Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colley614 on January 29, 2012, 12:59:12 pm
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Hi Guys,
I've been determined to start out for about 6 months to a year now. I've got a van, bought a reach and wash and ladders, traditional gear. I've basically bought everything I need to get going the only thing I need is the work. I've got to the point now where I could start building my round at the weekend and am wanting to get a canvasser involved to help me with building a round and I'm really looking forward to the hard work ahead.
However, My current employer really has the hump with the idea of me starting out on my own and said if he heard anymore on the subject that he would sack me on the spot. I know he has put me through some good courses which I said due to his willing to put me on the courses in the past I would be willing to do any work for him that my qualifications were needed on the jobs he had and I would do it for the wage I'm on now. He said that was insulting but I honestly believe I would be better off on my own and provide a better future for my family. I have really gone out my way for my employer on a considerable number of occassions work 16 hour shifts when he hasn't had the man power to complete jobs he has taken on but all that seems erelevant now to him.
I need to use my van to get to work and if he spotted my system in the back or if he found out I was doing work at the weekends I think he would sack me on the spot. What would you guys do?
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Well I'd save up and buy my own transport and then use that to start out. Don't bite the hand that feeds you mate ;) It's not only the sack you should consider, getting pinched for no insurance is also on the cards if you're using his van.
Good luck
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Its his own van....
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Whoops I stand corrected :)
I'm going out now, I can't read properly today :'(
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What reason would he have for sacking you, carry on as you are and just before leaving, let him sack you and sue the pants off him, and i am an employer
idealrob
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Keith come and see me and we will work something out I've gotta drop me lad off at 7ish in new ferry if ya fancy a pint
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Yeah that would be boss mate. Were about where you thinking?
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What reason would he have for sacking you, carry on as you are and just before leaving, let him sack you and sue the pants off him, and i am an employer
idealrob
He doesn't have a valid reason to sack me. Although he does seem to have temper tantrums as bad as my three year old. In his clients eyes which are major commercial clients they say I am by far the best and most professional window cleaner they have ever met.
I have never had any ideas about approaching these people either.
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Il give u a call bout 6ish got all three kids today been hectic!!
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Bin him, start ur own empire, just like us..
Good luck
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Il give u a call bout 6ish got all three kids today been hectic!!
Sound mate.
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Pick his brains where you can and start up on your own
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Your doing the right thing by starting by working weekends i did simliar, i set myself what i was wanting to earn in a day say £100 4x sat month =£400 it took me 6 months once i reached this point and in that time i never took a hoilday from my fulltime job and so had about 3 week due to take, used they 3 weeks to go cavnessing everyday and had got £600 of work by the end of 3 week, on the monday i went back work handed in notice brillant feeling never forget it and have never looked back
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Pick his brains where you can and start up on your own
Don't mean to sound big headed but the guy I work for knows nothing of window cleaning although he thinks he knows it all. He has never cleaned a window in his life but was given over £100k in window cleaning work handed to him.
I have spent mosr of my last 10 years working on big commercial contracts so I know exactly what I'm looking at whenever I go to a new site.
I am personally sick of having to explain why this happened and how that works, if everything goes wrong I get a phone call asking what to do so the company expects me to be reactive. Then I try to be proactive and say "well if we do this then that won't happen..." but it falls on deaf ears. I have been told before. your ways good but our way is better. This is the main reason why I have been thinking of starting on my own because I'm sick of being told to do stupid things like reach and wash windows off the top of a ladder and when I refuse they say well if you don't want to work theres the door.
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We will get you over 100 for each saturday so you will be in front and have a good base very quickly, and with our payment methods you wont have to lay any money out up front(apart from expenses). Thats if you still want my services lol....
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I'll be honest mate. I was dying to call you Friday to get the ball rolling but its the thinking I could get sacked while I need the wage thats put me off. You know what George sod it, lets get the ball rolling!
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Your doing the right thing by starting by working weekends i did simliar, i set myself what i was wanting to earn in a day say £100 4x sat month =£400 it took me 6 months once i reached this point and in that time i never took a hoilday from my fulltime job and so had about 3 week due to take, used they 3 weeks to go cavnessing everyday and had got £600 of work by the end of 3 week, on the monday i went back work handed in notice brillant feeling never forget it and have never looked back
That's my dream as well. I finish fridays at 3pm and Mon- Thurs 4pm (often earlier) and weekends are free. Did you just clean Saturdays?
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See the part of my problem is my boss likes to spring on me on a Friday that I'm working all weekend and if I refuse his eyebrow will raise. He has already constructively dismissed 1 person who was refusing to work weekends and another that he thought had his own round at the weekend. He also seems to give himself a pat on the back for doing the dirty on people. He once blew one of our ex employees up for working cash in hand for a few hours a week once. I know its wrong but the guy was on the dole and was only doing it to see if he could get a full time job out of it. Then my boss probably rewarded himself with getting his car valeted.
I don't really want to end up loosing my house over something thats not illegal just because he see's his bum with me and lays me off.
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Only you can decide colley, i would work out what i needed to survive and get that amount asap then build from there...
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George I reckon I need £580 a month as a personal survival budget. Anything over that would be disposable income, well it would go back into the business.I mean I wouldn't owe it out on bills
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George I reckon I need £580 a month as a personal survival budget. Anything over that would be disposable income, well it would go back into the business.I mean I wouldn't owe it out on bills
Jesus, I needed that amount in 1976.
With such a low figure tell him to shove his job and get out there and so it for yourself.
Good luck
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Everything over £580 per month is disposable income?????
God I wish I had your bills lol!!!!!
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Don't get me wrong thats only the bills my missus can't afford to pay and if I had that much work and only that much work I wouldn't even be able to change a rubber in a squeegee.
