Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dave Willis on October 03, 2015, 06:38:49 pm
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I said I'd never do it - work weekends ::)roll
I've worked every weekend for the last eleven weeks all except one when I went away. I didn't do this much in my proper job! Need to get a grip I think.
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Same as me mate, but when I do take weekends off I can never get started again, Just keep going I say. I have no kids and the wife always making cakes so happy days.
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Decided wasn't going to be working any weekends in 2015 and so far managed to keep to it :)
I push myself a lot harder mon to fri than I did previous 2 years so feel I need weekend off to recover.
If a big juicy commercial job or large pressure washing job came in the yep wouldn't hesitate to work sat / sun but not happened so far.
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It's hard to find that balance .
I have two young kids , 5 & 10 year old and they both have activities so I easily mAke sure I have time off .
Everybody needs a day or 2 off .
What's point having loads of money if your just going to work all the time .
Persons need a hobby and interest and chill out
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I have work scheduled in 7 days a week it's a bummer but part of a bigger picture. Try to finish mid afternoon on Saturdays but don't mind putting a full day in on a Sunday if needed, and it's a full day tomora ( full day being about 12 hrs )
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I work 7 seven days a month - it's a hard life lads
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Dave I done that about four years back for 2 years in a row, its wasn't for the need of the money or for greed I just wanted to see how much I could earn per year because in my mind the more I earned the more successful I considered my business.
Spent a bit of time in hospital plus almost a year on the sick and I think this madness played a major part in it.
Its very easy to let things get out of control in this game, I still find it hard to turn down work even though I don't need it.
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Dave I done that about four years back for 2 years in a row, its wasn't for the need of the money or for greed I just wanted to see how much I could earn per year because in my mind the more I earned the more successful I considered my business.
Spent a bit of time in hospital plus almost a year on the sick and I think this madness played a major part in it.
Its very easy to let things get out of control in this game, I still find it hard to turn down work even though I don't need it.
You should start using additives Sean, you will get through your weeks work in 3 days. :D
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Dave I done that about four years back for 2 years in a row, its wasn't for the need of the money or for greed I just wanted to see how much I could earn per year because in my mind the more I earned the more successful I considered my business.
Spent a bit of time in hospital plus almost a year on the sick and I think this madness played a major part in it.
Its very easy to let things get out of control in this game, I still find it hard to turn down work even though I don't need it.
You should start using additives Sean, you will get through your weeks work in 3 days. :D
Told you so springs to mind ;D
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Not worked a weekend in around 8-9 years. When I first started off it was great to get spotted, so I didn't mind doing the odd Saturday as most people are home.
I couldn't care less how big the job, I'd turn it down if it was weekend only work. One of my franchisees is happy to do them, although the only one he's done was today as he was catching up because his van was in the garage all week being repaired
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Dave I done that about four years back for 2 years in a row, its wasn't for the need of the money or for greed I just wanted to see how much I could earn per year because in my mind the more I earned the more successful I considered my business.
Spent a bit of time in hospital plus almost a year on the sick and I think this madness played a major part in it.
Its very easy to let things get out of control in this game, I still find it hard to turn down work even though I don't need it.
You should start using additives Sean, you will get through your weeks work in 3 days. :D
Tried that Tadgh but the shine got so bad on the frames and glass that I had to wear a welding mask which meant I
couldn't see what I was cleaning so it took twice as long. ;D
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Not worked a weekend in around 8-9 years. When I first started off it was great to get spotted, so I didn't mind doing the odd Saturday as most people are home.
I couldn't care less how big the job, I'd turn it down if it was weekend only work. One of my franchisees is happy to do them, although the only one he's done was today as he was catching up because his van was in the garage all week being repaired
That's a pity lance as I was going to pass on a gutter clearing job to you and you alone for a couple of hours work worth £500 for next saturday but guess your not interested now. ;D
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Dave I done that about four years back for 2 years in a row, its wasn't for the need of the money or for greed I just wanted to see how much I could earn per year because in my mind the more I earned the more successful I considered my business.
