Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: JRDEasiReach on November 13, 2009, 04:11:37 pm
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Thought i would start up a topic so that we can keep each other motivated and just update it when we get new customers and if we are feeling down we can help each other get back out and get on with it, what you think lads?
Be honest about what you get as new customers though.
2 new 4 weeklys today - 37 in total now.
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I'm at 32 custies, but I've never got much canvasing done today. But I'll be back at it hard over the next couple of days.
Good luck
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Im back at it again tomorrow, though today i knocked an estate with 20 houses, less than half were in and out of that only about 5 actually answered the door, i hate that :( id rather they just answered and i could talk to them directly. Then again if they cant answer the door when they 'are' there then maybe they are better off not being customers.
Good luck murdie, btw how long you been at it?
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now have 31 custys. big canvassing week next week in order so will update you then. vans broken at the min so cant actually window clean so until then its canvassing all the way
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I got my first few customers at the end of September and I was planning on doing it part time untill I had got established and a decent customer base, but then things went tits up with my f/t job so I was in limbo for a few weeks. Only realy been canvasing in an organised fashion for a couple of weeks, so I'm pretty happy with my progres
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I don't know if you guys are already doing this but just a quick tip on canvassing. Always mark houses where nobody was home, also mark which houses have a for sale sign outside, if they say no, when the sign has gone you can assume there are new owners and canvass again. Don't lose that list!
Another point is, we always wear high vis jacket or vest when working. Makes you stand out and easy to spot for potential custies when you are in the area.(That's unusual here in Boxhead land, ze Germans don't do high viz as much as the Brits) Don't know how it is in UK.
Just one last point lads, when the custy answers the door, get eye contact! People get the impression of shiftyness if you seem to avoid eye contact.
So, there are a few points of wisdom, that will be 35 quid please 8)
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how many custys u got now then murdie windows?
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Ive got about 70 custy's now. ive been in the game for about 6 or 7 months.
keep it real.
G.B window cleaning.
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Good luck boys!
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Guys i'll put some tips together for you later and post them here.
Im in my 8 th month now (started in April) and have 287 regular customers as of today, so i know just how you guys feel.
I didnt buy a round or bring in a round building company either
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Guys i'll put some tips together for you later and post them here.
Im in my 8 th month now (started in April) and have 287 regular customers as of today, so i know just how you guys feel.
I didnt buy a round or bring in a round building company either
That's good going, I'm hoping to be at a similar level at that point also. So I'll just have to canvas canvas canvas
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Make that 289 now ;)
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I too started at the end of September - as of today customer count is 56
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April 2009..... No job, minus in money and each day seemed to be getting worse.
Started window cleaning
7 & 1/2 months later i have 289 regular customers
Hard knocking and leafleting from the start on a daily basis.
I earnt enough in my first month to cover the bills with w/c custys, fascia & conservatory roofs.
Here are my tips....
Leaflets
1- Flashy leaflets give out an expensive impression (words of a customer of mine)
2- I use A6 black & white - £30 for 3000
3- Keep it simple
4- landline & mobile
5- offer a neighbour discount (im trying this out on my next batch)
6- put on you do fascias, cons roofs, cladding, gutter clears aswell as windows
7- save me or pass me to a friend at bottom (trying out on next batch)
8- neighbour discounts (3+ houses)
Knocking
1- always smile
2- smart appearence - no shirt or tie
3- wife or partner to help knock ? worked well with my wife
4- keep it smiple - hi, i was wondering if you needed a window cleaner
5- if they have a w/c ask them to take a leaflet as you offer other services
Quotes
1- write ALL your quotes down
2- if they like it but want to check with other half, ask for tel number (ring in 1 week if not got back to you)
3- stick to your price, your worth what your worth
Other tips
1- keep smiling no matter how crappy you feel
2- always smile or say hello to the neighbour of the windows your cleaning
3- remember something, dogs name, how was the holiday etc
4- dont turn a drink down, small glass of water
5- i ask if everything alright with windows when collecting
6- if no one is home, drop a leaflet
7- even if you get nothing, something always comes from work, i had a job ring 5 months later from an area i got nothing from, was a fascias £80.
Hope this helps some of you
All questions on a £20 note to .... ;D
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That's excellent advice I would say mate.I started around the same time and being a lazy bleeder bought a round to add to my 50 odd customers I already had so up to about 170-180 now.You never know what the week will bring.I went one week without a single customer call and the next week I got a 10 bed mansion for £200.Things I love about it are the fact that I'm my own boss and am rarely home later than 3 o'clock.Nice stress free job (the odd awkward customer aside).The only bad thing is that you're governed by the weather to a certain degree.Some people on here say crack on regardless but in anything more than drizzle a lot of customers have said to me 'not today thanks'.
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when your round is built up, spread it out over a 4 day week (advice i recieved early on)
Gives you an extra day to catch up or to do fascias & conny roofs
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thats good advice. where did u get your 3000 leaflets for 30 quid? cant find cheap leaflets anywhere and could do with a fair few now as canvassing like hell to get a good round going?
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I got 14 so far,started last week,meant to go out today and door knock but new pole and brushes came today so i had a practice with that on my house,not overly impressed with the results!!I was going to do my first house this morning,but black clouds came over and i didn't think it would make a good first impression.anyone got any advice of which insurer to use and do you have cover for damage to property worked on,had quote for 1 million public liability inc damage to property(250 excess!) for £177.what do you think
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3years ago i worked as a postman,
My Mrs nagged me left right and centre to clean our windows.BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET A WINDOW CLEANER!
whilst up my borrowed old wooden ladders with a car scraper/squeegee with a bit of foam on the back. a elderly lady walked by "OOOO a window cleaner can you come and do mine ??"
Never thought much more or how much to charge etc (charged her £5).
Then about 2 weeks later a knock on the door " you cleaned my friends windows a couple of weeks ago can you do mine please?"
Now it's 2009 i have a regular customer base of 450+ spread over a 5 week cycle and employ 1 young lad.
thank the lord for my wife's nagging and that lady walking past at that very time
or else i could still be on the Post lugging that great big heavy red bag for £170 a week.
