Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: geefree on December 15, 2008, 11:15:45 pm
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Hi ,
To the guys who have recently started up, and have begun posting on here,
I hope you find this forum as helpful as i do, .. i have only been doing w/c for two years... and the help on here is brilliant, and you could not ask for a better bunch....
But i have a couple of question for you new guys......which may be of interest to us all...
Has the credit crunch forced you to change your line of work ( have you been made redundant?)
Have you simply decided on a change of career?
And how did you come to the decision that window cleaning would be your preferred line of work?
Cheers.
Gary.
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Very good question Gazza - come on guys enquiring minds want to know... ;)
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To me pretty obvious:
1. Low start up costs.
2. Earn from week (day?) one.
3. Good repeat business.
4. Experience not required.
5. Lots of cash...how honest you are with IR is up to you!
6. Lots of stories on sites like this of guys earning £200 plus per day ::)
7. You can never be made redundant/sacked again.
8. You're your own boss.
9. You get lots of days off in winter because of poxy weather.
10. It's better money than Work Seekers Allowance.
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Oh in case you're wondering why I'm at home on a Tuesday lunchtime in good weather and not earning my usual daily £500 it's because our poxy bolier has yet again decided to pack up and I'm waiting for the Brit Gas man who tells me he'll be here sometime between 11 and 4....
...."Hello Mrs Smith I'm coming to clean your windows tomorrow."
"Thanks Simon what time do expect to be here?"
"Oh, sometime between 11 and 4".
Mrs Smith's phone: CLICK
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I was just speaking to a guy yesterday who was cleaning a place opposite from where we were working. I have known him for about 15 years, he used to work for the DSS. I was quite surprised to see him out window cleaning. I asked him why he changed, he said that in March he was offered voluntary redundancy and he fancied a change. He bought a 3-4 day a week round off of another friend who also fancied a change and had gone into a high-powered sales job.
I asked him how he was getting on with it since he started in April. He said it was hard work, but he liked the freedom, he did say he wanted more work though as he was able to do the £500 weekly work in just 2 long days (8-4.30). He said that it didn't feel right not working for 3 days of the week.
I think that about sums up why people are starting up. From day one he has earned £500 a week from 2 days a week. He had to buy the van/gear/round, but his redundancy sorted this for him. He did have the advantage of buying a well established and profitable round.
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im new to this forum but been doing the job for about 7 years. But only recently went on my own and started my own business thanks to financial backing from my old boss :D
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im new to this forum but been doing the job for about 7 years. But only recently went on my own and started my own business thanks to financial backing from my old boss :D
Sound good ;D ;D ;D
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hey Gazza how did you manage to send 3602 replays in two years ant you busy enough so spend to much time replying to posts
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4. Experience not required.
This is where your lack of experience shows. In two-years you will think very differently; if you last that long.
Oh, added later; I suspect you maybe posting this line as an example of what is required for when you go for an employed job interview; sorry; I thought you were hinting that window cleaning is an easy 'no brains' occupation. >:(
But the daft thing about experience is, you never have it when you need it the most.
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4. Experience not required.
This is where your lack of experience shows. In two-years you will think very differently; if you last that long.
Oh, added later; I suspect you maybe posting this line as an example of what is required for when you go for an employed job interview; sorry; I thought you were hinting that window cleaning is an easy 'no brains' occupation. >:(
But the daft thing about experience is, you never have it when you need it the most.
Er with respect Tosh I've been doing this job for 5 years and my round is right where I want it. And I didn't at any point say or imply that w/c is for the brain dead.
But the fact is Tosh 5 years ago I went from an office worker who was afraid of heights to a window cleaner with 50 customers in one week.
I remember my very very 1st job...Mrs Jones (who I still clean for to this today). A 3 bed semi that took me well over an hour...now it's 20 mins if I'm in lazy mode.
How much experience does one actually need to wash a bit of glass? Perhaps with wfp there's a bit of skill but with trad the only skill is to get quicker and safer.
Sorry mate, w/c'ing is a good earner for those who don't mind the graft but seriously don't make it out as more than it is!
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Sorry mate, w/c'ing is a good earner for those who don't mind the graft but seriously don't make it out as more than it is!
