Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: zesty on December 07, 2024, 07:41:24 am
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Few days ago I clean a house (three bed detached) at exactly the same time as two guys cleaning the neighbours (3 bed semi) in fact they started about 3 minutes before me.
Friendly guys, no issues.
Point I want to make is I finished the house on my own much faster than two of them took to finish the neighbours. And I mean much faster.
I always new I was quick. I never get complaints. Ever.
They’ve been going a fee years longer then me, I was suprised how long it took them. Made me think working in pairs is a bit pointless if the goal is speed and houses cleaned. Better off getting the other bloke in his own van.
I’m not most thorough, but I never get complaints. I’m not the guy cleaning all round the trickle vents and messing about cleaning every part of the frames, but my customers are happy. No wonder I’m home at midday ;D
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Depends what you are charging? I can spend the same time on my customer's front door if its a white pvc door than all the windows. I only clean above the vents twice a year or when webs or dirt is on them. I have one window that always seems to drip so I went up the ladder to check it out. Turns out its in the unit as its decades old. I got complaints about it after I cleaned it, one could notice the marks easier.
All of my complaints now come down this path. Customers think glass units last forever but if you get more than 20 years then you are doing well.
Now I will put the ladder up right away to find out what's wrong and inform my customer.
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Pretty obvious that 2 men from one van will never be as efficient as one guy on his own. Maybe if the work is large commercial jobs it is not such a big disadvantage.
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Higher water flow is your friend...
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Same as Zesty, I work quick and never get complaints. I probably would spend a little longer cleaning each house if I was able to command southern counties prices.
My business model will be a bit different from most on here, I work quickly and efficiently and achieve an hourly rate that’s right up there.
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Depends what you are charging? I can spend the same time on my customer's front door if its a white pvc door than all the windows. I only clean above the vents twice a year or when webs or dirt is on them. I have one window that always seems to drip so I went up the ladder to check it out. Turns out its in the unit as its decades old. I got complaints about it after I cleaned it, one could notice the marks easier.
All of my complaints now come down this path. Customers think glass units last forever but if you get more than 20 years then you are doing well.
Now I will put the ladder up right away to find out what's wrong and inform my customer.
You get complaints? :o
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No complaints doesn't mean the jobs done correctly.
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No complaints doesn't mean the jobs done correctly.
Strange comment. Correctly is subjective. I’ve been doing this job since I was 18. I’m now 36.
No complaints means my customers are happy with the service and the quality.
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I am always baffled when I see a duo working thinking I would never want to share my takings. Any journey time is never quicker with two in the van. Think it's also a distraction too slowing the process down.
I much prefer working on my own with my earbuds in. I do understand, that some can't cope with window cleaning, without someone else next to them.
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Some I've seen cleaning near where I am cleaning are 3 up and trad.....they pull up clean one house and away again......I can clean 1 house nearly as quick as 3 of them by the time they have untied ladders, cleaned and tied them back on.....don't know how they make money.
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Everyone has different speeds and efficiency in working which is why the "what should I charge for this" threads are a waste of time.
Some people take ages to clean a property and still do a bad job. The quality of clean is down to the individuals personal pride in the job.
And yes you do an ok job and not get complaints even a bad job on occasions - despite what's said many many customers put up with poor cleans
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Some I've seen cleaning near where I am cleaning are 3 up and trad.....they pull up clean one house and away again......I can clean 1 house nearly as quick as 3 of them by the time they have untied ladders, cleaned and tied them back on.....don't know how they make money.
They don’t. Not much anyway.
And it’s certainly not sustainable as a business imo.
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Back in the days when I worked with a very lovely young lady, we used to pitch up at a house, run hoses to the back by opposite sides, start in the middle and work back.
In comparison to working on my own it was highly productive and we'd be a bit competitive.
Adding to the fun was that whoever finished first would be packing up while the other was writing the ticket.
Our best job was a largeish house with multiple dormer windows that used to take me about 40 minutes and we had it down to a fairly easy 12 minutes.
We were getting through the work between two and three times quicker and then having lunch out together.
Happy times.
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Some window cleaners have other income streams and just like to take their time....
I'm usually more brisk without rushing about like a headless chicken.