From little acorns great oaks grow ;)
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martin.I went for an interview for part time postie last week as i thought it might come in handy while building up my round,looks like a may have the job,but they were unsure of the pay.is it really that bad :o I am seriously thinking of leaving it and concentrating on window cleaning,especially as short days are here,there wont be enough time after post round to do windows.
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3years ago i worked as a postman,
My Mrs nagged me left right and centre to clean our windows.BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET A WINDOW CLEANER!
whilst up my borrowed old wooden ladders with a car scraper/squeegee with a bit of foam on the back. a elderly lady walked by "OOOO a window cleaner can you come and do mine ??"
Never thought much more or how much to charge etc (charged her £5).
Then about 2 weeks later a knock on the door " you cleaned my friends windows a couple of weeks ago can you do mine please?"
Now it's 2009 i have a regular customer base of 450+ spread over a 5 week cycle and employ 1 young lad.
thank the lord for my wife's nagging and that lady walking past at that very time
or else i could still be on the Post lugging that great big heavy red bag for £170 a week.
From little acorns great oaks grow ;)
And do you still use the car scraper squeegie ;)
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martin.I went for an interview for part time postie last week as i thought it might come in handy while building up my round,looks like a may have the job,but they were unsure of the pay.is it really that bad :o I am seriously thinking of leaving it and concentrating on window cleaning,especially as short days are here,there wont be enough time after post round to do windows.
Yes mate the pay is rubbish, tho my hours we're 30 hours per week for £170. Slave labour !!
stick to window cleaning ......seriously ;)
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3years ago i worked as a postman,
My Mrs nagged me left right and centre to clean our windows.BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET A WINDOW CLEANER!
whilst up my borrowed old wooden ladders with a car scraper/squeegee with a bit of foam on the back. a elderly lady walked by "OOOO a window cleaner can you come and do mine ??"
Never thought much more or how much to charge etc (charged her £5).
Then about 2 weeks later a knock on the door " you cleaned my friends windows a couple of weeks ago can you do mine please?"
Now it's 2009 i have a regular customer base of 450+ spread over a 5 week cycle and employ 1 young lad.
thank the lord for my wife's nagging and that lady walking past at that very time
or else i could still be on the Post lugging that great big heavy red bag for £170 a week.
From little acorns great oaks grow ;)
And do you still use the car scraper squeegie ;)
Now and again but wfp now ;D
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think i will martin.its only a 20 hour a week job over 4 days,so prob be lucky to get£150. used to get that for 8 hours on a saturday in my last job!!
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think i will martin.its only a 20 hour a week job over 4 days,so prob be lucky to get£150. used to get that for 8 hours on a saturday in my last job!!
why don't you take the job, (don't know how many custy you currently got)
get some flyer's printed up and post post post while you are delivering then knock knock knock.
you might just be able to go full time quicker than you thought ;)
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the thought had already crossed my mind ;) will have a think,don't really need the money at moment(my girlfriend is moving in with me at xmas and she is on good money,plus i got a redundancy pay off)not got loads but enough for a few months rent etc.Thinking i could build it up quicker full time,also you never know what walk you will get on post,could be a really toss area that i don't want to clean anyway!
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the thought had already crossed my mind ;) will have a think,don't really need the money at moment(my girlfriend is moving in with me at xmas and she is on good money,plus i got a redundancy pay off)not got loads but enough for a few months rent etc.Thinking i could build it up quicker full time,also you never know what walk you will get on post,could be a really toss area that i don't want to clean anyway!
Never judge a book by it's cover, i have houses that are worth £2million and boy is it hard to get the money out of them. I've got council houses with people that hardly have a pot to pee in, but they pay up on time give me tea and biscuits and are thouroughly nice down to the ground folk who give me a decent xmas tip out of there dole money.
Even now just the thought of delivering the post sends a shiver down my spine, i was never ever given a regular walk. I'd turn up throw some mail out and they'd turn round and put me on a differnt round ???. So i'd have to start again make no mistake when you join the royal mail you start at the very very very bottom of the ladder. treat it as a stepping stone thats my biggest tip ;)
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thats good advice. where did u get your 3000 leaflets for 30 quid? cant find cheap leaflets anywhere and could do with a fair few now as canvassing like hell to get a good round going?
iv had a quote for 10,000 a5 black and white,,,,,, 58 quid
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thats good advice. where did u get your 3000 leaflets for 30 quid? cant find cheap leaflets anywhere and could do with a fair few now as canvassing like hell to get a good round going?
iv had a quote for 10,000 a5 black and white,,,,,, 58 quid
Thats good, Where from mate?
I got 14 so far,started last week,meant to go out today and door knock but new pole and brushes came today so i had a practice with that on my house,not overly impressed with the results!!I was going to do my first house this morning,but black clouds came over and i didn't think it would make a good first impression.anyone got any advice of which insurer to use and do you have cover for damage to property worked on,had quote for 1 million public liability inc damage to property(250 excess!) for £177.what do you think
£177 Seems alot to me to be honest. Although for my circumstances I can not find cheaper.
If you have no records of debt, criminal or claims Should easily get that under £100 mate.
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iv been working part time with my m8 for about 5yrs wfp and trad
then in july i got made redundant and i was on 12weeks notice as they wouldnt pay me off as they had a cash flow problem so wen i did finnish in oct i started up on my own.
iv been helping my m8 out and trying to build up my own work.
i cant seem to b able to door nock
so at the mo iv got about 100 quid off work done evey 4 weeks.
but have also gone for other things as my flyer advertises.
iv picked up a few off the gutter cleans and con roofs iv also put my name on the local news letter which is on the net and had a couple off jobs come from that in only a couple off months a driveway and a full clean.
some days u get down but then a job comes a long and picks u up.
getting going istnt easy but wen u get there the rewards can be good.
iv attached my flyer hope u like it iv my m8's wife did it for me
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i could get one for 78 quid but with £500 excess :o
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thats good advice. where did u get your 3000 leaflets for 30 quid? cant find cheap leaflets anywhere and could do with a fair few now as canvassing like hell to get a good round going?
i found him on ebay had 5,000 at first for 28 quid and i fetched them from his house
there only on normal paper but wen u are just starting up and money a bit tite i found them sound as they have allredy paid for them selves with the jobs iv had off them. i will find is email and post it
iv had a quote for 10,000 a5 black and white,,,,,, 58 quid
Thats good, Where from mate?
