Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dave98013 on June 01, 2011, 07:05:26 pm
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Hi all
Well lets get straight to it, after working for a company for the last 7 years iv had enough and really want to start my own business and have been looking around at window cleaning.
I do not have a lot of saving so would want to start of cheap and then invest back in the business.
I have been looking at the WFP systems and think they would be best. But am undecided about how to go about it. Would a trolly system would and then upgrade to a van later?
I currently earn about £1200 a month how possible is it to match my income?
What would you advise to a new starter? What is the best rout and equipment.
I have been reeding this forum a lot and it has given me a lot of help and insight. So thanks to all of you and I look forward to your replies
Thanks
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Hi all
Well lets get straight to it, after working for a company for the last 7 years iv had enough and really want to start my own business and have been looking around at window cleaning.
I do not have a lot of saving so would want to start of cheap and then invest back in the business.
I have been looking at the WFP systems and think they would be best. But am undecided about how to go about it. Would a trolly system would and then upgrade to a van later?
I currently earn about £1200 a month how possible is it to match my income?
What would you advise to a new starter? What is the best rout and equipment.
I have been reeding this forum a lot and it has given me a lot of help and insight. So thanks to all of you and I look forward to your replies
Thanks
If you need any specific advice drop me a e.mail.
I made my own system using another site, e.mail me if you want the plans i used.
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Where are you in the country? - makes more of a difference to your financial questions than anything else. Not that you'll get a staright answer on what you might earn. Oh no, indeed.
Other than that, try what I did at the start, namely to read through back pages on the forum - the answer to every question is there. Use the "search" facility above and look for keywords, e.g. van trolley. Pick posters who seem to give good advice and look through all their posts (click on their name then on the page that comes up, choose "view last posts of this person".
Avoid any and all threads that have the words "weather", "trad vs wfp" or "Man U" in the title, or your eyes will bleed.
Vin
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Im from the Lincoln area.... don't get me wrong I am not after a get rich quick just suppose im after confirmation that I wont be loosing money.
Also just after some guidance on how to start
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To match your current income you will have to earn more than £1200 p/m,
You will have all your business and vehicle expenses, no holiday or sick pay and need to cover for when the weather is bad.
Not trying to put you off, just some realities
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I currently work on "bank" so i do not get holiday or sick pay I only get payed for what i work so i normally just keep a healthy rainy day fund.
Any advice on getting started the best rout to take?
Any one from the Lincoln area?
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heres my tenpenneth -
dont miss the summer rush ,hit the streets as soon as possible. dont delay or doubts creep in. you should be canvassing this coming weekend -if you have no w/f/p ,beg or borrow a ladder, get a squeegee and mop,bucket and old towels, and start right away
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what difference does the winter bring?
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Not so easy to get new custies when its cold dark and snowing , always get more when the suns shining
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remember you have worked indoors for 7 years , now you will be working outside the weather can be harsh your way.
the answer to your question is if you do it right no its no money lost.
do your home work thou
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try being an astro naunt ;D ;D
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what do you think of this set up
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pure-Freedom-Pure-Water-Window-Cleaning-Trolley-Pole-/130526456668?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item1e63fbab5c#ht_2629wt_1141
also living in Lincoln i think I will need a RO system any guidence on them? How long can you store the water for?
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Ok i think i am going to use a trolly system but will also need a RO.
What RO system would people advice
Thanks for all your help
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water meter or not ???
some thing like a melin can be costly if yr
on a metre !!!!
merlin works well for me
4040 ro expensive if you dont have
the custys !!!!!!
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Nope. We are not on a meater just pay set amount a month.
Would you not say getting the equipment first then the customers is the best option?
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the problem is dave there are loads of vans/wfp systems on ebay because the guys couldnt get enough work to make it pay!!
if your starting from scratch without buying some work its going to be very hard to drum up business without a lot of work from you.canvassing and leafleting are your best bets.
the problems are you wont have enough money to live on if you go for broke and give up your job without some savings behind you.
also can you clean windows?trad and wfp take a few months to get used to and up to a decent standard at a brisk pace.
your best bet is to work with a local cleaner on a saturday while you do your other job to see if you like it.
when you work for yourself its a whole different ball game.you have to wear all the "hats"
your the boss,,labourer,manager,receptionist,etc,etc.there is a lot more to window cleaning than actually window cleaning!!!
taxes,insurances,accountants,no holiday or sick pay,downtime due to weather,equipment/van problems all have to be taken into account when pricing up jobs.if you price too low and your work is scattered all over the place you wont make enough money and you will soon get disheartened.
if you could buy some work as well as a cheap van/wfp system to start you off would be good.if not then canvass/leaflet like crazy for 6 months every weekend until you do.
the pressure of finding the work after shelling out on equipment/van and sorting everything out with bills outstanding is not a good place to be.
im not trying to be pessimistic.just realistic!its getting harder out there.there is a lot of competition plus you need to gain the trust,loyality of your customers which takes years to build up.if your a "people" person like me you ll find it easier to pick up work than someone whos shy and retiring!
ive worked outside since i was 13.started working on a farm in the school holidays,plant nurseries when i left school,landscape gardening etc and ive been window cleaning 18 years now.if you like the outdoors then great.
if you find it hard to even walk to the shops for a bottle of milk in winter then maybe you should think long and hard before jumping in feet first.
best wishes
dazmond