Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 09:06:57 am

Title: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 09:06:57 am
im not there yet but this is my aim over the next few years.

price rises next april on around 200 accounts,charge more for new work as usual.

leaflet/canvass a bit more and drop a few lower paying jobs.

fit in more "add ons" on slack days

ive turned my business around a lot over the last 5-6 years earning 20k more a year than 6 years ago but still the quest goes on for the perfect one man mega round. ;D

true ill never be a millionaire in this job but im happy.my brother on the other hand is moaning about having to pay a 45k tax bill this year!(he makes A LOT of money!)not window cleaning i might add! ;D

what are your goals lads earnings wise as thats the bottom line at the end of the day.


regards


dazmond

Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: kempy on July 16, 2015, 09:15:18 am
Nice one
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Scrimble on July 16, 2015, 09:40:59 am
my goal is to have quarter of a million in regular window cleaning on the round by end of next year
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: jo5hm4n on July 16, 2015, 10:07:33 am
My Goal is to eventually have 1k turnover per week 52k per year from just running a one man business.  Will probably take me a few years but year on year will slowly build it up drop underpriced and get better priced become smarter with work and work harder and faster and constantly develop to be improving and always moving forward instead of standing still :)

Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Smurf on July 16, 2015, 10:35:20 am
I don't think it matters how much turnover you have as long as you are happy and can pay the bills.
There should be a balance not to work all hour’s godsend so to be able to spend quality time with your loved ones too.

Pricing seems to be the key factor so ultimately you can work fewer hours for more reward. 
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Shane sharples on July 16, 2015, 11:07:21 am
I don't think it matters how much turnover you have as long as you are happy and can pay the bills.
There should be a balance not to work all hour’s godsend so to be able to spend quality time with your loved ones too.

Pricing seems to be the key factor so ultimately you can work fewer hours for more reward.

Totally agree papa smurf , i think it's important to have a balance, spend time with the kids and Mrs aswell as earning a good wage  8)
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: gary999 on July 16, 2015, 12:03:50 pm
Im content with my life....my aim is to stay that way. Anything else personally is irrelevant :)
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Rich Wilts on July 16, 2015, 01:18:15 pm
Daz just to clarify are you saying 45K before ALL expenses?
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 01:48:22 pm
Dazmond

My good friend.......... You can easy achieve that  ;D ;D

You just need to adapt to working longer hours my friend.

I know you won't like to hear this but this is the truth  ;D

This weeks hours upto now  ;D.................
Started Sunday morning 6am - finished mon 8pm
( I went home Sunday night to have a shower and tea an get changed about 10.30pm was less than a hour in the house )
Started Tuesday at 9am - wed 3pm
Started this morning at 1am - av just came home for a few hours to have a shower re fresh an am back out about 3.30 - 9 pm
Will be starting tomora at 3am

It not always this bad but I had sort high paying jobs to do through the nights......... Hoping to get back to a flat 60-80 hour week next week  ;D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 01:52:07 pm
45k on domestics turnover would still give you round about 35k plus take home if not slightly more, there isn't much running cost once you bought the equipment

I think the figure that a 1 man band so to speak should be targeting is 1k per week if you have the custom, it may be hard some weeks but others will pull up the short ones, this would give u 5 days to sort it out and Saturday if ya running late
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: deeege on July 16, 2015, 02:47:09 pm
Dazmond

My good friend.......... You can easy achieve that  ;D ;D

You just need to adapt to working longer hours my friend.

I know you won't like to hear this but this is the truth  ;D

This weeks hours upto now  ;D.................
Started Sunday morning 6am - finished mon 8pm
( I went home Sunday night to have a shower and tea an get changed about 10.30pm was less than a hour in the house )
Started Tuesday at 9am - wed 3pm
Started this morning at 1am - av just came home for a few hours to have a shower re fresh an am back out about 3.30 - 9 pm
Will be starting tomora at 3am

It not always this bad but I had sort high paying jobs to do through the nights......... Hoping to get back to a flat 60-80 hour week next week  ;D

You are starting at 6am and not finishing til 8pm the next night? A 38 hour shift? If true then you seriously need to take a step back and think about what that's going to do to your long term health.

