[Granny]

!

[Ian Lancaster]

If you're really that shy it could be this isn't the way forward for you.  Cleaning windows is straight forward enough, but getting the work requires a bit of self confidence and a fairly thick skin.

Forget about 'patches' - we live in a free market economy (supposedly) - no-one owns the rights to window cleaning anywhere.  You will need to get out and find work, there are endless topics covering this.  You will probably meet opposition from established (and even non-established) window cleaners who will see you as a threat but you have an absolute right to canvass wherever you want, subject to the customers themselves not posting stickers like 'No Cold Calling' etc.  You need to be thick skinned, not only to rebuff threats from idiot window cleaners but much more to withstand the endless rejections on the doorstep.

If you go down the 'leaflet only' route, you will build a good (although widespread) round, but you will need deep pockets!!

The only way is dogged persistence - the harder you try, the better your chances.  Set yourself realistic targets (say 1-2 new jobs per day) and stick at it till you get there.

[colley614]

Hey bud, obviously I don't know you personally but I get the opinion you are a quiet type of guy who does not like confrontation or critisism (obviously I will on spelling) and you will get confronted at times in the window cleaning industry about certain things, I've never really had this problem except for people phoning me up and threatening me but everytime this has happened I have asked these people where they are and they won't tell me. The reason being is that they are scared of being confronted.

I've always believed that its not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. I would be more concerned  about the fact that you have been listening to negative people. Remember they are judging you on their limitations not yours! you might be a lot more successful in life than they could be so don't worry about that because if you are having a tough time trying to get the ball rolling and your listening to people negative comments you will break.

Window cleaning is a great industry to be in, you meet all kinds of people and if you pick up a ten pound a month job you have just given yourself a £120 a year pay rise. So Imagine picking up 10 in a week how much of a pay rise you can give yourself by canvassing for a few evenings in the summer.

If you have a serious think about it and decide window cleaning is a bit to daunting for you then why not think about carpet cleaning or oven cleaning or another pie of the pie from the cleaning industry. But my advice would be to man up and get out there canvassing and you won't look back!

[Johnny B]

Believe it or not I used to be painfully shy.

If you feel the same, don't let it hold you back from trying. It sounds as if you are a nice guy, and this could work to your advantage when you go canvassing.

When I canvass (as I am still building my business up) I say something along the lines of "Hello, my name is John, and I am offering a window cleaning service locally. Is this something you may be interested in?"

I put this across with a smile, and relaxed manner, and even when the reply is negative, it is usually accompanied with a smile, and sometimes even apologetically from the householder. So the rejections can even be a source of encouragement to carry on!   

As Ian Lancaster said, it's a free market so you can go wherever you want. If you meet another window cleaner, and he tries to put you off, tell him you aren't looking to take his customers but are looking for people who need a window cleaner but who haven't got one.

Best wishes,
John

[matthewprice]

i was the same as you shy ,i bought a smallish run that i could add to ,made life easy for me

[SB Cleaning]

I rarely see any other window cleaners actually working the same streets as me, the ones i do usually put their hand up and i have had a chat with a couple.

As long as you don't go round under cutting or bad mouthing other window cleaners you will be fine

[rosskesava]

I've never had a single issue with any other window cleaner in 11 years. I now know most of the regular ones around here and often I stop for a quick chat.

With regards leaflets, it's a numbers game. Put enough through doors and you'll get the business. You may not get as many customers as door knocking but if you're a bit shy, then I'd suggest leg work and leaflets.

As for the shyness, that'll go and the same for being apprehensive but it won't happen over night. Becomming a window cleaner will do your confidence a real power of good but don't run before walking. Start from where you are.

The first few jobs you'll probably underprice and they'll take longer than you think but if you stick with it, you'll get there in the end and probably faster than you think because you're honest about where you're coming from.

Don't believe for one second the 'everythings sewn up'. That's not true and is complete rot. Don't worry about winter, you'll get through it. I still do and did when I first started. Ok, sometimes the cold can get to you buts that's outdoor work for you and anyway, nothing beats a good days work out in the cold and coming home to a steaming hot bath.

I don't know about anyone else, but some of the best days I've had work wise when I get home feeling really good about the days work have been in winter.

The vast majority of window cleaners on this forum started somewhere similar to where you are now. When I started I didn't have a clue and I made big mistakes and there was no CIU. You have the advantage of this forum.

Good luck.

[Granny]

Hi All
Thanks some real positivity at last!
I am going for it.
I went out canvassing yesterday cr****ng myself but after all what is the worst they can do - say no and tell you to go away.
Pointy ladder arrives today not going down the DIY cheapo ladder route.
You only fall once.
Granny

[dazmond]

thats not true granny?by the way why the silly nickname?hope you dont get that signwritten on ya van!!

ive fell off twice from the 1st floor.landed on heels both times.luckily i was ok apart from a bit of bruising around ankles.


best wishes


dazmond

[Silver Surfer]

I've never had a single issue with any other window cleaner in 11 years. I now know most of the regular ones around here and often I stop for a quick chat.

With regards leaflets, it's a numbers game. Put enough through doors and you'll get the business. You may not get as many customers as door knocking but if you're a bit shy, then I'd suggest leg work and leaflets.

As for the shyness, that'll go and the same for being apprehensive but it won't happen over night. Becomming a window cleaner will do your confidence a real power of good but don't run before walking. Start from where you are.

The first few jobs you'll probably underprice and they'll take longer than you think but if you stick with it, you'll get there in the end and probably faster than you think because you're honest about where you're coming from.

