Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stoots on January 29, 2018, 06:47:27 pm
-
So i found a part time guy at last and he is due to start in two weeks.
Im actually excited but also really nervous/scared/unsure lol
What if it doesnt work out, hes too slow, its not profitable, he starts ringing in sick
what if i lose some work and cant afford to pay him, what if this or that lol
Its been quite a battle in my head to make the decision to employ, i still dont know if im making the right decision, will i love it, will i hate it etc.
I keep thinking about the different options. I could refine my round, stay on my own and earn more per hour but then do i want to be on the tools in 10 years time. So many Pros and cons to each scenario.
Anyway looks like ts a done deal now, job offer has been made, contracts drawn up and away we go.
wish me luck, i will either push on from here or i will end up like a few other that have tried it and gone back solo. Only time will tell i guess.
-
You'll love it, you'll also hate it.
-
So i found a pert time guy at last and he is due to start in two weeks.
Im actually excited but also really nervous/scared/unsure lol
What if it doesnt work out, hes too slow, its not profitable, he starts ringing in sick
what if i lose some work and cant afford to pay him, what if this or that lol
Its been quite a battle in my head to make the decision to employ, i still dont know if im making the right decision, will i love it, will i hate it etc.
I keep thinking about the different options. I could refine my round, stay on my own and earn more per hour but then do i want to be on the tools in 10 years time. So many Pros and cons to each scenario.
Anyway looks like ts a done deal now, job offer has been made, contracts drawn up and away we go.
wish me luck, i will either push on from here or i will end up like a few other that have tried it and gone back solo. Only time will tell i guess.
Now now, stop checking him out and focus.
You remember all that time on your own you had? The time you had all to yourself when working, away from the hassle from the wife and kids?
You’ll miss it, trust me; get him in a van asap!!! ;D
-
Hope it works well for you Adam.
While you're training him up, you need to accept that he'll be more a hindrance than a help until he's learned the ropes. That won't be his fault, that's just the way it is.
Be patient, train him well, and you'll be fine.
My golden rule would be to never make him do anything you wouldn't do yourself.
John
-
Don't let your worker know or think your nervous, scared or unsure. Now's the time to start thinking and acting like a boss.
Give it your best.
As the boss all the negatives listed will be your responsibility to put right. Be a good manager, role model and lead by example
-
So i found a pert time guy at last and he is due to start in two weeks.
Im actually excited but also really nervous/scared/unsure lol
What if it doesnt work out, hes too slow, its not profitable, he starts ringing in sick
what if i lose some work and cant afford to pay him, what if this or that lol
Its been quite a battle in my head to make the decision to employ, i still dont know if im making the right decision, will i love it, will i hate it etc.
I keep thinking about the different options. I could refine my round, stay on my own and earn more per hour but then do i want to be on the tools in 10 years time. So many Pros and cons to each scenario.
Anyway looks like ts a done deal now, job offer has been made, contracts drawn up and away we go.
wish me luck, i will either push on from here or i will end up like a few other that have tried it and gone back solo. Only time will tell i guess.
Now now, stop checking him out and focus.
You remember all that time on your own you had? The time you had all to yourself when working, away from the hassle from the wife and kids?
You’ll miss it, trust me; get him in a van asap!!! ;D
Thats the plan mate, he drives and has a clean licence so hopefully a few months down the line i will get him out on his own.
-
Get a second van ASAP.
Good luck! Don’t forget his pension rights.......
-
He'll be gone in 3 weeks.
-
;D with half your work ;D
-
you ll probably go through 10 workers before you find a half decent one.....and then if he has half a brain he ll start up himself and leave you in the lurch after a year or so..... ;D
-
It's all true ..... ;D
All them thoughts running through ur brain, well that's how life becomes.
-
And before you know it he will be living in your house , and you will be asking in him what time he wants to start . ;D
-
Good luck Adam.
I will be very interested how it works out. As i am also looking to go down that route this year too.
Keep us posted. But yes get a second van asap.
-
Dazmond what you have said in jest is so so true in every sense,just because you’ve employed someone it means nothing you will need to kiss a lot of frogs first m8 before you get anywhere near to sending them out on there own. I don’t know anyone who’s got a result with at least the first 3/4 blokes they’ve taken on I never would just take someone straight in the books I’d want them with me for a couple of months first off the books if you know what I mean,then if you like them they like you get the pen out but not till your half sure.
-
Your employee will never be as good or as thorough as you but if you find a hard worker then it has its benefits.
There will always be pros and cons. Give it time atleast 3-6 months before you throw the towel in if its not working. Also expect you may have to go through upto 5 workers to find a good one.