I have a 2 man business and scraped under the Vat threshold last year. Have trimmed a bit of work so will also be under this year too. I work 6:30 til about 3pm most days at a steady pace. Spending time with my family and watching my kids grow up is important to me so working weekends is a very rare thing.

If I really wanted to push on and work weekends and longer days I think £100k turnover between 2 men in seperate  vans would be quite easily achieved.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: sunshine windows on July 16, 2015, 02:50:08 pm
My aim by the end of this calendar year is to have 3 franchisee's turning over at least £50k each and to be taking on a 4th or have him/her up and running by the end of December turning over £24k minimum.

Looking to reduce my round to enable me to grow the franchise business and spend less time cleaning windows. Maybe 2 full weeks at the start of each month.

In taking on the 3rd franchisee this month, it's already enabled me to have from the 22nd of each month off if I want to. Filling it with gutter and conservatory jobs if I feel like working.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 03:25:57 pm
Yes deegee, it was a long an grueling shift....

Everyone to the own..... And those that are happy to go home when the work is done.......fantastic

I have a large variety of customers which is growing all the time...... Sometimes I will have 3 different customers needing work done on set days  and at set times, this leaves you with the option of knuckling down and getting on with it to keep customers happy OR you say no and go home.
Am the first one and am sure there are plenty of us.......am also sure there is a lot that would go for the second

As for vat I went vat reg in 2004 an I was on my own and it will only benefit u if u are well over, if u just hitting it or going over by 10 - 20k say then u may find ur bottom line is about the same as turning over just under vat threshold
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: richywilts on July 16, 2015, 04:48:10 pm
My aim by the end of this calendar year is to have 3 franchisee's turning over at least £50k each and to be taking on a 4th or have him/her up and running by the end of December turning over £24k minimum.

Looking to reduce my round to enable me to grow the franchise business and spend less time cleaning windows. Maybe 2 full weeks at the start of each month.

In taking on the 3rd franchisee this month, it's already enabled me to have from the 22nd of each month off if I want to. Filling it with gutter and conservatory jobs if I feel like working.

how do u get so much work in for the franchisees if you dont mind me asking
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: AuRavelling79 on July 16, 2015, 05:01:14 pm
I was at one of my commercials yesterday and got chatting to the works engineer he is 66 and going to retire next year when his youngest finishes Uni. So he is working (I guess 50K a year plus his state pension) past current retirement age.

He said to me "I wish I could go part time" and "You've got it sussed you can just drop a day, then another then just do one day a week. Saves on Gym membership too!" he said.

I didn't let on I only do 13/15 days a month at 36K a year turnover which is probably a similar hourly rate to him - but no works pension like him of course.

I could do more but it's enough to be honest. In fact I'm looking to ease back to about 33K from 12 days now. I might see if Dan wants a bit more and/or drop the irritant custies by putting prices up.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 05:44:35 pm
Daz just to clarify are you saying 45K before ALL expenses?

yep matt.

i get what smurf and shane are saying about a work/life balance.

im not on about working that much harder.rather earning more money each day for the same amount of work and maybe take on a few more well priced add on jobs during spring and summer on some slacker days.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: sunshine windows on July 16, 2015, 05:48:27 pm
Richy,

I get a lot come in through the website. Also I had 45,000 leaflets distributed in January, just before the first 2 came on board. Number 3 is starting this month so I'll have another leaflet drop to speed things up a bit. I needed £12.5k worth of annual growth to break even on the cost of the leaflets. Didn't quite get that in repeat custom, but we surpassed this, taking into account big one off cleans.

Cheers
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 05:50:14 pm
Dazmond

My good friend.......... You can easy achieve that  ;D ;D

You just need to adapt to working longer hours my friend.

