Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ArchieHughes on November 25, 2012, 09:39:09 am
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Hi All,
Ive been a member of this forum for a while now, When I first joined I wanted to try something that would allow me the freedom of self employment but also earn me enough to get by.
Since I was last on here my situation has changed, I am in the process of going through a Divorce and getting access to my two boys. I also recently was made redundant from my job (my nickname is lucky lol) so now more than ever I think the window cleaning business of reach and wash will suit me as it will give the flexibility to be able to see my children and play as active a role as possible.
I have been the local jobcentre plus and asked about possible business start up grants etc to which their is some but I need to get all the information together and wondered if people can advise on possible cost? I was looking at purchasing a complete 2nd hand set up including van rather than buying new as it would not be cost effective.
I would also be looking to gain some knowledge by working with someone for free for a week maybe to learn how the set up works etc, So if anyone is in the South Wales area and wants a free helping hand let me know.
Many Thanks All
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First and main problem with wfp is producing pure water and transferring it to the van.
If you've got a driveway,garage or nearby parking,you'll be OK.
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Sorry to hear about your problems, I have been there and greatly sympathise. It is a good thing you want to keep a close bond with your kids, and window cleaning will help as you can fit the business around your family.
It is not easy to start a wc business from scratch, but like anything in life you can make it work with plenty of effort.
I would suggest contacting local window cleaners, and asking if they have any spare work for sale as well as asking
for advice. The best way to gain work is to be professional . . . . . signed workwear, good website, business cards.
People respond to a positive person, so keep smiling and ask lots of questions ;D
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First and main problem with wfp is producing pure water and transferring it to the van.
If you've got a driveway,garage or nearby parking,you'll be OK.
if he doesn't he could have an onboard instead
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Hi
Archie if you're looking at starting from scratch including the van you're talking thousands not hundreds.
And that is second hand.
I started buying kit in March this year and I am several thousand in already ??? ???
Don't want to put you off but you need to count the cost carefully especially with a divorce and two kids in the picture.
Grants are available but the general rule tends to be - grant available only if the business has no financial chance of starting without it - i.e. you have no money - so you are starting at a disadvantage with your back against the wall from day one.
And you will have to jump through several hoops to get the money.
It can be done but if you have a bit of a financial backup for the hard times you will be less stressed,if not it could be hard going.
G.
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
Disagree.
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Where are you located?
Start up depends on whether you need to earn quickly or not.
Happy to talk you through setting up, I'm in my 5th year
And all my kit was bought through earnings not loans.
I started with , ladder , 10 scrims , 10 microfibres and
Mop n blade. Took half as wages and invested other half in kit
As I earned.
Call me if you want free advice on 07889998718, it's easier to
Chat that write, saves any argueing.
I'm now wfp and have van mount, back pack and trad .
Leave a message if I don't answer I will call you back
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Where are you located?
Start up depends on whether you need to earn quickly or not.
Happy to talk you through setting up, I'm in my 5th year
And all my kit was bought through earnings not loans.
I started with , ladder , 10 scrims , 10 microfibres and
Mop n blade. Took half as wages and invested other half in kit
As I earned.
Call me if you want free advice on 07889998718, it's easier to
Chat that write, saves any argueing.
I'm now wfp and have van mount, back pack and trad .
Leave a message if I don't answer I will call you back
Nice touch fella, this forum needs more like you.
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
Disagree.
+1
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Buy cheap . . . . pay twice !
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Depending on your water softness, you can have a full working van mount system, brand new for approx £1000 to £1500 including pole! You just need a half descent second hand van to put it in then. ;)
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Well least you got your name sorted
"Lucky window cleaners" ;)
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
Disagree.
so do I, you can get some right good deals second hand more so because a lot start up then quit, but I get what Dave is meaning too
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you should be able to get started for £100 trad. id recommend it , its very therapeutic mentally , as well as physically of course
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Even wfp would be cheap from your current car. £100 backpack 2nd hand ro £100 or knew one £300. 10 25 litre barrels which you can get for free. Then make a harris pole for less than £20 which 99% of normal somestic houses.
There you go your away from as little as £200 to start you off which will keep you out of jail untill you can afford van, full system decent poles etc
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
Stupid advice. Some great 2nd hand bargains to be had.
