Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Davo on April 02, 2008, 08:01:57 pm

Title: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 02, 2008, 08:01:57 pm
Working a 30 hour week, either wfp or trad.

What do members think is an acceptable hourly rate to charge for window cleaning services.







Mark
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: frames to panes on April 02, 2008, 08:11:31 pm
What's the hourly rate of someone in direct sales might i ask?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 02, 2008, 08:18:50 pm
There's two answers to be honest.

I work at roughly £30 per hour, but by the end of the week after driving, talking, eating etc...it's more like £23-25 per hour worked.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Central Window Cleaners on April 02, 2008, 08:39:54 pm
 why is it necessary to keep discussing hour rates when we are seeing so many other topics about cowboys keep under cutting us and work becoming harder to find due to huge influx of new cleaners.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 08:46:28 pm
Pointless thread,been there done that.What`s the point in you knowing for example what i earn in no way is it going to benefit you.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 08:47:39 pm
I do agree, its pointless. As its been on here too many times again, Luke
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: frames to panes on April 02, 2008, 08:58:12 pm
I think he's got a van mount and hates backpacks.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: birdymiller on April 02, 2008, 09:45:27 pm
Having a cuppa with one of my custies today. Put his price up a quid to £7 last time. Got round to talking about my price increase and he tells me that his gardener has also put his prices up £2 to £12 per hour. I nearly said to him thats scandolous £12 gardening, but then realised that his house takes me 15 mins including drinking his tea and eating a choccy biscuit.  ;)
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: xxmattyxx on April 02, 2008, 09:58:17 pm
Whats your average hourly rate cleaning windows Davo?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 10:05:49 pm
This is a business man, (supposedly).

Putting a poll on earnings on a forum,

my opinion of you Davo, has taken a knock.

Considering you are not a window cleaner, i am now very wary of you and your questions.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: peter holley on April 02, 2008, 10:30:20 pm
Whats your average hourly rate cleaning windows Davo?

what is your line of income?

how old are you?

whats your trading name?

whats YOUR hourly ?????????
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on April 02, 2008, 10:31:05 pm


Considering you are not a window cleaner, i am now very wary of you and your questions.
this is my main issue as well
you dont clean windows
you dont make posts asking for PRACTICAL advice about window cleaning,such as diy systems ,suitable vans etc. in the way that anyone looking to start up would
you are very interested in how much money can be made from cleaning windows
all of this makes me think that there is ulterior motive to your interest in this forum >:(
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 10:38:40 pm
To be fair to Davo, he has some very good busines ideas, but to comment on a forum designed for window cleaners , when he is not a window cleaner... indeed why does he not post on the other forums with his advice..?

And if he does... why?...

it may be none of our business he may say....

but he is obviously intelligent enough to realise we must be wary of anyone who posts anything, any ideas.. or information , when he does not have a valid interest in it himself... or is he simply gathering information before embalking...? you decide.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 10:42:15 pm
Have you notced , he waits for lots of info, until he has drawn people in.. lots of replies... then  comes in again and attacks.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on April 02, 2008, 10:46:26 pm
i have no doubt that he is gathering info its what he wants to do with it tho  ???
none of the usual start up questions just MONEY and MARKETING
so canvasser?
 franchiser?
emporer of the north pole ???
i dont get it
btw where has sol gone did i miss something??
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 02, 2008, 11:00:01 pm
For all we know, or rather don't know, Davo could be gathering market research on us for the tax office in general, you never know, lol
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on April 02, 2008, 11:07:23 pm
For all we know, or rather don't know, Davo could be gathering market research on us for the tax office in general, you never know, lol
why the lol wayne
bet you aint the only person on here who may have wondered about that possibility even if only for a second ;)
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 11:10:34 pm
i recently joined a forum... ( nothing to do with w/c....)

and earnings is such a no-no...

no one discusses it.. no one gives advice on it,

the only replies you will get is .. you get out what you put in....

so why do people discuss and openly share their earnings on here?

Not knocking any of the guys who help people as this is the best forum in the world, with the best people.

but to be drawn, on invited to discuss your earnings is not on....

