[Tom White]

I've got a good mate who installs cctv devices onto dumper trucks so they can see behind; he can knock me up a cctv on a pole so I can inspect gutters without climbing a ladder.

I've got another mate, a young fit lad, whose desperate for work.  He's unable to read or write and hasn't worked in three years.  He's a good lad, he's got a good heart, he just has had a really rough time.

I'm sort of thinking of getting the camera knocked up, and then going canvassing with it. 

My initial thoughts are to just door knock, and offer the following:

1.  Regular window cleaning service (I may as well since I'm there).

2.  A gutter inspection for £5.

3.  Gutter cleaning with the refund of the £5 if they accept my quote.

And once I've got a bunch of 'em, get the young lad to clean them; I'll train him up; I'll hire him the equipment, and he can do the rest.  I could possibly train him up to do the canvassing too?

It's only an initial idea - I've not spoken to anyone about it, but thought I'd bounce it off here first.

What's your thoughts?

[Steve CM]

Charge more for an inspection for a start

[Scoop]

Charge more for an inspection for a start

If someone calls you for an inspection then definitely charge more.

If you are door-knocking and trying to get gutter cleans then do the inspection for free. If you ask somebody for a fiver at the door you'll get a door in your face. A free inspection gains trust and shows them the problem they didn't know they had. Sure way to a gutter clean 

How much is your friend charging for cams on poles?

[Wc Solutions]

we do something called a gutter health check.

basically we check the contents of the gutters and advice them on what section if any need cleaning out - normally the 'damp side' of the house - side that doesnt see much sun really.

we charge £10 - £20 depends on the size of the house.

customer like it a lot we have found.

they feel that we are saving them money by advicing them of what sections need doing rather than them possibly paying for the whole when it doesnt need doing etc ..

we prob do about 10 a week on average.

i get my lads to really push add ons and get a bonus on a 3 month basis for targets hit.

for example: every single house we clean that has a conservatory has had the roof cleaned at least once.

[H S and Son]

I've got a good mate who installs cctv devices onto dumper trucks so they can see behind; he can knock me up a cctv on a pole so I can inspect gutters without climbing a ladder.

I've got another mate, a young fit lad, whose desperate for work.  He's unable to read or write and hasn't worked in three years.  He's a good lad, he's got a good heart, he just has had a really rough time.

I'm sort of thinking of getting the camera knocked up, and then going canvassing with it.  

My initial thoughts are to just door knock, and offer the following:

1.  Regular window cleaning service (I may as well since I'm there).

2.  A gutter inspection for £5.

3.  Gutter cleaning with the refund of the £5 if they accept my quote.

And once I've got a bunch of 'em, get the young lad to clean them; I'll train him up; I'll hire him the equipment, and he can do the rest.  I could possibly train him up to do the canvassing too?

It's only an initial idea - I've not spoken to anyone about it, but thought I'd bounce it off here first.

What's your thoughts?

Tosh is this lad from the fellowship? If he is I would steer well clear of having any sort of working relationship with him. If you'd like to call me about it youve got my number 

[Moderator David@stives]

Employers liability insurance

N.i contributions


Employer paperwork

Ladder training

Wah training

Ladder inspection charts

H&S training

Extra vehicle

If you can cope with all that

[Tom White]

Matt and David, yeh, you've both talked me out of it.

I can't be hassled with the extra hassles.  It's bad enough working with Wor Lass, never mind adding further complications.

Cheers guys; I like to bounce ideas here first - and thanks for the rest of the replies too.

[Tom White]

How much is your friend charging for cams on poles?

He says he can knock me one up for free with equipment he's not using.  I don't think he would be interested in making them to sell; though I can ask.

[bobby p]

that lad could be the stepping stone to greater things for you. 


 im so glad iv now got 2 decent lads work for me, after a bit of a run of bad eggs .  im coming home feeling great although im still on the squeegee for some time yet

[wpclean]

Tosh, from reading some of your past posts I would say you are intelligent, organised, and have a good amount of empathy.   Your business idea is a good one, and if you have an able young lad raring to go then why not give it a go ?

[Frankybadboy]

tosh is squeaky not doing the windows anymore

[dazmond]

you can keep all your gutter clearing jobs!!!i always hated doing them when i was trad only.i nearly fell off a few times as well!

have you guys not got enough work window cleaning and cleaning fascias/conny roofs without having to go messing about risking yourself up ladders?

even if you get a gutter vac its just more equipment to lug about with you.

i for one wont be adding any gutter clearing even as a minor add on!!its a mucky job as well.i suppose if you get a big commercial job it would be worth it but its not regular work.

if i was you tosh id just stick to what your doing.your doing ok right?look after you and wor lass and stop playing the good samaritan where it involves money and business.

trust me ive helped loads of guys out in the past(well i thought i was!!)giving them a bit of work here and there and they all were a pain in the arse after a few days.help him out in other ways but dont have him working with you!!

just my opinion mate


best wishes


dazmond

[AuRavelling79]

If you are canvassing anyway - why not do the inspection and pass it on to a laddermonkey/professional gutter man for a commisssion?

[Andy Prittchard]

I think Tosh should do the right thing and...

























teach the lad to read and write.

[laddermonkee]

Tosh as well as gutter surveys you could do roof surveys, i used to do them for insurance companies.if use a video camera so that you can show your customer the state of his roof or gutter he can see for himself any work that needs doing you can then recommend a roofer whom you can trust will give you a commission as has been suggested by gold

[Tom White]

Thanks guys, all of you, but I've binned the idea.  I don't like cleaning gutters myself, and I don't want the hassle's of employing.

It was just an idea to help someone out really, but Matt's post reminded me about 'idiot compassion' and I would be doing the lad a disservice in the long run.  Matt knows what I'm on about.

I prefer just cleaning windows, with an SLX and a lightweight brush; and microbore hose, and trying to keep things simple.

It was just a daft idea.

Thanks all.