[CasaDeCabra]

Hi all, fantastic forum with lots of really good advice and info.

I'm considering starting up in business which would be the first time self employed which if I'm honest fills me with a little trepidation after 25 years of being an employee.

Now I appreciate you have to do a good job but a lot of what I've seen and read seems to imply that if you get off your arse and get out there canvassing you can build yourself a good business. I don't believe for one minute that it would be easy but feel that with hard work anything is achievable. About time I did it for myself instead of someone else.

If anyone has any advice, tips or just wants to tell me I'm mad then please fell free to do so.

Cheers, Jake.

[dave0123]

Maybe 10 years ago when i started piece of cake... now? am not too sure!

[rosskesava]

Hello Jake and welcome to the forum.

There's no secret formula except get out there and give it all you've got, don't give up and learn from your mistakes. That's how I started before this forum was here.

If I can do it after being likewise an employee for years and not having a clue what I should be doing and wondering if I'm doing the right thing, then you can do it also.

And, it's the most stress free job I've ever had.

Good luck mate.

[rosskesava]

Maybe 10 years ago when i started piece of cake... now? am not too sure!

I agree, it ain't as easy now as it was but the work is still there.

[Tom White]

Welcome to the forum, Jake, but I think your question is to open which will make it difficult for people to give you answers.

My advice is to find a local window cleaner, preferably WFP, and offer your services free of charge for the experience of working for a few days with him.  Window cleaning aint for everyone, there's some 'special people' here who claim to have built up high earning rounds in a short space of time, but for the vast majority of us it takes some years.

Have you a family?  Have you a mortgage/household bills?  Can you start part time and build up from there?  Have you a few grand for an initial layout?  Have you worked outdoors before?  Have you done manual work before?  Can you door knock?  Can you cope with the uncertainties self employment brings?  Will your family support you?

Just some things to consider!  Many guys start up, all guns firing, then give up when Winter kicks in.  It's not easy, it can be a real grind, but I think that's a bonus; it keeps the competition down.

[northstar161]

I wish you good luck. I started up 18 months ago.... If you have any questions please don't hesitate to look me up.

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Welcome to the forum, Jake, but I think your question is to open which will make it difficult for people to give you answers.

My advice is to find a local window cleaner, preferably WFP, and offer your services free of charge for the experience of working for a few days with him.  Window cleaning aint for everyone, there's some 'special people' here who claim to have built up high earning rounds in a short space of time, but for the vast majority of us it takes some years.

Have you a family?  Have you a mortgage/household bills?  Can you start part time and build up from there?  Have you a few grand for an initial layout?  Have you worked outdoors before?  Have you done manual work before?  Can you door knock?  Can you cope with the uncertainties self employment brings?  Will your family support you?

Just some things to consider!  Many guys start up, all guns firing, then give up when Winter kicks in.  It's not easy, it can be a real grind, but I think that's a bonus; it keeps the competition down.

^^^What he said ^^^

[groundhog]

Think very carefully before giving up your current job, which probably has many benefits, such as sick pay, holiday pay, a pension, also things like if you have a bad day you still get paid the same, and its probably not weather dependant! But if you are self motivated and hard working, then window cleaning may be for you, but it certainly isn't an easy option, and you will have a lot of competition in Southampton!! My sister lives there and is always telling me that she is always getting leaflets from window cleaners! Good luck!! 

[C o z y]

Welcome to the funny farm. Here's a good site to help you get the basics. As Tosh said, offer your labour to a window licker cleaner for a day or two and good luck. It takes bottle to jump into the un-known.
http://windowcleaningcoach.com/

[dazmond]

go and work with a local window cleaner for a few months and see if you can hack it.

its hard work working in all weathers whether trad or WFP.it can get very boring,no sick pay,holiday pay and the bad weather can grind us all down from time to time.

the hardest part is getting the work in the first place and sifting through the messers,bad payers until you have a good solid customer base that pays the bills week in,week out even when your forced to have time off due to illness,really bad weather etc.

ive been window cleaning 18 years and still love it(most of the time)as it allows me to earn decent money for relatively few hours actually working.its flexible so i can have a day off when i want and its a strange feeling of being out of the rat race!

its took me years and years to build up the round i have now.


good luck and best wishes


dazmond

[jimiwindows]

get a job window cleaning and learn to clean windows with someone that can show you how.

[johnny bravo]

quickest way is to buy a round,    start part time,   if it dosent take off think carefully.   its a lot harder now, too many people loosing secure jobs,  yhey need a quick alternative to bring some quick cash in,     you have to get the work first.      see if you can get some customers first, then get gear to start traditional,  cheaper in case you change your mind   and get out,    traditional,         second hand ladders    gumtree, ebay,   bucket,  scrims,  washing gear  = around  £80.     wfp = £400+

[CasaDeCabra]

Just want to say a quick thanks for all the replies guys. Will have a good look through what you have all said when I get a moment.

[martin perry]

I Started part time ( Worked shifts ) about a year ago and made sure i did the best i could on each house and my round has built up so much without advertising but on recommendations that like you i have now gone self employed, i am not the fastest but never had a complaint yet and now

no more 12 hour shifts
no more nightshifts
no more working all weekend

good luck in your venture

I had also been thinking of this for a while and worked out how much i needed to keep my family so when that figure was reached leaving my job wasnt such a worry

[C o z y]

I Started part time ( Worked shifts ) about a year ago and made sure i did the best i could on each house and my round has built up so much without advertising but on recommendations that like you i have now gone self employed, i am not the fastest but never had a complaint yet and now

no more 12 hour shifts
no more nightshifts
no more working all weekend

good luck in your venture

I had also been thinking of this for a while and worked out how much i needed to keep my family so when that figure was reached leaving my job wasnt such a worry

Well done