Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mr Sparkle on July 14, 2014, 11:21:45 am

Title: Early starts
Post by: Mr Sparkle on July 14, 2014, 11:21:45 am
What's the earliest you start on domestic customers?
I start earliest at 8 o'clock but get some customers moaning saying it's too early!
Can't start any later as won't get all work done in the day!

Am I being unreasonable starting at 8am
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Ian Lancaster on July 14, 2014, 11:26:45 am
Make it part of your Terms and Conditions when you start - print them and hand them to the customer and ask them to read it.  That way there's no argument afterwards.
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: SeanK on July 14, 2014, 11:34:16 am
I wouldn't start that early on domestics, about 9 or shortly after works for me.
Gets the school and work rush out of the way and makes for an easier life.
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: deeege on July 14, 2014, 11:36:01 am
8 am for me on domestics. There's a chap near me that cleans my sister in laws house and started last week at 5:30am!!
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Clever Forum Name on July 14, 2014, 11:53:32 am
Do you start at 8am in the winter as well?
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Soupy on July 14, 2014, 11:58:14 am
8
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: C o z y on July 14, 2014, 12:15:44 pm
8 am for me on domestics. There's a chap near me that cleans my sister in laws house and started last week at 5:30am!!

lol. I love this game  ;D There was some m ong on here talking about working nights awhile back!! Just shows you don't need an IQ over 33 to do this crap. ::)roll
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: *Hector* on July 14, 2014, 12:23:08 pm
 OO good ,,, when can I start then??

 ;)

 ;D
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: H20cleaning on July 14, 2014, 12:29:06 pm
Well the people who moan must work shifts?
But the majority of people have already gone to work by 8am.
Why dont you try shuffling the moaners around to later in the day.

If not just tell them its 1 day every month, and your only there for around 20mins
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Mr Sparkle on July 14, 2014, 12:41:48 pm
Usually start around 8:30 in winter but like to start earlier in the summer to fit more extra jobs in!
Think some customers think we only clean there house lol
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: PoleKing on July 14, 2014, 12:48:48 pm
I've started domestics at 6am.
No earlier though.
I worked my rounds so that it was only those that were out or didn't mind the early's or commercial then it's free reign from 9.
Used to work late too.
After 6pm was the same as before 9am...
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Soupy on July 14, 2014, 01:18:56 pm
Quote from: DoleQueen
After 6pm was the same as before 9am...

Really?

I wouldn't mind someone cleaning my windows after 6pm. After 8pm maybe but 6 no problem. (I wouldn't work after 6 but that's because I'm lazy)

Quote from: DoleQueen
I've started domestics at 6am.

 :o
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: steve rix on July 14, 2014, 01:47:02 pm
9.15 til 4.30
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: PoleKing on July 14, 2014, 01:53:48 pm
Quote from: DoleQueen
After 6pm was the same as before 9am...

Really?

Yeah. People were having dinner and stuff.
And they were in when I usually didn't see them so they tended to want to chat.
Which defeats the object of working later anyway.

I wouldn't mind someone cleaning my windows after 6pm. After 8pm maybe but 6 no problem. (I wouldn't work after 6 but that's because I'm lazy)

Quote from: DoleQueen
I've started domestics at 6am.

 :o

Only where I knew it wouldn't be a problem.
I do commercials early now though.
Rarely start domestic before 7.

Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: LT carpet cleaning on July 14, 2014, 03:25:31 pm
Make it part of your Terms and Conditions when you start - print them and hand them to the customer and ask them to read it.  That way there's no argument afterwards.

Terms and conditions.  ;D
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: GB Window Cleaning on July 14, 2014, 04:03:27 pm
8am start on domestics for me
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: SB Cleaning on July 14, 2014, 04:21:15 pm
8 am for me I know the customers I can start early on.
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Simon Mess on July 14, 2014, 04:52:36 pm
8.30 for me usually, though i have a few i know i can start earlier on, so i do them at 8.
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: PurefectWindowCleaning on July 14, 2014, 05:23:40 pm
8am all year round...


Any customers that grumble at us for starting at 8am, I turn it around and say YOU should be up by now anyway  ;D



Then should they still moan about it, they get dropped... simple.

Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: dazmond on July 14, 2014, 05:39:58 pm
i occasionally start at 8am but on commercial.

usual is 9am-4pm on domestics.

i very rarely do more than 25-30 hours a week "on the glass" time.i earn plenty in that time for my needs. :)

winter same hours.sometimes start a bit later(10am).
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: koopmaster on July 14, 2014, 05:42:50 pm
9 - 15:30
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: gary999 on July 14, 2014, 07:17:10 pm
10am earliest summer

9am earliest winter
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: ben M on July 14, 2014, 07:32:15 pm
10am earliest summer

9am earliest winter
and you finish at 11am? ;D ;D
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: JackieW on July 14, 2014, 07:36:22 pm
Between 8 and 8:30
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Norman & Sons Window & Gutter Cleaning on July 14, 2014, 07:36:41 pm
7am
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: bobplum on July 14, 2014, 08:31:51 pm
8 AM SUMMER
9 AM WINTER, weather allowing
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: capn sparkle on July 14, 2014, 08:38:37 pm
Office hours for me 9 till 5  ;D
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Frankybadboy on July 14, 2014, 09:26:15 pm
get to know your customers ;) ;)

I know the ones that I can start early on as they gone a work or up for the kids.

