Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mark Eatwell on February 28, 2013, 11:21:44 am
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HI All
Recently been made redundant and having no luck finding work - 20 years of office boredom and hell !
Been thinking of getting into windows for a while anyway to see more of the kids but really don't know where to start.
Would any of you be kind enough to give me a few pointers and estimate of start up costs for WFP complete system ? My guess is £ 3- £ £ 4 k ?
Any help very much appreciated.
all the best
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Stay in the office its dry and warm
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Hi Mark,
There is a wealth of advice on here regarding equipment etc. Your biggest consideration is how to acquire enough work to earn a living.
Again you will find lots of advice. Almost everyone on here has started their own round and built a worthwhile business. It takes determination and self belief, and an awful lot of effort coupled with countless rejections.
Search through the posts about 'canvassing' etc - that's the best place to start.
If you think you have the drive and confidence to do it the world is your oyster and by far the best way is to build your own business, but if you want to consider becoming part of an 'umbrella' organisation where you have help and support on tap and a guarantee of work, have a look at our website: www.ianlancaster.co.uk
Whatever you decide, best of luck ;)
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Hi Mark. Where are you based? I'm always happy to have a chat with new starters.
Feel free to call me or email.
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Hi Mark,
There is a wealth of advice on here regarding equipment etc. Your biggest consideration is how to acquire enough work to earn a living.
Again you will find lots of advice. Almost everyone on here has started their own round and built a worthwhile business. It takes determination and self belief, and an awful lot of effort coupled with countless rejections.
Search through the posts about 'canvassing' etc - that's the best place to start.
If you think you have the drive and confidence to do it the world is your oyster and by far the best way is to build your own business, but if you want to consider becoming part of an 'umbrella' organisation where you have help and support on tap and a guarantee of work, have a look at our website: www.ianlancaster.co.uk
Whatever you decide, best of luck ;)
Many thanks Ian
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HI All
Recently been made redundant and having no luck finding work - 20 years of office boredom and hell !
Been thinking of getting into windows for a while anyway to see more of the kids but really don't know where to start.
Would any of you be kind enough to give me a few pointers and estimate of start up costs for WFP complete system ? My guess is £ 3- £ £ 4 k ?
Any help very much appreciated.
all the best
The first thing to think about is FUNDING.
How will you fund the setup costs?
I'm guessing there's either redundancy money or savings.
£3-4k would be sufficient for a small van and basic Water Fed Pole equipment.
If you can spare more it pays in the long run.
How will you replace your salary?
Many think you can draw a replacement salary from day one.
If you purchase work or a franchise then you can.
If you hope to pick it up as you go along you will struggle.
Can you afford a franchise/purchase work. Is one available?
If the answer to either is no what funds can you live on (Wife/savings/redundancy etc)
To really set up with a solid base I recommend you dont draw any of your income for 3~6 months.
After that time pay yourself 50% of the first months turnover. Repeat this (paying yourself 50% of the turnover from 3-6 months ago for the first 18 months)
Canvassing or leafleting?
Without knowing your area and background it is difficult to know what will work best.
One thing is for sure, of you never ask you never get.
Hit the doors and ask. View it as an 8 hour a day job. Chances are you will pick up some work.
Be aware that March is when all the part timers come out of mothballs.
Can you do the job?
The best way to find out is to work with someone for free for a week. Everyone's a winner.
Don't expect to be an expert overnight.
Don't give your money away to any fool that says they can help you.
Find out if you can do it first!
Most can be gleaned for free or with some reciprocal help.
Have a think and post your thoughts or give me a call.i
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THANK YOU very much, will read and come back. much appreciated.
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THANK YOU very much, will read and come back. much appreciated.
Unless you have ten thousand in redundancy to wade straight in I advise you to get a 3/4 day a week part time job such as B and Q or what have you; build your kit and fill up the other one/two days.
In a year you will know whether to go full time w/c or not.
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Great advice above, and good luck with your venture.
Just something to think about, I came from an office job and it's a big culture shock. Firstly, working in all weathers and secondly no more perks from employment etc etc.
Saying that I don't regret it for a second but you will have your days when you wonder if you've done the right thing!
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do you ever get hungry?
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do you ever get hungry?
???
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do you ever get hungry?
???
think about it. ;)
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Just don't do what alot of new guys do - spent a few k on kit n a van with no work! Seen it so many times
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Just don't do what alot of new guys do - spent a few k on kit n a van with no work! Seen it so many times
Good market in second hand systems though! :D
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best piece of advice I EVER got was from this forum
2 words
"Minimum Price"
good luck !!
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Come on Ian what advice is that two words, Very Confused .
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Come on Ian what advice is that two words, Very Confused .
Errmm......