I got 14 so far,started last week,meant to go out today and door knock but new pole and brushes came today so i had a practice with that on my house,not overly impressed with the results!!I was going to do my first house this morning,but black clouds came over and i didn't think it would make a good first impression.anyone got any advice of which insurer to use and do you have cover for damage to property worked on,had quote for 1 million public liability inc damage to property(250 excess!) for £177.what do you think
£177 Seems alot to me to be honest. Although for my circumstances I can not find cheaper.
If you have no records of debt, criminal or claims Should easily get that under £100 mate.
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email for flyer this is only printing tho no design work.
aspfoster@tiscali.co.uk
pls mention darren from g&d washaway cheers
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r there no more newbies
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there must be sum more new boys
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Alright fellas im new to the game started beging of sept i have 72 custys getting between 4 - 12 jobs a week on. Gonna start canversing hard again . Knocking always works a treat. And just saying the friendly morning to people whilst doing the round really works too. Most people i say morning too ask me how much do i charge or could i do there windows. Smiles, outgoing and friendly is the key.
jay
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wezzy is there any chance u could attach that leaflet on an email to me if you would be so kind to. looks good and looks like it will work. would be muchly appreciated.
thanks alot :) :)
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i need your email
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its clarkiexclarkie@mail.com
forgot about that. :) :) :)
thanks alot
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iv sent it
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Recent newbie myself.
Traditional.
Been going about 6 weeks and got around 50 customers, firstly started dropping leaflets which has gave me the majority of my work, about 12 customers from canvassing and the rest from being seen working and word of mouth. Aim to have at least 75 customers by christmas and hopefully around 200 by the time my mrs gives birth in June. Word of advice, get the best kit you can afford, i brought my first bits from screwfix to get me going (had one practice on my own windows then jumped in on a customers) and the stuff is crap, just the other day got some unger soft rubbers, a unger monsoon sleeve and some scrims and its made the world of difference to me, i'm still slow but getting quicker, the main thing is i do a good job and if i take an hour, i take an hour!!
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i cant seem to b able to door nock
Door knocking is all about being in the right frame of mind before you start. There are some simple things you can do to make it easier:
Deliver leaflets first - a couple of days beforehand - it helps if it says on there 'I will be calling in a few days'
ALWAYS dress smartly. Polish your shoes, wear clean clothes, shave.
I always wear uniform, I have a 'posh' outfit for canvassing - includes logo embroidered shirt and tie. Don't be put off by suggestions that you might look 'too expensive' - image is everything. People feel more confident if you have the appearance of being committed and professional. You can even say in your blurb something like you deliver a far better service for the same as they would expect to pay just for the glass.
When you knock on the door, stand sideways until the door is opened, so the person can see you before you look at them. Then turn and face them, look into their eyes, hold up your clipboard/folder with one of your leaflets pasted on the cover and say:
"Hello, my name is ........... and I put one of these in your door a few days ago" While you're getting used to the trauma of doorknocking, this is enough. They've seen your leaflet, they're expecting you, they will either say "No, thank you," or they'll say something like: "Oh yes, I remember...." Then you're away. Give a quick description of what you do, then ask: "Would you like me to give you a quote? It will only take a couple of minutes but you'll see what good value our service really is"
Try to get them to walk round with you while you have a look, keep talking - telling them again that you clean EVERYTHING - frames, sills, etc. Tell them it's guaranteed, tell them why it's better to have your service etc etc
Write out the quote while you're talking, then when you're ready, you've told them everything you have to, say something like: "and we do all that, every four weeks for (lower you voice a little) £........" (DON'T say 'just £...' they will immediately draw comparisons with other quotes and forget all the benefits you've so carefully instilled in their mind)
Pause for a couple of seconds, then say "We will be here on........can I put you on the list?"
They will either say 'yes' or 'I'll think about it'
DON'T try to push the sale - ours is not a 'hard sell' - that will only get you unsuitable customers - if you've done your best to interest them, be satisfied - if they don't sign up there and then they may still call you when they've had a chance to think.
You can try to get their phone number, but be careful, don't make yourself sound pushy, but if you do get the number you can ring in a few days to ask if they've made up their mind.
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Managed to get myself 3 more new ones on saturday, 2 of which were 'one offs' and the other was an 8 weekly. I was working out that I have now had 21 new customers within the past 3 weeks door knocking alone so that averages out at 7 a week, not bad going, i know a few were one offs and some were 8 weekly but i think im going well. Managed to even get out and get 5 done today in the drizzle ;)
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2 more new 4 weekly custies last night lads. Up to 40 now at least and thats taking all my custies into account :)
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Need some of your luck JRD, not had a new custie the last couple of times I've been out. I just need to hit that street that hasn't got total coverage and I'll be away again. ;)
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Dont think that im that lucky, just wish i had the one offs ring me for repeat work :) then id have at least 50 then :)
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It sounds obvious but make sure you knock on the immediate nighbours of any existing customers you have telling them that you clean next door.Some people like to 'keep up with the Joneses'.Picked up a nice couple today doing just that.
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well chopsie and murdie any new ones lately?
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4 more today, thank god as the last couple of times I've been out has been hard going. Probably not get them cleaned till Friday as the forcast tomorow is terrible, but I'll be back out tomorow knocking ;D
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well done m8!!! I quoted a couple of commercials today, wont find out til early next week if i will get them or not though, plus with me being on a 4 weekly, next wed, thur and friday are days that im doing no cleaning, given next week is my week 4 and 4 weeks later is xmas!!!
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done 10 new first cleans today going out to collect from the 5 that wasnt in so hope they want me bk next month
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done 10 new first cleans today going out to collect from the 5 that wasnt in so hope they want me bk next month
I hope you stipulate at the initial quote stage what your frequency is. I always say every 4 or 8 weeks.