All earnings differ vastly in any given trade.. you DO get out of it , what you put in... its as simple as that.

so why promote competition.....?

its hard enough as it is !

Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on April 02, 2008, 11:15:52 pm
good point gazza
over and out on this i think
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: matt on April 02, 2008, 11:17:18 pm
i recently joined a forum... ( nothing to do with w/c....)

and earnings is such a no-no...

no one discusses it.. no one gives advice on it,

the only replies you will get is .. you get out what you put in....

so why do people discuss and openly share their earnings on here?

Not knocking any of the guys who help people as this is the best forum in the world, with the best people.

but to be drawn, on invited to discuss your earnings is not on....

All earnings differ vastly in any given trade.. you DO get out of it , what you put in... its as simple as that.

so why promote competition.....?

its hard enough as it is !



your right, in al my posts on here, i have never felt the need to post how much i earn, tbh its fairly boring discussing money

i find the best way to deal with these posts is to have a bot of a laugh on them, it seems to send them into a freefall
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: matt on April 02, 2008, 11:18:52 pm
good point gazza
over and out on this i think

good call

im off to bed anyway, i have to be up early in the morning, i have a little job ( 2 hours ) to do, it'll earn me 900 quid though, so cannot complain
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 02, 2008, 11:22:59 pm
The question was what do you think is an ACCEPTABLE hourly rate. Its a poll you dont need to tell anyone what you charge. Its a question based on some "rip off" threads that have been posted about what is an acceptable hourly rate.


Have you notced , he waits for lots of info, until he has drawn people in.. lots of replies... then comes in again and attacks.


I dont think trying to reinforce a mans worth is an attack .Being wary of someone who's posts talk mainly about increasing the value of what you do does seem a little odd.



Whats your average hourly rate cleaning windows Davo?

Matt B I dont clean windows, i thought i had made that fact obvious enough. I have done some canvassing and the work i gave to a friend of mine.

This is a business man, (supposedly).

Putting a poll on earnings on a forum,

my opinion of you Davo, has taken a knock.

Considering you are not a window cleaner, i am now very wary of you and your questions.


Bit strange Gazza, I can read umpteen posts on window cleaning earnings on this site. Havent found one that asks what people think is acceptable though.


Mark

Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 11:34:23 pm
until now Davo...

why would you post an earnings poll.?

You need to start being upfront Davo, your posts are here, with us... on a window cleaning forum...

do you post on a plumber or electrician forum?

or indeed a marketing or business advice forum?

I can apreciate any questions regardless where, you ask them or whom to,

but if you are sounding out this line of work, then please be honest,

because i for one , am beginning to feel a little uncomfortable as to your questions, moreover.... because you are drawing people into things, which is clever on your part,

but a little underhand as you are doing it in such a way that it is bringing out the wrong answers..(. right to you ).... to people thinking of starting up .
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: matt on April 02, 2008, 11:34:29 pm
ACCEPTABLE hourly rate = as much as i can in the 3 days i work  ;)
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 11:40:09 pm
"I dont think trying to reinforce a mans worth is an attack .Being wary of someone who's posts talk mainly about increasing the value of what you do does seem a little odd".


But Davo... you are not talking about the value of a mans worth are you?...

you are asking what the majority of the window cleaners on this forum earn....!

is that not obvious to us?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 02, 2008, 11:45:41 pm
For your own research...!

nothing wrong , if thats what you are doing...

but, a mans worth is not his earnings in my opinion.... thats a material issue

are you not worth more than any money you could ever earn in your life... to your family?...

Of course you are ...

so this is about , you... wanting to know what can be earned from window cleaning Davo.

why Davo?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 03, 2008, 12:07:23 am
A minority of very experienced window cleaners could probably earn over £100 per hour but only whilst they are actually working. They are the clever ones who have done their homework, know their market value and ooze confidence when it comes to pricing and have been lucky enough to seek out their customers who are willing to pay their prices

There are other window cleaners who are content to earn just enough, charging very low prices, to tie them over from week to week, to meet their lifestyle and pay their bills with minmal effort required.

