[ringo1968]

I've been thinking of starting up after getting fed up with the 'day' job and work 8-4pm Mon -Fri often finish earlier. Is it a long process picking up customers and getting established these days with all the info about on the net and everybody thinking it's easy??? Or is it a case of getting lucky and finding an area where a cleaner has recently packed up? I did a few weeks work with a mate a couple of years back (trad method) and i am self-motivated enough to get out there and work-that isn't a problem. Any advice would be helpful as the folk on here know a fair bit...amd i'm just starting out. Cheers. And is working saturdays and later on in the afternoons in spring/summer ok to start out with anyway?

[CleartechLee]

Working on Saturday or Sunday isnt to bad if its now and again, had a few comments like "oh working on a Sunday thats what we like to see" and such but the on general its seems to be just to catch up or now and again.

Picking up work can be a nightmare in certain areas but as everyone says its a numbers game the more you hit the more yes's you will get.
Finding an area where the last window cleaner has retired would be great i guess or buying working is another easier route in.

Go out canvassing and do the work in your spare time or after work and see what the demand is around you and then you will know if its worth you packing in you job for it

[Johnny B]

Hi.

Anyone will tell you it's a numbers game. You will need to make yourself known where you are looking to set up. To do this you will need to canvass, either by knocking doors, leaflet drops or a combination of both.

Anyone who says it is easy is dilusional. It is hard going, and requires patience, persistence and a strong determination to succeed. If you are self-motivated to do all the above, you will succeed. Even so, expect it to take at least 2 years to get established, but once you have you will find that work will come your way more readily.

Working weekends and afternoons shouldn't be a problem.

Best wishes,
John





 

[John F]

Hi.

Anyone will tell you it's a numbers game. You will need to make yourself known where you are looking to set up. To do this you will need to canvass, either by knocking doors, leaflet drops or a combination of both.

Anyone who says it is easy is dilusional. It is hard going, and requires patience, persistence and a strong determination to succeed. If you are self-motivated to do all the above, you will succeed. Even so, expect it to take at least 2 years to get established, but once you have you will find that work will come your way more readily.

Working weekends and afternoons shouldn't be a problem.

Best wishes,
John

this bloke knows what he is talking about. he moved to ireland from uk and is starting from scratch. by the way, learn to handle rejection. its part of the door knocking game. if you cant take doorstep rejection then you have to rely on leaflets. you get more quality customers from leaflet drops but it takes a hell of a lot longer to build a round.

people who have big rounds are the ones who go out building their round when all the other guys are watching big brother or corrie. those with successful businesses put in a lot of work to get to the stage they are at.

as johnny said. if anyone tells you its easy then they are talking out of the top of their heads.

[ringo1968]

Great answers chaps. As we head into spring i think will be a good time to get knocking!!!

[GDwindowcleaning]

Now is a good time to start, I have been knocking for a few weeks now and always done well. Dont put it off just crack on and by spring you will be further down the road....

[sean84]

Yes, it is hard going! Im in a similar position to the OP but started leaflet dropping 2 weeks ago. I have done a total of 6 hours when I started but got knocked back on confidence as out of the 6 responses I got, 3 of them I could only quote as I dont have a WFP system and couldnt reach windows off the ladders. Now im just going to wait till I have WFP and start canvassing properly (knocking doors) and will feel a lot better as will have proper equipment. At least I have 3 monthly customers now and 3 on hold, which is better than nothing, its a start and can always build on what I have. Cant wait to go wfp now will be sorting it out in a few weeks  

[rscleaningservices]

takes years to get a good round try buying a small one and building onto it !!!!!!!!!

[Helen]

Hey Ringo!!!!!
Don't hang around and miss another spring, get cleaning!

[sean84]

takes years to get a good round try buying a small one and building onto it !!!!!!!!!

Definately the way forward, quite rare to find work for sale in your specific area though.

[Ian101]

Hi Ringo ... I remember you from about 18 months ago when I was first starting out.

If your prepared to knock and go knocking every weekend and evening for about 3 months solid then you should get about 100 customers in that time.

Along way maybe buy a small round to get you up to about 150 customers ... canvass somemore ... and at about 200 ish customers they all of a sudden start coming to you.

Good luck mate and dont waste another 18 months 

[ringo1968]

Hi Ringo ... I remember you from about 18 months ago when I was first starting out.

If your prepared to knock and go knocking every weekend and evening for about 3 months solid then you should get about 100 customers in that time.

Along way maybe buy a small round to get you up to about 150 customers ... canvass somemore ... and at about 200 ish customers they all of a sudden start coming to you.

Good luck mate and dont waste another 18 months 

   I didn't have the money back then for all the equipment I needed. Getting there now. Not many places near me sell decent stuff like squeegees as well!!!

[bobby p]

dont delay or doubts will creep in. also dont listen to "advice" from  family or friends ,theyll often mock your attempts so get them to shut up is a tip from my experience

[windiewasher]

get some leaflets done,have your whole area leafleted and then start canvassing,gets you noticed and your name in peoples heads!
 Then knock doors,make sure you know what prices your charging,be firm with your prices.
 When your out quoting/door knocking let the future customer believe you are giving them something extra.ie. your cleaning all there frames sills and doors.
 Its hard going like Ian says but when you get busier work will find its way to you.
 Get a signwritten van as that will get you a lot of work too.
 I have been at it for 18 months and really enjoy it!

[Dane]

buying a round would of been great if i had the money... started from scratch in march and if i have another year like last i'll be more then happy!! start canvessing on monday hopefully get done by june!

good luck 

[ringo1968]

Apparently quite a few areas in my hometown have had several different leaflets pushed through for window cleaning. Must be loads of people trying to do it!!!

[dazmond]

ringo your being defeatist before you ve even started!!you have to canvass as much as possible.only leaflet the ones who are out then go back another time and knock again.

its hard work but its a numbers game.canvass 3 or 4 times every week for 6 months and you ll have some work to build on.

[Ian101]

Daz is correct many of my customers that I got by canvassing had leaflets before I knocked but they preferred to see the person whom they be letting onto their property.