Some good stories here. I was called into a new build area recently, one lady who reported her neighbour was also interested. Just down the road, nice big houses, but small easy windows. Good combo. I thought I'd do it as a Saturday morning, a little "project" if you like. The whole surrounding area had only just moved in within a few weeks. When cleaning the windows of the 2 custies booked in, I was approached by 2 more. I door knocked another dozen or so people who had just moved in. Picked up 5 that day, another few said "once the dust has cleared". On going house building you see. That was about 4 months ago.
I am now sitting pretty with 15 or 16 houses in that road. Bar the social housing, I only didn't get maybe 4 or 5 houses. They are still building, so the project is ongoing.
The only snag was a few of them wanted it done trad. That was fine with me as the small windows are so easy to clean. I am doing the 3 stories wfp and trading the rest right now.
If you can get into new build areas you will clean up. I really made sure I bent over backwards on the first cleans. Sure enough other window cleaners came round, but most didn't even get the chance to put a price in. Some people reported me being dearer than the compeition, but they are still with me. Haven't lost one so far. I think doing those jobs trad really gave me an edge in keeping the custom. These 4 bed detached with small windows are like 20 mins whether trad or wfp. Very nice. The 3 story jobs are 20-25 minutes work. I'm not cheap, so its pretty sweet.
I have found in the past the novelty wears off with these new home owners. At first you have the lot, then its "can you come every 2 months" etc etc. They always tend to thin out I have found.