There are window cleaners who start up, charge riduculously low prices and quit after a short while because they realise this job is physically challenging being outdoors in all weathers, having to put up with deceitful customers ripping them off, who spend many hours trying to build a business with no chance of success.

We as window cleaners, will only command high prices, if; we are determined to put in the time and effort to acquire good accounts and to replenish older, lower priced work on an ongoing basis.

What one is happy to work all day for, another wouldn't consider getting out of bed for.

Many window cleaners only post their gross wage less expenditure per actual time related to a job on this forum NOT allowing for driving time, administration and all the other working hours unpaid that are all part of this job. Many also like to brag how big they are because they've earnt 'X' pounds more than 'A' or 'B' has.

Only 3 people should know how much one earns.
1. The window cleaner
2. Their accountant
3. The tax office

People bragging how smart/dumb they are because they can earn '££££' more than 'Joe Public' in the street just invite more competition from other new wannabe window cleaners wishing to start up thinking that the streets are lined with loadsamoney for easy pickings with minimal effort. 
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 03, 2008, 12:08:10 am
For your own research...!

nothing wrong , if thats what you are doing...

but, a mans worth is not his earnings in my opinion.... thats a material issue

are you not worth more than any money you could ever earn in your life... to your family?...

Of course you are ...

so this is about , you... wanting to know what can be earned from window cleaning Davo.

why Davo?

Working a 30 hour week, either wfp or trad.

What do members think is an acceptable hourly rate to charge for window cleaning services.







Mark

Gazza that was my original question. I dont want to know what you , or anybody else on this forum earns ( most of it will be nonsense anyway).


The question actually arose from the "charging £1.50 bin thread" Certain posters started with the sarcastic rubbish so I wanted to know what people thought was an acceptable hourly rate for this business. How would I be able to find out what most people thought?

A poll.... quite simple really.....

Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 03, 2008, 12:11:03 am
A minority of window cleaners can earn over £100 per hour but only whilst they are actually working. They are the clever ones who have done their homework, know their market value and ooze confidence when it comes to pricing and have been lucky enough to seek out these customers who are willing to pay their prices.

There are other window cleaners who are content to earn just enough, charging very low prices, to tie them over from week to week, to meet their lifestyle and pay their bills with minmal effort required.

We as window cleaners, will only command high prices, if; we are determined to put in the time and effort to acquire good accounts and to replenish older, lower priced work on an ongoing basis.

What one is happy to work all day for, another wouldn't consider getting out of bed for.

Many window cleaners only post their gross wage less expenditure per actual time related to a job on this forum NOT allowing for driving time, administration and all the other working hours unpaid that are all part of this job. Many also like to brag how big they are because they've earnt 'X' pounds more than 'A' or 'B' has.

Only 3 people should know how much one earns.
1. The window cleaner
2. Their accountant
3. The tax office

People bragging how smart/dumb they are because they can earn '££££' more than 'Joe Public' in the street just invite more competition from other new wannabe window cleaners wishing to start up thinking that the streets are lined with loadsamoney for easy pickings with minimal effort. 

Lovely looking post,  read the first 3 lines then stopped......


The original question was

What do members think is an ACCEPTABLE hourly rate to charge for window cleaning services.


Mark
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: geefree on April 03, 2008, 12:13:24 am
Davo.... why?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 03, 2008, 12:31:16 am
Locality, where you live/work plays a very big factor in how much you can charge. I sometimes work in Torquay where there are loads of dole brigade window cleaners who have a large influence on what prices are achievable. If the social services monitored the dole brigade cheating the system by means of window cleaning, I would be laughing when it comes to quoting good, competitive, prices.
Most of the work I do there is for large-ish homes, businesses for professionals who can see that I am legitimate, insured, large sign written van with contact details (Tel, website, etc), happy to give out invoices, receipts and accept payment by means of cheque or paypal which is all accountable to the taxman.
I've picked up 4 homes and 1 business in the last 2 days in a different region outside Torbay with good prices which in Torquay I would struggle to achieve at the prices I quoted.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 03, 2008, 12:34:12 am
Davo.... why?