Simon, I apologise if I offended you, but I disagree with what you say. I'm no big-hitter, but there's a lot more to a window cleaning business than just being able to clean a window; which is what you're implying.
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How much experience does one actually need to wash a bit of glass? Perhaps with wfp there's a bit of skill but with trad the only skill is to get quicker and safer.
Trad takes far longer to master than WFP too.
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Sorry mate, w/c'ing is a good earner for those who don't mind the graft but seriously don't make it out as more than it is!
Simon, I apologise if I offended you, but I disagree with what you say. I'm no big-hitter, but there's a lot more to a window cleaning business than just being able to clean a window; which is what you're implying.
You most certainly didn't offend me...promise :-*
I don't run a business. I'm self employed, have a good round and from it make my daily crust.
So I was spouting-off from that view-point.
Businesses are different and I'll leave them to people with more brains than me to operate ;)
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like malc i was impressed with gazza's question and very much wanted an answer. Although there have been some inteligent comments no newbs have bothered. I find this irritating, they want all our info, but don't share theirs.
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Simon
I think you were 'spot on' with your reply.
Tosh
I think you you misunderstood what Simon was saying when he said "No experience necessary".
I would think that he meant - 'No experience necessary to start up' - and he's right about that.
Obviously, it's harder, and slower, to learn on your own - but it's possible!
And then there's always CIU.
Mike
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Just been having supper and have been thinking of the "skill/experience" aspects of the job:
I don't think there's any real skill in cleaning glass...at least no skill that can't be mastered in a week or so. As I say with trad it's a matter of safer and faster. With wfp I think there's more experience required and with the experience comes skill...if you follow!
But overall (trad or wfp) if there's any skill to be learned it's to GET AND KEEP the work in the first place...and of course price it just right.
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I love being out in the open, and i dont like knowing someone is earning more out of me than myself. I have started window cleaning because i know i have a good business mind and can do alot of things that i want too, but lack of paperwork behind me has stopped that. I like the challenge and the tasks of finding customers, working out best ways to approach different people, and keep on the move with different scenery each day.
Window cleaning has allowed me to do the things i want in work, and in a sense a chance.
Excuse my spelling etc, but my keyboard is naff, and some buttons only work when they want.
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I started two years ago because:
1. no training nessesary whatsoever
2. simple to learn
3. no ladders at all (wfp)
4. all maintenance cleans so once you get the work you no longer have to look for more, with the advantage of being able to predict your annual earnings.
Lessons learnt: dealing with the public isn't straightforward, weather is a drawback, ladders are needed even if only for access, collecting is a pain, there was a stigma attatched to the job, it can become boring and motivation can be a problem.
I had no idea of the earnings potential (good or bad), no idea how to run a business or how to price up work and still struggle with customers who mess me about.
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i done it for a total change. I liked my job and had good prospects, salary and final salry pension.
i always wante dto work for myself so made the decision at star tof year to leave job and get on with things.
i was given work form Gf's dad who has clenaing company and i enjoy my work each day.
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Other than you mention the part about the current Credit crunch your questions could apply to all, we all were/are new to window cleaning at the beginning.
No i had a choice and still operate a profitable pre existing business, the opportuntiy i saw was partly what simon says, but more that i wanted in on the start of new tech and legislation, a classic opp situation, then i found that the internet had changed the way of doing biz too- no collecting, desktop publishing made my own leaflets easy etc.
It's a bit annoying that i should go to the trouble of figuring all this and some herbert can arrive at the same place just because they are out of work or are unemployable and this is their only option.
The most interesting replies would be the 'i am a time served electrician' and I am now window cleaning because....
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I am a time served printer and only got into this job because there is bugger all else for someone with no other qualifications in this area. Hows that? ;D
I'd like to say i spotted a gap in the market and wanted to be the first in my area to push this marketing venture forward. Trouble was it wasn't like that, it was a case of finding something easy and quick! the fact that i hated ladders almost ruled out cleaning windows for a living.
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I have started up because of the lack of work about in the building trade, i am a bricklayer. No where near a full round yet but not really pushed it for cusomers as the odd building job does still crop up. Will decide in the new year whether to reall go for it, although i realise it may be hard to get the customers. I have gone wfp with backpack and had a lot of useful advice off this forum especially john tomkins who is local to me, thanks john.
