Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Slacky on April 15, 2020, 01:07:05 pm

Title: In three months....
Post by: Slacky on April 15, 2020, 01:07:05 pm
Thought it might be worth looking at how much we expect the current situation to affect us long-term.

Although I've picked up some nice work since all of this kicked  off (that work has now been done) Ive also lost so far about £1,000 worth of regular work.

Pleased to say a commercial has re-instated two contracts for the next three months, which I was concerned about. 

So it's swings and roundabouts at the moment for me,  although I do expect the virus to affect my income, negatively. Three months down the line I think consumer confidence will be at an all time low. Its confidence which will be the causation of any ill effects for us as a business. Im thinking you may be ok today, but after three more weeks of lockdown, which is coming, and then a very very slow return to some place called normality over the following 3 months, in to the start of autumn, will take it's toll on our businesses.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Rob.Hall on April 15, 2020, 01:17:16 pm
I think you are on the ball there Slacky..
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Ooooooog on April 15, 2020, 02:17:56 pm
Most of our regular work is annual. We’re just bumping it along a couple of months.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: dazmond on April 15, 2020, 02:36:20 pm
i voted no change...ill probably have more in 3 months time....

i just cant see me losing any work TBH...and ive already picked up 7 new jobs in the last 3 weeks without trying.....all my well priced childrens homes said carry on(government funded)as their still open and are key workers,the childrens nurseries might be on hold for a month or 2 but will need cleaning again when they reopen fully.....ive also got add on jobs that i do for my regular customers booked in for the next few months......i also put over half my prices up last month so im already earning more for the same work.......

Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Rob.Hall on April 15, 2020, 03:14:22 pm
It will be interesting to see the stats in September October.

If companys start laying off staff big time and businesses fold because of the economic impact from cv then everything will change.

The big one which we all forget about is inflation. If that takes off everyone will be hit unless you are financialy sound.

Now that was a scary time for me years ago...my mortgage interest rate was 12.5%.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: KS Cleaning on April 15, 2020, 03:16:42 pm
I have voted 10% but is probably nearer 5% at the moment, which is mostly commercial. I have picked up quite a few domestics lately but that is usually the case at this time of year.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Phil J on April 15, 2020, 03:20:15 pm
I feel the reverberations of this will be felt for a lot longer than 3 months.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: dazmond on April 15, 2020, 03:38:31 pm
if you think you ll lose lots of work itll be a self fulfilling prophesy for some of you......THINK POSITIVE!just get out there and do what you can......
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Slacky on April 15, 2020, 03:46:47 pm
Daz, if you think you'll lose a lot of work it might inspire you to do something about it.

Ive already lost £1,000 of work in the last three weeks; d'you think that automatically means Im going to lose another £1,000 because Im thinking about that?

If anything it makes me more determined to DO something about it and not be fatalistic, which is what you're trying to say it seems.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: dazmond on April 15, 2020, 03:48:51 pm
Daz, if you think you'll lose a lot of work it might inspire you to do something about it.

Ive already lost £1,000 of work in the last three weeks; d'you think that automatically means Im going to lose another £1,000 because Im thinking about that?

If anything it makes me more determined to DO something about it and not be fatalistic, which is what you're trying to say it seems.

i wasnt pointing fingers at you personally matt!it was just a general comment not directed at any specific window cleaners!
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: andyM on April 15, 2020, 04:17:04 pm
I can't help but feel pessimistic about the situation to be honest.
I've been through two confirmed recessions but i feel there is potential for financial hardship that has not been seen in my lifetime.
I hope i am proved wrong.
But the longer the situation goes on the deeper in the mire we will be.
I feel there is a sense in some people that if they "hibernate" everything will be alright when we come out of the other side.
But unfortunately our Western economies won't endure it.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: gary999 on April 15, 2020, 04:28:28 pm
During the financial crisis in 2008 GDP dropped by 2%......talking about a loss of 35% if the lockdown stays until June
likely we will only see the true cost once the furlough has ended and we see who is left standing. Over two thirds of my work
is with  the rinse and set brigade or public sector workers. If i keep 75%-80% of my work i will be okay plod on until the end of
the year give myself and everyone else time to breathe..then with any luck be able to crack back on in 2021.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Slacky on April 15, 2020, 04:36:40 pm
I can't help but feel pessimistic about the situation to be honest.
I've been through two confirmed recessions but i feel there is potential for financial hardship that has not been seen in my lifetime.
I hope i am proved wrong.
But the longer the situation goes on the deeper in the mire we will be.
I feel there is a sense in some people that if they "hibernate" everything will be alright when we come out of the other side.
But unfortunately our Western economies won't endure it.

