[martinj]

Hi

Does anyone find it harder to retain / attract new custys during winter, do a lot of people think they dont need their windows cleaned in the winter?

[Ian101]

Thouhgt it was winter now done nothing but rain 

[lyndy]

We started a year a ago,and found we gained more than we lost,then come spring this year we got loads,fingers crossed we keep most of them

[martinj]

Hi Lyndy you started august last year? Would you say now's a good time to start? did you ease into it part time or just go for it? How much did you canvas and how many custys a week on average did you get?

Sorry for all the questions but I need some good answers cos if I have to come into this office for much longer Im gonna go mad!!!

[lyndy]

We started 18 aug last year,we did it partime,we gained about 50 from then and over winter,we only put flyers out don't have the time to knock doors,If you want to ease into it start now

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Never had that problem. However, the newbies will pick up all the irregular customers and drifters. By newbie I mean any one who started in the last 18 months.

[martinj]

Hi Stu

Is that because it takes 18 months ish to build a decent round and weed out the bad 'uns? Can I ask did you just leaflet or door knock as well and how long did it take you to get to 100 customers? Thanks

[dazmond]

all my custies know i provide a regular service all the year round as i run a business and got bills to pay.im usually a bit later getting round but no cancellations with a "can you come back next spring" rubbish!

windows get more dirty IMO in winter due to the weather.


dazmond

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Hi Stu

Is that because it takes 18 months ish to build a decent round and weed out the bad 'uns? Can I ask did you just leaflet or door knock as well and how long did it take you to get to 100 customers? Thanks

I started 20 years ago when I had a full head of hair! I inherited some work and only needed enough to keep me going part time and have no idea how many houses I had. Something in the region of £150 per week in 1990. However I was still living at home.

5 years ago you could have built a round in 6 month no problem. Now with the number starting up I would say 18 months to get a full round, that is say 30 hours worth of work each week. You will inevitably pick up iffy customers who cancel.

My advice for this is to price up all work like it is a one off. If it becomes regular then you win, if it is a one off you don't loose. The danger is that you are desperate for the work and price to get the job.

I have leafleted but didn't need rapid growth so picked up customers by word of mouth. I still feel the stronger growth is slower growth, like the oak. My best leaflets are aimed at current customers asking for referrals and up-selling.

[martinj]

Hi Stuart

Thanks for that. It still must of been tough when you started though, I guess building a new business is tough whenever you start. I see what you mean about competition now though, but its been said on this forum before that cream rises to the top.

Would you say providing a good reliable service and doing loads of canvassing is still going to give you an advantage / get a liveable income ( say 15 hours a week ) quicker?

Im thinking a lot of new starters want a filler til they get another job and /or wont last through the winter. Ive laboured for a builder all year round so I know how tough it can be.

[lyndy]

It's like stuart said,3 years ago I almost built a round within a month,custys were almost hugging me when I knocked there door,now they get 2 or 3 quotes.I had to jack it in then now it's bloody hard work building again

[martinsadie]

windows get dirty faster in winter,i dont lose any 

[bobby p]

i started 2 years ago,started slowly as i was unsure whether i really wanted to do it . now its mushroomed and a full round that just grows by at least one or 2 a week neweys who see me on the street.  i had/have at least ten per cent of my round are the type who want me to stop over winter and its a great feeling to "cut them adrift " and just let a fresh faced new customer take their place.   i have heard many times about window cleaners who just stop coming without a bye or leave ,never to return , im pleased to now  be part of that mob ( but not with nice regulars )

[johnny_h]

i had one last year "come back when winters over" she still looks at me on the street every month her windows are caked with birds mess bless her

[Londoner]

With the shorter daylight and the bad weather you can do less customers anyway so a few "see you again in the spring" types are actually very welcome. I have several and I am more than happy to accomodate the arrangement.

[Ian101]

If you can fit them in next spring its a great time to put a quid or two onto their old price 

[mark mann]

for what its worth re starting i guess it can vary greatly from where you live/operate i started nearly 2months ago p/time at weekends - had f/time jib i hated and was looking likely to fail a probation period anyway - had a good start canvassing picking custys up then when gave f/time job up and got p/time job thought id build quicker as i have half day each day as well sadly its been a struggle and i seem to be collecting 2-4 customers weekly from canvassing and confess im mentally knackered with working what seems all 7 days and till 7 at night - it could all change when i hit a new area/roads - im also becoming paranoid about the right things to say and searching net for any guru book on window cleaning canvassing seems to be only an american one -hmmm theres a business opportunity.

[martinj]

Hi Mark

Im exactly where you were 2 months ago full time job driving me mad about to flunk probation period and deciding whether to jump before I get pushed. Is the problem that theres loads of competition down there? I think a lot of members on here although very helpful are a bit optimistic having forgotten perhaps how hard it seems to be at the moment to build a round. Im up in t'north just by sheffield and managed to get a days experience with a bloke off the forum on monday which I hope will be invaluable, crash course in how its done and some info from the horses mouth as to how hard it really is.

I know its hard to build any business and the general consensus seems to be about 12-18 months before youre completely sorted but I think you are right about plugging away at the areas, I reckon its a numbers game and you will find the custies. Ive had door to door sales jobs in the past going for days with no joy like walking through the bloody desert but there is an oasis somewhere just keep going, best of luck.

[Small but perfectley formed]

Hi,Martin,i,can,give,you,your,first,customer,she,is,at,kiveton,park
2up2down,terraced,with,con,glass&sills£7

[lyndy]

It's bloody tough out there,saying that we are 2 thirds of the way there after 12 months,our target area has 14,000 homes so we only need 2% share,few years ago you could have done it in a couple of months