[Paul Coleman]

refer to this (Macleod's 'thing'):

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=16535.0[/url]

Thanks for the link.
It looks like I will net to be a bit harder nosed than I currently am in order to get more commercial work.
Time to change my outlook I think,

[AuRavelling79]

Look folks - the grass is always greener etc.

Rule 1  Get organised

When it's raining don't loaf in front the telly - put on your glad rags and canvas and unless you're just starting out only take on good stuff.

Rule 2 

A job should be valued by whether it is profitable and longlasting (as far as you can see), not whether it is domestic or commercial.

Rule 3 

Cull your round by continually adding cream at the top and dropping rubbish at the bottom.

Rule 4 

Be flexible, but don't get walked on.

[jeff1]

Domestic = full belly and roof over our heads.

commercial = Cream cakes on top.

[poleman]

Bulk Residential
Pros:

•   Easy business to build
•   Compact rounds
•   High cash to cheque ratio
•   Good cash flow

Cons:

•   Low customer loyalty
•   Low value
•   Increased competition during summer
•   Collecting may eat into your free time
•   Difficult to grow & develop
•   Staff difficulties, if they see money changing hands

High End Residential
Pros:

•   High level of customer loyalty
•   Higher earning/profit potential
•   Higher level of self esteem (people want you to clean for them)
•   High cash to cheque ratio
•   Good cash flow
•   Natural progression to commercial contracts (These are the people who run their own business)

Cons:

•   Higher level of professionalism required
•   Experience essential
•   Bigger territory required
•   More travelling between jobs
•   Longer time to build business

Local Commercial
Pros:

•   High level of customer loyalty
•   Higher earning/profit potential
•   High level of self esteem
•   Good cash to cheque ratio
•   Good cash flow
•   Work rain or shine

Cons:

•   Increased competition
•   Higher level of experience required
•   May take years to build the business
•   Contracts can be lost for reasons beyond your control

Blue Chip/National Accounts
Pros:

•   High value contracts
•   Elite within industry
•   Easier business to grow & develop
•   High value business when time to sell

Cons:

•   30-90 day payment terms
•   60-70% will be sub-contract
•   Profit wholly dependent upon speed, efficiency, quality workmanship and avoiding call backs (500 panes/day)
•   High degree of professionalism required
•   Takes years & dedication to succeed


THE END

[Helen]

Which wonderful training course came up with all this?

[macc]

So all you Domestic Boys tell me why do you do it? When it rains you cant work your mad!

<a href="http://WFP &amp; Commercial rulz ok!" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://WFP &amp; Commercial rulz ok!</a> 

The weather has been crap all week apart from today, i've only 2 houses to do tomorrow (1hr) & thats tomorrows work done,  .

Who says you cant work in the rain,  .

Macc

[simbo]

poleman, spot on
high end residential works for me, got another home for special needs today as a result of quality service and presentation i.e they like me
simbo

[beefy]

mcloud how did you start?? eh if you started on commercial( which i dont have ) then yr a lucky boy if youy started  on domestic then yr a plonker cos thats the best start youll ever have & you should encourage it not slag it

[simon knight]

I like domestic and it doesn't pay so badly if it's organised right. And it's more interesting that doing 20'X18' panes all day long...Long live the Mrs Smiths and her £10 once a month and the best cuppa ever!

[stuart@skypole]

macleod,

having read the entire list of replys im seeing both arguments however propole summed up well,

domestic work is great for cash flow and i know a couple of companies that only do domestic and have 3/4 vans each

i also know the same of commercial cleaning contractors who have 3/4 vans

both on the road with two guys working 4/5 days per week

if im honest i would say the guys with commercial work have there working day a little easier in terms of ay to day running but thats it!

the simplist way to run domestic work is on winter hours even in the summer ie first clean at 8:15am last clean at 4:15pm and base the working week over 4.2 days

yes in poor conditions ie rain then commercial can be done and not so with domestic.

i origionally started with domestic then moved onto commercial you know hairdressers etc then onto real commercial/blue chip and ended up covering work across the south of england from plymouth - dover and up to wales and ipswich

looking after airports etc

so i can only say that both are ok

it just depends on which you prefer

rgds
stu

[vistech]

i do 90% commercial but i do like to get on my domestic for a natter and a cuppa .plus when you do domestic it feels like youre more apreciated ,and there is good money to be made from it but i would never call a window cleaner for being just domestic ,the window cleaner who cleans where i live is only domestic and he does fine plus he picks his own hours not like some commercial and hes the most laidback bloke i know so hes not stressing to much about picking commercial work up

[Moderator David@stives]

You get the choice of a commercial contract for £200 or a domestic job for £200. I know what 90 % of window cleaners would choose!

Tax man dictates your work If your commercial, you dictate what you earn if domestic

Clear vision

I dont understand this bit, are you saying , that you should not declare all your domestic work ?

Thanks

DavI

[Pj]

elllo DavI