who has replied to this thread, thank you to every one of you...... I'm staying :)
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Hi Colin
One thing that strikes me about you is your attitude. You are very motivated and a little pessimistic (and I say this in the nicest possible way). Some good posts above and 2 that stand out for me are Dereks (stand up and be counted!) and JK's (diversify). Use that motivation and manage the pessimism.
I have recently undergone several attackes on my business from people who simply have it in for me (this is from within the industry).
I have stood up, shaken myself down and walked into breach again, not allowing small minded zealots to break me. I am truly back on my feet again. I have diversified in many ways that do not affect my CCing business. In doing this I have changed all my approach and its paying dividends. I will not go into detail on here but perhaps you and me can have a chat.
I am on holiday the day after tomorrow and will be back on Friday 15th. Why not give me a call then and I will divulge.
Keep your chin up, as J says, it can be hard at times but there is often some opportunity waiting round the corner, you just need to be alert to spot it.
Pete
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I have been thinking a lot recentley
Recentley I got a book from Amazon on starting a Cleaning Company
This time British
The Guy who wrote it Rober Gordon claims he started a cleaning and maintence company in 2004 in Glasgowand Central Scotland and within four years had a one million turnover and 100 staff . he was 28 when he started. For all I know he might be one of you as he reccomends www.cleanitup.co.uk as the forum to go to for advise.
Then I saw Dragons Den on DAve a repeat of the guys from Newcastle and they were claiming to have bidded for 27million of contract work since being on DEn first off
Then I think of others on here Ian Rochester for example who appear to have a multi cleaning operation
What I am leading to is Great to Specialise in Carpet Cleaning but if you are not getting enough push other areas of cleaning
I have not really looked recentley but a couple of years ago I used to see vans from this oven cleaning company all over the placed.
They were based 23 miles from me but did a lot of leaflets across cambs, lincolshire norfolk and suffolk
So we have a lot we could sell
When I was in retailing I had 50K of stock staff bill plus 30k rent and rates to find money for so to scale up in this industry is small in comparison
As Victor Kahams said GO FOR IT
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So called "safe jobs" no longer are safe . My wife works as a nurse earns over 45k/year . plus pension , 6 weeks annual leave etc for a 37 hour week . 10 staff on her ward have been told that they have to rotate to days which means a 10k cut in pay , so they can rotate in cheaper newly qualified staff, saving millions across the trust.
If it is not an amazing job I say stick with the cc , make it pay.
If you need to talk over any marketing aspects feel free to call .
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Even prostitution has its ups and downs.
Shaun
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Thats a good post by Ian (above) It points out what can be possible, I started in 2003 and after four years had 30 odd staff and a 350k turnover from office and end of tenancy work, subbing windows, ovens, and carpets, things have been tough for the last couple of years, bad debts etc. I think it needs to be said at this point that you could be the best carpet, office or window cleaner in the world but if you cant do all the other things that is required to have and run a healthy business, then you have a high chance of failing in it. I and my partner have now taken our own choice to scale things down in our cleaning business, and in the very good position of turning work down.
Offering many different cleaning services in most cases will work. I have now got my fingers in a few other businesses, cleaning services is just one of them. Also, a very good accountant is a must! for any business.
I would not work for any one else again, but then again I left school at 15 with a couple of o' levels and a few cse's and went straight into full time work. If I was qualified to secure a 70k pa plus job with all the holidays and benefits I would maybe see things in another light :)
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Ahhhh Colin...........you just wanted a hug and you ended up several hugs and a couple of kicks up the back side ! All good stuff from a fantastic bunch of guys who are don't believe in failure.
Ian...............Gordon's have done well over the past decade or so and there's a guy stays just up the road from me whose a lot bigger than Gordon's and got me to clean his carpets recently.
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Even prostitution has its ups and downs.
Shaun
A brilliant business model - you have something - you sell it - you still have it. ;D
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And with interest :o yuk!
Shaun
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Colin
You are an honest and hard working guy who is finding CC hard going.
That was me 24 years ago, took the job on offer but it was never the same as when I had been employed before. I was older and had been used to being my own boss and all the bull and time wasting which I had put up with before was now too much.
I stuck it for 3 years and then went back to CC, recession of the early 90's hit but I stuck it out , survived and now make a good living.
You may need to do the same thing!
Cheers
Doug
p.s
I will send you an email regarding something which may help.
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working for yourself you are in control of your own destiny in these times no job is safe
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Good to hear your not giving in Colin.
Was close myself earlier this year when I went 2 weeks with no work and virtually no calls but then things picked up and the last 2 weeks were my best weeks for a few years.
If you can hang in there till your own turnaround you'll reap the benefits.
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Heavy Hole how do you try and get a part time job in the morning cleaning public toilets or something then do your oven cleaning in the afternoon and put one day by a fortnight for your carpet cleaning and see how you get on and if that dosent work try Asda all the best anyway.
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Heavy Hole how do you try and get a part time job in the morning cleaning public toilets or something then do your oven cleaning in the afternoon and put one day by a fortnight for your carpet cleaning and see how you get on and if that dosent work try Asda all the best anyway.
:-\ ???
I could be a drug dealer, you sound like you've got a good supplier already ;D
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or you could even ask Nick for as full time job cleaning his arse.
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Preferred it when you are quiet like the last couple of months Darren. ;D
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or you could even ask Nick for as full time job cleaning his arse.
Is that the sort of thing you get up to, being a druggy rent boy and all that ;) :-*!
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nah i was never in the Navy.
