[afssm123]

Hi All - I have been keeping an eye on this forum since the start of the year and have picked up LOADS of great tips etc. I am now putting together a business plan and I am trying to work out how many properties I need to aim for etc. This eventually will become my full time job so looking to build gradually.

I have decided to purchase a trolley WFP system from Pure Freedom which seems to be OK from what I have read on here.

I am not sure whether to base my plan on income generated or number of properties. My target earnings eventually would be £20 per hour. Is that realistic?

I am looking to carry out other work such as conservatory cleaning, conny roofs, soffits & facias, clean inside as well as out - is there anything else??. How much do people charge for doing these jobs in their areas?.

I have read lots of threads on here about charging - but i believe from what I have asked friends and neighbours a typical price for me to charge would be between £8 - £15 depending on the size of the property. To start with I am thinking I will have a minimum charge of £10 and see what the reaction is.

My vision for the business would be to dress smartly with proper embroidered workwear with a smart sign written van etc etc - its extra cost, but again reading threads on here that extra cost should be easily offset by extra business. Does anyone have any further thoughts on how I could enhance the professional image?

finally are there any tips or recommendations for equipment.

Great forum and I look forward to reading your thoughts

[richywilts]

if you market yaself well and present a good sale u shouldnt have any problem chargin minimum £10

[Moderator David@stives]

If you have a van, i would skip the trolley and go straight for a van mount.

I started with a backpack, lasted one day, before i thought sod that, then went and bought a van tank straight away.

Your plan sounds good, if you stick to what you said you will do well.

Who do you need the business plan for ?

Do you plan to be an employer, or stay as a worker/owner.

Dave

[richywilts]

dave how long have u been establised now and wat did u do before???

[Moderator David@stives]

Hi Richard

I have been going for 12 years, only took it seriously 5 years ago.

It was just a lifestyle business before.

I was a warehouseman, carpet fitter, gardener, taxi driver, coach driver, been self employed one way or another for 20 years now.

I can give you my full story, but that would probably bore everyone   

[richywilts]

i just thought that u must have started fairly recently when you said you started with a backpack and thought u must have really moved things along quickly, take it u were trad beforehand

[Moderator David@stives]

Yes I was trad, me doing the tops and my wife doing the bottoms, employed occassionally, but it was hard employing on ladders

I got my backpack about 5 years ago, we have grown 10 fold since that first backpack.

[Andy@w.c.s]

full story Dave and you would'nt have a book 

[afssm123]

Hi dave. If I am honest I dont have the budget for a van mount system .... I have read that quite a few people oh here have trolley systems so I am assuming thats a good entry level. I have not even considered a backpack system .... Ghostbusters springs to mind!

Thanks for your input. Its appreciated

[Sapphire Window Cleaning]

you can fit a 400-650 litre tank in the back of the van then attach the trolley system to that tank, then you have an entry level van mount, plus if you need to, you have a trolley system to use too.




Matt

[afssm123]

matt you've got me thinking now.... do I go for a trolley system (the original plan) or a van mount? - looking at Pure freedom they are roughly the same price.

personally i think trolley system first as I am a newbie ... but does anyone have any othe thoughts?

[richywilts]

build ya own static system if you have the space buy a trolley for now then if and when the round gets larger you could build ya own diy van mount. a lot of peopl have done this, i never as i prefer somewhere to go to should sumfin go wrong.but its the best option if ya handy and dont have a lot of money to get started

[tom2009]

Yes I was trad, me doing the tops and my wife doing the bottoms, employed occassionally, but it was hard employing on ladders
I got my backpack about 5 years ago, we have grown 10 fold since that first backpack.

how did you you organise collections/payments from customers Dave? thats my problem at the moment - the best way for people to pay. It must have worked well to cope with that level of work growth, and I find myself going back a couple of times in some cases to collect payment which seems a total waste of time.

[Glen Bullivant]

I too am drawing up na business plan at vthe moment, care to compare notes?

email me at asossidge@gmail.com

[mci services]

lads go to business link and sign up for a free course and at the end you will have a business plan all for free and if your entitled you can get grants etc

while you do your plan you will have to research stuff and thats when you can ask questions on here

[Glen Bullivant]

I'm going on their 3 hour course next week