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i got four more so far this week,went door knocking last night for an hour,had no luck,going to pub tonight so unless i pick up some there i wont get any more!oh and lost one before i even started,rang tonight to ask them to leave gate open and hubby been laid off so can't afford me :( not that bothered they had 3 big dogs so that = tons of dog poop and possible chunk out of my arse :o how long does first cleans take you new lads,i done 8 this week(started yesterday) got wfp backpack for upstairs and/or leaded windows.It takes me at least 2 hours on houses so far,bigish 4 bedders with conny's.do all windows twice with wfp,and seem dead slow with trad,I know i will get quicker,did one today fronts only and they had just binned there cleaner for not coming regular enough,now that was loads easier because they were a lot cleaner than other houses,did ups and downs trad as i had ran out of water and thought i could do with the practise! still took me nearly an hour,2 big bay windows 1 up 1down.also i seem to be leaving streaks almost like a film but only on small top windows i.e top openers,but not on bigger panes,any ideas what i am doing wrong,i just buffed them up with a microfibre,just hoping they are not a mess when dried
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done 10 new first cleans today going out to collect from the 5 that wasnt in so hope they want me bk next month
I hope you stipulate at the initial quote stage what your frequency is. I always say every 4 or 8 weeks.
yes i work on 4 to 5 weeks
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Window wiper good posting with sound advice to all .Well down,mate.
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i got four more so far this week,went door knocking last night for an hour,had no luck,going to pub tonight so unless i pick up some there i wont get any more!oh and lost one before i even started,rang tonight to ask them to leave gate open and hubby been laid off so can't afford me :( not that bothered they had 3 big dogs so that = tons of dog poop and possible chunk out of my arse :o how long does first cleans take you new lads,i done 8 this week(started yesterday) got wfp backpack for upstairs and/or leaded windows.It takes me at least 2 hours on houses so far,bigish 4 bedders with conny's.do all windows twice with wfp,and seem dead slow with trad,I know i will get quicker,did one today fronts only and they had just binned there cleaner for not coming regular enough,now that was loads easier because they were a lot cleaner than other houses,did ups and downs trad as i had ran out of water and thought i could do with the practise! still took me nearly an hour,2 big bay windows 1 up 1down.also i seem to be leaving streaks almost like a film but only on small top windows i.e top openers,but not on bigger panes,any ideas what i am doing wrong,i just buffed them up with a microfibre,just hoping they are not a mess when dried
what technique are you using with your wfp chopsie? Also you dont have to clean the windows twice with wfp, just rinse a bit more on first clean, if i was you id get out and get a van and a proper system in and then practice the trad on the bungalows and let rip on the wfp on the 2 storeys, you are taking 2 hours as you are messing about with both methods i think, you want to save time not waste it, takes me 45-1hr on first cleans thats biggish houses with 4-5 beds then after that it gets quicker with the frames only needing an odd touch here and there, the custies dont know that though :)
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it takes me about 30-45 on first cleans on 4-5 bed houses and i thought that was slow but reading this i think its about rite.got 2 todo 2 morow
iv dun a gut,fac.and sof clean 2day and i first clean.
happy days and im up to 20 custy's
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For most of my customers I wfp the upstairs and trad downstairs.I agree that wfp is much quicker for upstairs but I don't think it's THAT much quicker on ground floor windows.I prefer to do it that way as it saves a hell of a lot of pure water and then at least you are guaranteed 100% that the downstairs is immaculate.As good a tool wfp is it can leave white dots and runs which might not be immediately apparent.I've done houses that look great from the outside but then I've done the upstairs insides and up close you can see it's not perfect.Never had any complaints mind you. ;)
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Ive just been back for the 3rd time at some of my 4 weeklys and you would be surprised at the dirt thats still on the insides since i first cleaned the outsides :) I clean everything bar my two shops with the wfp, its far handier imo
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as with the 4 wkly clean it means you get an extra clean at christmas , makes up for the custy who dont tip lol word of mouth best friends of friends family etc
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Do the rest of you guys have any problam motivating your self to get out canvasing ? Up untill this week I've not had a problem, the buzz of getting new customers and watching the value of my round grow has been great, but this last week I've been flat, only went out door knocking for a short period and picked up 4 new custies.
Next week Come rain or shine(but probably rain) I will have to drag my arse out and get my jobs done and get out knocking lots of doors.
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yeah i have a problem at the moment, i cant decide whether to press ahead and get more flyers printed up or leave it until jan as i dont really want to knock on doors in december with xmas coming and just think i will leave it to my advert in the paper to see if it does a bit for me, then in new year get out back at it every spare minute i have!!!
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Feeling more up for it this week, just been and done a full days cleaning(well inbetween the showers) picked up a new customer while I was out and a gutter clean for an existing customer. Out door knocking every afternoon/evening for the rest of the week as I need 19 new customers before the end of November to hit my target.
I think it is importent to have targets when starting out, if not its to easy to take the foot off the gas and pat your self on the back for the little bits you have achieved instead of forging ahead
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I sort of have financial targets to aim for instead of how many custies if you get me, my target was 500 for this month, not that far off that at the minute and i may yet reach it, if not ill keep to my target for the next month and so on :)
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Just when i thought things had dried up i got a call today from a lady i quoted a few weeks back, said at the time she would talk it over with her hubby, never got a call until today, over the moon, another 4 weekly clean for me!!!
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Got out canvassing for all of 20 mins today before the heavens opened and the winds whipped up again, but picked up another 2 custies and another couple of hopefulls.
Just gutted the rain came on as hard as I was on a roll ;)
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I hate the hopefuls :( they never really bother getting back to you in the end do they?
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JRD
what areas of the country are you covering?
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Cover Omagh(where i live) and up to 10 miles radius outside of it, currently have 1 in dromore(co tyrone), 2 in seskinore, 1 in beragh and 1 in fintona, all wee villages outside of Omagh. The remainder of my work so far is Omagh based.
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I reckon lads, for you lot to keep going when there doesn't seem to be much success takes bottle. Loads of blokes poke this business with a stick, if you know what I mean. Try to build a round and when it doesn't go as fast or as well as they thought it would be, they pack it all in and walk away.
The difference between those guys and guys like Ian Lancaster and Co is, they didn't give up. All the guys on here that moan about PITA custies and all the rest of it, all went through the same as you.
Just a quick tip, read what Window Wipers has said about putting a round together quickly, the bloke has done really well. I think he put nearly 300 custies in his round in under 8 months.
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Ive bit the bullet and i have to stick with, scratch that im GOING TO stick at it, this may have been a bad time of year to start but hey, it would still be hard in mid summer would it now, especially when you are new.
