Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: alan andrewswestsi on November 19, 2007, 12:01:22 pm

Title: christmas rush
Post by: alan andrewswestsi on November 19, 2007, 12:01:22 pm
i have heard that you get a lot of custies phoning for a clean at christmas , is this the case and what have been your experiences , i started in feb of this year and i am at about 65% capacity, so if this is true it would be helpful
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Pole2pole on November 19, 2007, 12:08:21 pm
Not entirely true in my experience mate. One or two maybe, but i guess most people have better things to worry about at christmas, like "does this turkey that i'm about to feed to my nearest and dearest,contain the human strain of bird flu" Ok a bit OTT, but like i said.in my experience, not loads. Sorry to disappoint, but maybe others have a totally different take on it.  ;)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: jampot on November 19, 2007, 12:54:21 pm
same here you may get the odd few that will call you but not to may.
i dont think you got to worry if you 65% full  ;)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 01:11:08 pm
Not entirely true in my experience mate. One or two maybe, but i guess most people have better things to worry about at christmas, like "does this turkey that i'm about to feed to my nearest and dearest,contain the human strain of bird flu" Ok a bit OTT, but like i said.in my experience, not loads. Sorry to disappoint, but maybe others have a totally different take on it.  ;)
Thats why I have been having turkey sandwiches everyday and for dinner turkey stew, roast turkey, theres me thinking my wife if getting into the christmas spirit  :'(
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Paul Coleman on November 19, 2007, 02:30:38 pm
I have had people call for a pre Christmas clean before.  At the moment I don't have a full workload so it's a bit extra money anyway though I do charge more for it.  As soon as I have a full business, I won't do such jobs.
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 03:22:46 pm
all cleans in christmas 2 weeks are charged double if not inline with our rounds, one-off cleans are triple. we have work right up till xmas eve but cant say no to extra money as thats what I work for.


Do any of you guys work Christmas eve?
I always do I love it only do about half day then go christmas shopping
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Pole2pole on November 19, 2007, 03:25:50 pm
Aw you're soppy git aint ya WW? Now go and have a nice cup of ya Mrs' home made turkey tea  8)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 03:27:58 pm
Aw you're soppy git aint ya WW? Now go and have a nice cup of ya Mrs' home made turkey tea  8)
LOL

I am looking forward to christmas this year, had very bad time last year and spoilt christmas for my wife, maybe thats why I'm getting Turkey everything  :-\

Could be classed as soppy I guess, not that I mind, nothing wrong with it, I can admit it  :P
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Paul Coleman on November 19, 2007, 03:37:47 pm
all cleans in christmas 2 weeks are charged double if not inline with our rounds, one-off cleans are triple. we have work right up till xmas eve but cant say no to extra money as thats what I work for.


Do any of you guys work Christmas eve?
I always do I love it only do about half day then go christmas shopping

I have worked Boxing Day a couple of times in the past.  It was on schools that were shut over Christmas.  I've done New Years Day before as well.
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 03:39:08 pm
all cleans in christmas 2 weeks are charged double if not inline with our rounds, one-off cleans are triple. we have work right up till xmas eve but cant say no to extra money as thats what I work for.


Do any of you guys work Christmas eve?
I always do I love it only do about half day then go christmas shopping

I have worked Boxing Day a couple of times in the past.  It was on schools that were shut over Christmas.  I've done New Years Day before as well.
:o


I would if I could get away with it, but get "the look" from the wife if i ever mention it  :'(
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Rob.Hall on November 19, 2007, 03:53:49 pm
Take the work while you can.

Good tip is to offer indoor cleans....great for bad days like today.

Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: simon knight on November 19, 2007, 05:21:37 pm

Working Xmas Eve is a no-brainer...2 choices:

1) Get dragged out by the missus for some last minute shopping
2) Earn some brass and get a few good tips

 ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: sgibsoncleaning on November 19, 2007, 06:19:30 pm
i dont take any new work on in december, unless they pay extra for it. too many cancel in january and just want a clean at xmas.
i do a couple on xmas eve that book one year ahead the pay double and always tip as well. i cant do a full day i got shopping to do. all the presents in one afternoon. so its road maps and petrol cans all round
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: simon knight on November 19, 2007, 06:38:29 pm

For my good customers I charge the usual rate. Likewise don't take on any of the: I've-got-the-in-laws-coming-for-Xmas-must-find-a-window-cleaner brigade.
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 06:44:20 pm

For my good customers I charge the usual rate. Likewise don't take on any of the: I've-got-the-in-laws-coming-for-Xmas-must-find-a-window-cleaner brigade.
I've-got-the-in-laws-coming-for-Xmas-must-find-a-window-cleaner brigade.
pay top money for this service at Christmas, why turn down good money
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: simon knight on November 19, 2007, 07:01:49 pm

I never turn down good money usually but i do if it's at the cost (and it usually is) of neglecting my good regular customers.