Exactly.

I've worked self-employed through two recessions and to be honest I really don't remember being affected by them. Maybe because there were fewer window cleaners about in those days. Who knows.

I can't help but feel this is likely to be a different scenario altogether and will require real concerted effort, thought and application to get through it in a reasonable financial shape.

Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Stoots on April 15, 2020, 04:43:30 pm
10% at the most.

At the moment I'm probably 2 down, lost a handful picked up a handful.

Had a lot of skippers that may or may not come back.

But either way It won't break me, even if I lost a lot I can easily replace them once this is over. There's thousands of houses out there and not everyone is going to be affected by this.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on April 15, 2020, 04:44:46 pm
I looks like it will be very tough for some and it will effect everyone in some way
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: andyM on April 15, 2020, 04:48:55 pm
I've worked self-employed through two recessions and to be honest I really don't remember being affected by them. Maybe because there were fewer window cleaners about in those days. Who knows.

I can't help but feel this is likely to be a different scenario altogether and will require real concerted effort, thought and application to get through it in a reasonable financial shape.

I just don't think the penny has dropped with a lot of people who are just at home chillin' in their garden or wherever thinking that when the Holiday is over the reset button will be pressed and we will just all carry on as before.
Sorry but i just don't think that's gonna happen. 
   
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Stoots on April 15, 2020, 04:50:50 pm
I've worked self-employed through two recessions and to be honest I really don't remember being affected by them. Maybe because there were fewer window cleaners about in those days. Who knows.

I can't help but feel this is likely to be a different scenario altogether and will require real concerted effort, thought and application to get through it in a reasonable financial shape.

I just don't think the penny has dropped with a lot of people who are just at home chillin' in their garden or wherever thinking that when the Holiday is over the reset button will be pressed and we will just all carry on as before.
Sorry but i just don't think that's gonna happen. 
   

Why not?

For some, you are right they will lose jobs but as a window cleaner we lose work we just go get some more, loads of people will still want their windows cleaning. I don't expect to be affected much at all by this..unless I get it and die of course.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on April 15, 2020, 05:00:15 pm
Wouldn't like to be in Retail window cleaning Oasis and Warehouse just gone pop more to follow.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: andyM on April 15, 2020, 05:10:33 pm
I've worked self-employed through two recessions and to be honest I really don't remember being affected by them. Maybe because there were fewer window cleaners about in those days. Who knows.

I can't help but feel this is likely to be a different scenario altogether and will require real concerted effort, thought and application to get through it in a reasonable financial shape.

I just don't think the penny has dropped with a lot of people who are just at home chillin' in their garden or wherever thinking that when the Holiday is over the reset button will be pressed and we will just all carry on as before.
Sorry but i just don't think that's gonna happen. 
   

Why not?

For some, you are right they will lose jobs but as a window cleaner we lose work we just go get some more, loads of people will still want their windows cleaning. I don't expect to be affected much at all by this..unless I get it and die of course.

Yeah sorry im talking generally, as in the the effect on the economy, jobs and businesses it will have, not just to us millionaire window cleaners.     (http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1586966847_grin.gif)
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: deeege on April 15, 2020, 05:34:55 pm
I’ll be down anywhere between 10% and 50% depending on a few larger jobs.

I’ll have to tighten my belt with outgoings/holidays etc for a few years and hopefully can replace what will be lost, this won’t be easy with a massive recession looming.

Have already picked up an extra £100 per month in domestics in the last couple of weeks so not all doom and gloom I suppose.

The whole thing just feels like a massive kick in the balls for me as I feel my work was nearly exactly where i wanted it to be. We have our health though so there’s plenty worse off than me.

Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: dazmond on April 15, 2020, 05:56:05 pm
im just never pessimistic ...ever...... these days........im not one for wallowing in the mire and worrying about the future....i used to many years ago in my drinking days for sure......but now im "into action" not "into thinking"......"live in the solution"..."one day at a time"....this stuff has been drilled into me from years of going to AA meetings...... ;D

so what?its a global pandemic........we ll get over it and bounce back one day.....
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Stoots on April 15, 2020, 05:57:17 pm
I’ll be down anywhere between 10% and 50% depending on a few larger jobs.

I’ll have to tighten my belt with outgoings/holidays etc for a few years and hopefully can replace what will be lost, this won’t be easy with a massive recession looming.

Have already picked up an extra £100 per month in domestics in the last couple of weeks so not all doom and gloom I suppose.