Thanks cozy
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this is what i realised recently! Things WILL be bad at times, i have only started my business, i have to be prepared to sit out the tough times and work to reduce the chances of them happening again!!
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and we will help each other through it bud, being fellow NI men and all that. So what area you cover then?
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hi there, new to forum having started up a saturday round. For canvassing getting work a tip given to me by brother in law who is a plumber was "doesn't matter how good a plumber i am if i can't sell myself then i aint gonna get the job" took this on board and it is working.
1. when knocking always ask for the mum if a kid answers
2. smile say hello and say you are LOCAL window cleaner
3. if interested then give a bit of chat, comment on something they have in house, garden etc to gain trust so your not shifty. Then once they are hooked in then price is sometimes not as important as if they like you (within reason!!)
Patience required on canvessing...... phone call yesterday for clean inside and outside from leaflets dropped through boxes 2 months ago. gave the chat, interest in new house refurb and job was mine ....£85 every two months!
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Well ive been delivering Leaflets about 400 and have got 2 calls up to now ive quoted both got 1 and haven't heard from the other yet.Ive done the 1 i got today along with another ive had for a few years the new one was a nice easy bunglow 7 windows £10 took me no time but i want more ive got a few others that ive had long term.I think im going to have to go door knocking i was just hoping to be lucky and get away with leafet drops but i really want to build a round up of 50 as i do have other work i do to.
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I have been going for about a year to two, but to be honest have been a bit lazy with gaining new work. No other excuse really. I am pretty far off what I would like but also realise Its not unnachievable if I work.
reading this thread and a few others recently has given me some more motivation. As of next week I shall be doing a couple of hours a day and will also post my results in here ( as its related? ).
Well done on some of your results guys and stick at it. Dont get lazy as time goes quick and youl regret it
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see i knew there was a very good reason for me to start this topic!!! Excellent
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To get the most jobs need to knock on doors and speak to people, out of 100 leaflets you might get 1-2 jobs, knocking on doors might get 5-6.
Go knocking after 5pm up 8pm. People don't like answering door after this.
Summertime is best as it is late, so can go knocking later.
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To get the most jobs need to knock on doors and speak to people, out of 100 leaflets you might get 1-2 jobs, knocking on doors might get 5-6.
Go knocking after 5pm up 8pm. People don't like answering door after this.
Summertime is best as it is late, so can go knocking later.
Yes i keep thinking of knocking and the best time to do so im rural and if i went out 5 to 8 at the moment it would be dark if i had to give a quote also i like to view it in day light so i can properly see.If i was doing this in a town on an estate it wouldn't really be a problem.Do you think saturday morning would be a good time?.
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ive been going full time now since august i have not pick any new work up for a few weeks then got two today i have to say i have not been door knocking yet all my customers came through word off mouth or people seen me working im starting to door knock from January (i all do carpet cleaning so still earning in the bad weather well thats the plan)
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Ok guys I've picked up 5 new customers today that's 38 this month, big push on now to get my 50 for November target.
For you guys that don't like knocking you need to get over that and quickly. It is a bit daunting at first but it is the only way to build a round in my opinion.
You target the areas you want to work in, if there is a house that looks like it has the "Adams Family" living in it you can give it a miss. You get to meet the custie face to face and build up a raport from the off, you give the quote and get an istant desision, job done.
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Bloody hell murdie thats good going,I got to step it up a gear,seem to find any excuse not to go,only been out once this week,well done mate,whats your secret,just keeping knocking?
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Bloody hell murdie thats good going,I got to step it up a gear,seem to find any excuse not to go,only been out once this week,well done mate,whats your secret,just keeping knocking?
You got it, knock on doors and keep going. I pinched an idea I got on here as well, I print a google map for an area I'm going into and I mark of each street as I complete it.
I put leaflets through the letter box of the not at homes but so far I've only had 1 job from that so that's why I think flyers on there own aren't for me.
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good idea,I will do that with the google map thing,what times do you think are best?
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good idea,I will do that with the google map thing,what times do you think are best?
I start between2.30-3.30 and stop around 5.30/6.00. I find 2-3 hours is more than enough.
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Do you find many people in at 230 or 330. Have you tried going later ie 5/6? if so what do you think of success rates depending on time?
good idea,I will do that with the google map thing,what times do you think are best?
I start between2.30-3.30 and stop around 5.30/6.00. I find 2-3 hours is more than enough.
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Do you find many people in at 230 or 330. Have you tried going later ie 5/6? if so what do you think of success rates depending on time?
good idea,I will do that with the google map thing,what times do you think are best?
I start between2.30-3.30 and stop around 5.30/6.00. I find 2-3 hours is more than enough.
I find enough people in to make it worth while, at this time of year I wouldn't personaly want to start knocking at 5/6pm for me that's the time I'm finished. It may be worth while trying later if that's the time that's suits you.
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Ok keep popping those leaflets through the not at homes, just had a call from someone I done 2 weeks ago, also got a phone call to quote a little bakers shop(obviously got one of flyers somehow), so all good.
Keep going guys. ;)
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Ive just come down with a bout of sickness, glad i dont have anything on until middle of next week though to give me time to get better, was intending to go out today to get some extra for next week but hey that can wait, feel like crap now.
Im not even going to knock in december at all, im going to leave the advert in the paper to hopefully do its job for me, then get new flyers done up, simpler than the ones i have at the min, then go at it like mad in new year, i have to!!
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I was thinking of knocking for the first couple of weeks in December, I know there's a chance you'll get some that say yes just to have clean windows for Christmas, but if that turns out to be the case and I get dumped after the new year then it's always money in my pocket.
Get well soon mate, probably a dodgy curry ;D
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The only places im going to knock is a few commercials just outside the town, quoted one last week and i was to get a reply this week, still didnt come, gutted!
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Ok keep popping those leaflets through the not at homes, just had a call from someone I done 2 weeks ago, also got a phone call to quote a little bakers shop(obviously got one of flyers somehow), so all good.
Keep going guys. ;)
Quoted both these jobs and got them, all good.
Going out canvassing in a while so I'm hoping my luck holds out.
