Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tim Rose on June 25, 2007, 08:55:06 am
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It's pellting down here - can't really go out to work. Does anyone else work in the rain?
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been out since 5am this morning, come back for breakfast and will be going back out at 10am. yes i have been working in the rain!!
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if i see its raining first thing before I've left the house then i wont bother going to work especially if it looks heavy (or it could be a big waste of petrol,time,money, the 3 things i hate wasting lol)
If I'm at work already and it starts to rain i will keep going until it becomes to much for me and my scrims, or will either find a way to dry my scrims and go have lunch and wait till it stops or just go home ;)
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i don't mind a bit of LIGHT rain, but i don't work in anything any heavier because i don't like getting wet. it's miserable and no fun at all! also i know my customers don't expect me to come when it's pi***ng it down
i find that at worst you can usually get two and a half days in, which i can get by on, but this recent rain is taking the mick!!!!!
ah well, happy days eh? ;D
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i normanly do work in the rain and harp on that i do but today no chance as i set friday for a day off to move and its not happening till sunday.
and its belting down here raining upwards
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I often work in rain but don't fancy it today. Wasn't so well in the last few days and don't want to get soaked and maybe hamper my recovery. I'm a day or two behind but I have gaps in my work so it's catchable.
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As a rule I didn`t work in the rain but due to a shortage of money i did on thursday and friday of last week. Most of the customers moaned about it but they still paid, so that was a few bob I would normally not get.
This morning it is raining hard and the wind is a blowing so balls to it. Time for PS3 and a big mug of tea.
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this aint rain, its a monsoon. ;D :o
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Have been out today working in the rain....good old wetproofs and decent gortex boots....plod on, plod on ;D ;D
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I could work in the rain but I'm unsure wether customers would approve. I did hear one customer say she was going to dump hers because "the idiot tried to clean hers in the pouring rain!"
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I clean in the rain and will continue to do so in the event the customer does not like it they can find another w/c...I cannot base my round around the weather...
Others may disgree...all my customer get a set of terms and conditions and this item is stated...no one so far has made any comments re: cleaning in the rain.
As part of providing a regular service, I turn up in all but the severest weather...lets face it we are cleaning the previous 2/4/6/8/12 weeks dirt off.
ps, this is not meant to come across as arogant. ;)
Cheers
Dave.
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I could work in the rain but I'm unsure wether customers would approve. I did hear one customer say she was going to dump hers because "the idiot tried to clean hers in the pouring rain!"
I bet the 'idiot' earned far more than me today.
And if this 'idiot' has enough work not to care if he loses the odd customer here-and-there; does it matter to him? At the end of the day, I bet the 'idiot' still cleaned the bird poo, spiders webs and general detritus from her windows.
My windows still look imacculate and they've been rained on loads since they were last cleaned.
And if the customer who dumped the 'idiot' then can't find a regular window cleaner to replace her last 'idiot', will it bother her? Probably!
I bet the 'idiot' is doing well; I wish I had his work ethic.
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the last wet spell we had, i tried to clean in the light rain
more than 50 % said " its raining matt "
i replied " yes i know, but its only light "
they replied " i dont think i will have it done this time then "
i replied " well i will see you next time, i cannot call back, as im not in this area"
them " ok then, see you next time "
i got wet and pee'ed off, 7 or 8 customers asked me not to do them ( most of the others were out )
its not for me thanks
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what i tend to do is like this morning it was sunny so got all the customers out the way that i know would be in then once it started raining i do all the customers that i know wont be in ;D ;D
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what i tend to do is like this morning it was sunny so got all the customers out the way that i know would be in then once it started raining i do all the customers that i know wont be in ;D ;D
haha, very clever! :D
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what i tend to do is like this morning it was sunny so got all the customers out the way that i know would be in then once it started raining i do all the customers that i know wont be in ;D ;D
I tend to try to work things along those lines if the round is at an agreeable part of it.
However, I just cannot get it when shiners trounce on about cleaning in the rain and implying either it makes no difference and so what if the customer complains.
Maybe you can still do WFP in the wet, I dont know, but I sure as hell know I couldnt clean windows up my ladder in a set of water-proofs ;D ;D
I have been cleaning windows for 9 years and I know if I had a set of oilskins on I wouldnt be able to get to my tool belt, I wouldnt be able to keep a cloth dry and I wouldnt be able to be agile enough to work round all the obstacles in peoples garden (can you imagine what a rose-bush would do to a set of water-proofs?)
It just doesnt add up to me, I see guys claiming it all the time on here and Ive never read a post claiming about cleaning windows in the wet and agreed.
