Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on August 07, 2010, 09:14:39 pm
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for years i had old cars usually estates(sierras/mondeos etc)old trad gear, any old clothes for work,even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!notebook for keeping track of round.since joining this forum ive changed my image a bit and its worked wonders for my confidence/pricing and my attitude.my business is now steadily getting better!
small van/wfp
decent trad gear/gg3 detergent
uniform
george window cleaning program
i even have a shave in the morning!(most days!)
and ill be getting my signage on monday for my van!
any of you guys done the same?and has your business/outlook improved and changed?
i see some guys just like i used to be and i know we are both window cleaners but ive been enlightened by some of you lot and im not stumbling around in the dark anymore!
im safer,smarter and can clean ALL windows now and earn more money!its been a long time coming but im looking forward to building a better business!
now a PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANER!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
regards
dazmond
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I see anyone who comes on this site as professional , we are all basically sharing knowledge to help us improve what we do , every single member that signs in is taking the time to help themselves improve their own business and also help others in the process .
We can all learn through each others mistakes, which gear to buy , where to buy it,how deal with customers making window cleaning safer,and more profitable
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Well done mate. Plus you seem to be a decent bloke.
Best wishes Daz
Lee
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cheers guys!i also have business cards/leaflets,smart sticky self addressed stickers for envelopes,my WINDOWS CLEANED TODAY tickets also have my other add on services printed on as well.
90% of my work is in a very affluent area and its time to go for the better paying work and build another higher paying round.having a better image with better equipment i stand a better chance.also an old guy is winding down near me and he s got some very nice work that i want!! ;) :) :)
thanks for all the posts and advice good and bad!
best wishes to you all
dazmond
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i dont know how you survived for 16 years before you found the pole ;)
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You sound like a man no longer living in the past Dazmond.
Good luck to you, hope you make far more money now than you did previously.
I hope he makes far more money now cos his overheads have gone through the roof!
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any of you guys done the same?and has your business/outlook improved and changed?
Yes, and because of the listed improvements you plan to make Daz my income has risen 250% compared to 3 years ago.
If you want to see what work I do now go over to the dark side and checkout the 'My Day in Pics' threads, Ive put up about 8.
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i survived just about stan and 2 ladder falls!! :o :o
....but my knees are creaking after climbing ladders 100+times a day for 16 years.....!!
thankfully i dont have to worry about that now!.............................................................................................................................its my shoulders/neck and elbows now!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
birdymiller you always sound miserable and post as if you have a large chip on your shoulder!chill out!
ok wfp didnt work out for you!im just getting going!!!could you not master it?and did you have anyone show you how to use it properly??
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any of you guys done the same?and has your business/outlook improved and changed?
Yes, and because of the listed improvements you plan to make Daz my income has risen 250% compared to 3 years ago.
If you want to see what work I do now go over to the dark side and checkout the 'My Day in Pics' threads, Ive put up about 8.
Yes my own turnover has doubled since 2006. However my outgoings are also much higher. Subtract costs from tunover though and my profits are a lot healthier.
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rise and shine i HAVE made all them changes will the exception of van signage(van magnets should come monday!)
its like im starting all over again!!250% in 3 years!thats fantastic!well done!! :) :)
if i could earn half again of what i earn at present most weeks then id be happy!
overheads will be higher birdy but the extra money im charging for the awkward windows that i never cleaned before covers them already!so when im faster and gaps start appearing in my schedule ill be filling them with bigger better paying jobs so thatll be more money!also im finding its not that hard to work another hour or so longer in the day as im not as tired as tradding all day! ;) :D :D
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well done dazmond, u seen to have gone from a window cleaner to a window cleaning business, i had that sort of moment a few months ago and picked up loads of work, what u find is u want to start working more, it is easier to get out in the morning, u will start to think about employing again so u can grow your business, i am in the process of turning my van in to a 2 man van, if you really want to put the fire in your belly again go to the princes trust and ask about being a mentor for some one who is starting there own business, that usually makes you realise how easy the business is to run, when u r trying to explain to some one how to run theres
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
great stuff ,cleans the windows then collects the dirt ready for the next clean ;)
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hi darren your right most days i do want to get out early and work harder but im not planning on employing again!NOOO!! :o :o ;D ;D
Im planning slow but steady improvements to my business and taking on bigger and better paying jobs!im not after taking over the world of window cleaning!
1.take on bigger better paying jobs!
2.dump the underpriced or up the price by a few quid!
