[PAUL JAMES]

Might sound like a daft bloody question I know but only been going about 15 months and thought it would slow down over the winter. Been out today catching up due to the rain and picked up three new jobs. Got to admit people were surprised to see a window cleaner on a Sunday! Not complaining mind as the plan is to go full time after the winter. I just thought that it would be quiet new jobs wise this time of the year.

[robertphil]

be careful you dont burn yourself out workin weekends . its easy to get sick to death of this job if you dont have a break.

 new jobs coming in slowdown slightly in january is my experience but not by much

[PAUL JAMES]

Cheers mate, much appreciated.
Have to work weekends at the moment as still building the business up but not far off going full time now. Still working part time at my regular job but knew that would be the case for about 18 months. Been a bit surprised at how well it has gone but not getting complacent though. Fingers crossed it will all work out and this time next year I will be full time, Monday-Friday with the WC business.

[Johnny B]

Well done. Keep on picking the work up at the rate you are, then you may well find that you will be able to go full time and pack in your other job sooner than planned.

John

[dannymack]

Paul why the need to work Sundays at the mo if you re not far off going full time ? I'd hate a windy coming to do my house on a Sunday !!! But good luck to ya very enthustiatic

[AuRavelling79]

Once you have "enough" you can firm up your terms and drop the messers you have endured.

First to go are the "not today because of the rain/lazy son in bed/not well/off on hols crew" oh, and dog crap alley if you ever took it on.

Then have a "little" price increase.

[PAUL JAMES]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice people-very much appreciated.
Darren, not much in the way of choice regarding the weekends for me. We started the business (myself and a lifetime friend) and both had full time jobs at that point. We had to start somewhere and weekends it was. They soon filled up and to be honest we haven't had any complaints form customers about turning up on a Saturday or Sunday, in fact it has worked in our favour as the amount of work we have picked up from being about when people are at home has been amazing. I soon had to go part time and now work on the windows on a Tuesday and Wednesday too. The next step is full time but that will be after the winter so that we can really push on over the summer. Once I go full time I will be claiming my weekends back!!! I guess I just want to get it right as I am no spring chicken. Once I go at it full time I have to make it work. It won't be for the want of trying and the help and advice from the forum has been invaluable.
 

[Diamond standard ltd]

Work Tuesday, Wednesday , Saturday , Sunday your one day off jack your job in mate!!

[PAUL JAMES]

I appreciate what you are saying mate and believe me if the figures added up I would. I only take out of the business enough to meet my original full time wage so in effect although I work four days on the windows I only take two days pay if that makes sense?. The jump for the business to pay my actual full time wage is just a little bit out of reach at the moment as my business partner also takes a small wage too and we have running costs etc. It is getting closer and we are forever juggling the figures to see if it is plausible. If we were in this position at the beginning of the summer I would have made the jump without hesitation. I just do not want to take the gamble over the winter. Like I said above I am no spring chicken so have to be 110% certain that it is the right time.
I also have the Mrs to deal with!!!
 

[Diamond standard ltd]

Just go for it grab the bull by the horns and make it work!!!!

[AuRavelling79]

I appreciate what you are saying mate and believe me if the figures added up I would. I only take out of the business enough to meet my original full time wage so in effect although I work four days on the windows I only take two days pay if that makes sense?. The jump for the business to pay my actual full time wage is just a little bit out of reach at the moment as my business partner also takes a small wage too and we have running costs etc. It is getting closer and we are forever juggling the figures to see if it is plausible. If we were in this position at the beginning of the summer I would have made the jump without hesitation. I just do not want to take the gamble over the winter. Like I said above I am no spring chicken so have to be 110% certain that it is the right time.
I also have the Mrs to deal with!!!
 

How old is "no spring chicken"?

[PAUL JAMES]

Granville I am 48 - massive change for me so have to be certain that it will work. Mortgage and bills to pay like everyone else and I guess I have the safety net of regular employment at the moment. I have very little doubt that I will go for it in the spring.

[Steve H]

I agree with what you are saying about getting it right Paul, if you can juggle the 2 jobs then why not, particularly over the winter months, then see how you get on next year and if you still like doing it etc. You can then jump in like the guys are saying if its viable for you.

Only thing I don't agree with is when you say you are no "spring chicken" I thought you was going to say late 50's or early 60's etc.

Im just 48 (in October) and im fit as a flee (for my age anyway) I still train 3 days per week and certainly don't feel like im getting old (older maybe like we all are) but not old. Your age is nothing if you keep yourself fit, this job will do that for sure. Sitting behind a desk every day will make you fat and feel old for sure!!!

Good luck with it mate.

Cheers

Steve

[PAUL JAMES]

Cheers Steve, didn't mean to make myself sound old and like yourself still fit and well at 48 so no qualms about taking the work on. I was probably trying to say that I felt that I was leaving it a bit late to have a total career change and to go self employed. Wish I had done it so much sooner to be honest.