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nah i was never in the Navy.
Shame really, we used to have fun with Gobby Pikeys like you :-*
Always involved a broom shank, a place where the sun don't shine and a mess full of lads taking turns to kick it.... Sounds to me like you missed the job of a life time.... ;D ;D ;D
Where sun don't shine isn't referring to Paisly, by the way :D
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Lard arse thats a couple of times you've mentioned Paisley have you ever been just curious and if you think Paisley is bad you should see Renfrew.
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Paisly's minging, seagulls fly over it up-side-down, cos there's nothing worth cra**ing on ;D
Yes I have been, many times, used to make me appreciate living in Bangladesh :-*
A few of us Navy boys used to visit a fat lass at a place called Underwood Court, while her husband was out cleaning carpets ;D ;D ;D
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See col thats another reason you should stay where else would you get the abuse from.
And your posts do make me chuckle ;D ;D
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See col thats another reason you should stay where else would you get the abuse from.
And your posts do make me chuckle ;D ;D
Cheers mate.... I do love the banter... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hm8s6tTyh4 ;D ;D ;D
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See col thats another reason you should stay where else would you get the abuse from.
And your posts do make me chuckle ;D ;D
Cheers mate.... I do love the banter... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hm8s6tTyh4 ;D ;D ;D
Head the balls! lol lol :D
A bit uncalled for that Darren! Been on the buckfast lately?!
Like everyone has said, stick in there Colin! Working for yourself is exciting and an adventure! Just need to be a bit more aggresive with the advertising and marketing side of things! It does take a 2-3 years (if not more) to become truely established as a carpet and uhpolsery cleaner in your local area.
Do you have a website?
Plus, it beats working for someone else!! I mean who wants to do that?? ??? yuk
When i set up business at 17, after a couple of months i knew that self employment was for me, wild horses couldn't drag me away! But thats just me.. I'd make a terrible employee lol
Cheers
Tony
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Get a proper job for god’s sake. And that applies to all of you!
Failing that get your arse to collage and study something worthwhile. I need 5 electrical installers, I would consider any of you guys as long as you stick out collage for a couple of years. 32K pa standard with an ote of 40-45K with overtime. 5 weeks paid leave, and pension scheme.
I know one thing for sure, I don’t need a b**dy carpet cleaner! ;D
Matt
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32K pa standard with an ote of 40-45K with overtime. 5 weeks paid leave, and pension scheme.
As i said YUK! and i'll add another word, Big WOW's! (ok two words :))
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, I would consider any of you guys as long as you stick out collage for a couple of years. 32K pa standard with an ote of 40-45K with overtime. 5 weeks paid leave, and pension scheme.
Matt
throw in the company vehicle and I'll start on Monday :D :D
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i can't understand how someone turns over massive amounts of money every week, is looking to employ extra staff cos he's inundated with work and yet still cleans carpets for pocket money. ??? whats that all about ;D
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40-45K.....you can't even spell college?
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40-45K.....you can't even spell college?
Beat me to it ;D
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I tought is spelin was awright. ;)
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maybe you have to study picture making with coloured bits of paper ;D
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Yes please derek ;D
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Think the sun's been affecting a few ..................Colin's right about Paisley but it's no different from Doncaster or many other Southern towns.
My son's about to complete his first year in the Navy and there are certainly no ponces around, in the early weeks of training a couple were found and unceremoniously chucked out.
Darren............you should read your post.
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Lard arse thats a couple of times you've mentioned Paisley have you ever been just curious and if you think Paisley is bad you should see Renfrew.
Darren
Why do you do your shopping in Renfrew then? Is it because nobody will mug you. Even the seagulls take their own sarnies into Paisley! ;D
Bob
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Lard arse thats a couple of times you've mentioned Paisley have you ever been just curious and if you think Paisley is bad you should see Renfrew.
Darren
Why do you do your shopping in Renfrew then? Is it because nobody will mug you. Even the seagulls take their own sarnies into Paisley! ;D
Bob
;D ;D ;D
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Now you said you staying Colin, what you got to do is make it work.
I am sure Nick gave you some very good tips, as you know not only does he sell good products but he is also a hands on successful carpet cleaner.
Have you tried door knocking - dressed in your work outfit if its smart, and deliver your leaflets personally to the householder. Twilight hours best for this, when people are at home. I reckon you will get some good success.
And things are not as bad for everyone. I just had my best month since Nov 09, and before that Dec 08. Way up on last June. Job ticket dipped below £100 (£97.50) but there customers out there.
I think Derek also said his June was a good one as well.
Go and get it.
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Hope the mrs is a understanding as us lot colin ;D
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Thank you Joe, Nick did indeed offer some great advice along with everyone on here! (Including Darran "O" :-\)
The diary is starting to fill up again, but this time I "will" be a**d to neighbour nudge on completion of the job, "but" I'll knock and deliver as you suggest. ;)
Thanks again Joe......
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Hope the mrs is a understanding as us lot colin ;D
She read through all the comments and was very touched by the support and advice you guys gave.... :)
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Colin, glad you have decided to keep going, us Cumbrians are a tough breed
and had a lot to cope with over the last few years.
Have changed my pic to show my support, found this flag.
Andrew
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Colin, glad you have decided to keep going, us Cumbrians are a tough breed
and had a lot to cope with over the last few years.
Have changed my pic to show my support, found this flag.
Andrew
Smart, Marra ;D
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Robert you are right about Doncaster, Clinton will back me up also!!
Shaun
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Shaun ;D
Must say i age totally about donny lol