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Saturday mornings good time as people are in and in a better mood than a monday night!! Best nights are wed / thurs- do it friday and you look a bit sad instead of down the pub! day times can be ok as the wifes / mothers can be home if not working and they are the ones that want the windows cleaned!! think about it.... if you could see the face of the person who is selling something you would more likely buy, if they put a leaflet through the door you would probably bin it...... same goes for our work! get knocking!!
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Saturday mornings good time as people are in and in a better mood than a monday night!! Best nights are wed / thurs- do it friday and you look a bit sad instead of down the pub! day times can be ok as the wifes / mothers can be home if not working and they are the ones that want the windows cleaned!! think about it.... if you could see the face of the person who is selling something you would more likely buy, if they put a leaflet through the door you would probably bin it...... same goes for our work! get knocking!!
I think you are correct about what days are best, I went out today I only got a small amount of doors knocked when I stopped. I got that Friday feeling pretty quickly, not much interest, people seem a bit distracted when they open the door to you, so I thought it better to call a halt to it and try again tomorow.
I don't know what others feel but you can sometimes sence whether it's going to be a productive days canvassing or not. Maybe it's when you get an early yes your confidence is high and that comes accross when your pitching and on the flip side if your not getting any positive reaction then you can quickly become demotivated.
Tomorows another day ;D
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Had one of those demotivating days today, had a lady say yeah you can do my windows, how much? gave her the price and she said thats fine, when can you do them? i said eithe wed or thurs of this week i can fit you in, she then says ah well i will be out both days unless you call back after 5pm? after 5 i said, yes she said as i need to be in to open the side gate, ended up needing to call back on sat morning at an agreed time to clean them!!! Im hoping others in the area see me when im there and ask me to clean theirs, she was basically telling me i had to come as and when she wanted, oul posh lady, not that nice to work with!! Worst i have come across yet!! Ad is in the local ad paper today so im hoping something comes of it!!!
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Had 8 first cleans including a small bakers shop this morning, should have been out canvassing but for some strange reason the schools are off today so i've had to go and watch my kids this afternoon.
Another first clean tomorow then canvassing, then back to maintainance cleans on Wednesday.
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having done so well last month and having looked at my 4 weeklys and 8 weeklys i am down quite a bit for this month due to having the 8 weeklys last month, so have to work hard to try and get some of that as a 4 weekly this month!!! Oh its hard times and with this weather too it doesnt help!!! Am i just having a bad day?
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If you get any new work from your advert and they want 8weekly cleans that'll balance it out.
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yeah i know that, but the silly season is upon us so if i get 20 calls im betting at least 75% of that will be one offs!!! Im just having a bad day today, not good that!!!
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If they do turn out to be one offs at least it'd money in your pocket, frustrating I know, but doing a top quality job so they want to keep you is what it's all about.
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Already doing a one off on saturday for that posh lady so maybe just maybe i may get her at 8 weekly, cos i will be moving my 8 weeklys to saturdays anyway :) Maybe she wont be so bad then.
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i ve just picked up another five new customers and a gutter clean and two carpet jobs
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While I was the ladders at the back of one the houses I done today I spotted a cony roof that looked prety green. How would you go about aproaching the home owners to get the clean, I mean you can hardly just knock there door and say "hi I spotted your conservatory roof was filthy and I would like to quote you for cleaning it"
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i had one like that when i knocked i just told them i was window cleaner and if they would like a quote i also told them about the other services i off one been cony roof took time to explain how dirty they got next day they phoned wanting a price to do there's
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I got 5 more tonight,with 4 potentials aswell(not including leaflets dropped in houses that never answered)
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I got 5 more tonight,with 4 potentials aswell(not including leaflets dropped in houses that never answered)
Good man chopsie, got to get my backside out canvassing tomorow as I never got out tonight as I've been on child minding duties.
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Yeh I have not been doing as much as i should of lately,Had kids for three nights last week so that didn't help,but thats why i got into this game to have them more,Got my van today,so thats focused the mind on getting more money in!!!
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Lost my weekly job i had got as the owners changed without telling me :'(, then when all was lost i got a call there now from a house i had quoted a couple of weeks back, doing it this week and then possibly again before xmas so happy days if that works out, will make up for losing the weekly job this month anyway, then 8 weekly after that :)
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Do any of you guys print your own flyers?
I don't often put out flyers,.. but when I do I always put a time limited special offer on them to get the calls coming in quick. This means that if I get them printed in bulk the offer has often expired before I have them all delivered!
I got a continuous ink system off ebay for my printer, some good quality paper & now I can knock up flyers as and when I need them,... and they work out extremely cheap! :)
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I had thought of trying to run a few special offers, but to run off to the printers everytime could work out expensive. So your method sounds good. What's that's ink system like?
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What special offers could you offer though? Being serious here.
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I normally do special offers on gutter cleaning & pressure washing to keep me busy when the weather is bad. The ink systems can be awkward to fit,.. but well worth the effort. I fill (about £20 for 4-5 colours) is the equivalent of about 100 cartridge.
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What special offers could you offer though? Being serious here.
i was going to run an offer of full guttering and fascia clean, half price windows.
£100 of work and get a free window clean.
recommend 2 friends and get free window clean
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i was thinking of doing something like that in new year but not now :) but im having serious motivation problems currently, having mood swings and all that, is it just me having a few bad days or what?
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i was thinking of doing something like that in new year but not now :) but im having serious motivation problems currently, having mood swings and all that, is it just me having a few bad days or what?
It happens to us all mate,.. just work on through it,.. it'll come right in the end.
I think canvassing can be hard on you mentally,.. day in day out mostly getting ppl who aren't interested. I found it got me down at times when I was doing it. When I was down I just dropped leaflets instead & made a note of where I'd dropped then called back after a few days when I was feeling a bit happier.
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its getting to the point its having an adverse effect on her indoors, not good, trying to distance myself and relax a bit but it aint easy :(
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Set yourself small achievable goals,.. be happy when you reach them!
Try to get out of the house early. Everytime you clean a new house, flyer the whole estate. Aim for residential work as you'll get it faster & easier with less waiting for payment, essential when you're just getting going.
It is tough starting out, especially now,.. especially in the winter,.. but stick with it because the freedom of working for yourself is hard to beat.