All the best keep us updated!
-
Yeah I agree you are starting to employ good on you my Mrs does all the paperwork regarding it just had to deal with the new pension scheme,just 1 little thing among other things. Have you done all your figures ie how much more you’ll need to earn to make it worth it etc it’s way more than just double I found double just left me with help with little profit ok the day is easier but financially your hardly any beeter off.
-
Yes I can see what you are saying about having someone off the books at first.
But not everyone wants cash in hand work, some want a proper job.
I picked the guy I did for a few reasons.
First one was out of about 20 interested lads he was one of only 4 who didn't want cash in hand, they wanted a permanent job.
He was one of the very few who sent me a CV as requested.
He has been at his current part time job 3 years and only looking to change as he wants a day time job.
He wants to be on the books as he has children.
He is flexible, can work any day Monday to Friday (which means we can work around the weather) and has a clean licence.
I took him out for the day and we got on well, he listened, did as I asked and seemed keen for the job. I did notice an improvement at the end of the day in his technique. Seemed to pick it up fairy quickly.
The way I see it by putting him on the books and him leaving his other job he is making a commitment to me. Likewise I am making a commitment to him but what's to say a cash in hand lad doesn't just leave you in the lurch after a month or so either.
End of the day there will be a probationary period in his contract along with what is expected of him and if it doesn't work then it doesn't work. You can only do so much.
-
Yeah I agree you are starting to employ good on you my Mrs does all the paperwork regarding it just had to deal with the new pension scheme,just 1 little thing among other things. Have you done all your figures ie how much more you’ll need to earn to make it worth it etc it’s way more than just double I found double just left me with help with little profit ok the day is easier but financially your hardly any beeter off.
Regarding the payroll I'm looking into doing it myself however I've found a company that can do the payroll for me for £18 a month with an initial £50 setup . That's dealing with the pension etc include. I just tell them the hours worked and they send me the payslip.
He will only be on a 16 hours a week contract. The advice I got and the figures I am working off is his salary being 33% of the turnover he makes.
So if I pay him 50 he does me 150 in turnover working on his own.
Working with me he probably won't make that much but I don't really know until I've tried.
The idea is to have home with me 3 days a week for 5-6 hours a day. This should enable me to complete my 5 day week in 3 days (eventually) which means I then get to work filling up the other 2.
-
What your saying is all true and in theory it works perfectly well the trouble is in practice it never does,if it did I would employ employ oh and employ. If you can find someone that is savvy enough to able to do it to a good standard be able to be trusted to look after equipment-vehicle and be able to remember where all the jobs are he’s got to do give him to me please lol. Like I say if it sounds to good to be true it usually is,I’m not saying you won’t find someone I did but had 10 or so complete Pratt’s before him.
-
What your saying is all true and in theory it works perfectly well the trouble is in practice it never does,if it did I would employ employ oh and employ. If you can find someone that is savvy enough to able to do it to a good standard be able to be trusted to look after equipment-vehicle and be able to remember where all the jobs are he’s got to do give him to me please lol. Like I say if it sounds to good to be true it usually is,I’m not saying you won’t find someone I did but had 10 or so complete Pratt’s before him.
Yeah i understand their are pitfalls and thats why its not been an easy decision, and why i said im still uncertain because ive never done it before and theres only so much information you can gather frrm others. Sometimes you just have to jump in at the deep end and see for yourself.
I felt exactly the same when i quit my job to go self employed, i was scared to death of failure, but i made that work so i think i can make this work as well.
Watch him not turn up now on his start date :D
-
Adam. You will be fine.
-
I understood it as well that’s why I would always have him off the books for at least a month,a week is nothing he-she can keep up an act for a week a month or 2 will give you more insight into them as people.
-
Once you employ them properly on a contract if you don’t like them for whatever reason you’ve got problems are you doing a probation period,I would at least do that.
-
How’s it looking as far as earnings go are you now looking to get more work or can you do more than enough financially on what you take on your own to pay for him before you need to build.
-
It’s nonsense about going through loads before finding the right person but in my opinion if your work isn’t well priced you will always struggle to pay enough to get someone decent. Money isn’t everything but if an average decent job, such as a postie earns £80 a day, you’ve got to be looking at that sort of figure to get medium term decent guys. That means he’s got to turnover £240 a day to be worthwhile. If your average price is a tenner that’s 24 houses a day. For most that’s a long hard day and many won’t stick it.