There's a happy medium somewhere and that's where I like to work with purpose and efficiency....
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Some window cleaners have other income streams and just like to take their time....
I'm usually more brisk without rushing about like a headless chicken.
There's a happy medium somewhere and that's where I like to work with purpose and efficiency....
Nah this bloke is running full time, no other business.
To me, it’s seemed futile paying someone when you can do the same amount on your own and do shorter hours.
Getting someone out in another van is obviously game changing. But working with someone just doesn’t seem worth it.
Each to their own, it was an interesting observation on my part.
We had a good chat, and no issues with cleaning houses on the same road. So that was a positive because there are some seriously teritorial window cleaners out there!
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If you walk about like robo cop then you can save some time. I had to go back to my van for scraper to get the silicon off the glass on new windows today. On the same job I made an extra tenner removing a small drainpipe and clearing it out. They had texted to say it was blocked and could I fix it. In the end if your van can hold more stuff then more can get fixed.
Bizarre thing I came across today. Looking at new Sprinters and one said it can hold 1400kgs and will weigh 3.88 tons. I know wee Rishi had to put the 3.5ton limit up to 4.25ton because of the weight of the batteries on EV vans or they won't sell many. Going to look into it but it would suit me down to a tee if its diesel.
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Back in the days when I worked with a very lovely young lady, we used to pitch up at a house, run hoses to the back by opposite sides, start in the middle and work back.
In comparison to working on my own it was highly productive and we'd be a bit competitive.
Adding to the fun was that whoever finished first would be packing up while the other was writing the ticket.
Our best job was a largeish house with multiple dormer windows that used to take me about 40 minutes and we had it down to a fairly easy 12 minutes.
We were getting through the work between two and three times quicker and then having lunch out together.
Happy times.
Apart from the 'lovely young lady' bit, that's how I've been working with Wor Lass for years now (over 20).
She's not normal (she's very - extremely - physically fit) and we have most jobs down to a 't'; we're like a well-oiled machine.
Unless her HRT patch has gotten stuck to her t-shirt and she turns into some kind of raging monster.
I get all the awkward reaches though.
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If you walk about like robo cop then you can save some time. I had to go back to my van for scraper to get the silicon off the glass on new windows today. On the same job I made an extra tenner removing a small drainpipe and clearing it out. They had texted to say it was blocked and could I fix it. In the end if your van can hold more stuff then more can get fixed.
Bizarre thing I came across today. Looking at new Sprinters and one said it can hold 1400kgs and will weigh 3.88 tons. I know wee Rishi had to put the 3.5ton limit up to 4.25ton because of the weight of the batteries on EV vans or they won't sell many. Going to look into it but it would suit me down to a tee if its diesel.
You are deluded mate. I think you are at the wind up aren’t you?
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I once worked with a guy for a period who was a good grafter and perhaps even a tad quicker than me but we had to go like the clappers and work a bit longer hours to make it work money wise.
We did about £600 in a 7 hour day but the pace would be relentless to achieve that. I could have done about £350 on my own working at the same pace...he was costing £150 so 100 quid better off a day.
Not bad but could only do 3 days with him otherwise would have gone over VAT . When you factor in all the extra customers needed, days that he would ring in sick, days we where rained off , extra fuel and water needed, extra payments to chase etc etc it really wasnt worth it. Only plus to it is we got on well and had a laugh so made the days more enjoyable but knackering.
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If you walk about like robo cop then you can save some time. I had to go back to my van for scraper to get the silicon off the glass on new windows today. On the same job I made an extra tenner removing a small drainpipe and clearing it out. They had texted to say it was blocked and could I fix it. In the end if your van can hold more stuff then more can get fixed.
Bizarre thing I came across today. Looking at new Sprinters and one said it can hold 1400kgs and will weigh 3.88 tons. I know wee Rishi had to put the 3.5ton limit up to 4.25ton because of the weight of the batteries on EV vans or they won't sell many. Going to look into it but it would suit me down to a tee if its diesel.
You are deluded mate. I think you are at the wind up aren’t you?
No, they raised it to 4.25 tons for EV vans. They said we would need to go on a 6hr driving course to add to our full licence then they dropped the course. They had to do something because no one would buy the vans because of the weight limit of 600kgs.
