Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Rob_Mac on November 27, 2010, 08:01:41 am
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I've just been reading a post in the carpet cleaning section and it got me thinking.
What are your expectations, how do you hope to achieve them and where do you want to be be??.
My expectations are to have a self sustaining business that will give me a good standard of living and the potential to sell on if I have had enough. I am hoping in the next couple of years to step away from the day to day work and manage the business through sub contracting and employing one or two key people.
I am achieving my expectations by not compromising on the quality of the end product, working very hard, networking and doing whatever it takes to make it happen for my clients.
I am very aware of what I started out with and where I started from. I don't have unreal expectations and I make sure that I remain client focused.
When I did start I was earning £6.00 per hour in a warehouse and I aspired to earn double that. I could never imagine the day where someone would hand me a £20.00 note for 20 minutes work. I certainly never imagined presenting invoices to substantial companies and the VAT element being worth more than I previously earned in a month.
I have drive and determination and an uncanny ability to know what the client wants.
If you have belief, quality and determination you can achieve whatever you want but you have to be patient as well!!!
Rob ;D
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thank you sensai ;)
my ultimate goal is to be healthy and happy. If i have some extra bunce on the side then i'm a winner ;) ;D
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There isn't enough positivity on here Steve!!
I got a neighbour to sort out the logos - they have come back looking really good. I will send a copy to your email.
Another lesson next week ;D
Rob ;D
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send me it over and i'll take a look. i was gonna send you a mail at some point for a 'chat' ;)
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its time to set more goals for the future!i review prices around jan/feb then tell custies in march they will be going up from april.
i want to actively target bigger exclusive properties on 2/3 monthly frequencies.
no plans to employ just more quality work and maximize hourly rate.
upgrade van and system within 2 years.
dazmond
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Rob,
I've "followed" you over the last couple of years and your business seems to be going well.
I have a decent sized window cleaning business, and over the years I have been gutter cleaning, pressure washing etc...
But, at the moment I feel that just concentrating on window cleaning is the way forward... It's regular, repeat business.
However, my natural urge is to grow beyond just window cleaning...
What made you chase the larger contracts? Offer drainage services etc..?
Thanks,
Andy
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I found myself in one of those situations, call it right place, right time or I worked well enough and hard enough for someone to notice.
When I went onto the industrial cleaning for the supermarkets there was no schedule or 'expectation' by the client. It was very much of the attitude 'let the internal cleaners do it with their mop and bucket'
We went in with industrial pressure washers and a get the job done right mentality and it was a natural progression to offer the client/s a fuller service that would take care of all requirements. Keep the competition out.
Again the service got noticed and other clients came on board.
It has not been easy, there has been many times where cash has not been available to just get to works, machines have broken and it constantly needs retuning as the business grows. Some of the equipment has not moved for a couple of years but it is available.
I don't believe that you need the work for the equipment, I get the equipment and then go and get the work.
Money is my principle reason for moving away from window cleaning. It cost me a great deal to employ and run a window cleaning business. Not massive profits but I always believed there was good money to be made, way above window cleaning. I may have the same turnover now but I make a lot more profit.
Rob ;D
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Hi M-CLEAN hAVE READ YOUR POST WITH GREAT INTEREST . WHAT SIDE OF YOUR BUSINESS WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE BIGGER EARNER AND HOW FREQUENT . I WOULD ALWAYS SAY NOT TO BURN YOUR BRIDGES IE W.CLEANING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHATS AROUND THE CORNER
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Pressure washing! I am still building a window cleaning business locally and even that will pay more than I could do with an employee because I have learned to charge what I want and not what I think they are willing to pay!
Rob ;D
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I think my whole attitude is different now. I know I have a value, I am very good at all of my services but I have multiple services to rely on revenue stream.
Also if I lose my supermarket works I have window cleaning, carpet cleaning, drain jetting, roof cleaning etc to develop further revenue streams and I already have the equipment.
If you want me you pay well for me - for that I get the job done as quickly as possible and to a very high standard. I then get out of your way!
Rob ;D
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I already run a profitable business and think i know how to do that now.
im always learning new stuff especially with employing scheduling the work (not to much but not to little)
i also especially since not doing much on the tools have found motivation a hard thing to come by going gym and then doinbg f all, maybe it got to easy.
over the last 4 weeks iv started to find my drive doing more work on the tools has deffinatly helped keep me in touch.
i plan to grow my business to 250k turnover by april2012 i know thats turnover but like iv said i know how to make it profitable.
if i make that iv pronised my self a nice little gift.
wheni hit this target i will review things, i may want to contnue to grow but i guess you have to becareful it doesnt get too big?