I start at 8 must days,may be 8:30 if don-key buys breakie which isn't often
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: gary999 on July 14, 2014, 11:16:01 pm
10am earliest summer

9am earliest winter
and you finish at 11am? ;D ;D

thats very good for you ;D
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Johnny B on July 14, 2014, 11:44:21 pm
I start domestics at around 9 - 9:30, sometimes later. Any earlier is a no-no here unless by prior arrangement. Working later in the day (6pm onward) is rarely an issue, and in fact I finished my last job tonight at around 8:15, then was invited in for a cuppa, had a good old chat and it was nearly 10 by the time I left!

I have a few shops in town which I do Friday mornings. I start at around 8:30 on these.

John
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Marc Whitbread on July 15, 2014, 09:09:33 am
We Start at 8 every day mon-friday no exceptions otherwise we wouldn't usually get all the work done I've started at 8 now for the last year and a half and in that time the only customer that made a huge scene of it was one that insisted it had to always be a wednesday and no she couldn't be out when I did them so logistical nightmare!! no suprise I made a exception and dropped that client I try to please but not that much  ;D other than that I know usually which ones and which ones I cant do until about 10 am and then its fine with everyone from then on but most people are at work from 8/8.30 onwards :)

Marc
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: advanced on July 15, 2014, 05:26:57 pm
start 8 am finish at five
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Keiron Bradley on July 19, 2014, 12:34:03 am
People really do talk some crap on this site! Claiming to live and work in this window cleaners utopia where the customer is always wrong,does what they're told,pays what they're told,keeps it shut and considers themselves lucky that you deign to keep them on for your non-essential service.
So far detached from the real world where window cleaners are ubiquitous and anyone treating people with such contempt would be sacked long before you decide to 'drop 'em'.
Attitudes along the lines of you should be out by 8am anyway,do it or your dropped are as ignorant as they are laughable and take no account of reality.
In our 24/7 society ever more people work lates and night shifts and may still be fast asleep,or work locally and are only just thinking about getting up,showered and ready for work,or have young kids to feed,wash and dress for school. None of whom want some window cleaner - wfp or trad - outside their windows while they, or even more so their kids,are wandering around the house half dressed,getting in or out of the shower etc etc....And these are just a few examples of the many people around at 8am,and quite reasonably some won't want a window cleaner hanging around. As for terms and conditions,yeah right,cos that'll be read with interest.

Why can't you just ask on a customer-to-customer basis and ask people what is and isn't convenient for their particular circumstances.Surely there'll be enough customers whose windows you can do at that time that you can leave those who don't want them done until later?...
Or on the other hand just go around giving it the big 'un,claiming to earn over 100k / year and telling your customers "shut it...or you're dropped."

Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Rob@Blast off on July 19, 2014, 12:46:17 am
People really do talk some crap on this site! Claiming to live and work in this window cleaners utopia where the customer is always wrong,does what they're told,pays what they're told,keeps it shut and considers themselves lucky that you deign to keep them on for your non-essential service.
So far detached from the real world where window cleaners are ubiquitous and anyone treating people with such contempt would be sacked long before you decide to 'drop 'em'.
Attitudes along the lines of you should be out by 8am anyway,do it or your dropped are as ignorant as they are laughable and take no account of reality.
In our 24/7 society ever more people work lates and night shifts and may still be fast asleep,or work locally and are only just thinking about getting up,showered and ready for work,or have young kids to feed,wash and dress for school. None of whom want some window cleaner - wfp or trad - outside their windows while they, or even more so their kids,are wandering around the house half dressed,getting in or out of the shower etc etc....And these are just a few examples of the many people around at 8am,and quite reasonably some won't want a window cleaner hanging around. As for terms and conditions,yeah right,cos that'll be read with interest.

Why can't you just ask on a customer-to-customer basis and ask people what is and isn't convenient for their particular circumstances.Surely there'll be enough customers whose windows you can do at that time that you can leave those who don't want them done until later?...
Or on the other hand just go around giving it the big 'un,claiming to earn over 100k / year and telling your customers "shut it...or you're dropped."



Well said.
Title: Re: Early starts
Post by: Mike #1 on July 19, 2014, 07:15:01 am
8:30-45am is reasonable on domestics i think most people are about to get the kids out the door for school or have left already and i can get parked in most streets by then , I start at 7am on some commercial .

Up at five most mornings to walk the dog so i could start earlier if i wanted to but after a 3 mile walk need time to get sorted . Mike