Through this site over the years i have bought and sold lots of 2nd hand gear with loads of life left. Not all people have a spare £1500 for a 60ft pole when they can get a decent 2nd hand for as little as £250 like i did, bit tatty but did the job.
1000 litre baffled tank £450 new got mine from ebay £150 perfect order and condition
Sureflow backpack £250 new got mine £80 all working fine
Second hand bargains to be had all over ebay and gumtree etc.
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
That's a very harsh statement. I have brought a lot of stuff second in good condition well priced and works perfectly
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Where to in cardiff you located Archie.I might be able to help you out.
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a cheap van for about £400 and a second hand wfp £4/500 and your away, i know just done it
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
That's a very harsh statement. I have brought a lot of stuff second in good condition well priced and works perfectly
And me :)
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
Disagree.
+1
+2
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second hand equipment is false economy, if its sold second hand, that just means its just about to fall to bits
I agree with Dave. Although the statement is a bit 'blunt' I have seen some absolute junk for sale out there - stuff that should have been binned. I've seen it mostly on Ebay. My list includes knackered poles, brushes, backpacks, pumps and some well worn van systems that aren't worth a 'bean.'
However, I have also seen some used equipment in good condition. How does a newbie decided what is good value and what isn't if he has no experience? Hence buying new with the right advise is good practice.
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Some large Items might be good second hand, but your average, 20ft pole will be on the verge of there clamps spinning, controllers less than half life gone, pumps the same, hosereels about to fall apart and hose ready to burst.
Why take the risk when the sellers want 70% of the new prices.
A little used 60ft pole is a different matter unless its over 5 - 6 years old with old style clamps and you have thouroughly examined first,, tanks may be a safe bet, as its hard for anything to go wrong with them..
I once bought a second hand static ionics system, served its purpose but after further research I could have had a brand new Purefreedon for the same price.
Its horses for courses, but new stuff is relatively cheap compared to second hand, why take the risk
Do you want to spend all your time fixing equipment, or spend that time cleaning windows.
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I bought a tank second hand (dont know why anyone would buy a new one), pump second hand, reconditioned di vessels, new hose and reel, new brush, made my own pole. I think I got the balance about right, only concern would be the pump but its been fine so far. I wouldn't buy second hand hose and reel because they get the most stick. Didn't bother with a pump controller, its something else to go wrong imo, without one I can work all day on 400l with a fair bit left.
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When I started three years ago trying to get grants was very very hard i had a business plan all done by a pro which was funded by business link and the job centre still did not want to know . I managed to get some funding for equipment though an other company called working links . The only thing I got from the job centre was a set of new ladders and self employment credit which you get when you sign of to go self employed it £50 a week for 16 weeks but you have to ask for it
Good luck Gavin
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2nd hand stuff is fine but if youre really green try taking someone with you when you get it-theyll have a better idea of how long its likely to last you.
www.laneswindowcleaning.com
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Many Thanks for the replies all. It is funny someone mentioning the jobcentre etc, I have been informed about the £50 a week for 16 weeks etc. I also need to enquire about working tax credits if im entitled as a single person now that has access to children.
On the subject of business plan, I will need to put one together in order to possbily access grant funding plus the jobcentre will ask for it as they will assign me a business advisor. Has anyone done a business plan for a wfp business?
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Hi Archie,
All you need to do for a window cleaning business is show how you expect your customer base to grow. This is a basic plan I used throughout my period of developing my Franchise organisation. I achieved better than the figures shown and reached each of my franchisees' chosen targets within six months. Consistent canvassing until the weekly targets were reached kept me on track, other enquiries enhanced the growth.
The layout is a bit rough, I pasted it from my Word document but the figures are all there. This is based on a 4-weekly repeat round. You will get other periods (6,8 and even 12 weekly) but as it's based on only getting the smallest jobs you will still be well over the figures because many of your jobs will be for much more than this.
Business Plan: September 2008
September:
During September canvass £400 Weekly round valuation: £100
(£100 per week, max of 10 jobs/wk at £10 each)
During October canvass additional £400 “ “ £200
During November canvass additional £400 “ “ £300
During December canvass additional £200 “ “ £350
(Slow month!!)