Spent a bit of time in hospital plus almost a year on the sick and I think this madness played a major part in it.
Its very easy to let things get out of control in this game, I still find it hard to turn down work even though I don't need it.
You should start using additives Sean, you will get through your weeks work in 3 days. :D
Tried that Tadgh but the shine got so bad on the frames and glass that I had to wear a welding mask which meant I
couldn't see what I was cleaning so it took twice as long. ;D
Could've been worse imagine if you had to deal with millions of bubbles.
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Don't take it to heart Kempy, its a Saturday night and only a bit of friendly banter.
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Just got too much work and a £2500 debt list where I don't have the time to get out collecting. I think the business has started to run me. I rarely pick up the answer phone messagaes anymore bit rude really.
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£2500 debt list!! wow I'm peed off when I'm owed £60 ;D
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Just got too much work and a £2500 debt list where I don't have the time to get out collecting. I think the business has started to run me. I rarely pick up the answer phone messagaes anymore bit rude really.
How much of that is domestic bad debt (over a month) ???
You need to get that shorted bud as that is a ridiculous amount outstanding if you ask me.
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Do you still manage a six/seven day working week when the rains heavy?
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It's "cull" time!!
I never work weekends, did too many in the steel industry, might put a Saturday in around xmas time or something rare like that depending how the holiday drops.
Funnily enough, I was out on my bike at the weekend when I came across a funeral. I later found out who it was, a chap I knew. I'll not go into all the details, he was a nice guy but again, he was one of these Seven days a week men- had a stroke and died. At Seventy Two he'd worked all his life and never got to enjoy retirement!!
It's a shame your lad isn't into this game Dave, you could off-load his way and you both could have a great business.
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My lad would be the only guy I could work with and trust, unfortunately for me he has his own career. I never used to work in the rain ever but I have to now just to keep my round on time (unless it's ridiculous weather). I tried offloading customers once and was met with a hail of abuse from some of them ;D
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My lad would be the only guy I could work with and trust, unfortunately for me he has his own career. I never used to work in the rain ever but I have to now just to keep my round on time (unless it's ridiculous weather). I tried offloading customers once and was met with a hail of abuse from some of them ;D
Well if you don't cut down you may end up very ill or dead and can't take it with you you know. Unfortunately you can't decide which one it will be but you sure as hell can do something about your workload.
You are your own boss for christ sake aren’t you?
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£2500 debt list!! wow I'm peed off when I'm owed £60 ;D
How much do you clean per day and your monthly total?
Don't forget that alot of guys on here are probably cleaning £250+ daily amounts and £1000+ per week sometimes running a one man band operation :P
When you work as much as they do, your going to have a big debt list if you dont have people paying automatically with DD or GoCardless or something etc....
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. That's a pity lance as I was going to pass on a gutter clearing job to you and you alone for a couple of hours work worth £500 for next saturday but guess your not interested now. ;D
Honestly! Not interested in the slightest. Earning plenty Monday -Friday ;D
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. That's a pity lance as I was going to pass on a gutter clearing job to you and you alone for a couple of hours work worth £500 for next saturday but guess your not interested now. ;D
Honestly! Not interested in the slightest. Earning plenty Monday -Friday ;D
I feel like the same to be honest.
I'm happy to bust my gut mon-fri, but very rarely work a weekend. We can make more than enough money in this game on a 5 day week.
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Make hey while the sun shines.
Give it a few weeks and we'll be rain off, snowed off, frozen off and ped off!
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Only ever got set back 1 week due to weather conditions, when there was a massive dump of snow and the roads weren't safe to drive on.
In my opinion, if you're a one man band and you need to work weekends to earn enough to get by, you need to look at your pricing structure.
I completely understand employers getting their workers to do weekends, I mean why not, it means the vans are earning 7 days a week.