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I was bored of living my International Play Boy lifestyle, Wine & Women, endless sun, sand & sun-cream... Just got boring! :'(
I want to be cold & wet!
I want to be a small insignificant member of the great unwashed!
There's no place like home. AHhhh Clean it up... Ahhhh I'm home! ;D
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How much experience does one actually need to wash a bit of glass? Perhaps with wfp there's a bit of skill but with trad the only skill is to get quicker and safer.
i think tbeing he answer to your question is in the question it self mr knight!
unlike your self i CLEAN bits of glass. i dont just wash them. as for there is some skill involved in wfp but the only skill in trad is to get faster and quicker. lol
what a stupid statement. i, like many other w/c on here and across the inderstry as a whole will take offence to that. imo 90% of the reason there are so many wc popping up all over the place is how easy it is to do using a wfp and not having to master the art of cleaning at hight from a ladder. fundermentles old boy.
playing football involves no skill, just aslong as you play really slowly.
i cant count how many w/c started up with me ''yea i'm a window cleaner, been doing it for years'' most dont last a week. to slow, unsafe and just plain rubish!
i'm not saying wfp is easy by no means. i'm finding it challngeing. mostly coz i keep forgetting i'm filling my tank and over flow in to the van! lol
i dont mean to sound like i'm jumping down your throte and i kinda know what you ment you just put it very wrongly i think.
there is one symple answer to why there are mor w/c's about.
surply on demand.
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Don`t agree with all of that some yes maybe,you say anyone can WFP i know for a fact that`s not true there`s some shocking WFPolers out there and there the 1`s that scare off potential customers.
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hey Gazza how did you manage to send 3602 replays in two years ant you busy enough so spend to much time replying to posts
i post at night... after work, when i can relax from all the graft. (why do people say things like that , as though it has any relevance )
i like to learn, and the only way to do that is ask.... i have found this forum invaluable,
i have been helped on dozens of occasions.
And one day, i may be able to give new people the same advice as i recieved here..
as i am not one of those people who start up and think they know everything in a month, .!!
Thanks for replies, ... i thought a few more of the new ones would come on ,,, maybe they will later, as recently there has been a few start up posts.
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sorry i didnt mean any one can wfp i should of said anyone can attempt to wfp.
i agree its harder to master than i 1st thought
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Don`t agree with all of that some yes maybe,you say anyone can WFP i know for a fact that`s not true there`s some shocking WFPolers out there and there the 1`s that scare off potential customers.
Their are also so shockingly bad Trad blokes. No detailing, the sills are covered in dirty soap.
And why I start wcing (part-time) is that I like being looked on as a piece of dirt by custys.
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[/
And why I start wcing (part-time) is that I like being looked on as a piece of dirt by custys.
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??? :o
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Don`t agree with all of that some yes maybe,you say anyone can WFP i know for a fact that`s not true there`s some shocking WFPolers out there and there the 1`s that scare off potential customers.
Their are also so shockingly bad Trad blokes. No detailing, the sills are covered in dirty soap.
And why I start wcing (part-time) is that I like being looked on as a piece of dirt by custys.
did i miss something ??? ??? ???
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[/
And why I start wcing (part-time) is that I like being looked on as a piece of dirt by custys.
quote]
??? :o
It was meant to be a joke Gazza.
As I said I only do it part-timebut it is my pocket money so my salary goes to over-paying my mortgage. I get away from the missus :) and it is a fall-back if anything did go wrong with my job. I could do it full-time if I wanted to but I do not get my licence back for 4 weeks so just been doing local.
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I still found it strange to here that some window cleaners who use wfp have never or don’t know how to do this job from ladders.
Any new people coming into this line of work in my opinion should be capable to use ladders correctly and have this skill as part of your service.
Combination of ladders and wfp will be better than any window cleaner who only clean using the one method.
Look at all the ridiculous tools people have been making just to clear a typical residential guttering, turning a straight foreword job into a difficult chore. If they knew how to do it with ladders they wouldn’t waste there own time and energy trying to do it from the ground.
well put!!
mr spencer. do you pay tax on your w/c round?