I know you won't like to hear this but this is the truth  ;D

This weeks hours upto now  ;D.................
Started Sunday morning 6am - finished mon 8pm
( I went home Sunday night to have a shower and tea an get changed about 10.30pm was less than a hour in the house )
Started Tuesday at 9am - wed 3pm
Started this morning at 1am - av just came home for a few hours to have a shower re fresh an am back out about 3.30 - 9 pm
Will be starting tomora at 3am

It not always this bad but I had sort high paying jobs to do through the nights......... Hoping to get back to a flat 60-80 hour week next week  ;D

MATTY i think your crazy mate! ;D ;D ;D ;D

i would never work the hours you work ever!

i wont be far off 45k just working the way i do(which is part time in your world matty! ;D).i just need to up some prices here and there and get a few more higher priced accounts without working any harder.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 05:58:16 pm
My Goal is to eventually have 1k turnover per week 52k per year from just running a one man business.  Will probably take me a few years but year on year will slowly build it up drop underpriced and get better priced become smarter with work and work harder and faster and constantly develop to be improving and always moving forward instead of standing still :)

what about xmas and holidays?take off a month at least(2 wks xmas and 2 wks summer holidays)
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Shane sharples on July 16, 2015, 05:58:54 pm
Richy,

I get a lot come in through the website. Also I had 45,000 leaflets distributed in January, just before the first 2 came on board. Number 3 is starting this month so I'll have another leaflet drop to speed things up a bit. I needed £12.5k worth of annual growth to break even on the cost of the leaflets. Didn't quite get that in repeat custom, but we surpassed this, taking into account big one off cleans.

Cheers

Wow 45000?! Did you get a private distributer or go through Royal Mail? How much to deliver them? did you get a good response from the leaflets?
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Stoots on July 16, 2015, 06:01:30 pm
I want to earn enough money to re invest into the business to earn more money and eventually get to the point where i can buy a few properties.

I would like to be able to have a home both here and abroad and be free enough to travel etc so i suppose less hands on and more managerial eventually.

But in the short term turnover as much as poss as a one man band without killing myself, mon-fri 9-5 with the odd day off sounds about right, probaably take me about 3 years to get to that limit then i will think about whats next, maybe go intodifferent areas of cleaning or another business entirely as long as theres continual growth and a life balance along the way.


I think the key is to not work more hours as whats the point in earning money you cant enjoy? the key is to invest your money into something that pays when you arent doing anything.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 06:23:07 pm
Im content with my life....my aim is to stay that way. Anything else personally is irrelevant :)

i understand where your coming from gary.im content with my life and work in general.i reckon ive reached a very comfortable position BUT there is always a bit of me that wants to push on a bit and make the most of my working life now.to save and invest for the future.

ive spent many years in this game but to be honest i hardly made any money for the first 17 years!enough to get by on(just!)but its only the last few years im making a half decent living out of window cleaning.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: richywilts on July 16, 2015, 06:25:53 pm
Richy,

I get a lot come in through the website. Also I had 45,000 leaflets distributed in January, just before the first 2 came on board. Number 3 is starting this month so I'll have another leaflet drop to speed things up a bit. I needed £12.5k worth of annual growth to break even on the cost of the leaflets. Didn't quite get that in repeat custom, but we surpassed this, taking into account big one off cleans.


nice one im starting to pay attention to my business again been renovating a house for last four months so let the business sort of just plod along my year end is september tho and really want to begin pushing it again may consider mass leaflet drops myself ive been doing a bit but the weather is killing me to warm

Cheers
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: sunshine windows on July 16, 2015, 06:34:05 pm
Cost of leaflets was £2.5k printed and delivered. I get 20% on any work the franchisee's do hence £12.5k return needed to break even.

I also gained some new customers off the back of this too though
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Ian101 on July 16, 2015, 07:03:57 pm
Cost of leaflets was £2.5k printed and delivered. I get 20% on any work the franchisee's do hence £12.5k return needed to break even.

I also gained some new customers off the back of this too though

its a numbers game  :)
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 07:58:42 pm
Dazmond, I dont get up in the morning an think right .............. Am going for it today, an there nothin guna stop me  ;D

I have some big customers and I have came home earlier than I expected tonight coz I had enough, just got out the shower now.

Sometimes on a night shift 10pm - 4am I can earn £300 - £400 easy pressure washing or I have jobs were we have to go onto site and clean kitchen ceiling and walls which can pay me £500 for the same time.

Even doin window cleaning through the night on commercial properties can pay £350, it's just a killer when you have to do a day - night - day shift but sometimes there's nothin ya can do.

I have a job I been delaying in Manchester when it starts in next few weeks come along an do a day or so for me........ It's always nice to put a pic to a name tag.