The whole thing just feels like a massive kick in the balls for me as I feel my work was nearly exactly where i wanted it to be. We have our health though so there’s plenty worse off than me.

I take it its mainly commercial youve lost ?

Why not concentrate on domestic, you could pick up work now no problem if you start advertising today,

I cant see a recession effecting us too much, if someone doesnt want them cleaning go find another who does. For a solo window cleaner there will never be a shortage of work, theres literally thousands upon thosands of houses out there to go at and new ones going up all the time.

In your case though losing all that commercial it must be gutting
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: dazmond on April 15, 2020, 06:00:41 pm
I’ll be down anywhere between 10% and 50% depending on a few larger jobs.

I’ll have to tighten my belt with outgoings/holidays etc for a few years and hopefully can replace what will be lost, this won’t be easy with a massive recession looming.

Have already picked up an extra £100 per month in domestics in the last couple of weeks so not all doom and gloom I suppose.

The whole thing just feels like a massive kick in the balls for me as I feel my work was nearly exactly where i wanted it to be. We have our health though so there’s plenty worse off than me.

concentrate on domestics danny.....im quite sure you ll be fine (being established 12 years or so)and you ll still get the add on cleans to go along with your regular window cleaning......plus you ve got a website....

the lockdown will be lifted soon........it wont go on longer than 3 months thats for sure......
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: deeege on April 15, 2020, 06:56:18 pm
Yes I’m concentrating on Domestics, that was my plan for this spring/summer anyway. A big push with 30/40k leaflets. They’ve actually been sat in my utility room since December, ready to go.

I’m also positive about the situation. I had a bit of a wobble before the virus hit fully, even when most on here were saying it will have zero effect on us.

Let’s hope we get through the next week or two then once the numbers start declining the nation as a whole starts to get more positive about the whole outlook. There’s still time to get the kids back in school before summer and get the economy motoring again I firmly believe that.


Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Missing Link on April 15, 2020, 08:46:13 pm
There’s still time to get the kids back in school before summer and get the economy motoring again I firmly believe that.

Sorry, Deeege, no way the kids will be going back to school before Autumn (a University lecturer friend has told me he's stood down till Autumn) and as for the economy, I liked the way you said 'motoring'.

That's the thing though, it's not like an engine that can be turned off and then back on again.

It's more like a beating heart.

I hope I'm wrong.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Splash & dash on April 15, 2020, 09:33:19 pm
Yes I’m concentrating on Domestics, that was my plan for this spring/summer anyway. A big push with 30/40k leaflets. They’ve actually been sat in my utility room since December, ready to go.

I’m also positive about the situation. I had a bit of a wobble before the virus hit fully, even when most on here were saying it will have zero effect on us.

Let’s hope we get through the next week or two then once the numbers start declining the nation as a whole starts to get more positive about the whole outlook. There’s still time to get the kids back in school before summer and get the economy motoring again I firmly believe that.



Schools won’t be re opening until September my youngest daughter is a ta and she has been told that in writing from the education authority
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: deeege on April 15, 2020, 10:02:10 pm
Individual authorities/educational establishments  may have ruled out opening before Autumn but the country as a whole hasn’t. Just because one individual teacher has been told to stand down until September doesn’t mean they’ve got some inside info from Boris. 😂

I’m not saying schools will open, I’m just saying it’s too early to make that call yet.

My wife’s been involved this last week with drawing up different contingencies and options for the next few months for her school which will obviously be dependant on ever changing government guidelines. My neighbour is also a deputy head at a 4k student high school and she’s been involved in similar discussions this week for a school at a neighbouring authority.

The economy comment I agree with, let’s hope the damage is on the lesser scale of predictions is what I meant. That’s the best we can realistically hope for I think.

Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Splash & dash on April 15, 2020, 11:08:49 pm
Individual authorities/educational establishments  may have ruled out opening before Autumn but the country as a whole hasn’t. Just because one individual teacher has been told to stand down until September doesn’t mean they’ve got some inside info from Boris. 😂

I’m not saying schools will open, I’m just saying it’s too early to make that call yet.

My wife’s been involved this last week with drawing up different contingencies and options for the next few months for her school which will obviously be dependant on ever changing government guidelines. My neighbour is also a deputy head at a 4k student high school and she’s been involved in similar discussions this week for a school at a neighbouring authority.

The economy comment I agree with, let’s hope the damage is on the lesser scale of predictions is what I meant. That’s the best we can realistically hope for I think.