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a cheaper way to do leaflets is if the missus works in an office if she can print out two or four leaflets onto an A4 page then photocopy it say 50 or 100 times then cut them up and bobs your uncle...... ready made leaflets free of charge!! she may need to do this on the sly though!! works for me! ;D
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a cheaper way to do leaflets is if the missus works in an office if she can print out two or four leaflets onto an A4 page then photocopy it say 50 or 100 times then cut them up and bobs your uncle...... ready made leaflets free of charge!! she may need to do this on the sly though!! works for me! ;D
or a parent who is a teacher!!! ;) ;)
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bingo! its for home works miss!! :-X
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its getting to the point its having an adverse effect on her indoors, not good, trying to distance myself and relax a bit but it aint easy :(
I know how tough it can be to motivate your self to go out door knocking at times, but just think put in the hard work now how much you are going to enjoy the summer months next year.
I agree with everybody who says set targets. I had a target of 50 for November and although I missed my target without having that to aim for I doubt I would have got the 40 I ended up with. Next target 100 custies by end of January ;)
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Well i had a target of a money value for november, wasnt that far off it in the end, have a target slightly higher for this month and january, not likely i will reach it this month but i will try my level best to reach it by end of january!!
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Anyway it was another 3 new custies today.
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Four or five years ago, Andrew McCann, (formerly of Pure Freedom) took on a friend in his window cleaning round. They set themselves a target of £2000 of new work between the 1st and 31st of January.
The achieved it with a couple of days to spare.
Now THAT'S a target ;)
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I got 11 tonight with a couple of more very likely possibles( 1 got to call in when i clean the other said yes but just had some bad news in family)So I am dead pleased with it,not big paying stuff,mostly £7 with the odd £6,It was small council houses(little new type) so thought that was plenty,was roughly £1 a window.I got recommended the area by a passer by whom saw me cleaning a house near me,asked if i would do this area,I said yes and he said they struggle for cleaners over there so i should do well(he is going to ring me so thats another!!) any way,part he lives on is hundreds of 4/5 bed detached houses,so hopefully I might have a full round before too long!!!!
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I got 11 tonight with a couple of more very likely possibles( 1 got to call in when i clean the other said yes but just had some bad news in family)So I am dead pleased with it,not big paying stuff,mostly £7 with the odd £6,It was small council houses(little new type) so thought that was plenty,was roughly £1 a window.I got recommended the area by a passer by whom saw me cleaning a house near me,asked if i would do this area,I said yes and he said they struggle for cleaners over there so i should do well(he is going to ring me so thats another!!) any way,part he lives on is hundreds of 4/5 bed detached houses,so hopefully I might have a full round before too long!!!!
Well done chopsie, I missed this post so great result
But snap, also bagged 11 today, great boost of confidence all close together and also very close to other houses I've picked up recently so over the next few cleans i'll have them all on the same day or two.
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lucky buggers!! I havent got any more new ones since apart from my new 8 weekly i done yesterday and 3 calls out of my advert in the paper!! December is looking like a poor month for me, may just use the spare time to design a new flyer and get them ready for new year. Then hit the neighbouring villages at the weekends!!
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lucky buggers!! I havent got any more new ones since apart from my new 8 weekly i done yesterday and 3 calls out of my advert in the paper!! December is looking like a poor month for me, may just use the spare time to design a new flyer and get them ready for new year. Then hit the neighbouring villages at the weekends!!
Chin up mate, you've just got to stick at it and knock, knock and knock some more. If you want it you have to go and get it.
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I agree with murdie,just keep at it and keep knocking
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Quoted that job today £20 8 weekly, and ive got it, they said last guy who was there just cleaned bottom windows (glass only) for £11 then the other house i quoted yesterday i have her £15 initial clean and then £12 after, called her today to find out and she said i was far too expensive and that her last cleaner that has same kit as me done it for £6, then she goes on to say he aint been there for 6 months!!! i wonder why that is!!! So gave her the chat and told her i wont be leaving her house until the jobs done right, my works guaranteed etc so then she says well i will give my other cleaner a call and see if he can fit me in before xmas if not ill get you, what would you say to her when she calls back? I feel like telling her to feck off :) oh and her house has 14 windows and 2 doors!!!
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Quoted that job today £20 8 weekly, and ive got it, they said last guy who was there just cleaned bottom windows (glass only) for £11 then the other house i quoted yesterday i have her £15 initial clean and then £12 after, called her today to find out and she said i was far too expensive and that her last cleaner that has same kit as me done it for £6, then she goes on to say he aint been there for 6 months!!! i wonder why that is!!! So gave her the chat and told her i wont be leaving her house until the jobs done right, my works guaranteed etc so then she says well i will give my other cleaner a call and see if he can fit me in before xmas if not ill get you, what would you say to her when she calls back? I feel like telling her to feck off :) oh and her house has 14 windows and 2 doors!!!
have you got her adress ill do it for £8.50 ;D ;D
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Damn advert has only got me 3 calls so far, 1 of which ive got!!! Wasted that money now. Nothing ventured nothing gained i suppose, wont be making that mistake AGAIN!!
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Quoted that job today £20 8 weekly, and ive got it, they said last guy who was there just cleaned bottom windows (glass only) for £11 then the other house i quoted yesterday i have her £15 initial clean and then £12 after, called her today to find out and she said i was far too expensive and that her last cleaner that has same kit as me done it for £6, then she goes on to say he aint been there for 6 months!!! i wonder why that is!!! So gave her the chat and told her i wont be leaving her house until the jobs done right, my works guaranteed etc so then she says well i will give my other cleaner a call and see if he can fit me in before xmas if not ill get you, what would you say to her when she calls back? I feel like telling her to feck off :) oh and her house has 14 windows and 2 doors!!!
If you're desperate for work, go and do it, but don't expect to do it more than once ::)
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Quoted that job today £20 8 weekly, and ive got it, they said last guy who was there just cleaned bottom windows (glass only) for £11 then the other house i quoted yesterday i have her £15 initial clean and then £12 after, called her today to find out and she said i was far too expensive and that her last cleaner that has same kit as me done it for £6, then she goes on to say he aint been there for 6 months!!! i wonder why that is!!! So gave her the chat and told her i wont be leaving her house until the jobs done right, my works guaranteed etc so then she says well i will give my other cleaner a call and see if he can fit me in before xmas if not ill get you, what would you say to her when she calls back? I feel like telling her to feck off :) oh and her house has 14 windows and 2 doors!!!