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I only work on a weekend because i dont have enough work through the week so i need to take every job that i can but once full no way. maybe the odd day for crazy money but id rather spend time with kids or go biking/fishing/sit on arse
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I only work on a weekend because i dont have enough work through the week so i need to take every job that i can but once full no way. maybe the odd day for crazy money but id rather spend time with kids or go biking/fishing/sit on arse
?? Why don't you do the work through the week if you're not full up? You should be dictating to the customer that you will do the job during the week, not the weekend
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Exactly KS 👍
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I also know a few people worked hard all there life and never got the chance to live it really working all hours,my old man never very often worked last 1 o'clock but he enjoyed a drink at lunchtime and his hobbies. I often used to think he's got a good business here and if he had chosen he could have had a far bigger business than he had at the time. I took it over and have since built it bigger but I often think he had things just about right TBH he always picked what jobs he wanted to do never really had a schedule so to speak and done things at his pace,how often do we here how a lot of people worked all there life to the finishing line that is 65-70 in there mind. My view is if I can afford it enough not to get me stressed I'll have it or do it,you only get one lap might as well make it a good one.
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Bite the bullet and take someone on to help you!
When I first started I was out cleaning 7 days a week, then decided to take someone on to help me out. I reduced my working week to 5-6 days a week and also increased both turnover and profit.
We now have 18 staff including 6 full time window cleaners, also do carpet cleaning, stone floors, leather restoration and office and domestic cleaning, touch wood business is going very well.
Yes it can be a hassle having staff and it's not for everyone, but having staff allows you time to work ON your business rather than IN your business
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i got a job to work the week lot alone a weekend
you need to get that bike out and pump them tyres up fat boy
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Dave willis.
I'm at the stage where I need to venture out in the rain more as my round is getting bigger.
Have worked in light rain and would only do so.
How did you find the custies?
eg.." not today"
Did you sack'em leave them out till next month.
Or leave til they asked you why haven't you been.
:-)
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Bite the bullet and take someone on to help you!
When I first started I was out cleaning 7 days a week, then decided to take someone on to help me out. I reduced my working week to 5-6 days a week and also increased both turnover and profit.
We now have 18 staff including 6 full time window cleaners, also do carpet cleaning, stone floors, leather restoration and office and domestic cleaning, touch wood business is going very well.
Yes it can be a hassle having staff and it's not for everyone, but having staff allows you time to work ON your business rather than IN your business
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Dave willis.
I'm at the stage where I need to venture out in the rain more as my round is getting bigger.
Have worked in light rain and would only do so.
How did you find the custies?
eg.." not today"
Did you sack'em leave them out till next month.
Or leave til they asked you why haven't you been.
:-)
No one ever complains. They just don't. It's all in people's minds.
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;D I took today off - couldn't face anymore. Managed a couple of bike rides Sunday and have been getting to the gym three or four times a week in the evenings.
Working in the rain? Hate it, absolutely hate it. However, every customer who is in passes comment about the crap weather then hands over the cash. The rest are out so you don't hear anything. Most of it is in your own mind - if you can overcome that then you can work. The ones that say not today - who cares? Got too much work anyway. Tomorrows forecast was for heavy rain so it depends on my frame of mind in the morning as to whether I work or not. If I don't go out I will be at least 100 to 120 jobs behind.
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Dave willis.
I'm at the stage where I need to venture out in the rain more as my round is getting bigger.
Have worked in light rain and would only do so.
How did you find the custies?
eg.." not today"
Did you sack'em leave them out till next month.
Or leave til they asked you why haven't you been.
:-)
No one ever complains. They just don't. It's all in people's minds.
They complain all the time just not to your face, its a major gripe on forums when window cleaning is talked about, but as with most things in window cleaning the majority put up with it.
I have been asked many times by potential customers who already have a cleaner do I clean in the rain and even though I normally don't I say yes because I don't want to take custom from other cleaners under these circumstances plus I don't want to be told when and how I do my job.
I don't clean in heavy rain because I don't like doing it but I'm far to stubborn to let a customer tell me not to.
