Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stoots on April 29, 2019, 07:56:09 am

Title: What time do you start work?
Post by: Stoots on April 29, 2019, 07:56:09 am
I know it's an age old question but every morning I find myself sat around waiting to go out

I've always started first job at 9 as I feel it's intrusive before then.

However I like to get done as fast as possible and finish as early as possible. I'm usually ready to out by 7:30 or so and just find myself sat here waiting. Seems like a waste of time I could be out and done an hour early!

Going to start first house at half 8 today

What about you lot? Anyone start at 8 or earlier and have any problems on residential?

Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: james peters on April 29, 2019, 08:08:24 am
in general I start around 8.45, and normally start on a property where I know they will be at work  or know they are early risers.   
I could start earlier, but this suits me fine .
we have just had a conservatory built, and the boys were starting around 8 am every morning.                               
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on April 29, 2019, 08:16:52 am
i usually start at 9am-930am on domestics,never earlier.....some commercial i start at 8am-830am sometimes but i find im usually stuck in rush hour traffic leaving earlier....

also when ive ever tried to start domestics at 8am-830am lots of my customers are still in with vehicles in the way and i generally find it harder to find a parking spot on some work...

my default setting is 930am....i find this is the perfect time,roads are less busy and most customers have gone to work or out taking the kids to school...

i also like to have a large breakfast and a good 90-120 mins chill out time before i head out the door.. :)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: nathankaye on April 29, 2019, 08:20:32 am
Unfortunately I do school runs for my little ones, so I'm not setting off for the first house till around 9 am.
However, when they are not in school, I aim to be on the first house by 8.30
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Wee man on April 29, 2019, 08:25:48 am
8:30 To beat all the school traffic.  Never had a problem with any costumers. 
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: lal on April 29, 2019, 08:30:55 am
  9am is normaly my earliest starting time, but the odd time in the summer months, some customers have asked
  if i could start earlier like 7.30 or 8.00, which has suited them better for various reasons.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Smudger on April 29, 2019, 08:41:37 am
The guys are out the unit at 8am for residential - usually on the glass at 8.15

Darran
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Splash & dash on April 29, 2019, 08:52:02 am
Domestic 8am commercial  any time I feel like getting up
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: GeorgeP on April 29, 2019, 09:05:42 am
Domestic usually 8.00 onwards,  occasionally a bit earlier if agreed with customer, commercial - depending on job, anytime from 03.00
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: zesty on April 29, 2019, 09:51:32 am
8am domestic.

As early as 6:30am for commercial.

I like to start early and finish early, by early, these days I’m usually home by midday.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: S.A.J on April 29, 2019, 10:51:48 am
8am always started domestic at that time, 9am on Saturdays.

We do have a few that we do 7am and 730am.

Commercial between 3am and 6am depending on the jobs
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Cookie on April 29, 2019, 10:59:44 am
I usually start between 08:30 & 09:00am. First customer is usually an early riser or a shop front. Rush hour is not a problem where I live. I do get this on quite a regular basis though:

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1556531824_IMG_20180530_160939523_HDR.jpg)

I can assure you that cows going to or returning from milking are never in a hurry!
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: The Jester of Wibbly on April 29, 2019, 11:34:02 am
8am is the start of the working day during the week.  No issues at all.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 29, 2019, 11:36:15 am
Bloody fresian this morning!
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: G Griffin on April 29, 2019, 12:22:51 pm
First customer is usually an early riser or a shop front.
I've a few of the latter.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Cookie on April 29, 2019, 02:00:09 pm
Bloody fresian this morning!

Just put ya Jersey on!
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: G Griffin on April 29, 2019, 03:21:14 pm
Bloody fresian this morning!

Just put ya Jersey on!
Not an udder pun  ::)roll.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: SB Cleaning on April 29, 2019, 03:24:23 pm
8 am
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: TomCrowther on April 29, 2019, 04:47:01 pm
08:00 isn't too early for domestic work. Ask each customer to be on the safe side but pretty much everyone is up and about by 07:30 at the latest.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Stoots on April 29, 2019, 05:21:53 pm
Well started at 8:30 this morning, got 3 done before 9 and it felt good!

Saw 2 windys working on my way out as well so seems its just me overthinking it.


Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: jonny thompson on April 29, 2019, 09:46:35 pm
On the first job 7.30 in the summer, home by 3
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Soupy on April 30, 2019, 07:11:18 am
I was always an advocate of the "only after 9am on domestics" way of thinking. We've recently changed our contract to suit more flexible hours and some of our lads have been starting at 7am for an early finish. Not a single complaint so far.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Shrek on April 30, 2019, 07:16:22 am
I used to start at 8 but can’t be arsed starting TIL 9 for the past year, there’s less traffic, I’m more awake, more relaxed , customers have gone out and it’s warmer
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Jonny 87 on April 30, 2019, 07:19:18 am
8 am start for me.

I’d say most people are out their houses by that time anyway.

Never any issues.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Slacky on April 30, 2019, 07:46:52 am
Lucky i dont start til 9 cos currently im sat on the crapper and that could prove awkward if I was at work.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on April 30, 2019, 08:03:37 am
i dont understand these people that wake up,slurp a bit of coffee or tea and are out the door within 45 mins or so.....i get up, cook a decent large breakfast,make a packed lunch and flask and ease myself into the day...

i was up at 645am but i wont be leaving til 845am for a 9am start..... ;D
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on April 30, 2019, 08:14:29 am
i used to start work at 730am and work til 6pm (sometimes 830pm)when i worked on a plant nursery in the late 80s...what a drag! :(

so glad i dont need to rush out the door anymore or set an alarm clock!.....its truly liberating.... :)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: zesty on April 30, 2019, 09:01:29 am
i dont understand these people that wake up,slurp a bit of coffee or tea and are out the door within 45 mins or so.....i get up, cook a decent large breakfast,make a packed lunch and flask and ease myself into the day...

i was up at 645am but i wont be leaving til 845am for a 9am start..... ;D

Different people prefer different ways Daz, I much prefer to be out early, I hate starting late, it makes me feel sluggish, slow and frustrated.

I like to be up and out early, my body responds better to that routine, if I lounge about, I feel naff.

I could easily start at say, 9:30am, and still be home for 1-2pm, but I just hate that type of late start routine!

Each to there own 😎
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Jonny 87 on April 30, 2019, 12:25:09 pm
i dont understand these people that wake up,slurp a bit of coffee or tea and are out the door within 45 mins or so.....i get up, cook a decent large breakfast,make a packed lunch and flask and ease myself into the day...

i was up at 645am but i wont be leaving til 845am for a 9am start..... ;D

Different people prefer different ways Daz, I much prefer to be out early, I hate starting late, it makes me feel sluggish, slow and frustrated.

I like to be up and out early, my body responds better to that routine, if I lounge about, I feel naff.

I could easily start at say, 9:30am, and still be home for 1-2pm, but I just hate that type of late start routine!

Each to there own 😎

Ditto.

If I start at 9 or later I feel like I’m
Chasing my tail The whole day.

Daz...... if you started at 8 you could probably get in another 5 star holiday! Your leaving money on the table man.


 ;D
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: G Griffin on April 30, 2019, 02:31:41 pm
Daz...... if you started at 8 you could probably get in another 5 star holiday!
Before a 9am start?
I think that's pushing it.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on April 30, 2019, 05:08:30 pm
I have this psychological way of feeling better about work done before 9am - especially once we are in March through October. It's like it's "extra".

Sad I know but starting at 8.45 am feels way better than starting at 9.15 am to me.

Domestics I like to start by about 8.40 and commercial when the sun is up anything from 6.30 am to 8.00 am.

However, if I know I have a quiet day - say 4 hours or less then I might start at 9.30 or even 10.00 to avoid commuting traffic. (Which isn't a big problem anyway as I am leaving Bristol rather than entering it.)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 30, 2019, 05:40:56 pm
I always have my breakfast the night before, that way I can start earlier and sleep a little longer.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on April 30, 2019, 07:19:29 pm
ill be aiming for a 830am start tomorrow as im having a few travel vaccinations at the doctors tomorrow afternoon,i dont think ill feel like going back to work after.my missus couldnt lift her arms up for 2 days after hers..... ::)roll ;D
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 30, 2019, 07:30:14 pm
Stuff a quick lock connector into the base of your pole - should do the trick.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: RPCCS on April 30, 2019, 07:35:21 pm
Generally start between 9 and 9.30 finish about 3.30/4.30
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 01, 2019, 07:19:12 am
I have this psychological way of feeling better about work done before 9am - especially once we are in March through October. It's like it's "extra".

