[mikecam]

Thanks for the replies lads

Yeah I originally thought that it was not massively territorial with that my street your street type thing so its good to hear from people in the business that is the case

Planning to get started with some weekend work to test the water and then go full time in spring if all goes well

You've had replies from people with the brain power to use a computer. However there's plenty out their without that brain power and they won't see things the way its just been told to you here. 

[mci services]

Thanks for the replies lads

Yeah I originally thought that it was not massively territorial with that my street your street type thing so its good to hear from people in the business that is the case

Planning to get started with some weekend work to test the water and then go full time in spring if all goes well

You've had replies from people with the brain power to use a computer. However there's plenty out their without that brain power and they won't see things the way its just been told to you here. 

well thats true I have stepped on many toes and some places I just plain avoid as I can't be doing with the hassle but I continue to step on toes because I can but will the poster get hassle well probably at some point but you just need to learn to deal with it

[AuRavelling79]

Oh right; thanks swc! I'm a bit slow tonight!  

[darren clarke]

u will step on peoples toes and people will step on yours,  the people who get up set, at losing custys are the ones who cant get any more or are too lazy,   i have lost custy sure it annoys you and you moan about it on here, but if it botheres you that much go out and knock for a day and get a load more,  a lot of wc cant canvess to save there lives and hate it when someone comes along and custy leave to go with them,  it usually means they are doing a crap job

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

you cant beat steppin' on a few toes
me i didnt quite step as stamp lol

[Clive McDonald]

The competition is getting severe near me, i am begining to see two or three new signed vans in the areas i work above the normal volume, and i am losing some.

By the defintions earlier i must be crap.


However this thread is interesting in revelaing attitudes of other window cleaners, and i think i'm pretty safe for the time being on the basis that i run a business and most have a different strategy.

[Moderator David@stives]

If I still lived in Salford, I would never consider knocking on another window cleaners patch, that is while i still value my legs.

Now In Cornwall, it seems to be a free for all, the average window cleaner drives 10 miles between jobs, and there seems to be 20 on each street.  Just on the street where I live, at least 6 window cleaners clean on it.

The worlds gone nuts !!

[s.w.c]

the road i live on there are four of us, we just say hi smelly or old man something like that and just get on with our jobs, a good sense of humor is needed in our road. but never a bad word has been spoken to each other, except in a wind up or two. its only a problem if you let it be. :

[darren clarke]

by crap i mean, if you are reasonable priced do a good job, most will stay with u,  the jobs i have picked up off other wc are because they didnt like the results they was doing,  not becasue i was cheaper,   i have lost a few that think i am crap as they didnt like wfp and windows wet, but i lost a few to undercutters who are no longer around  but wont take the custy back on

u might lose a few on price  if you are stupidly expensive

If I still lived in Salford, I would never consider knocking on another window cleaners patch, that is while i still value my legs.

Now In Cornwall, it seems to be a free for all, the average window cleaner drives 10 miles between jobs, and there seems to be 20 on each street. Just on the street where I live, at least 6 window cleaners clean on it.

The worlds gone nuts !!

i had a leaflet the other day from a local wc offering there services,  they live 45 mins drive  and 30miles away,

[mikecam]

The competition is getting severe near me, i am begining to see two or three new signed vans in the areas i work above the normal volume, and i am losing some.

By the defintions earlier i must be crap.


However this thread is interesting in revelaing attitudes of other window cleaners, and i think i'm pretty safe for the time being on the basis that i run a business and most have a different strategy.

The important thing for YOU to understand, running a buisness, is WHY you are losing them.

[Perfect Windows]

i had a leaflet the other day from a local wc offering there services,  they live 45 mins drive  and 30miles away,

Perhaps their area is 40 miles across like the one on your website showing the area you cover. 


Vin

[gewindows]

20 miles either side is okay, if the property is worth driving to. I travel more than I used to 3 years ago, I have made that an acceptable part of my business plan. Personally I have to start questioning things once its over 20 miles, but Id travel twice that if the job was viable.

How far would you tolerate driving Perfect Windows to do a £100 job that took 2 hours?

10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles, 40 miles?


Ive grown sick of doing estate properties, theres plenty to be said for them, but put me in the grounds of a plush estate house with all the trappings that go with it and Im in my element, I take more pride in the job, I feel relaxed working, I get a better sense of achievement and pride. To get those places though you have to be prepared to put in plenty of footwork in securing them and the chances are you're going to have to do more miles to reach them.

[darren clarke]

i had a leaflet the other day from a local wc offering there services,  they live 45 mins drive  and 30miles away,

Perhaps their area is 40 miles across like the one on your website showing the area you cover.


Vin

i havent got a problem with peoplr traveling,  its when they say local wc  and they live nearly a hour away

[Perfect Windows]

How far would you tolerate driving Perfect Windows to do a £100 job that took 2 hours?

10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles, 40 miles?

It'd take a lot to justify that for me - my current turnover in town work is too close to that, but I know what you're saying.  There are jobs to which I'd happily drive.

I'll happily drive a distance for a full day's work - the driving time is lost for the benefit of getting out of the city for a little while.

Note that my comment was just a light-hearted note on Blue Monkey's post, nothing more.

For real local work you need this guy: http://www.wetrag.co.uk/ - his route round a few of the areas he names: http://tinyurl.com/374akt5

Vin

[tom smith]

Thanks for the replies lads

I have decided to give it a go after much thinking. Going to pick up a WFP system and van before spring - start looking for weekend business and then go full time if I can make it work

Good thing about where i am is that there are plenty of houses with money in a 30-45 min drive radius to look for and london is less than an hour away if I want to try drumming up a regular commercial round ontop of the domestic

[AuRavelling79]

Tom - while you are driving you not only aren't earning but you are spending too.

Just remember that every hour driving is costing you £40+. "How much!?" You ask.

That's an hour you could spend on the glass and earn £30+ and you'll also use a gallon of diesel and wear and tear on your van.

Try to be local as a general rule. This doesn't mean you turn down a gravy job that's 30 mins away but look within three miles of home to start and work out from there.

[Paul Coleman]

Thanks for the replies lads

I have decided to give it a go after much thinking. Going to pick up a WFP system and van before spring - start looking for weekend business and then go full time if I can make it work

Good thing about where i am is that there are plenty of houses with money in a 30-45 min drive radius to look for and london is less than an hour away if I want to try drumming up a regular commercial round ontop of the domestic

I'm in Crawley too.
Although I do a reasonable amount of work in the town boundary, I find that I also have to travel out a bit for a fair bit of my work.  This is because of the larger than usual amount of terraced houses with no rear access.  Also, the courts and walkways (mainly Broadfield and Bewbush, aren't the best of places for running a hose.
I'm in West Green.  Where are you?  (no I'm not a-coming to get ya  ).