Clean away at worst your reputation might go down a few points but the extra cash will more than make up for that and I would be very surprised if you lost more than a few customers if any.
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I only work on a weekend because i dont have enough work through the week so i need to take every job that i can but once full no way. maybe the odd day for crazy money but id rather spend time with kids or go biking/fishing/sit on arse
?? Why don't you do the work through the week if you're not full up? You should be dictating to the customer that you will do the job during the week, not the weekend
I think Adam has another job while he's building up his round...
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Thanks Dave, 8 weekly, Sean.
I try not to work in the rain but with round getting bigger.
Also feels like it is raining alot lately.
Don't know about you lot but thought August and September were pretty wet.
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Thanks Dave, 8 weekly, Sean.
I try not to work in the rain but with round getting bigger.
Also feels like it is raining alot lately.
Don't know about you lot but thought August and September were pretty wet.
They were very wet. We worked through all but torrential downpours and never got a negative comment. Disarm customers by saying a cheery "lovely day" to them. Once you have lots of work and you get used to the income, you tend to just crack on.
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Do you get many not today`s 8 weekly.
Do you just skip til next time?
I can only get round on time if I work mon-fri.
like I said work in light rain.
only offer option is to sell or ditch 10-15% of my work.
Got fed up explaining to people they don`t listen.
I suppose it`s a case of back me or sack me : )
might sort out the problem of too much work.
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If I don't go out I will be at least 100 to 120 jobs behind.
I looked at my outstanding works list last night, £3,500. The rain is falling out the sky like theres no tomorrow as I speak. The last thing I will do though is work a weekend. Ill get the rest of this week in, after the rain passes this morning; but I don't fret about not turning up 'on time'. 'On time' is when it can be done in fact although the default frequency is 6 weekly. If it can't be done it can't be done. Theres more to life than making sure I turn up at a previously agreed frequency.
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Looks like you're getting it too Dave.
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1444118570_Screen Shot 2015-10-06 at 08.57.07.png)
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Lee I take a lot of the working in all weathers talk on here with a pinch of salt, like yourself I work in light rain or in
showery weather you just couldn't make a go of it if you didn't.
The problem with heavy rain is that it usually comes with strong winds but even if it doesn't its still a real pain to work in
and no matter what anybody says on here the windows wont be clean an hour after you have cleaned them, if you are a
person who takes pride in your work then this can leave you feeling demoralised.
Clean a few family properties in heavy rain or better still heavy rain and wind then check them from the inside at the end of the day and you will see what I mean about quality.
I have one rule as far as my quality is concerned, when the customer comes home at the end of the day sees my cleaned slip
and decides to check the clean (which I believe most don't ) then I want the windows to be clean after that its beyond my control.
But to be honest Lee I would look at upping your pricing if you lose 15 to 20% of your work because of this then it would be a
lot better than losing it because of having to work in all weathers.
For me seeing somebody out there In horrendous weather is no better than seeing a busy fool running about because they
have under priced their work, sorry if this last bit sounds insulting.
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Sean's hit the nail on the head.
If you've got too much work, say 10-20% more than you can comfortably handle. Put your prices up by 10-20% or however much you feel like. If you raise all of them to a certain level in one go, you'll never lose enough customers for it to decrease your earnings, meaning you're working a hell of a lot less for the same or more money.
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Getting on while dry only til midday according to the experts. Sean.
Thanks for your honest reply.
That's 100% how I see it.
I wouldn't want to be working in pouring rain.
As said drizzle, showers, not hitting the window basically.
Did up all my prices in August.
Only lost 5 customers.
They were £1-2 increase.
I suppose it was seen as a larger percentage.
The £5 Increases all excepted.
I'l prioritise lower end stuff can wait.
Sacked a few too.
People that keep letting payment run to 3 cleans.
Asked em to go standing order if they ignore me they get dropped.
Thanks for your reply.
Dropped another yesterday says I need to give him more than 12 notice by text for his gate.
There's some real n0bs out there.