3.advertise!(sign written van/leaflets/business cards in shop/local posh garage)
REPEAT THE ABOVE FOR YEARS AND YEARS!until i have a round like roy hardings!! ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
4.NETWORK!ask custies for anyone they know who lives in large country houses with filthy windows!)
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
great stuff ,cleans the windows then collects the dirt ready for the next clean ;)
If only it would collect the money too ;).
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
great stuff ,cleans the windows then collects the dirt ready for the next clean ;)
If only it would collect the money too ;).
cant have everything ;)
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I might try that shaving thing and dig me old school (borstal) uniform out then.
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I hear what your saying , and the profesional window cleaner will be out on Monday morning . (hopefully)
15 years at this game almost ,, and i have had more poachers this summer than any other year ...
I am a one man band, may be i`m not as frequent as i should be , but the 3/4 minete converstaion at each clean when they they occur , has paid dividends over the years .
Customers , have said i want you to clean my windows ......
Why , a friendly service is offered
I wish you well
Shine On :D
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
we always use it :D
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even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!
For the love of God, no! Tell me you didn`t :o.
we always use it :D
I was joking. It was for the OP; I don`t see how the detergent you use changes your image ::).
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All I can say Dazmond is well down you have achieved what so many just cannot do. They are resistant to change. Stuck is a world gone by. Its amazing how stubbed some gits are, then they still knock you. When folk offer help to improve there lot. They are just thick. Keep going and change at a steady rate you will reap the gold as you go
WELL DOWN MATE.
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To the guy who said his cost will go up. You are so rite mate .BUT it will increase 1 fold to make ten fold. MR Negative. You could not see money if it fell on your head
:o :o ??? ??? ??? ::)
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What's impressive about you daz is not that you've made money or cleaned your act up but that you have had your mind and opinions changed.Being mentally flexible is your best asset.
In the early phases of your convesion i found you a bit irritating.The things you were asking were so obvious but you were reluctant to get on and do it.And you made excuses.You now make fewer and fewer excuses which is great.
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To the guy who said his cost will go up. You are so rite mate .BUT it will increase 1 fold to make ten fold. MR Negative. You could not see money if it fell on your head
:o :o ??? ??? ??? ::)
So if a trad cleaner who annually spends around £50 on his kit, his cost will increase to £100 and if he earns £25 an hour he will start to earn £250 an hour. I think something has already fell on your head mr wizkid :) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
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slumpy i know i went a bit overboard with the questions and i was a bit crippled with indicision! ;) ;D ;D ;D
but im getting better with wfp and most days im loving it!i try and keep an open mind on most things these days.
as for fairy liquid i used it for 16 years but it doesnt do as good a job as gg3 IMO.
im aiming to be the BEST window cleaner in my area and because ive added wfp it opens up a whole new avenue of business.im picking up more and more add on jobs such as conny roofs etc and they want them cleaning regularly so i can just whack another £15-£20 on the price of the normal clean(if their fairly clean).some want it bi monthly,other every 3-4 months.same with fascias/soffits but im getting these on an annual basis.not to mention the extra windows i can clean now with frames/sills cleaned as standard.its early days yet with wfp but in a year or two i can see ill have a much more profitable business.
regards
dazmond
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slumpy i know i went a bit overboard with the questions and i was a bit crippled with indicision! ;) ;D ;D ;D
but im getting better with wfp and most days im loving it!i try and keep an open mind on most things these days.
as for fairy liquid i used it for 16 years but it doesnt do as good a job as gg3 IMO.
im aiming to be the BEST window cleaner in my area and because ive added wfp it opens up a whole new avenue of business.im picking up more and more add on jobs such as conny roofs etc and they want them cleaning regularly so i can just whack another £15-£20 on the price of the normal clean(if their fairly clean).some want it bi monthly,other every 3-4 months.same with fascias/soffits but im getting these on an annual basis.not to mention the extra windows i can clean now with frames/sills cleaned as standard.its early days yet with wfp but in a year or two i can see ill have a much more profitable business.
regards
dazmond
these kind off debates always turn into traditional cleaners v wfp that's missing the point dazmonds attitude is what makes all the difference here.
he will do a good job whichever method he chooses because he,s showing a professional attitude good on him.
he meets challenges head on asks loads of questions to come to the right decisions and he,s not afraid of hard work or change newbies take note dazmond is copying a successful model he,s seen on here done by others nothing wrong with that.
