[michael papworth]

Wow. I'm a window cleaner! I've been planning and practicing for weeks and messing about and panicing.

I've suffered from "analysis paralysis" thinking everything out and planning to the nth degree.

Wife eventually suggested I actually go out and earn a few bob and pay my way instead of running on savings.

I did - and I LOVED IT.

People are just so nice, aren't they? Every customer came out and admired my work and told me how happy they were to have a regular bloke at last.

After doing a few houses, went out canvassing and got tomorrow's work sorted out. Again, peole were good. Even those who weren't interested were polite (except 1, and that's his problem, not mine.)

I know that there are a few others around who are at the same stage I was a couple of days ago. The message seems to be: GO FOR IT.

This is serious fun - and pays its way as well. GR8!

[Dean Aspects]

Well done mate and welcome to the world of window cleaning
And remember any questions just fire away theirs always someone that can help out

Dean

[jaykie]

Nice one Michael, im in same position as you.

Chris

[Ian W]

Well done Michael. Stick with it and it just gets better!  

[Tosh]

Michael,

Why don't you try and find a window cleaner from this site who'd be prepared to take you out for a day-or-two?

Where are you based?

[Jon-scwindows]

cool
well done matey, are you WC trad or wfp? ive only 2 customer that actually appreciates the 'new method' wfp, not that the results arent great.
Its quite enjoyable most of the time, nice to be out in the 'fresh' air.

[jeff1]

Well done Michael, like Tosh says, see if there is a w/c in your area, Mike who owns the forum is base in Malvern not to far from you.

It does get better as time goes by, there is nothing better than being your own Boss.

[suds window service]

just completed my first week as a window cleaner ,working for yourself is the best.......earned just enough to pay the bills but slept well every night in the knowledge i was out of retail

[michael papworth]

I've been my own boss for the past 7 years and loved it, but it's been a real struggle. I was in an industry that was a one-hit fix so had to fight to get new customers ALL the time.

This is much more fun and I can see how it will just get better and better.

The very best part of it (apart from the glow of pride in seeing sparkling windows) was the reaction of the customers. Every one of them was delighted with the cleaning and was so supportinve and friendly. That's just so nice - and is VERY different from my last business.

Yes, I'm very happy to be a window cleaner!

[jeff1]

Well done to you to Mr richardson

The best piece of advice I can offer you both and one you will find hard to achieve?

When a potential customer asks you for a price, price it at a price you will be happy with and at a price that will make you want to return to time and time again.
The biggest mistake I recon we have all made is to under price a job just to get there custom, its only when you have built up your round will you begin to think, I priced this one far to cheap.

[suds window service]

to true when i was part time thats what i did this week for some reason i was taking 50p off the price i wanted to quote, dont know why?

[jeff1]

to true when i was part time thats what i did this week for some reason i was taking 50p off the price i wanted to quote, dont know why?

Don't even think of taking 50p off, if anything add another 50p on top of that, your thinking of taking off 50p just to get the job.
Not one of my Jobs has a 50p on it, everyone is in an even £ don't price a job at say £9.50 but add the extra and charge  £10:00

If they want a w/c bad enough they will except your price, I'm not saying go in and rip them off but I am saying don't undersell your self, if your doing a good job? people will talk and notice you, at least this way of thinking from the begining, you will start to build your self a full decent round and not a half decent round.
in 6 months to a year you will find your self wanting to get rid of the cheap ones you under priced at the start, but start now and build good from the begining.

[michael papworth]

Pricing is probably the hardest part for a newbie to get a handle on. I'm working on:

£1 per window or glass door
£2 for a bay window
£5 for a small conservatory

Then add on a bit depending on how easy or difficult it is to move around the property. Seems to have worked so far. Just had one lady blanche at the price and offer me £25 instead of the £28 I'd worked out. OK'd it as she said it with such a pretty smile.

I'm determined not to under-price myself.

I certainly don't want anyone saying, "You must get Wally to clean your windows. He's the cheapest around here." I want them to say "... He's the best and most conscientious w/c around here.

If positioning in the market place is good enough for the likes of Land Rover, it's good enough for me!

[jeff1]

Pricing is probably the hardest part for a newbie to get a handle on. I'm working on:

£1 per window or glass door
£2 for a bay window
£5 for a small conservatory

Then add on a bit depending on how easy or difficult it is to move around the property. Seems to have worked so far. Just had one lady blanche at the price and offer me £25 instead of the £28 I'd worked out. OK'd it as she said it with such a pretty smile.

I'm determined not to under-price myself.

I certainly don't want anyone saying, "You must get Wally to clean your windows. He's the cheapest around here." I want them to say "... He's the best and most conscientious w/c around here.

If positioning in the market place is good enough for the likes of Land Rover, it's good enough for me!

Your working in the right direction with your pricing, but learn to stick to your guns, if you wanted £28 then you should have stuck to it, tell your customer that you also have to pay the taxman,run a business and pay your mortgage, if you were doing it for beer money or were on the dole, then you would be more than happy to do it for the £25.
if you do a good Job then they really won't mind paying your asking price.
Try and price the conservatory as if you were pricing a house, there is often more glass in a conservatory than the house its self, so don't do it cheap.

[brett walker]

Michael

being concienious with an attitude like that and taking pride in your work

you'll go a long way

well done mate

good luck

                                     WALLY WASHES WINDOWS   

Brett


                                   

[michael papworth]

Cheers, Brett. You inspired me when we spent time at Windex.

[brett walker]

Michael, whats your body like have you got any aches and pains yet?

Whats feedback like from customers regarding spotting,  wet walls leaving the windows wet as wfp is strange to some of them from the old traditional way
How are you finding the pure freedom trolley?

regards

Brett

[michael papworth]

My muscles are really tightening up now. I feel absolutely superb at the end of a day's work - like after a good session at the gym. I'm being very careful to keep my back straight when lifting the cans.

Yesterday morning, a customer was so delighted that he gave me £20 for a £15 job. I'd cleaned the inside of his front door because it was so dirty that you couldn't tell the outside had been cleaned.

His cottage is right in the middle of the village and I asked him if it was OK to tell other people that I cleaned his windows for him. He was pleased for me to do that saying "Yes, sure. it's good for business."

I'm going to run off a special flyer to drop in to a few more cottages in the village where I haven't been able to canvass yet and mention for them to have a look at his place.

All customers so far have been great and appreciative. When I've gone back to check on the job, they've all said how pleased they are.

No one has complained about wet walls or anything. But I've been at great pains to explain everything about the system and the potential problems - including preparing customers for spots and runs. I've told them that I'll come back to check and they really appreciate the "customer care" part of it.

The trolley is great. I'd been thinking about building a 4-wheeled trolley so I could carry a lot more stuff. Say 4 cans plus a bucket for the trad tools. Then I worked on a property with steps in the garden. A 4-wheeler would have been a nightmare. The Freedom trolley was a breeze.

Yes, this is going great.

I'd like a few more customers, but feel that I'm making good progress and I'm confident that my existing customers are going to recommend me to their friends.