And you seem like a nice guy..............  even tho you from Manchester  :D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Rich Wilts on July 16, 2015, 08:02:58 pm
Carry on as you are Matty and you'll be Matty Long-Gong not Matty Logan.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 08:11:25 pm
Carry on as you are Matty and you'll be Matty Long-Gong not Matty Logan.

Haha funny mate I like it but I hate to disappoint you............ Am feeling on top of the world since I had kidney stones removed a few years ago ....... They was holding me back  ;D


In 10 years time I be 48 and matty on the beach in Spain who's running the bar over there  :D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Rich Wilts on July 16, 2015, 08:16:22 pm
In 10 years time I be 48 and matty on the beach in Spain who's running the bar over there  :D

Good luck on that. Sounds like something to strive for.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: deeege on July 16, 2015, 08:52:45 pm
Im content with my life....my aim is to stay that way. Anything else personally is irrelevant :)

i understand where your coming from gary.im content with my life and work in general.i reckon ive reached a very comfortable position BUT there is always a bit of me that wants to push on a bit and make the most of my working life now.to save and invest for the future.

ive spent many years in this game but to be honest i hardly made any money for the first 17 years!enough to get by on(just!)but its only the last few years im making a half decent living out of window cleaning.

Feel free to ignore if you want Daz, but what do you do for setting up for the future? All these 5* hotels must be great but who will be paying your rent when your 65 and don't own your own property? Not having a dig, just curious.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: chris turner on July 16, 2015, 08:53:30 pm
I was at one of my commercials yesterday and got chatting to the works engineer he is 66 and going to retire next year when his youngest finishes Uni. So he is working (I guess 50K a year plus his state pension) past current retirement age.

He said to me "I wish I could go part time" and "You've got it sussed you can just drop a day, then another then just do one day a week. Saves on Gym membership too!" he said.

I didn't let on I only do 13/15 days a month at 36K a year turnover which is probably a similar hourly rate to him - but no works pension like him of course.

I could do more but it's enough to be honest. In fact I'm looking to ease back to about 33K from 12 days now. I might see if Dan wants a bit more and/or drop the irritant custies by putting prices up.

My situation is identical to yours Granville.
I work 4 days a week, keeping a day free for any add ons or to cover for extreme weather, or simply for a day off.
I turnover around 35k on my own doing around 8-10 jobs a day.
I start around 9am and finish around 2-3pm, apart from 1day a week where I have shop work and start earlier.

I'm happy as I am, I like an easy life. I would rather be at the park with my little ones at 4pm then working my butt off still.
Me and the missis pull in close to 50k take home a year between us which is more then enough to pay the bills, go out for a meal and cinema most weekends, take the kids out a few times a month, enjoy the odd holiday.
I could go much further if I wanted and I know that. I turn away a lot of new jobs now, why would I want to work harder?
Iv found my comfort level and I'm happy to remain there, for now at least.

Of course some on here are very ambitious, want or have multiple employees/vans, large turnover and want the finer things in life. Kudos to them.
Its nothing to be jealous or envious of and I don't have any more respect for them as I do for the one man band earning 20-30k a year. As long as there happy with what there doing/earning then that's all that matters.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Matt. on July 16, 2015, 09:18:15 pm
I agree with what you say Chris,

 am not a massive company am just very ambitious, I have 1 window cleaner as well as myself and I have 8 part time cleaners working on commercial sites for me.

I don't need the extra work for financial reasons and I don't received any more money per week in my pocket, wether I work 1 hour or 100 hours it all goes direct to the company, I am simply on a salary that am happy with.

Long hours arnt the best but I like to challenge myself, it's to late now for me to be thinking about family time as mine are now 17 an 21, and am on the back end of my mortgage so see it out and then al sell up me business and swap it for a bar in the sun
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Leeds on July 16, 2015, 09:27:05 pm
My plan is to work 3 days a week, have three part time workers also doing 3 days a week.

Turnover £100k, and take home for myself £60k. I think its possible, and on part time, it's not too shabby.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: deeege on July 16, 2015, 09:48:34 pm
My plan is to work 3 days a week, have three part time workers also doing 3 days a week.

Turnover £100k, and take home for myself £60k. I think its possible, and on part time, it's not too shabby.