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for years i had old cars usually estates(sierras/mondeos etc)old trad gear, any old clothes for work,even used fairy washing up liquid for detergent!notebook for keeping track of round.since joining this forum ive changed my image a bit and its worked wonders for my confidence/pricing and my attitude.my business is now steadily getting better!
small van/wfp
decent trad gear/gg3 detergent
uniform
george window cleaning program
i even have a shave in the morning!(most days!)
and ill be getting my signage on monday for my van!
any of you guys done the same?and has your business/outlook improved and changed?
i see some guys just like i used to be and i know we are both window cleaners but ive been enlightened by some of you lot and im not stumbling around in the dark anymore!
im safer,smarter and can clean ALL windows now and earn more money!its been a long time coming but im looking forward to building a better business!
now a PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANER!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
regards
dazmond
so no more peeing in the customers bushes then ?? or nicking their potted plants ;) ;D
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i dont know how you survived for 16 years before you found the pole ;)
That's just it - as a one man band on ladders I "survived". Now I'm wfp I can "live" a little more.
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Birdumiller your post just proves your small mindedness. WE are talking about a increase in volume in Business. He will be able to do more custys per day. Do work you cannot do at the moment. Try climbing up your ladder to second and 3 rd floor to clean glass. This type of work commands higher prices. This will all be possible with a pole and from the ground. I at this moment clean ground and first of a house for 10 to 12,50, if I put a 3 floor on top of this my price goes up to 25 pound because not many can do this work safely. You lack the vision that Dazmond has just discovered and you will be in the void of history, but please dont move on so we can make more money that you will loose out on.The only thing that fell on my head is blessings.
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To the guy who said his cost will go up. You are so rite mate .BUT it will increase 1 fold to make ten fold. MR Negative. You could not see money if it fell on your head
:o :o ??? ??? ??? ::)
So if a trad cleaner who annually spends around £50 on his kit, his cost will increase to £100 and if he earns £25 an hour he will start to earn £250 an hour. I think something has already fell on your head mr wizkid :) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
Birdy, what he was trying to say is yes the overheads have gone up, but only by 50%, compared to the income that has gone up by 100%. because he can get twice as much work done in the same amount of time.
Matt
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To the guy who said his cost will go up. You are so rite mate .BUT it will increase 1 fold to make ten fold. MR Negative. You could not see money if it fell on your head
:o :o ??? ??? ??? ::)
So if a trad cleaner who annually spends around £50 on his kit, his cost will increase to £100 and if he earns £25 an hour he will start to earn £250 an hour. I think something has already fell on your head mr wizkid :) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'(
Birdy, what he was trying to say is yes the overheads have gone up, but only by 50%, compared to the income that has gone up by 100%. because he can get twice as much work done in the same amount of time.
Matt
Yes because as soon as you pick up a pole your income increases by 100 % ::)
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The pole is very fast on bigger jobs, did a new cust last week. Took what I felt to be ages.
'Wow that's the quickest they have ever been cleaned' she said. It was a large 3 storey house.
But I think it's important to remember
It's not a magic wand
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slumpy i know i went a bit overboard with the questions and i was a bit crippled with indicision! ;) ;D ;D ;D
but im getting better with wfp and most days im loving it!i try and keep an open mind on most things these days.
as for fairy liquid i used it for 16 years but it doesnt do as good a job as gg3 IMO.
im aiming to be the BEST window cleaner in my area and because ive added wfp it opens up a whole new avenue of business.im picking up more and more add on jobs such as conny roofs etc and they want them cleaning regularly so i can just whack another £15-£20 on the price of the normal clean(if their fairly clean).some want it bi monthly,other every 3-4 months.same with fascias/soffits but im getting these on an annual basis.not to mention the extra windows i can clean now with frames/sills cleaned as standard.its early days yet with wfp but in a year or two i can see ill have a much more profitable business.
regards
dazmond
Great. The only thing i'd take issue with is you trying to be the best.It's important that you are proud of what you do, and it's imortant that the customer either sees or realises that.(as opposed to splash and dash) However dazmond you are not in this business to be the best, leave that to someone else.You are here to make money.If the customers love you thats great and a bonus.
Try and remember all those trad years of knocking yourself out and getting nowhere.You've got some years in front of you now to make a few bob.Don't look back and say i was the best window cleaner, look back and say i made the most money i could and it changed my life.
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i understand what your saying slumpy i try not to cut corners when working though! ;) ;D ;D
its a fine line between doing an adequate job and taking the pee with a quick splash and dash!
i am in it to make money but i also like to do a good job!the extra effort ive put into my first and second cleans will speed me up on future cleans!
i dont think ive even started making the most of wfp as im still learning!!(got a couple of first cleans still yet to do! ::) ;D ;D)