I would imagine that 80-90% of the population would prefer it to not have their windows cleaned whilst its raining, this needs to be considered when thinking about customer relations. Its no good IMO steam-rollering all those customers who want a job done to THEIR satisfaction (it is their money after all) and denying them it.
As for detailing, well, show me a well detailed window thats had a cloth used thats been out in this recent weather and I'll show you a reliable chocolate fireguard.
JMO
Matt
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what i tend to do is like this morning it was sunny so got all the customers out the way that i know would be in then once it started raining i do all the customers that i know wont be in ;D ;D
I tend to try to work things along those lines if the round is at an agreeable part of it.
However, I just cannot get it when shiners trounce on about cleaning in the rain and implying either it makes no difference and so what if the customer complains.
Maybe you can still do WFP in the wet, I dont know, but I sure as hell know I couldnt clean windows up my ladder in a set of water-proofs ;D ;D
I have been cleaning windows for 9 years and I know if I had a set of oilskins on I wouldnt be able to get to my tool belt, I wouldnt be able to keep a cloth dry and I wouldnt be able to be agile enough to work round all the obstacles in peoples garden (can you imagine what a rose-bush would do to a set of water-proofs?)
It just doesnt add up to me, I see guys claiming it all the time on here and Ive never read a post claiming about cleaning windows in the wet and agreed.
I would imagine that 80-90% of the population would prefer it to not have their windows cleaned whilst its raining, this needs to be considered when thinking about customer relations. Its no good IMO steam-rollering all those customers who want a job done to THEIR satisfaction (it is their money after all) and denying them it.
As for detailing, well, show me a well detailed window thats had a cloth used thats been out in this recent weather and I'll show you a reliable chocolate fireguard.
JMO
Matt
Of couirse, if they don't want it done in the rain and the window cleaner needs to maintain his income, the only viable alternative is a substantial price increase.
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I had a customer who asked me to clean in the pouring rain on friday and then apologised afterwards - it was the only day she was in. I could do with a few more like that.
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Cleaning in the rain - this debate raises its head so often and the replies are always so varied.
Its all down to how you present your service and what expectations you have and require back.
We promote a 12 month service in ALL weathers and as an employer I have to maintain an income stream.
Yes if it is hammering it down we don't work on domestic but do commercial instead, however, if it is showers all day or light rain then the work gets done regardless.
good old british weather!!
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Had one customer say thanks for turning up when we knew if would be raining today...also if I wanted a coffee when I finished !!
Cheers
Dave.
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I find my customers don't like their windows being cleaned in the rain mainly due to the fact that lots of their houses are mid terrace (usually with no back access) which means me having to take my muddy self and ladders through their house dripping water everywhere. Also the ladders get slippery/dangerous. Also I don't like getting wet.
If I've started a job and it starts to rain it'd have to be of monsoon proportions for me to stop.
Just love those customers who when I show up say: I think it's gonna rain later can we leave it till next time round?
These people make me laugh (not)...do they think I do this job for a bloody hobby?
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Just love those customers who when I show up say: I think it's gonna rain later can we leave it till next time round?
These people make me laugh (not)...do they think I do this job for a bloody hobby?
These are exactly the type of customers we don't entertain. When we take a customer on we explain we offer a full 12 monthly REGULAR service that means occassionally we may clean in inclement weather including rain. We explain this ensures that your windows stay clean and we dont have a build up of dirt and grime and also that we know who we are cleaning and when and if a customer insists that they don't want them cleaned then they MUST pay 1/2 the fee as compensation.
I know it is a hard nosed approach and some people will say they just cant demand such payments/terms etc.. but I have always maintained and always will, this is a business. When you allow customers to mess you about longer down the road they will be the pain in your a**e that you really dont want or need. Start as you mean to go on!
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Absolutely!
I just walk away never to return. I'm looking forward to the day one of them phones me to say I've not been round for a while....I've got my reply ready...
" I can't come because it's going to rain some time after I've done them."
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All my new customers and present ones all know that i give a Guarantee with all work i do.
I've told them if there's a problem with any of the windows after i have cleaned in the rain then to give me a call and i will come back and re-do the window in question.
Not had a problem so far.
Also told them that if i come back and find the problem is nothing to do with me, ie it's the insides after i have only cleaned the outside, then there will be a call out charge.
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some times i when im behind i work in the rain this week i couldn't cos i was busy with the retained firebrigade however i doubt i would have tried cos i think me wfp trolley would have got washed away in the water and maybe even my van suppose i could have gone back to trad with some weights on the bottom of the ladders.
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I had 2 customers come over to pay me for yesterday, it was lashing it down when i done them.