£40k per year to pay for 3 x part timers wages + expenses? Good luck with that. You must be all trad and use bicycles as transport.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: KS Cleaning on July 16, 2015, 09:51:57 pm
45k on domestics turnover would still give you round about 35k plus take home if not slightly more, there isn't much running cost once you bought the equipment

I think the figure that a 1 man band so to speak should be targeting is 1k per week if you have the custom, it may be hard some weeks but others will pull up the short ones, this would give u 5 days to sort it out and Saturday if ya running late
Take home 35k from 45k turnover ??? Have you forgot about the dreaded tax and NI?
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2015, 10:53:06 pm
Im content with my life....my aim is to stay that way. Anything else personally is irrelevant :)

i understand where your coming from gary.im content with my life and work in general.i reckon ive reached a very comfortable position BUT there is always a bit of me that wants to push on a bit and make the most of my working life now.to save and invest for the future.

ive spent many years in this game but to be honest i hardly made any money for the first 17 years!enough to get by on(just!)but its only the last few years im making a half decent living out of window cleaning.

Feel free to ignore if you want Daz, but what do you do for setting up for the future? All these 5* hotels must be great but who will be paying your rent when your 65 and don't own your own property? Not having a dig, just curious.

i think ill be moving in with my girlfriend then and give up my "man cave"! ;D ;D

to be honest danny i dont really think/worry about it.ive never been bothered about owning my own house.im happy paying a peppercorn rent.easy life! ;D

no kids and none planned. ;D

its good to hear from all you other cleaners.were all at different stages of life with different needs/wants/ideas. :)
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Frankybadboy on July 17, 2015, 06:58:02 am
The way I am going I be working 0 days and just have one long weekend

Who needs money
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Dave Willis on July 17, 2015, 07:17:45 am
I rekon you'll be paying about the same tax as Dazmond then Franky  ;D


I'm thinking of aiming for 45k a year too - about time I took my foot off the pedal.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Mick Kent on July 17, 2015, 02:32:15 pm
I rekon you'll be paying about the same tax as Dazmond then Franky  ;D


I'm thinking of aiming for 45k a year too - about time I took my foot off the pedal.

 ;D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: gary999 on July 17, 2015, 10:28:14 pm
Im content with my life....my aim is to stay that way. Anything else personally is irrelevant :)

i understand where your coming from gary.im content with my life and work in general.i reckon ive reached a very comfortable position BUT there is always a bit of me that wants to push on a bit and make the most of my working life now.to save and invest for the future.

ive spent many years in this game but to be honest i hardly made any money for the first 17 years!enough to get by on(just!)but its only the last few years im making a half decent living out of window cleaning.

Feel free to ignore if you want Daz, but what do you do for setting up for the future? All these 5* hotels must be great but who will be paying your rent when your 65 and don't own your own property? Not having a dig, just curious.

He will be fine...with no property to sell to pay for his care in old age...the government or more precisely you will be picking up the tab ;D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: CleanClear on July 18, 2015, 12:14:49 am
im not there yet but this is my aim over the next few years.

price rises next april on around 200 accounts,charge more for new work as usual.

leaflet/canvass a bit more and drop a few lower paying jobs.

fit in more "add ons" on slack days

ive turned my business around a lot over the last 5-6 years earning 20k more a year than 6 years ago but still the quest goes on for the perfect one man mega round. ;D

true ill never be a millionaire in this job but im happy.my brother on the other hand is moaning about having to pay a 45k tax bill this year!(he makes A LOT of money!)not window cleaning i might add! ;D

what are your goals lads earnings wise as thats the bottom line at the end of the day.


regards


dazmond

Your advice could turn the Greek economy round overnight. Contact Alexis Tsipras, you'll get his address on google i'd imagine.
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: jonboywalton75 on July 18, 2015, 08:08:59 am
My goals are to earn money quicker, and more days off and more holidays ;D
Title: Re: 45k turnover for a mainly domestic sole trader window cleaner(up north)
Post by: Smudger on July 18, 2015, 08:13:57 am
My plan is to work 3 days a week, have three part time workers also doing 3 days a week.

Turnover £100k, and take home for myself £60k. I think its possible, and on part time, it's not too shabby.

No chance

Darran