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I am time served in Financial Services, 22 odd years, well paid ,good pension and benefits. Took redundancy, as I wanted to do something for myself, and build up a business from scratch, as I was totally bored with bean counting, auditing and having pointless bloody meetings every 5 minutes, and actually doing nothing meaningfull at all.
Wouldnt say I love W/C, as I find it a bit boring, but potentially it is a good business, and you get to meet some really nice & loyal custies, and on the other side of the coin you meet some real nob ends.
The silly arguments on here about WFP V Trad really p me off as if you are any bloody good you can do both to a high standard. Both have there own strong points.
And as someone said earlier its a shame more Newbies havent come on and given the answers Gazza asked for. All take no give ay!!!!
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woow woow woow, i didnt mean to start that old chestnut off again i was just saying there is no need to put down window cleaning trad or wfp.
i love window cleaning (when its walm and dry) but i still live in hope of one day fulfilling my life long dream of making it as a pro porno star!! 8)
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Started Sept 08 so i must be a newbie !
Reasons behind it , obvious bored with old job , didn't / wasn't going to reach the top, not because of lack of talent etc more to do with politics being more important than the ability to do the job. Plus sick of working all hours god sends because it's expected.
Wanted to do something else but not a spring chicken and could only earn decent money by doing what i've always done.
bil had one of those NEW 3 story houses couldn't get a w/c to do top floor paid £7 a month with no sill cleaning said he'd happly pay £10 for top floor and sills , Thought "as you do " 500 houses on his estate at £10 a month = £5k divided by 20 working days = 25 a day divided by 2 man system = 12.5 a day ,divided by 6 hrs = roughly 1 every 30 mins. doddle pay 2nd man £1.5k a month [ £9 an hr pay own tax ] leaves £3.5k a month for a 5 day 30hr week . BLISS , Then look for another Estate do the same employ people, sit back take in £4k a month doing nothing .
Ideal world but thats POTENTIAL and THATS why i came into it , at the moment earning nothing like that , finding i'm ok with wfp struggling with Trad [ can't quite get the knack ] but what keeps me going is i have certain hours that i earn £60 , others £0, finding door knocking very hard but i know i've got to get over that, get annoyed when people knock me back with " ohh i've got a w/c " when windows haven't being touched for 6mths.
Anyway theres a newbie answer.
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I worked in IT for over 10 years... Just got really bored of working in an office day in day out... Started window cleaning in December 2005 and haven't looked back!
I actually enjoyed all the door knocking I did in the first 18 months - I miss all that... Now all my new customers come from referrals / old leaflets that people find / my website etc...
Andy
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I worked for the post office, thinking great early start, early finish, but last year saw the direction Royal mail is heading and realised I started early and finished late.
I was not spending time with the kids, was not going anywhere with the P.O. and was not spending the hours I wanted on other more important things.
I have friends who clean windows and after speaking with them, thought it was worth a try.
Even allowing for the couple of scull fractures, the broken collar bone, and the two months I am enjoying for recovery, I think it was the right choice.
When not recovering, I spend more time with kids, earn the same as i did in the P.O., and have an extra 50hr each month for a real life.
Niall
Oh and I think wfp is the way to go, but trad still has its place
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if i was spencer i wouldnt pay tax as he already does in his full time job...
its only a bit of extra dosh as he says...
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Other than you mention the part about the current Credit crunch your questions could apply to all, we all were/are new to window cleaning at the beginning.
No i had a choice and still operate a profitable pre existing business, the opportuntiy i saw was partly what simon says, but more that i wanted in on the start of new tech and legislation, a classic opp situation, then i found that the internet had changed the way of doing biz too- no collecting, desktop publishing made my own leaflets easy etc.
It's a bit annoying that i should go to the trouble of figuring all this and some herbert can arrive at the same place just because they are out of work or are unemployable and this is their only option.
The most interesting replies would be the 'i am a time served electrician' and I am now window cleaning because....
Fair play discount I agree with that (bet it scares you - we have common ground!) The thing is though will these "Herberts" have the guts to ride out the bad times? (ewan just does not understand this so go easy on him ;) )
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I used to clean windows part-time 20 years ago, I was a shift worker with plenty of spare time. I eventually owned a business, and then bought a round (4 full time window cleaners)with my son. He found being an employer very difficult so we sold the round. Years later I sold my business and went to work for the council, in finance.