I asked if they were fine & was told the windows was perfect & was thanked as the cills needed doing, what can i say ;D
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I find my customers don't like their windows being cleaned in the rain mainly due to the fact that lots of their houses are mid terrace (usually with no back access) which means me having to take my muddy self and ladders through their house dripping water everywhere. Also the ladders get slippery/dangerous. Also I don't like getting wet.
If I've started a job and it starts to rain it'd have to be of monsoon proportions for me to stop.
Just love those customers who when I show up say: I think it's gonna rain later can we leave it till next time round?
These people make me laugh (not)...do they think I do this job for a bloody hobby?
I don't do work with bad access myself but there is a way to resolve the slippery rung problem. Just get footwear that is slip resistant (there is a BS kitemark number). If it's the ladder that's slippery, there are some good devices to put underneath it though certain types of cloth or towel seem to work just fine.
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We don't work if it starts raining too heavily, why, mainly because we don't like getting wet!
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All my new customers and present ones all know that i give a Guarantee with all work i do.
I've told them if there's a problem with any of the windows after i have cleaned in the rain then to give me a call and i will come back and re-do the window in question.
Not had a problem so far.
Also told them that if i come back and find the problem is nothing to do with me, ie it's the insides after i have only cleaned the outside, then there will be a call out charge.
I like that....
I sort of do a similar thing, where domestics are concerned I tell my customers that if there is a problem I'll happily come back and rectify it, providing I'm called within 24 hours.
But I haven't thought of telling them there would be a call out charge if I am not responsible...I will from now on though ;D
Commercial work? I'll do it in a monsoon, domestic, if it's peeing down I won't even get in the van..well, ok, I'll go get the papers and come home again! ;)
A drizzly or showery day? Kinda depends, but I'll try and soldier on.
If it's very windy too then I won't bother, I know full well I'm wasting my time, the windows will be dirty again by the time I'm knocking on the door to collect the money.
It isn't the rain that is a problem, it's the wind, combine the two and as far as I'm concerned you have a stay at home day.
Bricklayers don't lay bricks in the rain, farmers don't hay-make in the rain, painters don't paint in the rain...and so on.
When you are at the mercy of the elements you have to take a common sense approach, there are conditions when window cleaning doesn't make any sense at all...you just have to be sensible, also the customer cannot expect perfect conditions all the time, they have to realise that...
Ian
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Bricklayers don't lay bricks in the rain, farmers don't hay-make in the rain, painters don't paint in the rain...and so on.
When you are at the mercy of the elements you have to take a common sense approach, there are conditions when window cleaning doesn't make any sense at all...you just have to be sensible, also the customer cannot expect perfect conditions all the time, they have to realise that...
Ian
Hi Ian,
To be fair your comparisons above, personally, I don't think are similar to window cleaning? Bricklayers don't work because the cement will not set, Hay makers because the machines will clog up and the hay will rot, painters because the paint will not set properly?
Yes common sense has to prevail and agreed if it is a torrential downpour then w/c is not an option, but in reality, rain is rain, next time it is raining give one of your windows at home a clean and see for yourself the results. I was like most and an avid "NO CLEAN" in the rain business. Then I decided to try my own windows and was amazed,
We then used to knock in the rain, if out we would clean, if in we would ask. Gradually over time, less and less said no and the ones who were out very rarely complained.
Now we work in the rain and crack on. Our customers are ok with this but most importantly I pay the wages every month, pay the bills every month and don't worry about a few days rain.
I used to hate it when a customer who was due at the end of the month used to complain I was late when I was trying to catch up with customers who hadn't been cleaned yet due to the rain. I would always say, well I can always come and clean your windows next time it rains, crazy, but true, sometimes people would say, yeah thats fine???
I guess in the end its our own mindset which either lets us work or makes us stay at home with the rain.
Question is, if we had 2 weeks solid rainy days, how long would it be before financially you had to say to yourself, sod it, I am going out to earn some money?
Maybe then you will be surprised just how many customers "are" ok about it?
Best wishes,
Trev
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Bricklayers don't lay bricks in the rain, farmers don't hay-make in the rain, painters don't paint in the rain...and so on.
When you are at the mercy of the elements you have to take a common sense approach, there are conditions when window cleaning doesn't make any sense at all...you just have to be sensible, also the customer cannot expect perfect conditions all the time, they have to realise that...
Ian
Hi Ian,
To be fair your comparisons above, personally, I don't think are similar to window cleaning? Bricklayers don't work because the cement will not set, Hay makers because the machines will clog up and the hay will rot, painters because the paint will not set properly?
