Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jay moley on September 29, 2025, 06:02:05 pm
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I'm a single operator. I want to grow to two vans and looking for advice on how others have done it.
I have an idea of employing and focusing on canvassing. I'd do 4 hours a day. I've done some sums and even if I double the business (approx 10 new customers a week) it wouldn't work after paying two salaries (£27k), expenses and then paying VAT.
Only thing is, I was doing canvassing for two hours after work consistently since Jan and getting results. Haven't done it since my summer holiday tho. Just lost the drive which I need to sort.
The other thing is, is it realistic to do 4 hours canvassing, 5 days a week all year? Would be tough.
Only way it might work is if the new customers took on additional services like gutter cleaning, conservatory roofs etc. Could also do leaflet drops through Royal Mail or whoever.
Thoughts? Thanks.
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Canvassing is tough on your own. More than 2 hours at a stretch day in day out is wearisome in my opinion.
Taking on non WC work as an add-on is a good idea at least initially.
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Canvassing is tough on your own. More than 2 hours at a stretch day in day out is wearisome in my opinion.
Taking on non WC work as an add-on is a good idea at least initially.
That's the thing. I could do two hours after a day on the windows.
Four may be possible if I stopped for an hour lunch break, but who knows.
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I jumped straight into employing someone, employed a few in the past, too much hassle. You could always consider one or two part time workers.
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All you end up getting is double the hassle. Better to concentrate on your own work and add to it then you don't have any money worries. I am now noticing gutter and pvc cleans coming in, its getting to the stage that I don't get a break and that's giving up on PW now.
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As others have said, be very careful who you employ. I went from two then three vans. one with family the other with a new guy.
things were pretty hectic, having to make sure all the equipment was in order, vans prepped every morning, days work all ready, customers informed. saying they are ill and cannot work, then you have end of day problems to deal with. customer complaints, some of the work not complete due to traffic, bad weather, customers saying not today, making sure they get paid. never again!
I am now on my own and I love it no more hassle!
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As others have said, be very careful who you employ. I went from two then three vans. one with family the other with a new guy.
things were pretty hectic, having to make sure all the equipment was in order, vans prepped every morning, days work all ready, customers informed. saying they are ill and cannot work, then you have end of day problems to deal with. customer complaints, some of the work not complete due to traffic, bad weather, customers saying not today, making sure they get paid. never again!
I am now on my own and I love it no more hassle!
It's so much easier on your own!
4 x 5 hour days per week then off home
I'm literally living the dream. All I've ever wanted is a well paid, part time job (outdoors) with very low stress and no work colleagues.😄
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We might not mind it when we have done it as it's our work, but I've found in the past, that people won't last if they haven't anyone to work with.
They do it for a wee while, then it starts wearing them down. Think you need a certain type of person who's happy to plod away by themselves.
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We might not mind it when we have done it as it's our work, but I've found in the past, that people won't last if they haven't anyone to work with.
They do it for a wee while, then it starts wearing them down. Think you need a certain type of person who's happy to plod away by themselves.
Airpods/headphones are an absolute must in this job. Not sure I’d still be cleaning these days without them.
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
It doesn't bother me at all....
I feel like I could work 4 x 5 hour days per week forever but im only 53(nearly 54)and in good health. Been window cleaning for 32 years now.
I think window cleaning is easy,well paid and just the best job in the world for me....
Have you got any hobbies?
Obviously mine are bodybuilding and playing drums. The rest of my time im doing regular everyday things like walking the dog,household chores and relaxing with missus and family.
Don't you listen to audiobooks and podcasts while your working? You could be learning a new language or just listening to things your interested in while cleaning! Their is a vast amount of knowledge,wisdom and info out there available in digital format to download to your phone!
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Ok imo I have had 2 workers and me full time and having to find another WC when they get bored or leave. I did this for 8 years. I found it hard to get quality staff that were reliable. There is always so crap to deal with that affect the days earnings.
For the last 2 years I have been on my own and been very motivated to start on time (8am) and finish when my list is finished, between (4-5.30pm). I now believe it or not earn the same as when I had the staff. They always wanted to stop at the cafe, have a ciggie., need a p etc. Have a day off, call in sick but would show no signs of illness the following day. You just cannot rely on them.
Stick with yourself and you will be fine and probably earn the same.
Good luck
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
I'm exactly the same. I hate window cleaning now I have no drive for the business. The relentless, monotonous boredom really get me depressed at times. Everyday I go out my brain is searching for an answer. But having employed a few times it's stressful and I didn't feel any better for it. Thing is I don't know what I'd rather be doing so you get to a point where you just potter on, look at the positives you can make a living by working few hours, home by 1pm etc it could be a lot worse.
Everyday I feel the need to doing something, that something must change for the sake of my mental health and I just cant figure out what.
Thing is once the week has finished on a Thursday ;D I just forget about it till the following Monday.
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
I'm exactly the same. I hate window cleaning now I have no drive for the business. The relentless, monotonous boredom really get me depressed at times. Everyday I go out my brain is searching for an answer. But having employed a few times it's stressful and I didn't feel any better for it. Thing is I don't know what I'd rather be doing so you get to a point where you just potter on, look at the positives you can make a living by working few hours, home by 1pm etc it could be a lot worse.
Everyday I feel the need to doing something, that something must change for the sake of my mental health and I just cant figure out what.
Thing is once the week has finished on a Thursday ;D I just forget about it till the following Monday.
Have you got any hobbies you could be doing in your vast amounts of spare time Adam to make your life worth living?
