Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: BVC on January 04, 2009, 01:14:51 pm
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So...Got big plans for this year. Business is growing considerably (residental) :)
Now usually never consider working on a sunday, however wanted to get a flying start (didnt want to get to the 5th of Jan with only a days work under my belt. So I worked new years day (8am start on residential) (I know! :o) (didnt knock anyone up till 10 though, left my normal envelopes)
You wanna know something? Done a £200 quid day and not one customer complained! some even complimented me on my dilligent service. On top of this I saw a wc cleaning today.
Now as my round has grown I have had to become a little more detached from my customers purely because of the workload. (I used to jump through hoops for them) I simply dont have the time anymore. I am thinking with the supermarkets and town centres open as normal on Sundays why not just work?
I wanted to get a flying start for this month and fully expected some grief that just didnt arrive.
I am not talking about working 7 days a week just working Sunday if I am behind. Bought wc pro, Its so good i missed out on an extra £500 that it had brought forward. Completely caught me out.
Anyway sorry if this has been discussed before, I should have used the search button first, would be interested in your opinions though. :)
BVC.
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I reckon you should keep Sundays special. That's YOUR time, and your families.
I wouldn't want a window cleaner cleaning my windows on a Sunday.
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Wouldn't bother me if i was asked to work Sunday (but not every week) because this job is so flexible i could take Monday off instead.
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If you have full books and you want to expand you customer base then change you customers over to a 5 weekly cleaning cycle, this will give you room to add more customers.
Or you could increase your prices by a little bit.
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what would be the point working sunday if you was going to take monday of
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I agree with Tosh,people don't want some one working on their property on a Sunday,they might say that they don't mind to be polite but really they do,it is totally different doing shop fronts etc. but on houses........come on,this is a wind up right!
If I seen another window cleaner,gardener,builder working on a Sunday in a private house I would think........God,things must be bad for them,Sunday is for chillin,I find going out on Saturday at about 10-2 is enough as people want their privacy but on a Sunday,now thats taking the mickey! :o
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I agree with Tosh,people don't want some one working on their property on a Sunday,they might say that they don't mind to be polite but really they do,it is totally different doing shop fronts etc. but on houses........come on,this is a wind up right!
If I seen another window cleaner,gardener,builder working on a Sunday in a private house I would think........God,things must be bad for them,Sunday is for chillin,I find going out on Saturday at about 10-2 is enough as people want their privacy but on a Sunday,now thats taking the mickey! :o
thats a good point, they might not say they dont like it, but my bet would be they would think " working sunday, its not right "
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I reckon you should keep Sundays special. That's YOUR time, and your families.
I wouldn't want a window cleaner cleaning my windows on a Sunday.
There is NOTHING special about Sundays any more. The day of rest cobblers means nothing in todays society, unless you are a devote Christian.
If your willing to work Sundays, go for it, why not? YOUR time is when you want it to be, take a Tuesday off, or a Friday, it doesn't matter you are your own boss.
If people dont mind having their windows done on a Sunday or a Saturday in some points then why not? all you have to do is ask them. You will get 3 answers of which are going to be No, Yes, or i dont mind do what you want. You know then how to arrange your round how you like.
Those working in Cities will probably find it better to work sundays rather than getting stuck in rush hour traffic thats is the madness of mondays, or not being able to park, or paying Congention Charges in London etc - ive done it myself, work a sunday and dont work monday - its a winner in my book - and you can more done on your day off cos the banks are open, and so is your accountant etc.
Sundays are JUST another day in many peoples eyes nowadays, so why not work it. As already pointed out MOST of the high street shops and ALL the large chains are open on Sundays and they have staff working for them on a Sunday, so what is the problem with a window cleaner or another type of tradesman working a Sunday?
Work it, dont work it, its your choice.
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It's not all about your time,it's about your CUSTOMERS TIME.
Nothing wrong doing shops but houses,COME OFF IT!
I WOULD'NT HAVE THE FRONT TO EVEN ASK RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.
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Age old saying..
If you dont ask, you will never know.
couple it with
If you dont ask, you dont get.
Im quite personable with my custies, id have no issues asking them. Id ask them honestly if they wouldn't mind - id ask for a honest answer.
Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. However i dont work Sundays unless it quotes or a first clean, im just relaying my opinions to the original thread starter.
I know alot of guys on here actually go canvassing on a Sunday.. personally i wouldn't do that. Ive not been asked or its hasn't been agreed. Personally i dont agree with cold calling in the first place, so i dont do it.
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There is NOTHING special about Sundays any more. The day of rest cobblers means nothing in todays society, unless you are a devote Christian.
I am not a Christian, but Sundays should be special; they are to me even if you don't agree.
And if window cleaning is so lucrative, why should anyone want to work a Sunday and risk annoying a customer with the same attitude as myself? Why don't you just make up for it when you're able to 'make hay'.
I even feel sorry for non-essential Sunday workers, such as shop staff who have to work that 'special' day.
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There is NOTHING special about Sundays any more. The day of rest cobblers means nothing in todays society, unless you are a devote Christian.
I am not a Christian, but Sundays should be special; they are to me even if you don't agree.
And if window cleaning is so lucrative, why should anyone want to work a Sunday and risk annoying a customer with the same attitude as myself? Why don't you just make up for it when you're able to 'make hay'.
I even feel sorry for non-essential Sunday workers, such as shop staff who have to work that 'special' day.
Those sunday workers dont get increased payment now either, as its just another working day. Its part of the contract of working hours.
Im probably a lot younger than you, its the younger generation who dont consider sunday's special, more like boring! so are happy to work or will work to have another day off later in the week.
I can see the older generation not happy to have a tradesman on a sunday, but for the younger generation it will become the norm.
Hey Tosh, thanks for the zensorflex pole challenge, i love it! Im getting a Gansta or Reload next for the extra few 9 foot reach. ;) ;D ;D
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Sunday is special for the kids, the first thing the kids ask me on a Sunday is "what are we doing today dad"?
I did canvass on Sundays when I started building my round, and very productive it was too.
Half the time nowadays I don't even work Fridays.
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I would never clean residential houses on a Sunday nor would I allow a tradesman to attend my property either. I someone asked I would say no - if they just turned up I would not be happy. Sundays are important family days - they may mean nothing to you but I think they do mean something to most.
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I would (and have) worked on a Sunday doing commercial stuff, but doing normal domestics i wouldnt as a rule.
But if it was a one off (ie a fascia clean) and the customer didnt mind, then yes i would.
My vicar works Sundays ;)
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i know plenty of gardeners who turned up on a sunday to cut grass and got the boot its a day
for the famaly.
sky dont put two matches on most weeks for fun they put them on and i consider it my duty to watch them at least untill the wrong team starts winning
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Down our street no-one cuts their lawns after 1-30 on a Sunday in the summer, gives everyone peace if they want to spend the afternoon inthe garden.
If a window cleaner turned up he would nearly be lynched.
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do some commercial stuff early sunday morning when no-ones around but always back for kids when they get up.....don't think i would disturb folk on a weekend unless a special circumstance...
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I reckon you should keep Sundays special. That's YOUR time, and your families.
I only work till 1pm (please dont take that the wrong way) My wife and I home school our 3 boys. She does the mornings, I take over in the afternoons, Zoo, Swimming, Park, Football, Library every week plus the usual lessons you would expect, so every day is special.
BVC
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If you have full books and you want to expand you customer base then change you customers over to a 5 weekly cleaning cycle, this will give you room to add more customers.
Or you could increase your prices by a little bit.
More work for the same money? Really? :-\
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what would be the point working sunday if you was going to take monday of
For me the point would be, if Sunday was the last day of the month, It would be the difference between my round being up to date or behind £200.
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I only clean commercial on a sunday, like schools, homes, but not domestic. I clean in all weathers so very rarely get behind.
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I agree with Tosh,people don't want some one working on their property on a Sunday,they might say that they don't mind to be polite but really they do,it is totally different doing shop fronts etc. but on houses........come on,this is a wind up right!
If I seen another window cleaner,gardener,builder working on a Sunday in a private house I would think........God,things must be bad for them,Sunday is for chillin,I find going out on Saturday at about 10-2 is enough as people want their privacy but on a Sunday,now thats taking the mickey! :o
Betcha wouldn't mind someone coming to fix your broken boiler/ washing machine/VAN on a Sunday. I think I would be more than grateful to have a tradesman out on a sunday. Ok I know its a little different but I dont think its that big a deal.