I don’t  think you will have some schools open and some shut it will be either one or the other .
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: lee_dewing on April 15, 2020, 11:33:36 pm
I did think schools wouldn’t return till September

But now reading all sorts on the internet saying June 🤔

Its unprecedented times
We maybe out of lockdown soon

But back in again if the virus 🦠 peaks again and nhs can’t cope

The Government I think will have to get an exit plan moving

I think COBRA 🐍 are meeting this evening or tomorrow

It’s a no win situation for the government

The media are waiting like vultures
For any mistake 🤦‍♂️
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Richard iSparkle on April 15, 2020, 11:40:25 pm
i can see the schools reopening before summer. as above, at first i thought they'd be closed until next year, but now they are talking about a staged return to 'normal'.  schools are seen as low risk for the virus spread. also the Gov't want people back working again

1. the Gov't have control of schools so they can actively open them themselves (unlike other businesses or universities)

2. people rely on schools for childcare so cant go back to work unless schools open

i can see it happening. it might not, but all going well with the virus infection rates etc i think they will
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: lee_dewing on April 16, 2020, 12:09:20 am
Quote
[/ people rely on schools for childcare so cant go back to work unless schools open quote]

Exactly Richard, spot on
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Missing Link on April 16, 2020, 12:15:27 am

The Government I think will have to get an exit plan moving

Other countries are further along than us and are starting to unlock, or on the cusp of it.

I don't think we'll get much from government till the scientists watch how other countries get on.

But you can find various unlock stategies in the news; they all involve testing heavily.  This will take time to sort out.

I reckon we've another three weeks of lockdown; flattening the curve downards, giving government time to sort out mass testing.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: deeege on April 16, 2020, 06:57:07 am
Individual authorities/educational establishments  may have ruled out opening before Autumn but the country as a whole hasn’t. Just because one individual teacher has been told to stand down until September doesn’t mean they’ve got some inside info from Boris. 😂

I’m not saying schools will open, I’m just saying it’s too early to make that call yet.

My wife’s been involved this last week with drawing up different contingencies and options for the next few months for her school which will obviously be dependant on ever changing government guidelines. My neighbour is also a deputy head at a 4k student high school and she’s been involved in similar discussions this week for a school at a neighbouring authority.

The economy comment I agree with, let’s hope the damage is on the lesser scale of predictions is what I meant. That’s the best we can realistically hope for I think.



I don’t  think you will have some schools open and some shut it will be either one or the other .

Why not? That’s exactly what we’ve got in our local area at the moment. Some schools completely closed and some schools open for key workers kids but also accepting children from the closed schools also to help keep the key workers in work.

There’s going to be a lot more options available to government and local authorities than a blanket opening / closing of schools.

More so, staggered opening within schools is also being looked at, so opening key stage 2 first whilst keeping Key stage 1 kids at home and various other versions of this.

It’s far more complicated than just saying schools are opening on Monday.
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: Crystal-clear on April 16, 2020, 07:23:05 am
Most of our regular work is annual. We’re just bumping it along a couple of months.
Is that domestics once per year?
Title: Re: In three months....
Post by: KS Cleaning on April 16, 2020, 07:36:08 am
Individual authorities/educational establishments  may have ruled out opening before Autumn but the country as a whole hasn’t. Just because one individual teacher has been told to stand down until September doesn’t mean they’ve got some inside info from Boris. 😂

I’m not saying schools will open, I’m just saying it’s too early to make that call yet.

My wife’s been involved this last week with drawing up different contingencies and options for the next few months for her school which will obviously be dependant on ever changing government guidelines. My neighbour is also a deputy head at a 4k student high school and she’s been involved in similar discussions this week for a school at a neighbouring authority.

The economy comment I agree with, let’s hope the damage is on the lesser scale of predictions is what I meant. That’s the best we can realistically hope for I think.



I don’t  think you will have some schools open and some shut it will be either one or the other .

Why not? That’s exactly what we’ve got in our local area at the moment. Some schools completely closed and some schools open for key workers kids but also accepting children from the closed schools also to help keep the key workers in work.

There’s going to be a lot more options available to government and local authorities than a blanket opening / closing of schools.

More so, staggered opening within schools is also being looked at, so opening key stage 2 first whilst keeping Key stage 1 kids at home and various other versions of this.

It’s far more complicated than just saying schools are opening on Monday.
The schools that are open at the moment aren’t teaching the carriculum tho. They are merely open as hubs for the children that you mentioned. When they do decide to open schools, if it is to be staggered, it will have to be done by year groups.