I had had enough of this after a few years and was looking to leave. A friend of mine had a part-time round and had fallen off his ladders, breaking his leg and wrist, I thought this is my opportunity. ;D I bought the round off him and do part-time window cleaning and part-time handyman. The window cleaning round is building up and so is the handyman business.
The window cleaning prices around here are not very good, I try to earn an average of £15.00 per hour, although my new work prices are higher.
I found WFP has cost me about £2500 to set up, including my 4wD Suzuki.
I am udecided which way to grow my business, Window Cleaning or Handyman, and I am very reluctant to be an employer again, I employed 8 staff previously, even more red tape now. ::)
I forgot to mention my friend, who is in his sixties, was happy to retire as this was his sixth fall in 4 years.
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ps out there sounds like it was about time your friend knocked it on the head b4 god made him :o
as for paying tax. i belive every one should pa tax on every penny the earn have some respect. where would we be if every one did jobs on the side? you can bet your life a wc paying no tax has no insurance and there for has lower over heads and can and will unfairly under cut others there for reducing the profits in the trade!
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ps out there sounds like it was about time your friend knocked it on the head b4 god made him :o
as for paying tax. i belive every one should pa tax on every penny the earn have some respect. where would we be if every one did jobs on the side? you can bet your life a wc paying no tax has no insurance and there for has lower over heads and can and will unfairly under cut others there for reducing the profits in the trade!
I do pay my tax on it as I am a wuss on getting caught. And on lower prices I am actually cheaper than the full time lads around by me. Not because I undercut but because I price the job as I have been taught, maybe I am doing something wrong.
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no jon you price your work as you see fit. at the end of the day one of the joys of self employment is putting a price on your own work. i do it. i too am mostly cheaper than other guys round my way. manly coz i'm alot faster so i can afford to be.
i only asked if you pay tax out of intrest as i know many dont. its a big problem if not the biggest we have in this job. people who pay cash think there doing you a favour there for can sometimes take the micky. if you make it clear from the start you declear EVERY penny then it tends to stop this and the haggling.
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if you had licensing in england,you may get round some of these problem.a bigish outlay to start, then fines and bans for getting cought, put the cowboys off, and does something to improve the image of window cleaners with the public. no more, "there you go cash in hand, wink wink"
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no jon you price your work as you see fit. at the end of the day one of the joys of self employment is putting a price on your own work. i do it. i too am mostly cheaper than other guys round my way. manly coz i'm alot faster so i can afford to be.
i only asked if you pay tax out of intrest as i know many dont. its a big problem if not the biggest we have in this job. people who pay cash think there doing you a favour there for can sometimes take the micky. if you make it clear from the start you declear EVERY penny then it tends to stop this and the haggling.
I actually turn work down these days. What I tend to do is back 3 quid on and if they say if it is too dear I say that is the price and if they agree I am better off.
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not to sure where i stand on licencing to be trueful. i hate to think england would need to follow something that scotland did 1st. lol
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JS tottaly the way to do it. i do this to a certan exstent but i'd advise not to over do it as you will build an over priced round and if times get really hard as there prodicting if your charging silly money your service might be something folk will cut back on. if your not pushing your luck then there see it as something fairly priced and worth keeping with.
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if you had licensing in england,you may get round some of these problem.a bigish outlay to start, then fines and bans for getting cought, put the cowboys off, and does something to improve the image of window cleaners with the public. no more, "there you go cash in hand, wink wink"
Considering you have to be licenced in Scotland, .. how is the competition?
are your prices better because there are not many fly-by-nights and dole boys on the job?
In England, it is relatively easy to get into this business......
in fact its getting to be quite a common statement for people about to lose jobs , or thinking of having a change... " I WILL GO WINDOW CLEANING IF I HAVE TO"
I , Personally worked my way out of a sales job, into window cleaning, via pressure washing at weekends, until i had enough work to make the transition into window cleaning....
I think it is too easy to get into, but very hard to maintain, and stick at it...
Thats why, there are the fly by nights... and summer brigade and dole boys..... making it hard for the rest ......to put a decent price in... and change the public image of the real window cleaners who are trying to make a business or a living out of it
Because, these dossers want beer money... ONLY.