AI Overview
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The weight of a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric van depends on the battery version and the model:
113 kWh battery: The 113 kWh eSprinter has a kerb weight of 3,248 kg with a driver and 3,323 kg without a driver. The 113 kWh battery is only available in the L3 vehicle length and has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 4.25 tonnes.
Its all there in black and white. Its just I'm up to date with politics and usually first to know when things are changing.
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I once worked with a guy for a period who was a good grafter and perhaps even a tad quicker than me but we had to go like the clappers and work a bit longer hours to make it work money wise.
We did about £600 in a 7 hour day but the pace would be relentless to achieve that. I could have done about £350 on my own working at the same pace...he was costing £150 so 100 quid better off a day.
Not bad but could only do 3 days with him otherwise would have gone over VAT . When you factor in all the extra customers needed, days that he would ring in sick, days we where rained off , extra fuel and water needed, extra payments to chase etc etc it really wasnt worth it. Only plus to it is we got on well and had a laugh so made the days more enjoyable but knackering.
Usually leads to burnout.
This game is the best one man band set up I have came across in my life especially for a part-time job. Reason being, you can fit the job around your spare time. If the weather is against you then you are not forced to go out and work. Customers are not bothered what time or day you come and realise it will be around the same time as it always been.
Once the system is up and running then all you need to do is fill your tank and away you go. I've had many jobs in life and because of WFP I believe this is the best yet, it suits me perfectly.
Take yesterday for instant. Had 8 houses to clean and only 2 left when I got a text saying my big chair was being delivered in half an hour. I immediately drove home and waited for the chair to arrived and it was 10mins early. So this morning went out and cleaned the last 2 houses and that's me ready for a full week with no deliveries, bar a taxi driver there's no better job I believe. fwiw
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. Its just I'm up to date with politics and usually first to know when things are changing.
You’ve got to be on the wind up, surely? ;D
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I once worked with a guy for a period who was a good grafter and perhaps even a tad quicker than me but we had to go like the clappers and work a bit longer hours to make it work money wise.
We did about £600 in a 7 hour day but the pace would be relentless to achieve that. I could have done about £350 on my own working at the same pace...he was costing £150 so 100 quid better off a day.
Not bad but could only do 3 days with him otherwise would have gone over VAT . When you factor in all the extra customers needed, days that he would ring in sick, days we where rained off , extra fuel and water needed, extra payments to chase etc etc it really wasnt worth it. Only plus to it is we got on well and had a laugh so made the days more enjoyable but knackering.
Usually leads to burnout.
This game is the best one man band set up I have came across in my life especially for a part-time job. Reason being, you can fit the job around your spare time. If the weather is against you then you are not forced to go out and work. Customers are not bothered what time or day you come and realise it will be around the same time as it always been.
Once the system is up and running then all you need to do is fill your tank and away you go. I've had many jobs in life and because of WFP I believe this is the best yet, it suits me perfectly.
Take yesterday for instant. Had 8 houses to clean and only 2 left when I got a text saying my big chair was being delivered in half an hour. I immediately drove home and waited for the chair to arrived and it was 10mins early. So this morning went out and cleaned the last 2 houses and that's me ready for a full week with no deliveries, bar a taxi driver there's no better job I believe. fwiw
I did the same last week dropped everything to go home for a delivery...
Difference is i wouldnt dream of going out for just 2 jobs and certainly not on a sunday
but like you say it gives the freedom to do than if you desire
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The Department for Transport is to raise the weight threshold for electric light commercial vehicles from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes, removing administrative burdens for operators and making them more competitive to run.
Many try and extract the urine from me but I read alot so usually up to date with things. 🤑
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. Its just I'm up to date with politics and usually first to know when things are changing.
You’ve got to be on the wind up, surely? ;D
after ringing Oliver, he rings number 10 and says “it’s Scottish here, is there anything changing I need to know about?”
Completely credible I think.