Don't believe for one second the 'everythings sewn up'. That's not true and is complete rot. Don't worry about winter, you'll get through it. I still do and did when I first started. Ok, sometimes the cold can get to you buts that's outdoor work for you and anyway, nothing beats a good days work out in the cold and coming home to a steaming hot bath.

I don't know about anyone else, but some of the best days I've had work wise when I get home feeling really good about the days work have been in winter.

The vast majority of window cleaners on this forum started somewhere similar to where you are now. When I started I didn't have a clue and I made big mistakes and there was no CIU. You have the advantage of this forum.

Good luck.

If there was a like button!!!......good advice

[Ian Lancaster]

thats not true granny?by the way why the silly nickname?hope you dont get that signwritten on ya van!!

ive fell off twice from the 1st floor.landed on heels both times.luckily i was ok apart from a bit of bruising around ankles.


best wishes


dazmond

Luckily is the word, Dazmond.  I fell from the first floor of a pub and landed on my heels.  Shattered both heel bones and broke both ankle joints - two years off work and two operations, still have a steel staple in my right ankle and walk with a permanent limp.  Was entirely my own fault - I stood on a window sill.  Complete contradiction of my own safety rules and paid the price because the sill was broken and had been covered up with a layer of cement.

Definitely not the result of using a ladder, if I'd used it properly the accident wouldn't have happened.  Like I always say: any fall from or including a ladder is the fault of the user, not the ladder.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread, just meant to warn all newbies to treat ladders with respect, make sure they are properly set before climbing and obey the rule 'one hand for the job and one hand for yourself'.

Granny, if you've never used a 'pointy' ladder before you can e-mail me if you like, I've got a ladder tutorial based on my long experience with the use of these.

Good luck,

Ian

ianlancaster@blueyonder.co.uk

[Granny]

Hey Dazmond
Lay off man 
That Silly Nickname is my "real" nickname in "real life" would you believe it!!!!!
As they say it's not that it takes all sorts - it's just that we got allsorts.
G.

[richardlingard]

did you pick up much canvassing yesterday mate ?

www.windowcleaningarehouse.co.uk
www.soapnational.co.uk

pulux for rubbers
look up a rojak ladder stay
wet your applicator from a bottle rather than just sticking in the bucket then your water is cleaner
try and get your scrims hemmed to stop them wrecking your washing machine and they dont need detergent when you wash them.
flat weave microfibres or better professional blue glass cleaning cloth if you dont want scrim
www.printsmarter.co.uk - leaflets

good luck buddy - dont worry about being sewn up, ive never had that been the case theres more houses that window cleaners :-)

[dazmond]

if your starting out with ladders.never put ladders on wet decking or on imprinted concrete.if you need to clean the window above then get someone to foot it or use a traditional extension pole.

if i was you i would go straight for wfp.if your budget is tight a cheap pole and backpack would get you going for upper windows.trad downs.then when funds allow get a van mount.


best wishes

dazmond

[Granny]

Hi all - thanks for the great info
I have picked up a front only £4 but it is a start - 3 windows + tiny fanlight over door!
But the customer said "How are you going to do it - the last cleaner used water thingy and my bedroom window cill was full of water inside- I don't want you if you use that method"
I would like to target the new town houses 3 storey no problem kind of thing all new estates here are like that now with just a scattering of 2 storey thought of using  traditional for the rest then I can get away with smaller van less water.
Wife works with woman says since cleaner switched to wfp has lost about 5 customers and she is not impressed with the job he does but doesn't want to drop him 'cos she's had same cleaner for years.
What about hosepipe ban will that affect it?
Last year my garage was froze solid for days and both my water butts froze solid 1 of the cracked wide open.
How would I prepare pure water overnight without heating  the garage etc?
Sorry bout all the Qs but I want to get it right.
Going out tomorrow I'll let you know how I get on.
Send cards and flowers to Intensive Care General Hospital 
G.

[richardlingard]

hey mate,

water fed pole can get crap results, so can traditional, if you sound confident in your system it will do you wonders it all depends on the workers not the tools, they both get great results.

i wouldn't as such get straight in to water fed pole however, for if you learn the ropes by cleaning traditionally  not only will you have another tool in your box, when you change over to water fed pole you will already have an established round and be paying for you system with someone elses money not your own.

as for freezing, you can have aquarium heaters in your van tank an oil filled radiator in the back of your van and as for your holding tank it would have to get pretty cold to make a big ice block, you would just crack to top becasue you transfer hose fills from the bottom. brushes etc you take inside.  you can insulate everything in your garage ro sysytem etc.

dont let customers tell you how to clean thier windows, who is the professional window cleaner here? which ever method you chose make sure you do a good job :-)

[richardlingard]

by the way you can buy jackets for water butts

[Granny]

Hi Lads
The world of Window Cleaning has just met an new force !!!!
No not me  - the missus
Been out together today she the bumped price up on one first time half way through "Can't do it for what we said going to take a lot longer" "Fine O.K. said customer."
Another - "Last cleaner only charged £6 - sorry we need £8 -  and got it."
Doubled up another two for next time with "Your frames need doing up we can make them all white and shiny again."
Writes down all the jobs n dates n stuff collects while I'm doing the ladders and washing out the mops n the rest.
Nearly home - finished - absolutely crisp crackered - dying for a pint - she comes out with "I walk this way to work there's a house here the windows are minging - lets stop and ask - ends up with £11 job"
No surprise but seems she's really good at counting the money too .
Not going to ask for a divorce just yet though

g.

[rosskesava]

Well done mate.

How the confidence now? I bet it's gone up a few notches.