M-clean glad things are still going well
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Rob. Its a nice change on here to get some upllifting advice/comments.
I have just started in the pressure washing sector and think it will add to my window cleaning business very very well.
Very handy on WET Snowy days. Helped me out alot this week.
Pressure washed a new drug rehab building in the sleet and snow earned more in 4 hours than a day on the pole.
Thanks for your post.
Reviewing my goals this morning.... anything IS possible.
Have a good day all.
Sledging with my lads this afternoon.
Happy days
:)
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I think my whole attitude is different now. I know I have a value, I am very good at all of my services but I have multiple services to rely on revenue stream.
Also if I lose my supermarket works I have window cleaning, carpet cleaning, drain jetting, roof cleaning etc to develop further revenue streams and I already have the equipment.
If you want me you pay well for me - for that I get the job done as quickly as possible and to a very high standard. I then get out of your way!
Rob ;D
Hi Rob
with the supermarkets do you do any work in production or packing areas if you do then i suggest you look into getting a gangmaster licence this is already law but has been a bit of a grey area where cleaning is concerned but now they are beginning to enforce this law on the cleaning side and believe me you soon wont do any work in production or packing areas for supermarkets without a licence
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What are your expectations,
If I don't die prematurely in a car crash or something, I expect I'll get cancer, be in pain and suffer for a period of time and then I'll die.
In the meantime, I'll just try and be as nice, loving and kind to my family as possible, so someone will visit my funeral!
That's not being pessimistic; just realistic! ;D
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What are your expectations,
If I don't die prematurely in a car crash or something, I expect I'll get cancer, be in pain and suffer for a period of time and then I'll die.
In the meantime, I'll just try and be as nice, loving and kind to my family as possible, so someone will visit my funeral!
That's not being pessimistic; just realistic! ;D
lmao
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Trevor
It is all external works, I rarely get into the stores anymore. I have cleaned about 40 stores externally this year and have spent about one hour across them all inside, probably going to the toilet!!!!
I have some very good friends who do work in those areas can you give me a bit more detail
Rob ;D
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Trevor
It is all external works, I rarely get into the stores anymore. I have cleaned about 40 stores externally this year and have spent about one hour across them all inside, probably going to the toilet!!!!
I have some very good friends who do work in those areas can you give me a bit more detail
Rob ;D
Rob i have sent you an email
Trev
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Trev
Thanks for that. I think my operations are away from any legislation. As you say that is to do with the processing plant operations and I do not get anywhere near them (not yet anyway).
All of my works are on live, new build and live stores with extensions or refurbishment programmes which is way away from the area you are working in.
Good luck getting your license sorted and thanks for the heads up!!
Rob ;D
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I've just been reading a post in the carpet cleaning section and it got me thinking.
What are your expectations, how do you hope to achieve them and where do you want to be be??.
My expectations are to have a self sustaining business that will give me a good standard of living and the potential to sell on if I have had enough. I am hoping in the next couple of years to step away from the day to day work and manage the business through sub contracting and employing one or two key people.
I am achieving my expectations by not compromising on the quality of the end product, working very hard, networking and doing whatever it takes to make it happen for my clients.
I am very aware of what I started out with and where I started from. I don't have unreal expectations and I make sure that I remain client focused.
When I did start I was earning £6.00 per hour in a warehouse and I aspired to earn double that. I could never imagine the day where someone would hand me a £20.00 note for 20 minutes work. I certainly never imagined presenting invoices to substantial companies and the VAT element being worth more than I previously earned in a month.
I have drive and determination and an uncanny ability to know what the client wants.
If you have belief, quality and determination you can achieve whatever you want but you have to be patient as well!!!
Rob ;D
I salute you Rob, what a fantastic attitude.
I am sure you will achieve what you want to achieve sooner than you think.
Bosh
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My plans next year are to max out my window cleaning til the point i need to get a lad to work with me.
so that means another 200 customers.
While thats happening, will be advertising via leaflets and the web for connie and upvc cleaning, which is a large part of my work in the summer.
i also started pest control last year, which also keeps me on my toes in the summer.
So, end of next year, bigger van with 2 man set up, and ready to take someone on.
I always hit my goals yearly, as i make them achievable.
Always plan ahead, that way you only fail if you let it!!! ;)