Even though I've lost a few and dumped some still picking up new work through website and I tell them straight I'l quote but only for monthly service.
Unless very large house then offer monthly and bi-monthly.
Sorry reply a bit hap hazard rushing.
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I've always thought if I can't earn enough working 5 days a week I'm doing something wrong. I'm generally home by 16:30 and take more than enough. We work Saturdays occasionally if need be and we did a big commercial one Sunday in the summer, which was worth it. We work in the Rain and just get on with it. It was absolutely hammering down yesterday and one customer questioned it as she had had building work done and wanted them to be pristine. She was so happy she gave us an extra £10 :) No tea though :( Just did a new clean in the rain and the customer was very happy. Me and my colleague not so happy but we're both earning so happy days :) I do need some time to sort my debt list out though, there's a 2 week 5* holiday waiting out there and a drum kit - where is Dazmond by the way?!
Happy earning boys!
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Sean's hit the nail on the head.
If you've got too much work, say 10-20% more than you can comfortably handle. Put your prices up by 10-20% or however much you feel like. If you raise all of them to a certain level in one go, you'll never lose enough customers for it to decrease your earnings, meaning you're working a hell of a lot less for the same or more money.
Very true....As the saying goes work smarter not harder
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Just back in for lunch - torrential at the moment ... and still had a couple of calls this morning for new work - what's the matter with people?
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The only thing I work on at weekend's is my golf!
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The only thing I work on at weekend's is my golf!
I found golf the most frustrating game to try and play.
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I think I'd rather work than play ruin a good walk.
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Dave willis.
I'm at the stage where I need to venture out in the rain more as my round is getting bigger.
Have worked in light rain and would only do so.
How did you find the custies?
eg.." not today"
Did you sack'em leave them out till next month.
Or leave til they asked you why haven't you been.
:-)
Working in the rain is just mind over matter.
Customers don't mind ........... and I don't matter.
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Lee I take a lot of the working in all weathers talk on here with a pinch of salt, like yourself I work in light rain or in
showery weather you just couldn't make a go of it if you didn't.
The problem with heavy rain is that it usually comes with strong winds but even if it doesn't its still a real pain to work in
and no matter what anybody says on here the windows wont be clean an hour after you have cleaned them, if you are a
person who takes pride in your work then this can leave you feeling demoralised.
Clean a few family properties in heavy rain or better still heavy rain and wind then check them from the inside at the end of the day and you will see what I mean about quality.
I have one rule as far as my quality is concerned, when the customer comes home at the end of the day sees my cleaned slip
and decides to check the clean (which I believe most don't ) then I want the windows to be clean after that its beyond my control.
But to be honest Lee I would look at upping your pricing if you lose 15 to 20% of your work because of this then it would be a
lot better than losing it because of having to work in all weathers.
For me seeing somebody out there In horrendous weather is no better than seeing a busy fool running about because they
have under priced their work, sorry if this last bit sounds insulting.
It's not insulting, it's just daft. ;D
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I'll only work in it if I'm caught in it doing a job and if it doesn't stop or isn't a shower I'll pack in.
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I've always thought if I can't earn enough working 5 days a week I'm doing something wrong. I'm generally home by 16:30 and take more than enough. We work Saturdays occasionally if need be and we did a big commercial one Sunday in the summer, which was worth it. We work in the Rain and just get on with it. It was absolutely hammering down yesterday and one customer questioned it as she had had building work done and wanted them to be pristine. She was so happy she gave us an extra £10 :) No tea though :( Just did a new clean in the rain and the customer was very happy. Me and my colleague not so happy but we're both earning so happy days :) I do need some time to sort my debt list out though, there's a 2 week 5* holiday waiting out there and a drum kit - where is Dazmond by the way?!
Happy earning boys!
Dazmond is in a five star hotel in Majorca trying to offload a few quid before the vat man comes knocking. ;D
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I work in drizzle
But don't work im heavy rain or showers , pointless .
Plus wind is a day off .
There's always another day