What he said:
"Minimum Price"
................or am I missing something?
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HI All
Recently been made redundant and having no luck finding work - 20 years of office boredom and hell !
Been thinking of getting into windows for a while anyway to see more of the kids but really don't know where to start.
Would any of you be kind enough to give me a few pointers and estimate of start up costs for WFP complete system ? My guess is £ 3- £ £ 4 k ?
Any help very much appreciated.
all the best
THE BEST ADVICE is too buy my SLX35 for £250.00 of me,12 months old good as new
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Hi Mark,
There is a wealth of advice on here regarding equipment etc. Your biggest consideration is how to acquire enough work to earn a living.
Again you will find lots of advice. Almost everyone on here has started their own round and built a worthwhile business. It takes determination and self belief, and an awful lot of effort coupled with countless rejections.
Search through the posts about 'canvassing' etc - that's the best place to start.
If you think you have the drive and confidence to do it the world is your oyster and by far the best way is to build your own business, but if you want to consider becoming part of an 'umbrella' organisation where you have help and support on tap and a guarantee of work, have a look at our website: www.ianlancaster.co.uk
Whatever you decide, best of luck ;)
Many thanks Ian
Go with Ian Lancaster, He can show you all the pit falls,.
HE IS YOUR MAN.
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The part time job/build a round via canvassing and leaflets has to be the best route to go down.
Do not do what I done, which is get a loan, spend the bloody lot and have hardly any work to make the repayments... ive been to hell and back beleive me.
Best of luck, you dont know unless you try.
(working for someone for a day or two to get the hang of things is a good shout)
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Mark, what's your maximum start up budget?
How long can you live without an income?
Do you have a family who rely on your income for the basic necessities?
You'll get some better, more specific answers if you can answer these.
Also, working outside isn't easy, especially if you're from an office environment. I did 17 years in the army and assumed window cleaning would be easy. I was fairly fit and had spent long periods working outside.
I was ready for jacking it all in after a few months; the first few days nearly killed me as well (I started on ladders with next to no training).
People say, "It's only window cleaning", but to make a living out of it isn't as easy as some folk think.
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THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES
Budget wise i reckon i'm lucky enough to be ok to set up and for a while i don't have to be the breadwinner as missus just took a promotion.
I'm happy to start up my own and realise it'll take quite a time to do it with canvassing etc but it would be mine.
I have not completely dismissed the franchise idea and did go out for a day with one of Ian Lancaster's lads last summer. Honestly though i was attracted by the initial set up help and the fact that i could hit the ground walking but i was worried re the cost of the franchise and subsequent payments that had to be made.
in limbo really at the moment but think it could be a good chance for me to change my life - hopefully for the better and get a decent work / life balance going rather than being one of the zombies on the commute.
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Mark
Ians way is proven and very cost effective and definately a safe bet................If you dont like it you can always sell it back to Ian/Other in the future.
I started in March 2010 with no work and loads of equipment, we had a good website and started from there. We only clean commercial buildings and specialise in many types of one off cleaning services all over the place.........
the world is your Oyster - take advantage now you are free
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Mark,
Good on you.
Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs. If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it. Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.
Leaflet and canvass together. Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them. Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).
Get a notebook. Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense. Go back into the past to find good posters. Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now. Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot. Note what they do and take the best of their ideas. However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition. Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge. (not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)
Surround yourself with optimists.
Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.
When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough. It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop. Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.
Finally, the simple bit. If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.
Vin
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my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .
i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.
i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research
thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.
good luck to you all.
all the best
Mark
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my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .
i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.
i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research
thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.
good luck to you all.
all the best
Mark
Hey Mark,
If you read every one of perfect windows back posts you will not go far wrong.
For the time this guy has been in the industry, it shows just what can be done with the right attitude and commitment.
Shame he's a numpty though. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Art
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cheers mate -
we are all numpties though so the women say !!!!! ;D :D ::)roll :P
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When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.
Yeah i start eating at 8am and dont stop till 5pm ;D
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
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Hi Mark
Decisions, decisions, if you fancy a chat re on your own, franchising, change of lifestyle, feel free to give me a call number's on the website.
What ever you decide I wish you all the best.
John
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
Welcome to 1970 :o
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Before you do anything about kit what i would do personally is canvass like a loon for maybe 2/3 weeks.
Just say to people you are expanding or have relocated. Give them all your details and say you will be round to clean at your preferred start date. (dont leave too long though)
Get some quality flyers made up, a work top with details printed on and a map.
The quickest way to build a round will be door knocking!
Although we have found this not to be the best work it fill days easy and as you are starting out you have quite a few to fill ;D
To start with you will have work dotted all over and maybe none next door to each other. Dont worry just keep at it and IT WILL COME!