During January canvass additional £300 “ “ £425
(Still slow but improving - 7-8 jobs/wk at £10)
During February canvass additional £600 “ “ £575
(Early in year: best time to canvass - 15 jobs/wk at £10)
During March canvass additional £600 “ “ £725
During April canvass additional £600 “ “ £875
During May canvass additional £600 “ “ £1,025
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Ian did you canvas all the work yourself, or did you have help ?
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Ian
Great planning. I find it hard to relate to that though as my average custy is around £35.00. I picked up a £35.00 and £80.00 x 6 weekly yesterday. As I target the top end its harder to get but higher averages when you get them.
Maybe I should take your advice and target a few more of the cheaper end to fill in the gaps.
Just coming into my 6th month from scratch and got £1000 a month of regular work and about £200-250 one offs each week( connys, gutters etc).
Any advice mate or shall I just carry on as I am ?
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Ian
Great planning. I find it hard to relate to that though as my average custy is around £35.00. I picked up a £35.00 and £80.00 x 6 weekly yesterday. As I target the top end its harder to get but higher averages when you get them.
Maybe I should take your advice and target a few more of the cheaper end to fill in the gaps.
Just coming into my 6th month from scratch and got £1000 a month of regular work and about £200-250 one offs each week( connys, gutters etc).
Any advice mate or shall I just carry on as I am ?
Tony
Targeting the top end?
Is this larger detatched properties?
Out in the sticks?
Affluent areas?
I find most of these have security gates anyway so hard to get at :(
You're doing well at those prices - hard to get but you don't need as many ;D
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Granny
All of those. If they have a security gate I still buzz and 80% of the time they open the gate.
Never get cancelled or " not today thanks ". I also get the add on work once they have seen the quality of my work.
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Ian did you canvas all the work yourself, or did you have help ?
All the canvassed work came via me going out on my own and knocking. Now my Master Franchisee does it - building up his area.
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Ian
Great planning. I find it hard to relate to that though as my average custy is around £35.00. I picked up a £35.00 and £80.00 x 6 weekly yesterday. As I target the top end its harder to get but higher averages when you get them.
Maybe I should take your advice and target a few more of the cheaper end to fill in the gaps.
Just coming into my 6th month from scratch and got £1000 a month of regular work and about £200-250 one offs each week( connys, gutters etc).
Any advice mate or shall I just carry on as I am ?
Seems you're doing just fine as you are ;)
I target smaller jobs because there are more of them and I need to build volume quickly, so I can knock more doors in the same time. Also if they drop out, it's a smaller loss to replace. That's how I create a viable customer base. Larger jobs come via local advertising, recommendation etc and get integrated into the growing round to give a good mix of 'bread and butter' and 'cream'.
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Cheers Ian
Good point maybe I will target more bread and butter work
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Good advice here - thanks!
Good spread of different types of work seems to be the best option.
Canvassing results can last for years though, that I find, is the great thing about it.
Working today and I was thinking I have had hundreds of pounds off this customer - mind you I've worked for it - just because I walked up to their door and knocked and asked and this could go on for years and years and ........ :D
It's great.
G.
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Thanks all for the advice. I just wondered some of the figures suggested for example I am now earning £1000 a month after 6 months is this taking into account your outgoings for the business like chemicals, Fuel etc?
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Its not just the out goings like fuel exuipment etc you have to allow for, theres also holiday, sick time off for bad weather ( this can be weeks in a bad winter )
Most dont take this into account
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I started off just over a year ago, built my own 2 man system in my van, 2 pumps, 2 reels got 7 poles in total, upto 42ft. trad gear for 2 people, static 1000lt ro system.
Hot water system
In total with buying a berlingo van cost me £3000
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Hi Yeah £3000 was the total I was expecting. I was also wondering sorry to keep on and maybe best placed for another topic but Working Tax Credits etc. I have access to my children 3 days a week and wondered what I am entitled to self employed?
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Hi Yeah £3000 was the total I was expecting. I was also wondering sorry to keep on and maybe best placed for another topic but Working Tax Credits etc. I have access to my children 3 days a week and wondered what I am entitled to self employed?
not 100% sure. i think you can, you have to be working so many hours etc to get it i think. check with local job centre they would be able to help.
dont forget the time that you do door knocking, posting leaflets, or any work on the pc counts towards working hours!