I would say I can do them after christmas or I will have to charge you the one-off price of £20 or what ever you charge, if she dont go for it walk away, she will be a messer if she does not accept it I would lay money on it.
Ian
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Having run out of flyers i have now ordered 5000 full colour flyers(far better than my 1 colour i did have) so that im ready to get out there come the new year, every saturday i intend to be somewhere knocking doors to try and drum up some new work, the houses i do have spread out throughout the 4 weeks will be getting bunched up come january as i will be using the lateness of having xmas hols in between to help with this, may not be out alot of days but will still be making the same and then 'fitting in' others in the gaps, then in a month or so ill take a few days and do the same again, only way to get my round 'sorted'.
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How are you new lads getting on?
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2 new 4 weeklys last month and a new 8 weekly, lost my weekly job as the place changed hands so im kinda even, hitting the ground running(sliding) soon :)
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have managed to pick up 200 quid of new work in the past week alone from monday - saturday, only canvassed monday and tuesday evening for max 4 hours and 2 hours on saturday, most are 4 weeklys which is a bonus and the rest will prob take me on 4 weekly when they see the results of the first clean :) also got myself a chippy inside and out once a fortnight. Im aiming to get another 20 new customers by the end of february, how are the rest of you doing lads?
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have managed to pick up 200 quid of new work in the past week alone from monday - saturday, only canvassed monday and tuesday evening for max 4 hours and 2 hours on saturday, most are 4 weeklys which is a bonus and the rest will prob take me on 4 weekly when they see the results of the first clean :) also got myself a chippy inside and out once a fortnight. Im aiming to get another 20 new customers by the end of february, how are the rest of you doing lads?
i used to do a chippie inside,it was a numpty with the fat and grime on the windows
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Well I done the chippy this morning for the first time and it wasnt too bad only for me to be stinking for thr next hour or so after i left it :) Things are definitely looking up for me currently and i hope it continues, out tonight again for another couple of hours to try and fill up this weeks slots as its my busiest yet, hoping i can get at least 5 tonight on a 4 weekly, if so ill be happy. :)
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sold up and moved to highlands last october ...... never brought any work stuff as i sold the lot ....including van ....... on movin up had about 30 poeple ask me to clean their windows and after a long discussion with the wife i bought a small van last week . ladders arrived today , got cheap ink off the net and printed out 300 leaflets ....... took the wife leaflet dropping this afternoon and got 15 new customers in 1 street ...... as ive done it before i know the traps to avoid ........ for all those talking about buying leaflets i find design and print your own , that way if you want to add services such as gutters,facias,wfp you can edit text ..... microsoft publisher is great...
also printmeashirt.com is great for company clothing .... you can get a hoodie or jumper for about £25 with printing on both breasts and back ....any size print, font or colour ..... mines has got WINDOW CLEANER in very large writing on the back and 5 of my new customers stopped and asked me if i could clean their windows ..... i also find George software a great bit of kit ...... keeps your round nice and updated ..... print a worksheet for the week and off you go ..... anyway working tomorrow morning and off canvassing tomorrow afternoon before the snow comes again ;D
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Went out again today, £45 job and a £18 with the conny roofto be done every 6 months/1 year.
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went out last night and got another 3 4 weeklys :) well chuffed, thats 25 this month already :) aiming for that again by the end of feb, its coming to that time of the year where i may just get them too.
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Hey all,
I'm fairly new here. Having always been interested in business and working for myself, last year I decided I would set up my own window cleaning company. I went out and bought an Omnipole WFP Trolley, and got cracking. I'm still working a 9-5 job (which is paying me sod all) so I'm working all the hours possible, mainly at weekends to build up my round.
Late last year my gf and I would go out door knocking, with our leaflets. We did pretty well each weekend, getting a lot of 'one off' cleans.
I come from a sales background, so I don't really have a problem with cold calling or door knocking. Although I had never door knocked before, after the first few doors I was fine, and after I won my first customer I didn't care!
To this day I have about 5 regular customers, which have all come from door knocking or word of mouth. I'm out door knocking every Saturday with the Mrs, trying to drum up some new business and offering a clean ‘there and then’. What I didn’t think about was going out in the evening after work and canvassing, so tomorrow evening I’m going to do just that… I’ll update you with my findings.
I’m kind of stuck at the moment, as I’m trying to save enough money so that I can leave my 9-5 job that is draining the life out of me and my business. Did anyone else find it difficult going from employed to self-employed?
Another thing, I’m currently working out of my Toyota Aygo, which isn’t practical, so I’m on the look out for a cheap van, any suggestions? I’ve heard the Citroen Berlingo’s are quite popular?
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I saw 58 plate renault kangoo vans going for 1700-2 grand at auctions with reasonably low milage,berlingo's were 4 or 500 more,I would of gone for a berlingo,But needed extra seats in back for kids,So got a Transit
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12 new customers over the last day and a half ....... 6 all in one row of terraced bungalows(no ladders needed ,windows all reachable on foot) ;D back out on foot knocking doors on sat morning ;)
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Went out this morning with the Mrs, cleaned a 3 bed terrace that I had quoted earlier on in the week.
I quoted them for inside and out, including all frames and inside the PVC frames...
I never thought that cleaning inside the frames would take so much time. The windows were pretty filthy.
The job took us almost 2 hours, felt like I well under priced that one... never mind, we live and we learn.
Went door knocking down the same street, lots of people out, but gave out some leaflets. We then went door knocking down a more private road, unfortunately a lot of them had 'no cold calling area' stickers, so we just dropped a load of leaflets...
Gonna go back out Monday evening for an hour or so and try and get some more.
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Thanks Tosh,
Yea, the only problem with this one was its a one off clean, although the owner said he has commercial premises too which I think will be regular. So its all good!
I'm using an Omnipole trolley system for the outside, and yea, today was my first time using trad ever as it was my first inside clean. So yea, as time goes on i'll get quicker.
Found the door knocking really tough today, mentally and physically after the first job. Hoping I get a few customers in the week booked in for next Saturday.