Sad I know but starting at 8.45 am feels way better than starting at 9.15 am to me.

Domestics I like to start by about 8.40 and commercial when the sun is up anything from 6.30 am to 8.00 am.

However, if I know I have a quiet day - say 4 hours or less then I might start at 9.30 or even 10.00 to avoid commuting traffic. (Which isn't a big problem anyway as I am leaving Bristol rather than entering it.)

i was up at 6am this morning so ill be heading out the door at 8am for a 830am start......its not very often i start this early though but i want to be done by 130pm,i also moved (and cleaned) a job from todays worksheet yesterday to free up some more time....
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: colin bird on May 01, 2019, 07:37:31 am
I used to be concerned about starting domestic jobs before 9.00 am but as I've got busier I have to start at 8.30 am to get all my work done,I don't get anyone complaining its to early
Also builders start 7.30 am on domestic work,so don't see we have anything to worry about
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Jonny 87 on May 01, 2019, 07:48:21 am
Its the age old problem.

Window cleaners making problems for themselves that doesn’t exist. Just like “I can’t work in the rain, my customers won’t like it”.

Aslong as you don’t get in the way of your customers or effect them in anyway, they are happy to just have clean windows.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: zesty on May 01, 2019, 08:42:20 am
Its the age old problem.

Window cleaners making problems for themselves that doesn’t exist. Just like “I can’t work in the rain, my customers won’t like it”.

Aslong as you don’t get in the way of your customers or effect them in anyway, they are happy to just have clean windows.

Spot on Jonny,

My old work mate starts at 7:30am on the glass (domestic)

He just starts at customers houses who he knows leave early themselves, he’s done it this way for 15 years.

Once you get to know your round and customers, you can plan which houses to do first.

When I worked with him we’d meet at 7:15am then drive to the first house, sometimes around 7:20am. We never had a problem, just started with the people we knew were either up or already gone.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 01, 2019, 02:52:07 pm
finished even earlier than anticipated due to one scheduled job having a patio laid(ill clean it next week instead) and the other had another cleaner there pressure washing the gutters/soffits/fascias(skipped til next due date).......oh well i can relax a bit before band rehearsal tonight now..... :D
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: deeege on May 01, 2019, 02:59:57 pm
I like to be up and out as early as possible. 6am or earlier on commercial and 8am on domestics. My body clock has me awake at 5am anyway so not starting until late feels like wasted time sitting around the house.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 01, 2019, 05:23:23 pm
I like to be up and out as early as possible. 6am or earlier on commercial and 8am on domestics. My body clock has me awake at 5am anyway so not starting until late feels like wasted time sitting around the house.

if your up at 5am what time do you go to bed danny?i dont generally get to bed til 1130pm-12pm so 6 or 7am is my wake up time.....id have to go to bed at 10pm if i was up that early or id be like a walking zombie through lack of sleep during the daytime....
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: deeege on May 01, 2019, 06:39:40 pm
I like to be up and out as early as possible. 6am or earlier on commercial and 8am on domestics. My body clock has me awake at 5am anyway so not starting until late feels like wasted time sitting around the house.

if your up at 5am what time do you go to bed danny?i dont generally get to bed til 1130pm-12pm so 6 or 7am is my wake up time.....id have to go to bed at 10pm if i was up that early or id be like a walking zombie through lack of sleep during the daytime....

Go to bed 10pm ish but get to sleep anytime between 11pm and midnight.  6 hours sleep is plenty for me although I usually get a little less.

My lad is 4 and is awake at first light, once he’s awake we are all awake regardless of time/tiredness 😂
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 02, 2019, 07:59:31 am
you need to put up black out blinds in his bedroom so its really dark in the mornings danny.....that should keep him in bed longer.... :)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: deeege on May 02, 2019, 08:01:12 am
you need to put up black out blinds in his bedroom so its really dark in the mornings danny.....that should keep him in bed longer.... :)

If only I would have thought of that sooner 😂
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Stoots on May 02, 2019, 11:40:19 am
i dont understand these people that wake up,slurp a bit of coffee or tea and are out the door within 45 mins or so.....i get up, cook a decent large breakfast,make a packed lunch and flask and ease myself into the day...

i was up at 645am but i wont be leaving til 845am for a 9am start..... ;D


I generally wake about 7-7:30 out the door about 8:30 but I can't stomach food before about 10 so only have coffee or tea.