Yes common sense has to prevail and agreed if it is a torrential downpour then w/c is not an option, but in reality, rain is rain, next time it is raining give one of your windows at home a clean and see for yourself the results. I was like most and an avid "NO CLEAN" in the rain business. Then I decided to try my own windows and was amazed,
We then used to knock in the rain, if out we would clean, if in we would ask. Gradually over time, less and less said no and the ones who were out very rarely complained.
Now we work in the rain and crack on. Our customers are ok with this but most importantly I pay the wages every month, pay the bills every month and don't worry about a few days rain.
I used to hate it when a customer who was due at the end of the month used to complain I was late when I was trying to catch up with customers who hadn't been cleaned yet due to the rain. I would always say, well I can always come and clean your windows next time it rains, crazy, but true, sometimes people would say, yeah thats fine???
I guess in the end its our own mindset which either lets us work or makes us stay at home with the rain.
Question is, if we had 2 weeks solid rainy days, how long would it be before financially you had to say to yourself, sod it, I am going out to earn some money?
Maybe then you will be surprised just how many customers "are" ok about it?
Best wishes,
Trev
Fair dues.
Still dont like getting wet here either though ;D
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I agree, rain by itself isn't a problem, it's the combination of wind AND rain.
Cleaning in rain where there little wind, even quite heavy rain I don't mind, but it is the wind that for me is the problem, it picks up muck off the roads, and contaminants off tree's, hedgerows, shrubbery and so on, and if the wind is blowing hard enough to wet the walls above the windows you've just cleaned then muck off the walls will also get onto the glass.
The grey area of what is the cutoff point is where we all struggle to agree, it's judging that point at which you believe it is unrealistic to continue.
Ian
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Agreed Ian,
The wind is not our best friend at times like this and your points are very valid indeed.
Like you said, its the cutoff point that seems to be the issue and I guess only us as individuals can decide when its best to call it a day.
;)
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I have a customer that i do every 2 months a 40 quid house, it was due to be cleaned yesterday so i gave him a ring to say that i would be round as you cant do it when hes not in because of his alarm going off. After 2 attempts to try and catch him and then twice phoning him yesterday he asked me if i could leave it another month because its forcast rain this week and he said last time i did them it started raining. Dropped him there and then his excuses was not good enough i dont work in rain but id it starts while im doing a job i do finish it or i will work between the showers.
Annoying customers, i had a lady last week who said i didnt think you'd be round this week because of the rain, she jokingly said if it rains by 5 o'clock i want my money back its a 50 quid job so i can see where shes coming from. She was overdue so i did it as i drove off it rained! ;D
Brett
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The forecast said that we were due rain today so I moved a patio clean forward.
When I arrived she came out and asked if i would carry on even if it rained? Slightly confused I replied yes.
Well, wont the slabs get all wet. ( I had to bite my lip at this point)
I was intending to get the slabs wet anyway, by way of all this pressure washing equipment was the only answer I could come out with.
Anyway, i finished the job, and was packing the bits and bobs away when she came out and said
They look lovely, i hope it dosent rain on them and mark them all.
This woman was worried about her concrete slabs in the rain, I pitty her window cleaner.
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just made me and my mum laugh!!! hahahahahah
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ha ha that's a good one..... i think she's one of my custy's ;D ;D
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when she came out and said
They look lovely, i hope it dosent rain on them and mark them all.
This woman was worried about her concrete slabs in the rain, I pitty her window cleaner.
OMG, it just goes to show what we are up against sometimes.
I have one customer who asks me when I do her place how I got into their back garden to do the rear windows, as the gate is always locked. When I tell her I climb over the gate with my ladder she looks at me strange like Ive just burgaled her.
What does she want me to do, leave them? Shes the one that asked me to do her windows, I never asked her!! I just dont know what people expect sometimes. I thought she might be grateful or at least happy for showing willing.
Matt
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I have one customer who asks me when I do her place how I got into their back garden to do the rear windows, as the gate is always locked. When I tell her I climb over the gate with my ladder she looks at me strange like Ive just burgaled her.
Matt
I'd be tempted to say,"I've got anti gravity boots and just hovered over."
Had someone moan at me once for jumping over his gate, I apologized but he moaned again and again, at which point I said, "I do have plenty of work that I'm trying to get around, if you'd rather I can drop you." His face was a picture.
His wife came out 3 months after asking me to take them back on but I refused unless he would apologize.
The old boy eventually died of a horrid painful stomach cancer and the wife then asked me again so I took her back on but at a nice new price in my favor.
The moral of the story, don't be grumpy and moan all the time as it will have an impact on your health and you may end up dieing a horrid death with no friends.
Simon.
Yes I do work in the rain providing it's not a monsoon.