Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Andyt79 on April 18, 2011, 08:47:36 pm

Title: New kid on the block
Post by: Andyt79 on April 18, 2011, 08:47:36 pm
Evening all,

I've been lurking on here for a few weeks digesting as much valuable info as I can from what I can see is a great forum. I'm just about to start out window cleaning using traditional methods as I haven't got the funds for WFP just yet. It hasn't been my life time dream to be a W/C but I'm pretty fed up of working permanent nights in my current job and love the idea of setting up and building my own business  ;D

I'm in the process of getting some flyers done up and getting some gear together then it's off door knocking, to be honest with you I'm bricking 'em at the thought of it! Never been canvassing before.

Any tips and and tricks of the trade would be greately appreciated ;) I'm located in Canterbury, Kent by the way so don't mean to step on anyones toes!

Andy
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: easycleaner on April 18, 2011, 09:21:35 pm
Good luck Andy.
We've all been there!
Its a numbers game, just like getting a girl friend, ask as many birds as you can for a date and one is bound to say yes!!!
Mart
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: G Griffin on April 18, 2011, 09:35:54 pm
Good luck Andy.
We've all been there!
Its a numbers game, just like getting a girl friend, ask as many birds as you can for a date and one is bound to say yes!!!
Mart

You old romantic, Mart. Best not be too fussy when it comes to the birds either, eh?  ;D
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: easycleaner on April 18, 2011, 09:40:13 pm
So long as they pay!!
Mart
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: Andyt79 on April 18, 2011, 09:40:55 pm
Excellent advice thanks Mart! Speculate to accumulate and all that.
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: mci services on April 18, 2011, 09:44:32 pm
can you clean windows andyt? I would master that before I canvassed, practice practice and then practice some more ;)
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on April 18, 2011, 09:44:55 pm
when in rome  ;D
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: Andyt79 on April 18, 2011, 09:50:23 pm
Hi Stu, I'm off out with a w/c on Wednesday to try and pick up some skills, I don't fancy picking up customers and looking a right idiot not knowing how to clean! I also want to use the opportunity to ask him what sort of kit I need to get started. There's no shortage of friends and family saying you're welcome to practice on our windows!
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: mci services on April 18, 2011, 09:52:34 pm
Hi Stu, I'm off out with a w/c on Wednesday to try and pick up some skills, I don't fancy picking up customers and looking a right idiot not knowing how to clean! I also want to use the opportunity to ask him what sort of kit I need to get started. There's no shortage of friends and family saying you're welcome to practice on our windows!

good move can't beat on the job training
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: bobby p on April 18, 2011, 09:52:42 pm
i read on 1 of these forums a very good tip


DONT overdo the think, but DO  overdo the do !
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: Andyt79 on April 18, 2011, 09:56:42 pm
I think you're right Bobby the more I've sat and thought about it the more those niggling little doubts creep in, time for action!
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: bobby p on April 18, 2011, 10:05:21 pm
I think you're right Bobby the more I've sat and thought about it the more those niggling little doubts creep in, time for action!
hi Andy, everybody has doubts and it doesnt pay to be a thinker .

 i remember knocking on doors/cleaning pretending i knew whats what , with tunnel vision, acting as if i had no emotion ,thick skinned dunce , didnt understand people who said no etc     all that mattered was i stayed out there and got on with it 
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on April 18, 2011, 10:07:22 pm
whats your signature line about bobby?
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: steven ainger on April 18, 2011, 10:47:57 pm
another bit of advice,
 dont under-price just to get the job, you will regret it.
 find out what the going rate is where you live.
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: rosskesava on April 18, 2011, 11:27:19 pm
Just price according to what you feel comfortable with in the beginning.

Getting a good price comes comes with experience when you wear the job on your sleeve. It takes time to learn what's what and the best way to do the job and to feel confident doing it. You cannot run before walking.

Al trad w/c's started the same way and a lot who are now wfp started trad.
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: bobby p on April 19, 2011, 06:25:59 am
whats your signature line about bobby?

its to remind me to keep bamboo in my pocket  to slide into a yale lock of a particularly bad payer   when im  knocking her door.     im determined to get my money first though !
Title: Re: New kid on the block
Post by: Andyt79 on April 19, 2011, 06:04:41 pm
Pricing is one area I've been a little unsure on, I was thinking along the lines of charging a set price for the average window and adding a little extra for bays and larger windows. I've also heard that some w/c's have a minimum £10 charge and never go below this. Not sure which route to go down as want to get the quotes just right.

Thanks for all the advice guys   ;D