-
What your saying is all true and in theory it works perfectly well the trouble is in practice it never does,if it did I would employ employ oh and employ. If you can find someone that is savvy enough to able to do it to a good standard be able to be trusted to look after equipment-vehicle and be able to remember where all the jobs are he’s got to do give him to me please lol. Like I say if it sounds to good to be true it usually is,I’m not saying you won’t find someone I did but had 10 or so complete Pratt’s before him.
Yeah i understand their are pitfalls and thats why its not been an easy decision, and why i said im still uncertain because ive never done it before and theres only so much information you can gather frrm others. Sometimes you just have to jump in at the deep end and see for yourself.
I felt exactly the same when i quit my job to go self employed, i was scared to death of failure, but i made that work so i think i can make this work as well.
Watch him not turn up now on his start date :D
exactly..you need to find out for yourself adam..if you never try then youll never know....good luck...
-
Yeah I agree you are starting to employ good on you my Mrs does all the paperwork regarding it just had to deal with the new pension scheme,just 1 little thing among other things. Have you done all your figures ie how much more you’ll need to earn to make it worth it etc it’s way more than just double I found double just left me with help with little profit ok the day is easier but financially your hardly any beeter off.
Regarding the payroll I'm looking into doing it myself however I've found a company that can do the payroll for me for £18 a month with an initial £50 setup . That's dealing with the pension etc include. I just tell them the hours worked and they send me the payslip.
He will only be on a 16 hours a week contract. The advice I got and the figures I am working off is his salary being 33% of the turnover he makes.
So if I pay him 50 he does me 150 in turnover working on his own.
Working with me he probably won't make that much but I don't really know until I've tried.
The idea is to have home with me 3 days a week for 5-6 hours a day. This should enable me to complete my 5 day week in 3 days (eventually) which means I then get to work filling up the other 2.
Payroll will be cheaper and easier if you can pay him 4 weekly or monthly.
-
It’s nonsense about going through loads before finding the right person but in my opinion if your work isn’t well priced you will always struggle to pay enough to get someone decent. Money isn’t everything but if an average decent job, such as a postie earns £80 a day, you’ve got to be looking at that sort of figure to get medium term decent guys. That means he’s got to turnover £240 a day to be worthwhile. If your average price is a tenner that’s 24 houses a day. For most that’s a long hard day and many won’t stick it.
My average price across the board is £12.
He will be on 16 hours a week starting at £8 which means he will have to turnover a minimum of £150 a day to be worthwhile to me on his own.
I realise that the prices i charge and what i am paying is worlds apart from down south.
-
How’s it looking as far as earnings go are you now looking to get more work or can you do more than enough financially on what you take on your own to pay for him before you need to build.
Always looking for more work, but i have enough to tide me over until i get more in.
-
I’d love to take somone on especially as I’ve already upped and replaced loads of work with better work better prices etc but the biggest thing that worries me taking somone on is not the doing it all official than a cash in hand Job like some especially as that’s still coming out my pocket but the fact that surely you pay them £8-£10 an hour and it won’t be long before they think hold on this guys paying me that when I can earn easily double working for myself!
Then they either try to nick your work or go do themselves and either way they know your work so what’s say they don’t come try to steal it once they’ve left?
Am I overthinking and being too paranoid or does this actually happen?
Plus heavy rainy days too, we’ve had a bloody lot of them what do you do about those and holiday pay?
-
I’d love to take somone on especially as I’ve already upped and replaced loads of work with better work better prices etc but the biggest thing that worries me taking somone on is not the doing it all official than a cash in hand Job like some especially as that’s still coming out my pocket but the fact that surely you pay them £8-£10 an hour and it won’t be long before they think hold on this guys paying me that when I can earn easily double working for myself!
Then they either try to nick your work or go do themselves and either way they know your work so what’s say they don’t come try to steal it once they’ve left?
Am I overthinking and being too paranoid or does this actually happen?
Plus heavy rainy days too, we’ve had a bloody lot of them what do you do about those and holiday pay?
The reason I didn't want cash in hand (apart from it being illegal) is that I am looking to build something and you can only build on good foundations. Good employees are what will hold the business up. I don't want to train a cash in hand guy up for 2 months only for him to bugger off and have to commitment to me.
As for the rest of what you said, I don't think it's true..
I think some people are inclined towards business and working for themselves but look at the millions of people all over the world who are employees, have always been employees and always will be. They don't have the belief, the drive or the ambition to be anything more.
Most people will know how much their company is making it doesn't mean they go out and try to replicate it or steal their customers.
Of course it could happen and I'm sure it has but nothing is without risk.
You can put no compete clauses in contracts but they can't last forever.
You could always go old school and knock the living crap out of them instead :D
I think you have to seriously consider the weather and how you run your business.