I started the "Dumping customers..." thread and I'm so convinced that the way forwards is take some initial pain and drop the as and when merchants and concentrate on bread and butter, reliable business.

Sooner have a small, quality round where i know(ish) what I'll earn from week to week (and build on that)  than a big unreliable round where it's feast or famine.

Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Mo on November 19, 2007, 07:35:32 pm
No work for me at xmas
I“m going to Egypt to do lots of scuba diving
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 07:54:12 pm
No work for me at xmas
I“m going to Egypt to do lots of scuba diving
Please think of us when your away  :'(
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: johnny_h on November 19, 2007, 08:15:06 pm
i got caught out twice last year did them then they said thats great clean windows for christmas then promptly cancelled im a little wiser this year !! :)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 08:44:00 pm
i got caught out twice last year did them then they said thats great clean windows for christmas then promptly cancelled im a little wiser this year !! :)
make sure you at least charge double on any clean before christmas I charge triple, or they can wait till new year and pay normal price
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: matt on November 19, 2007, 09:01:13 pm
i never take on extra work 3 weeks before chistmas, as its normally just the once and then they will not be back

i look after my regulars the best i can, the only downside to 6 week cycles is that some have it doen 6 weeks before the big day, which a few moan about
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Chris Cottrell on November 19, 2007, 09:36:19 pm
Ive taken on 5 new cleans this week ... none of which will be done before xmas .... HaHa bet they think there all set for a xmas clean  ;D ;D
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: texas girl on November 19, 2007, 11:13:50 pm
Yes, we do a lot of additional cleans before Christmas. I charge the first-time clean amount which is usually 20% more.

But keep in mind we usually clean regulars about every 6 months. 30-50 windows; $325-$500.00 per clean.

If I was doing a smaller house 1/month (10-15 windows) I would charge 3 times normal for first time. Then if they continue on schedule as they say, the reduced rate after.

Christmas is a time when a lot of people have family gatherings/parties and they need extra services.

Your time is very valuable; charge accordingly.  ;D

Cheers,

Texas Girl  :-*

Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 11:49:50 pm
Yes, we do a lot of additional cleans before Christmas. I charge the first-time clean amount which is usually 20% more.

But keep in mind we usually clean regulars about every 6 months. 30-50 windows; $325-$500.00 per clean.

If I was doing a smaller house 1/month (10-15 windows) I would charge 3 times normal for first time. Then if they continue on schedule as they say, the reduced rate after.

Christmas is a time when a lot of people have family gatherings/parties and they need extra services.

Your time is very valuable; charge accordingly.  ;D

Cheers,

Texas Girl  :-*


Spot on there with that post Texas Girl  ;)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: windowwashers on November 19, 2007, 11:51:32 pm
i never take on extra work 3 weeks before chistmas, as its normally just the once and then they will not be back

i look after my regulars the best i can, the only downside to 6 week cycles is that some have it doen 6 weeks before the big day, which a few moan about
if they moan Matt change it, say you can do before but it is twice the price and they will be cleaned again at reg time........ think about it m8 makes total business sence  ;)
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: matt on November 20, 2007, 12:09:21 am
i never take on extra work 3 weeks before chistmas, as its normally just the once and then they will not be back

i look after my regulars the best i can, the only downside to 6 week cycles is that some have it doen 6 weeks before the big day, which a few moan about
if they moan Matt change it, say you can do before but it is twice the price and they will be cleaned again at reg time........ think about it m8 makes total business sence  ;)

funny enough i offered it to 2 who complained last week
Title: Re: christmas rush
Post by: Helen on November 20, 2007, 11:24:44 am
i dont take any new work on in december, unless they pay extra for it. too many cancel in january and just want a clean at xmas.

How true this is! We TRY not to take new work in December as more than enough to fit in with our regular custies. If we do (more often than not!) we charge 2.5 times what we would normally charge.

Don't be fooled and swayed by the "yes I want you to come regularly next year" brigade and yes we accept your price of £50.00 for the first clean. Keeping your monthly £15.00' ers is much more important ;D