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If you wanted 150 every saturday I could do that no problem, you then have your 600 a month ish. String him along for two months to pay me and you would be there.... Then we can look at building you a proper business and its all good....
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Ok then george lets go for it! when can you book me in?
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If you're just starting mate why 1000+ posts, a website dated 2007 and a very first post in 2007 asking the very same questions!?
I'm sure there's a perfectly logical answer, but before offering any advice, I thought is ask!?
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Pretty booked up but I will see if I can move things around and let you know tomorrow mate....
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Looks like a longadvert to me.
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If you're just starting mate why 1000+ posts, a website dated 2007 and a very first post in 2007 asking the very same questions!?
I'm sure there's a perfectly logical answer, but before offering any advice, I thought is ask!?
Because I started up a business back in December 2006 and I had to close it down due to a big customer pulling out on me. I think I posted back in November last year I posted a thread saying I was thinking of starting back up. Since then I have cancelled every bill that is not needed, part ex'd my car for a van, saved up for a reach and wash and basically squirreled every spare penny I can into starting back up. If you look at my latest posts non really ask how do I use this kit or that as I'm very knowledgable on the cleaning side of things. Its more the getting off the ground that I'm thinking about and if I didn't do the taking off bit right first time. I thought it would be best asking a gang of guys who have got a window cleaning business off the ground for much respected advice.
Well spotted though mate!
Well
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No, I'm still struggling. You must have got off to a good start in order to attract the big customer right!?
But anyway...
I would say. If the boot was on the other foot, do you think your boss would think twice about getting rid if he lost contracts. It's sounds not. I also spotted, that you did quite well getting your own work last time. No offence GD. And I hate to take work from someone, but if you managed before colley, why you fretting!?
Just bite bullet mate.
Do you give the work your site generates to your boss, or have you been turning it down!?
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You know what Inside out I've just been thinking long and hard about what your saying and I don't really know why I'm fretting. I just think it is because I remember getting the ball rolling last time to be a hard slog for 12 months. But then I learnt enough last time to fast track me through that period.
I suppose I did do very well last time but your the only person to hold a mirror up in a positive manner so thanks for that you have made me feel more confident in myself.
My site doesn't generate much work as I only had it on business cards and leaflets but I'm going to have it revamped by my cousin who is a graphic designer and computer games programmer in the spring. I have given my boss a few big jobs though. A few big office blocks and a big nursing home. I never got so much as a thanks for them.
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I wasn't being funny. Knew there would be a simple explanation.
I think you should be giving the advice by sounds....how can I get some commercial :P ;D
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Seriously the best way is to get a hand full of leaflets and pop in your local office blocks, nursing homes, hotels and stuff and try to catch the boss.
Also speak to Gemma from roundbuilders, you'll find my testimonial on her site.
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Ahem, I would happily help on the commercial side lol I have plenty of work on at the moment so would not advise anyone just for my benefit. People use my services for a variety of reasons, not just they cant do it themselves.
And if you look on other threads I give my advice to others who are doing it for themselves...
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I've seen mate. You seem a good chap too. I just wasn't understanding colleys thoughts. I see you're working hard. And will love to use you if I need the help. On hold....
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Go for it mate you will never look back
I worked for a guy for nearly two years-canvassed for him, worked weekends, never had a day off and sweated my arse off to make good money - he didn't give two hoots about me and I don't regret for one second dumping him and going it alone
It was hard to start with and I could honestly say I could use a few more quid a month but I'm happy and ive got some loyal customers now who appreciate seeing the same face each month and that keeps building :)
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Cheers for that inside out, talk to you soon then hopefully...
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Your doing the right thing by starting by working weekends i did simliar, i set myself what i was wanting to earn in a day say £100 4x sat month =£400 it took me 6 months once i reached this point and in that time i never took a hoilday from my fulltime job and so had about 3 week due to take, used they 3 weeks to go cavnessing everyday and had got £600 of work by the end of 3 week, on the monday i went back work handed in notice brillant feeling never forget it and have never looked back
That's my dream as well. I finish fridays at 3pm and Mon- Thurs 4pm (often earlier) and weekends are free. Did you just clean Saturdays?
yes , i canvessed during the week and cleaned them on sat
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Just look what's best for you and your family.
Believe me - that's what he is thinking right now.
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Thanks for the advice guys George, I want to use your services regardless of anything else. I have made a decision and have given you my word that I will be using you. As I said on the phone I would prefer to be working on glass than doing any canvassing. I believe what people on here are saying enough to prove your services worth while. Don't get me wrong I will canvass myself if need be but I am using your figures to work out my sales forecasts anything I did would be a bonus and plus I am looking at committing to getting canvassing done long term not just here and there.
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I will speak to you tomorrow and we will work out a plan...
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You know what Inside out I've just been thinking long and hard about what your saying and I don't really know why I'm fretting. I just think it is because I remember getting the ball rolling last time to be a hard slog for 12 months. But then I learnt enough last time to fast track me through that period.
I suppose I did do very well last time but your the only person to hold a mirror up in a positive manner so thanks for that you have made me feel more confident in myself.
My site doesn't generate much work as I only had it on business cards and leaflets but I'm going to have it revamped by my cousin who is a graphic designer and computer games programmer in the spring. I have given my boss a few big jobs though. A few big office blocks and a big nursing home. I never got so much as a thanks for them.
WELL WHEN YOU HAVE MADE THE LEAP OUT ON YOUR OWN I WOULD RE CANVASS THE JOBS YOU GAVE HIM. YOUR BOSS SOUNDS LIKE AN A55 HOLE!
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He can be decent bloke at times. At others he acts like a spoilt toddler. I'm convinced he set his business up purely for the power trip!