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I think we all have a default speed. On occasion i time each job (usually after a price increase) to work out the new hourly rate im attaining. I nearly always get a shock and see how much i've slowed down since last time i timed the clean which kick starts me into working faster. A new piece of equipment can have the same effect ie a new brand of pole, but it soon wears off . I guess we all have different levels of fitness/stamina also concentration so some are capable of knocking out a decent clean in less time, I've certainly slowed down as i've got older, and whilst i can speed up when i put my mind to it, i just cant keep it up (physically or mentally, i go back to my default speed. There's no right or wrong speed as long as your achieving a decent clean, were all different.
ps..this is one of the reasons im a bit sceptical about cleaning faster with hot water, im pretty sure after the initial spike in interest that using a new hot water system would bring that i would end up going back to my default speed once the novelty had worn off.
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What cold water cleaners don't realise is hot water(as well as keeping hands warm)keeps your hose really manageable and supple and better water flow to the brush in the winter months which in turn helps with cleaning efficiency.
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What cold water cleaners don't realise is hot water(as well as keeping hands warm)keeps your hose really manageable and supple and better water flow to the brush in the winter months which in turn helps with cleaning efficiency.
Who have you got your van insurance with Daz?
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What cold water cleaners don't realise is hot water(as well as keeping hands warm)keeps your hose ;Dreally manageable and supple and better water flow to the brush in the winter months which in turn helps with cleaning efficiency.
Having a ‘supple hose’ must be really lovely for the 3 days a year the daytime temps drop below 0°. ;D
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
Nothing to do with your cleaning, he was looking for a reason to.cancel, couldn't afford it maybe....long standing customer?
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
Nothing to do with your cleaning, he was looking for a reason to.cancel, couldn't afford it maybe....long standing customer?
It was a woman, she’s never been in on previous cleans, she’s obviously saw how quick I was and thought, I’m not paying that kind of money out to a pesky window cleaner for 10 minutes work😆 . Only been a customer for around a year. Brand new Volvo on the drive this morning, maybe ticked up to the hilt?
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What cold water cleaners don't realise is hot water(as well as keeping hands warm)keeps your hose really manageable and supple and better water flow to the brush in the winter months which in turn helps with cleaning efficiency.
I definately realise it. I did science in school and have taps in the house .
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
You still got the sack so whats the moral of the story ?
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
You still got the sack so whats the moral of the story ?
The clue is in the thread title numbnuts😉
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I think this thread has jinxed me! Got a cancellation this morning by text about 2 minutes after I’d cleaned the house.
Customer “I have sent the money but would like that to be the last clean please, you brushed over the back bedroom window for about 5 seconds and it’s now dirtier than it was before”
Me “ By all means cancel the service if I am working too quickly for your liking, however I am confident the end result will be the same, clean windows. I’m not sure how you can tell the window is dirty as I’ve only just cleaned it and it will still be wet. As you have paid to have clean windows I will return in 30 mins to inspect the offending window once it’s dried and I will re-clean it if necessary.”
Needless to say I got no reply and when I returned to inspect the window there wasn’t a mark on it……good riddance!
You still got the sack so whats the moral of the story ?
The clue is in the thread title numbnuts😉
You're to quick for me. ;D
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No complaints doesn't mean the jobs done correctly.
Strange comment. Correctly is subjective. I’ve been doing this job since I was 18. I’m now 36.
No complaints means my customers are happy with the service and the quality.
It's irrelevant how long you have been doing the job, it's cleaning a window, someone having 1 years experiance will get the same results as someone with 20. A monkey could do it.
People in general don't really like the confrontation of complaining . I bet if you went and looked at every window once cleaned that you would find a fault with some you have cleaned that day. Which then means the customer just didn't complain about said fault.
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No complaints doesn't mean the jobs done correctly.
Strange comment. Correctly is subjective. I’ve been doing this job since I was 18. I’m now 36.
No complaints means my customers are happy with the service and the quality.
It's irrelevant how long you have been doing the job, it's cleaning a window, someone having 1 years experiance will get the same results as someone with 20. A monkey could do it.
People in general don't really like the confrontation of complaining . I bet if you went and looked at every window once cleaned that you would find a fault with some you have cleaned that day. Which then means the customer just didn't complain about said fault.
You’re welcome to go round checking, I’m more than happy with my work. Some people are faster than others, that’s the point.
Quality wasn’t the point of the thread, speed was.