And when the cold weather comes, they run and hide... because they are shirkers and do not know what work is....
and dont know how to speak to decent people... and they are scruffy and that continues to give window cleaning a bad name.
and when they get a few customers too many..... they run and hide again !......
because they dont know how to cope... because its starting to turn into a JOB!!!.... So off they go again.
Until the beer money runs out.
There. ;D
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It's still not perfect, you get chancers, but the councils are to blame for not policing their licensing.
that is changing, Doug (D.A. Services) at www.slwcn.org (http://www.slwcn.org) is putting a lot of man hours in to fixing this.
the thing is that for it to work you have to be willing to point the finger when you have to:I know a lot of people will hate that idea, thinking all for one and that. but, if the other guy is not going through the proper chanels he is not your pal and he is damaging your reputation.
the upshot is, the more guys that aren't willing to pay, the more work there is for the honest guy that is doing it right
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I want to change as my current employers are idiots and have made my life a misery over the years.
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You guys, you make me laugh!
I started trad 1994, moved to wfp 2003.
If you believe that you are talking to humans when you type at this forum, think again!
What you are talking too is succesful window cleaners,who did the graft,and who, with contracts under their belts have opened up a warehouse selling????????????????????????????????? correct, wfp
i am 37, nobody but nobody should have to live the life of a solitary window claner. i am now struggling to type because of the athritis (always ask them to show you their piano skils) It's all bullpoop, you will make lots of money, but, your health will suffer.
ps i am now going to join raf. I'm lucky, i'm young.
How are you lookink forward to athritis?
Ask your granfather, it's really horrible.
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I want to change as my current employers are idiots and have made my life a misery over the years.
Dont work for Equity Insurance do you? lol
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You guys, you make me laugh!
I started trad 1994, moved to wfp 2003.
If you believe that you are talking to humans when you type at this forum, think again!
What you are talking too is succesful window cleaners,who did the graft,and who, with contracts under their belts have opened up a warehouse selling????????????????????????????????? correct, wfp
i am 37, nobody but nobody should have to live the life of a solitary window claner. i am now struggling to type because of the athritis (always ask them to show you their piano skils) It's all bullpoop, you will make lots of money, but, your health will suffer.
ps i am now going to join raf. I'm lucky, i'm young.
How are you lookink forward to athritis?
Ask your granfather, it's really horrible.
weirdo
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You guys, you make me laugh!
I started trad 1994, moved to wfp 2003.
If you believe that you are talking to humans when you type at this forum, think again!
What you are talking too is succesful window cleaners,who did the graft,and who, with contracts under their belts have opened up a warehouse selling????????????????????????????????? correct, wfp
i am 37, nobody but nobody should have to live the life of a solitary window claner. i am now struggling to type because of the athritis (always ask them to show you their piano skils) It's all bullpoop, you will make lots of money, but, your health will suffer.
ps i am now going to join raf. I'm lucky, i'm young.
How are you lookink forward to athritis?
Ask your granfather, it's really horrible.
You want to fly planes and you got arthritis?
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What`s that Sprocket bloke on about.
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I started two years ago because:
1. no training nessesary whatsoever
2. simple to learn
3. no ladders at all (wfp)
4. all maintenance cleans so once you get the work you no longer have to look for more, with the advantage of being able to predict your annual earnings.
Lessons learnt: dealing with the public isn't straightforward, weather is a drawback, ladders are needed even if only for access, collecting is a pain, there was a stigma attatched to the job, it can become boring and motivation can be a problem.
I had no idea of the earnings potential (good or bad), no idea how to run a business or how to price up work and still struggle with customers who mess me about.
Morning FTP,
Can i email you or vice versa ?
regards phil
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I work, but get 4 days off out of every 8 so wanted to do something rather that sit on my arse on these days. Wife has stopped work so need to start earning another income so thought this job perfect. Only started canvassing yesterday so cant tell if its gonna be a success yet but heres hoping
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"Well thanks WCE, Discount don’t compare yourself to “Herbert’s” and if there is any comparison your in trouble!
Bad times! What for all or for some? And for other does that mean good times in a bad time?
It’s a tricky one isn’t it? "
Who are the Herberts Ewan? come on, name them and give them a chance to reply.