I have been looking for someone who is flexible to try to work around the weather the best way possible.
We have an agreement that he competes his hours Mon to Friday and the exact days will be decided a few days in advance (check the weather)
Put it in the contract that if rain stops play one week they make it up another day.
Obviously this only my works if your guys are not full time.
As for holiday s well they book them in advance as normal or they are welcome to take them without notice when it's chucking it down!
-
It’s nonsense about going through loads before finding the right person but in my opinion if your work isn’t well priced you will always struggle to pay enough to get someone decent. Money isn’t everything but if an average decent job, such as a postie earns £80 a day, you’ve got to be looking at that sort of figure to get medium term decent guys. That means he’s got to turnover £240 a day to be worthwhile. If your average price is a tenner that’s 24 houses a day. For most that’s a long hard day and many won’t stick it.
My average price across the board is £12.
He will be on 16 hours a week starting at £8 which means he will have to turnover a minimum of £150 a day to be worthwhile to me on his own.
I realise that the prices i charge and what i am paying is worlds apart from down south.
If it's an 8 hour day, he needs to do £192 a day if you want to run a profitable business. My advice is to put your prices up a little if you want to employ full time and legitimately.Holidays, pensions, insurance, vans adds up to a lot of overhead.
-
The thing is guys all this advice thats being offered to Adam is all very well, but Adam has clearly made a plan and is putting it into action
That says alot for all of those who offer advice and haven't got the balls to employ and put it into action.
Just my tuppence worth
-
Yes you want to start running and building a business good on you but do not expect that attitude from an employee he couldn’t give a monkeys about your ambitions,like I’ve said a probation period is essential this business gets more messers looking for a job there’s far more bad than good looking for a window cleaning job90% think it’s a doddle to do. And as said above which has been covered countless times on here and is nearly always inevitable is the fact that they end up thinking he’s just paid me 8-10 quid for that job he’s just taken 80-100 quid for,sad but true,been there had all the idiots they nearly always end up thinking I could do this on my own but never end up doing it.
-
It’s not a case of having the balls it’s a case of being fed up with waiting in a town-village for an idiot that’s still in his Pitt,if you employ anyone without bills just expect them not to come in Monday’s and Fridays and you won’t go far wrong pal 😂
-
8-10 quid an hour in my experience will not keep them with you that amount for physical work will soon wear them down,if you have decent work after a year or so and they’ve got a clue where they are going and are up to speed I’d double that hourly wage. The only way you’ll keep a good worker is to pay them what they won’t get doing similar work down the road,any money they make you put straight back into the business even if it’s mounting up nicely don’t look at it as your money rainy days and all that or for covering his 4 weeks holiday and 15-20 sick days he has a year 😂
-
Cheers NWH for all the positivity ;D
Only time will tell I guess
I have a 6 month probation period in the contract btw.
-
If you have that you’ve nothing to worry about then mate,I thought you were going straight in blind with him,you can tell within the first week if they’ll listen to how you want things to be done. 6 months is a long time to keep an act up for.
-
Dazmond what you have said in jest is so so true in every sense,just because you’ve employed someone it means nothing you will need to kiss a lot of frogs first m8 before you get anywhere near to sending them out on there own. I don’t know anyone who’s got a result with at least the first 3/4 blokes they’ve taken on I never would just take someone straight in the books I’d want them with me for a couple of months first off the books if you know what I mean,then if you like them they like you get the pen out but not till your half sure.
well now you do!
second, third, forth all still employed after 5 and 4 years - yes the first didn't work out only because he didn't drive and their was no bus service out of school term time as he thought i'd travel 6 miles to collect him ::)roll
Employing is a big step, and so easy to get the wrong person by getting in family, friends, friends of friends etc..
but when you get it right the possibilities are endless -
You need to have set rules on everything, esp. a driving policy, disciplinary procedure and be consistent with YOUR work and attitude
good luck
Darran
-
Some good advice for employing. Been there done it so can comment Need decent prices to employ and if you haven't then put them up or find new work. Run business professionally as you will be responsible for an employee .....holiday pay, sick pay, pension, insurance, etc. Extra work sorting his work out as well as yours, payroll, accountant, tax man. Good if you include flexible guttering work, etc for rainy days to help pay his wages when you might otherwise had time off. Find someone with a young family or middle age with kids, girlfriend, wife who actually wants to work to pay theirbills and not someone single, no commitments who thinks nothing of sickies, lazy lie ins, can't be bothered type. Pay them a decent wage if you want them to be loyal as it's not everyone's first choice working outdoors in all winds and weather and most importantly make it pay otherwise there is no point employing with all the extra work involved