I usually don't eat till about 11- 11:30 when I'll have an early lunch and aim to be home by 3.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: RPCCS on May 02, 2019, 03:50:32 pm
Its the age old problem.

Window cleaners making problems for themselves that doesn’t exist. Just like “I can’t work in the rain, my customers won’t like it”.

Aslong as you don’t get in the way of your customers or effect them in anyway, they are happy to just have clean windows.
Couldnt try that round here, the rain is full of dirt.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: RPCCS on May 02, 2019, 03:54:31 pm
finished even earlier than anticipated due to one scheduled job having a patio laid(ill clean it next week instead) and the other had another cleaner there pressure washing the gutters/soffits/fascias(skipped til next due date).......oh well i can relax a bit before band rehearsal tonight now..... :D
Why didnt they ask you to clean the gascias etc? I'd be narkrd if one of my customets got someone else to do that when its one of my services
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Johnny B on May 02, 2019, 05:04:24 pm
I usually start around 9 on residential, although I do one appartment at 6:30 as it's on the one way system in town and any later than that the traffic would be getting too heavy for comfort!

I do some shop front on Friday mornings when I am out around 7:45.

John
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: george renwick on May 02, 2019, 05:22:43 pm
I used to start commercial at 4.30 am :o :o  before my other job which was 6am start
 but houses at 8am  :) :)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 02, 2019, 06:10:06 pm
finished even earlier than anticipated due to one scheduled job having a patio laid(ill clean it next week instead) and the other had another cleaner there pressure washing the gutters/soffits/fascias(skipped til next due date).......oh well i can relax a bit before band rehearsal tonight now..... :D
Why didnt they ask you to clean the gascias etc? I'd be narkrd if one of my customets got someone else to do that when its one of my services

i did clean them a few years ago but it was his wife that asked me to do them then,she has since died of a brain tumour aged 46.... :(

i dont think her husband was aware i offered a f/s/g service......i wouldve been much cheaper too(he charge him £200 for an hours work that he dragged out for 4 hours)...my price would of been £80.... ;D
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Shrek on May 03, 2019, 06:12:19 am
Its the age old problem.

Window cleaners making problems for themselves that doesn’t exist. Just like “I can’t work in the rain, my customers won’t like it”.

Aslong as you don’t get in the way of your customers or effect them in anyway, they are happy to just have clean windows.
Couldnt try that round here, the rain is full of dirt.

😂😂😂😂😂🙄 your in the same area as NK and he works in the rain ☔️
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Jonny 87 on May 03, 2019, 07:43:47 am
Its the age old problem.

Window cleaners making problems for themselves that doesn’t exist. Just like “I can’t work in the rain, my customers won’t like it”.

Aslong as you don’t get in the way of your customers or effect them in anyway, they are happy to just have clean windows.
Couldnt try that round here, the rain is full of dirt.


 ;D

I’m pretty sure that rain is the same across the uk. I’ve worked in the rain for about 10 years now (on and off ☔️) and never had any issues.

It’s all in the mind.
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: aztec on May 07, 2019, 06:22:31 pm
6am for town shop work every morning, houses no earlier than 8.30, commercial and schools 6am onwards
finish 2/2.30 rest of day to yourself
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 08, 2019, 09:38:24 am
i overslept this morning and woke up at 830am so its a 1030am start today.....its wet and horrible out there today,i should be done by 3pm(i squeezed a few jobs from todays work in yesterday)..... :)
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: Stoots on May 09, 2019, 07:47:23 am
I know a lot of these issues are in the mind.

But it's easy to overthink when it's such a lonely job. All I do is bloody think all day long.

Worked all day in rain yesterday, I won't stop for rain anymore, you lose far too much money over a year. Better to upset a customer or two than lose £1000s
Title: Re: What time do you start work?
Post by: dazmond on May 09, 2019, 08:09:23 am
ill be starting around 930am and ill be finished around 3pm......the key adam is short days(you dont get too fed up then and work more efficiently IMO).....

its forecast rain today and tomorrow here and its overcast but i dont think itll rain ALL day......ive got 2 waterproof jackets if it does though and ill swap them round at lunchtime... ;)