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"Well thanks WCE, Discount don’t compare yourself to “Herbert’s” and if there is any comparison your in trouble!
Bad times! What for all or for some? And for other does that mean good times in a bad time?
It’s a tricky one isn’t it? "
Who are the Herberts Ewan? come on, name them and give them a chance to reply.
I think 9 months is long enough for them too reply lol
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Well I'm one of the new guys and if any one is remotely interested in why I want to get into window cleaning I will tell you.
For the best part of 2 years I have been wanting to work for myself, to have the flexability that would enable me to have. For 10 years now I have worked in retail, the long hours that are involved in that means I realy strugle to have a life out side of work and earlier this year I split with my Mrs, so now I'm juggling my free time between my kids, still trying to see my mates now and again and the presure of being a retail manager.
So over the last few months the thought of working for myself had to become more than "something I would like to do" and become reality and after looking into other ideas the low start up cost of setting up as a window cleaner and the relative flexability that it brings meant that this is what I've decided to do.
I mean how else do you think I stumbled onto a forum for window cleaning ? I found this site while researching the subject, between this and the window cleaning coach website I found some fantastic bits of advice and if in 6 months time this is my sole job and making a living out of it I will be a happy man once more.
So to all you guys who post advice on here, I thank you all, it is truely appreciated :)
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the window cleaning coach (dave) is a great guy !!! i got let down by a w/c who never turned up so thought i would do it myself ,checked daves site which has the basics ,do my own now and a couple of neighbours ,i work on ladders daily so no height issues ,i find it rewarding and calming too ,new to this site but contributors are great and i am pleased to see offers of work experience on available .
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I am an ex heavy goods driver (18 years Class one) Fed up being away all the time, up to 6 weeks on my last job. Chucked it and decided to set up cleaning Co 3 years ago. Driveways, Graffiti etc. Am drifting into window cleaning as I enjoy seeing a finished job and also enjoy a happy customer. Nowhere as easy as I thought (trad so far) but very theraputic
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hi all im a new here too. This is why i decided to start wc.
I use to be a self employed painter and decorator for about 15 years had a small business for about 5 years of it. But in time work had graduly faded out. I have had years of experience climbing ladders, also cleaning windows after they had been painted as an extra on jobs. I have always enjoyed working for myself and being on the move. I have enjoyed getting my customers and i have a good round, increasing by the day.
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I've been a car valeter for many years, and for the last 5 or so ran a specialist detailing service, with a great nationwide reputation and regularly detailed expensive cars from Inverness to Brighton, charging anywhere from £350 to £700 per detail, I've even detailed a Bugatti Veyron once. And used car wax that was worth more than my van. This is me and my past work - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7298&highlight=
BUT, from this time last year it was apparent that the market for this type of business was drastically shrinking, with the economy in trouble and lots of new starters trying to get in on the market, inexpereinced and desperate for work quoting prices that I just couldn't compete with, my insurance to work on cars worth £200k plus needed a good income to pay for, a lot of people into detailing now aren't insured properly and some even work out of their boot part time for spare cash ! There where maybe 10 people carrying out specialist detailing nationwide when I started out, now there are around 250 ! or more
So, it became apparent that I had to make the decision to change business to keep the bills paid, and started a handyman/building maintenance service as I did this sort of thing for about 8 years many years ago. It wasn't doing bad, but given the economy it just isn't as busy as I'd like. So...........I got into window cleaning, and actually really enjoying it, and the way my round has grown over the first month I think I'll be ditching the handyman business side and sticking with window cleaning as my main business.
The first thing that hit me hard in window cleaning though, domestic anyway, is the way a lot of customers look down on you. Very different than how customers looked up to my expertise when working on their supercar. Quite a few times I've had conversations now and it seems some hold me similar to a beggar, even with company branded polo and cards etc. Never mind, the valeting side of my detailing business was often like that "just a cleaner" like any other, so I'm immune to that now anyway ;D If they want to think that, that's their problem, not mine. I wonder if they realise some "cleaners" own businesses worth many times theirs ? and as they go to sit at their desk 9 - 5 every day we have the freedom and pride of being self employed.
It's not all been like that, and I have some great customers already, tips and cups of tea ;D, and as said I really enjoy it, and looking forward to moving to wfp when busy enough to finance it. :)