To build a round could take any amount of time, all depends what you put in to get the customers.
I'd say after year 1 you should be in a nice position, as long as you work at it.
Also go WFP from day 1. Its safer and more efficient. We done 7 years trad and wished we'd done it way way sooner.
Although WFP as you know has the initial higher outlay of the kit, it is way worth it!
If you need to start on a budget ladders are an option but if you can go WFP.
Just keep at it there are plenty of houses and people who want window cleaners, you just gotta find um!
good Luck 8)
Andy
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
Welcome to 1970 :o
Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
Welcome to 1970 :o
Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.
i betcha a million dollars on that . its funny that as soon as a trad guy gives his opinion on being a window cleaner the trad way theres a wfpoler trying to shoot him down. and its not about money either,when i started up as a windie about 5 yrs ago now i had enough cash to buy wfp gear 20 times over but it just wasnt my style -each to their own !
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my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .
i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.
i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research
thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.
good luck to you all.
all the best
Mark
You welcome ;)
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tks a lot mgba_78 and all of you ;D
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i take it from your profile your in london, should be able to get some free training off someone on here. if not look up window cleaners on web, ask them for a free days work to gain experience., been at it on and off for 25 years, ready to pack in a 6 months ago fed up, but gritted my teeth, went out serious canvassing , first time for 25 years, picked up solid work out of my town in the country viliages, love going out there now, especially now good weather is on its way. heaven. best part of job. cant wait to wear my budgie smugglers , the ladies love it. LOL.
gET SOME free experience before spending your savings. if you have transport you are already to start.
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Easy to start
If u need traing try the
Window cleaning college
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Shame he's a numpty though. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Art
Oi!
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
Welcome to 1970 :o
Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.
i betcha a million dollars on that . its funny that as soon as a trad guy gives his opinion on being a window cleaner the trad way theres a wfpoler trying to shoot him down. and its not about money either,when i started up as a windie about 5 yrs ago now i had enough cash to buy wfp gear 20 times over but it just wasnt my style -each to their own !
Fair point and I apologise if my 1970 comment to too flippant.
After I working off ladders for 6 years I went wfp. I just don't think to recommend starting trad, although all window cleaners should be able to trad.
He has many choices, but the best advice would be to work a couple of days with different guys using each method
Art
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I'm on my 4th time starting a round.
It's not as easy as it was 20 years ago.
Too many windies around, too many redundancy start ups.
I think you'll find the successful ones have one thing in common.
Self- confidence and self-belief.
After working in an office for 20 years this attitude tends to be worked out of you by the "system".
If you lack confidence tend to be shy, timid, or think things through too much.
Go out and knock doors and ask if people want a window cleaner.
You don't have to buy any gear, you don't have to clean any windows, you don't need any leaflets or transport.
After a week or so you will know whether or not to go ahead.
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I'm on my 4th time starting a round.
It's not as easy as it was 20 years ago.
Too many windies around, too many redundancy start ups.
I think you'll find the successful ones have one thing in common.
Self- confidence and self-belief.
After working in an office for 20 years this attitude tends to be worked out of you by the "system".
If you lack confidence tend to be shy, timid, or think things through too much.
Go out and knock doors and ask if people want a window cleaner.
You don't have to buy any gear, you don't have to clean any windows, you don't need any leaflets or transport.
After a week or so you will know whether or not to go ahead.
Agree :)
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add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .
most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders and i recommend it as a way of life
Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip
Welcome to 1970 :o
Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.
They are round here, its very rare to see wfp I haven't come across a custie who's ever seen it yet
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carpet cleaning im telling ya ;D ;D
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Halfdaylee may apologise to robertphil but in 2013 with wfp equipment so readily available then for him to recommend to a father of three that he start on ladders is very bad advice indeed. >:(
Not a season goes by without the death or maiming of some window cleaner on ladders being reported on here. And still the "I'm safe, I've done this X years, it won't happen to me!" mentality of some gets posted.
In this day and age it is better not to be a window cleaner than to start up trad. Unthought through foolishness does not begin to describe it.
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Stay in the office its dry and warm
;D ;D ;D
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Halfdaylee may apologise to robertphil but in 2013 with wfp equipment so readily available then for him to recommend to a father of three that he start on ladders is very bad advice indeed. >:(
Not a season goes by without the death or maiming of some window cleaner on ladders being reported on here. And still the "I'm safe, I've done this X years, it won't happen to me!" mentality of some gets posted.
In this day and age it is better not to be a window cleaner than to start up trad. Unthought through foolishness does not begin to describe it.
It is his choice though you cant take that away, my apology was for failing to remember I started this way and some guys only work this way.
Every day people have car accidents, but we still drive. It is a calculated risk.
I never give bad advice ;D
Art