Why did i ask the question? Because the negativity from certain  members of this forum is amazing. Slating anyone who infers that they can obtain a good rate for the service they charge. I presume the slating arises because they dont think the rate charged is either possible or they imply that the rate is a "rip off"

Finding out what cleaners believe is a fair rate for their time I think is a valid question
If you think that £20 an hour is an acceptable rate then you wont be chargng out at £30 an hour. If a poll shows that many cleaners believe that £30 is an acceptable rate then there may be a chance that you may change your opinion.

Example, a poster was talking about the price of conservatory cleans, another member posted what he charged ( considerably higher than anyone else) he was met with a tirrade of " your talking out ur ........ So he said ok come out with  me and ill show you. Next thing everyone wants him to send them a copy of his flyer!!!!! they wanted to copy what he was doing. Because he was charging good money and he was busy it made it acceptable to the sceptics that charging a decent rate was ok.


Gazza if you think there is some hidden agenda then theres not much i can do about that. If you think that i can somehow affect your business or that of any other member of this forum i think you are greatly misstaken.For arguments sake say i were to set up 10 window cleaning rounds, its not going to make much of a splash in the uk window cleaning scene is it? Its hardly the great british window cleaning invasion.



Mark


Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: xxmattyxx on April 03, 2008, 09:22:08 am
How do we compare with the carpet cleaners then Davo?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 03, 2008, 09:48:06 am
Only 3 people should know how much one earns.
1. The window cleaner
2. Their accountant
3. The tax office
Well I agree with number 1 anyway...
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: bluez on April 03, 2008, 10:37:22 am
Lads, it's a simple poll, answer it if you don't find it objectionable or ignore it if you do.

Why does everything have to be about an agenda, some seriously paranoid people on here.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: windowcleaninginessex.co.uk on April 03, 2008, 12:25:09 pm
If you keep telling people what you earn, everyone will become a window cleaner...
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Davo on April 03, 2008, 05:35:42 pm
Well i am a little suprised on the figures revealed by the poll, i thought that the figures would have been higher.


Thankyou to those who took the trouble to vote.



Mark
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Tosh on April 03, 2008, 05:40:00 pm
Davo,

Are you going to become a window cleaner?
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 03, 2008, 05:43:53 pm
Davo,

Are you going to become a window cleaner?
Are you? ;D
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: frames to panes on April 03, 2008, 05:47:22 pm
Not for £25 an hour. ;D
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Tosh on April 03, 2008, 05:58:22 pm
Davo,

Are you going to become a window cleaner?
Are you? ;D

Squeaks, stop being bitchy towards me, you rotter; or I'll make that picture I have of you as my avatar:

This One:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/IMAG0040.jpg)

I'll also post it up everytime you're rude to me in future; I know you love it!  ;D

Of course I'm a window cleaner; most anyone can become a window cleaner.

Being a good one is a different matter mind; that's the difficult part; earning top money and keeping your customers happy!

That's what I want to do; and I'm getting there - slowly but slowly (sometimes surely too); give me another few years (or a few more on top of that maybe).

I'd just like to know where Davo wants to take it.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: frames to panes on April 03, 2008, 06:06:33 pm
No smutty replies please.
Title: Re: Hourly Rate
Post by: Sir Squeaky on April 03, 2008, 07:06:18 pm
Davo,

Are you going to become a window cleaner?
Are you? ;D

Squeaks, stop being bitchy towards me, you rotter; or I'll make that picture I have of you as my avatar:

This One:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/IMAG0040.jpg)

I'll also post it up everytime you're rude to me in future; I know you love it!  ;D

Of course I'm a window cleaner; most anyone can become a window cleaner.

Being a good one is a different matter mind; that's the difficult part; earning top money and keeping your customers happy!

That's what I want to do; and I'm getting there - slowly but slowly (sometimes surely too); give me another few years (or a few more on top of that maybe).

I'd just like to know where Davo wants to take it.


Ok, I'm sorry.