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Age old saying..
If you dont ask, you will never know.
couple it with
If you dont ask, you dont get.
Im quite personable with my custies, id have no issues asking them. Id ask them honestly if they wouldn't mind - id ask for a honest answer.
Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. However i dont work Sundays unless it quotes or a first clean, im just relaying my opinions to the original thread starter.
I know alot of guys on here actually go canvassing on a Sunday.. personally i wouldn't do that. Ive not been asked or its hasn't been agreed. Personally i dont agree with cold calling in the first place, so i dont do it.
Totally agree. You only need a 1/20th of your customer base to be happy about it. And even then it would only be in principle. Not gonna bother with my existing round but all new work I am gonna mention that we work in the rain and very occasionally we have to work on a sunday. If they really object then I will just do it on a week day.
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I would never clean residential houses on a Sunday nor would I allow a tradesman to attend my property either. I someone asked I would say no - if they just turned up I would not be happy. Sundays are important family days - they may mean nothing to you but I think they do mean something to most.
With respect, I think you can measure what Sundays mean to "most" By going to any Supermarket/Retail park/Town centre on this "sacred" day.
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I agree with Tosh,people don't want some one working on their property on a Sunday,they might say that they don't mind to be polite but really they do,it is totally different doing shop fronts etc. but on houses........come on,this is a wind up right!
If I seen another window cleaner,gardener,builder working on a Sunday in a private house I would think........God,things must be bad for them,Sunday is for chillin,I find going out on Saturday at about 10-2 is enough as people want their privacy but on a Sunday,now thats taking the mickey! :o
Betcha wouldn't mind someone coming to fix your broken boiler/ washing machine/VAN on a Sunday. I think I would be more than grateful to have a tradesman out on a sunday. Ok I know its a little different but I dont think its that big a deal.
a tradesman called out on a sunday would up his price,you cant
???????? Dont want to up my price, Just wanna get the work done.
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I have a customer who dosen't like me to work to late on a friday (not a chance of that happening ;D) and not at all on a saturday.
Shes a seventh day avengalish or something, nice lady gave me a bottle of jamican rum for christmas, so long as I don't get drunk, hic ::)
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Thanks for all your comments guys, Interesting thoughts. I for one am going to mention Sunday cleaning to all new customers, along with the rain issue. My honest opinion is that hardly anyone under 35 will not give 2 hoots when I call.
Like I said earlier, I was prepared for grief and not one person complained and that was without prior warning. Believe me most of my customers have no problem complaining if they are not happy.
I think the one thought that stands out here, "if you dont ask you dont get" If you had a customer that told you they honestly dont care when you call (especially if you are not gonna knock, just clean and leave a ticket) Then I wouldn't mind cleaning on a Sunday.
Good or Bad, Sunday is not what it was.
BVC. ;D
Just as a little side point regarding customers. I never ask for business. I use a flyer company. I think if the precedent is set where the customer has asked you to come and clean their windows, rather than you asking them, It definatley changes the dynamic of your future working relationship. ;)
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I have a customer who dosen't like me to work to late on a friday (not a chance of that happening ;D) and not at all on a saturday.
Shes a seventh day avengalish or something, nice lady gave me a bottle of jamican rum for christmas, so long as I don't get drunk, hic ::)
Hee Hee :) Avengalish? Think you should stay off that rum. bet its the 100% proof stuff coming "Fraam dee ayland"
Its really about knowing your customers. If they dont mind then why should I?
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I have a customer who dosen't like me to work to late on a friday (not a chance of that happening ;D) and not at all on a saturday.
Shes a seventh day avengalish or something, nice lady gave me a bottle of jamican rum for christmas, so long as I don't get drunk, hic ::)
Hee Hee :) Avengalish? Think you should stay off that rum. bet its the 100% proof stuff coming "Fraam dee ayland"
Yeb
I thinking of putting it into my water tank, I bet it won't freeze then, but oh what a waste, I would end up licking the windows dry ;D