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
I'm exactly the same. I hate window cleaning now I have no drive for the business. The relentless, monotonous boredom really get me depressed at times. Everyday I go out my brain is searching for an answer. But having employed a few times it's stressful and I didn't feel any better for it. Thing is I don't know what I'd rather be doing so you get to a point where you just potter on, look at the positives you can make a living by working few hours, home by 1pm etc it could be a lot worse.
Everyday I feel the need to doing something, that something must change for the sake of my mental health and I just cant figure out what.
Thing is once the week has finished on a Thursday ;D I just forget about it till the following Monday.
The only reason I can go out and get stuck in, is because of the money I'm making. I have one day a month that I leave home at 9am and come back in before noon and trouser over 2 ton. I wish I had more care homes to clean because all the windows are next to each other. I charge a pound a window and there is 100 of them in one care home. That day was today, and I'm always very happy because I either go out and clean more windows or complete a handyman job. Just wish I had more of this type of work.
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
That's shocking.
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Issue is once you go over VAT its either go big or go home. 2, 3, or 4 vans is barely worth it.
I think you have to really think about the end goal before going down the employing route. It takes a certain personality to cope with the stress, what are you actually doing it for ? i think the dream for most is work less and have more free time but unless you are super laid back the added stress isnt worth it. I think you can find a work life balance at a smaller scaler on your own or with a part time staff member.
If i ever employed again, i would employ part time and stay just under VAT
Youve already lost drive to canvass, so imagine needing a load of work and relying on that. If you are serious about growth you need to cover all angles of advertising not rely on 1 unless you are sure you can dedicate every day to do it, a big ask imo.
This is the thing, taking into account VAT, salaries and extra costs, it almost doesn't seem worth it. Not sure I can face another 25 years of window cleaning tho.
Doesn't anyone else feel they could be using there brain more in something else? I do but I dont have the answer. I doubt there's a better job for work/life balance than this tho. Hard to always focus on the benefits when you want to get off the tools and are fed up with it.
I'm exactly the same. I hate window cleaning now I have no drive for the business. The relentless, monotonous boredom really get me depressed at times. Everyday I go out my brain is searching for an answer. But having employed a few times it's stressful and I didn't feel any better for it. Thing is I don't know what I'd rather be doing so you get to a point where you just potter on, look at the positives you can make a living by working few hours, home by 1pm etc it could be a lot worse.
Everyday I feel the need to doing something, that something must change for the sake of my mental health and I just cant figure out what.
Thing is once the week has finished on a Thursday ;D I just forget about it till the following Monday.
There are many positives to window cleaning such as finishing early. Problem is that is you are really fed up from the hours you have worked you don't suddenly feel great just because you have finished. Day can be written off.
That said, who of us would want to go back to the office, 9-5pm. Plus maybe an hour commute each way. Grass aint always greener and all that. It's a mind spin for sure.
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
How does a family come back from that?
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
This sort of thing happens 9 times out of 10 when employing. Its human nature to resent your boss after a few years when you realise how much money your making for him/her....
I too have had ex employees go round my customers houses telling them I'd packed in and even collected my money off them! Luckily it was only a few jobs and they didn't fall for it a second time....
Underhand tactics never work in the long run though. Not one single window cleaner who have tried to nick my work or undercut me over the years are still in business.....😄👍
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I still don't know why folk would want to expand beyond one van nor a helper. In the end, this is the best one man band job I have every came across, especially if one has a building trade behind them. Take today for example. 6 houses to clean and repair a gutter next to the cleans. Received a call to fit a new soil pipe flashing that has finally gave up the ghost. After cleans I picked up the flashing and will fit it today if the weather allows me. Today's balance 350 and 50 for material and a few very happy customers where one will be able to remove the bucket from their toilet.
If I had another van then all I would be doing is worrying about it. If one ends up with too much work then hand it over to someone else and keep the good stuff. Fairly soon you will have a great customer base to provide a stable business. That's what I'm noticing after 6 years. fwiw
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
How does a family come back from that?
Don't know how you would.
Simply put the son in law seems like a scumbag who you could never trust or respect.
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I had two workers working for me until recently both were on self employed basis it worked well for a while but my son in law who was full time got greedy and has now started up on his own. Last year myself and my partner took ourselves off on a 14 week trip travelling around the world.
I left him in charge of the business which included the software Squeegee App. Everything went as good as I expected until a few months after getting home. To cut a long story short he could see all incomings but not outgoings so he thought to himself that I must be raking it in. I was paying him £140 a day too.
He also thought that because I was coming up to my retirement age he could text my customers to tell them that I had already retired and the "he" was taking over. He also included in his message to them his bank details. We never spoke for months it caused a massive rift in our family.
This sort of thing happens 9 times out of 10 when employing. Its human nature to resent your boss after a few years when you realise how much money your making for him/her....
I too have had ex employees go round my customers houses telling them I'd packed in and even collected my money off them! Luckily it was only a few jobs and they didn't fall for it a second time....
Underhand tactics never work in the long run though. Not one single window cleaner who have tried to nick my work or undercut me over the years are still in business.....😄👍
I didn't take one of my employers windows when I left, I still have a good relationship with him now. He has 19 guys so you can imagine how much work he has.
We only see the end product, he would have been in the position I found myself in at the start with not enough work etc. It's absolutely scum bag behaviour trying to steal work from the very person who was good enough to give you a job in the first place.
As for the son in law, I wouldn't have spoken to him again, and your daughter should have stepped in and stopped it too. Hand on heart, id have paid the local lunatics a few hundred quid to break the son in laws arms.
When a leaflet drop goes through the people I do, they always come out and show me them, I tell them I don't own the street and they can do what they like, but they aren't a threat to me as no one changes.
What is a threat though, is if someone you employ does the same run all the time. Over time, if they wanted to, I reckon they could take atleast 80% of that work if they really wanted too.