[bobplum]

Good Afternoon every one.
I have come over from the dark side(window cleaning section) to gauge responses to the above head line.
I have been window cleaning now for three years and have come to the conclusion i need to supplement my income during the winter periods,mainly because i don't want to work outdoors too much and would rather do a bit more in doors as i am now 50.
so the questions are.

Equipment wise,can you lease,hire or best to buy and what would i need(just basics for now)
Training,is it needed if so were can i go.
Any advice on pricing,and so on.

Many thanks
bob

[Ian Gourlay]

I think you need to think of investing 3k minimum .

This would pay for a secondhand machine and any repairs see World Champion Window Cleaner Terry Burrows continuous problems with machines , could be they are not used enough.

Training and leaflets

[davep]

If carpets are real dirty use your squeegee, if not a sponge should get you by 

[bobplum]

If carpets are real dirty use your squeegee, if not a sponge should get you by 

thanks i was of thinking of using my wfp pole

[bobplum]

I think you need to think of investing 3k minimum .

This would pay for a secondhand machine and any repairs see World Champion Window Cleaner Terry Burrows continuous problems with machines , could be they are not used enough.

Training and leaflets

were can training be found

[Mike Halliday]

carpet cleaning is often seen as an easy add on to many business but its a little bit skilled, so it a bit harder than first thought.

no piont just dipping your toes in for a bit of extra winter income  you need a big cash investment and quite a lot training.

I would look elsewhere for another avenue of income

[Ian101]

Hey Bob .... Think its a great idea .... maybe we could combine our databases and work the hell out of the Chester / North Wales area ... cant be that difficult just need a little set up cash, some proper training and rekon be good to learn another skill alongside the water fed pole.

Anyone on this forum willing to take us out  for a day or 2 ... we like to do this for fellow window cleaners just starting out so rekon all you carpet cleaners are just as helpful and not as stuck up as your made out to be 

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I honestly dont know why CC's who are struggling in these harder economic times, do not start up a window cleaning round alongside their CC operations, 2-3 days of both could give a decent income.

How much is one of those poles, it would take a bit of getting used to but a worthwhile skill.

Cheers

doug

[benny d]

t so rekon all you carpet cleaners are just as helpful and not as stuck up as your made out to be 

Heads down...INCOMING!!! 

[Helen]

Having done both carpet cleaning and window cleaning and run them side by side for many years (with staff on windows), I really cannot see why a window cleaner would "presume" they will pick up carpet cleaning work in the winter, which would bring in more than actually working their existing rounds through the winters months and/or expanding them? Whatever your schedule times on window cleaning, be it monthly 6 weekly bi monthly, this is nice regular income through the winter months (unless of course you are fair weather cleaners ) The time to make your money in window cleaning is from April through to October and then just cruise through the winter months. If you have been successful in doing this already them why not just carry on and expand with what you are good at?

[Griffus]

Good Afternoon every one.
I have come over from the dark side(window cleaning section) to gauge responses to the above head line.
I have been window cleaning now for three years and have come to the conclusion i need to supplement my income during the winter periods,mainly because i don't want to work outdoors too much and would rather do a bit more in doors as i am now 50.
so the questions are.

Equipment wise,can you lease,hire or best to buy and what would i need(just basics for now)
Training,is it needed if so were can i go.
Any advice on pricing,and so on.

Many thanks
bob

If you have a sound Customer Base then that's a starting point.

Training is the next. I'd suggest NCCA.

Before training it would be an idea to go out with a CC. Alternatively, book one to clean your carpets, watch what they do and ask them what they're doing as they go. It will no doubt annoy them but as you're the Custy they're unlikely to tell you to do one.

Once you've been on the job and done the course you'll have a basic understanding of what's required, both in equipment and application.

Can't see it working as a winter add-on though. Jobs will come in as they come.

BTW - What happens to your round through winter, do you just hang up your squeegie?

[Ian101]

Having done both carpet cleaning and window cleaning and run them side by side for many years (with staff on windows), I really cannot see why a window cleaner would "presume" they will pick up carpet cleaning work in the winter, which would bring in more than actually working their existing rounds through the winters months and/or expanding them? Whatever your schedule times on window cleaning, be it monthly 6 weekly bi monthly, this is nice regular income through the winter months (unless of course you are fair weather cleaners ) The time to make your money in window cleaning is from April through to October and then just cruise through the winter months. If you have been successful in doing this already them why not just carry on and expand with what you are good at?

cos Bobs getting on a little these days and wants a nice warm indoor job during winter cos of his joints  

[Ian101]

t so rekon all you carpet cleaners are just as helpful and not as stuck up as your made out to be 

Heads down...INCOMING!!! 

 

[bobplum]

Having done both carpet cleaning and window cleaning and run them side by side for many years (with staff on windows), I really cannot see why a window cleaner would "presume" they will pick up carpet cleaning work in the winter, which would bring in more than actually working their existing rounds through the winters months and/or expanding them? Whatever your schedule times on window cleaning, be it monthly 6 weekly bi monthly, this is nice regular income through the winter months (unless of course you are fair weather cleaners ) The time to make your money in window cleaning is from April through to October and then just cruise through the winter months. If you have been successful in doing this already them why not just carry on and expand with what you are good at?

hi
there would be no "presumption" that i would pick up work,you reap what you sow,but if we had 6-8 weeks of minus weather then i dont earn full stop but if i had marketed the carpet cleaning i just may still be earning in the winter,maybe not as much as the window cleaning and as i mentioned in the first post i feel as i am getting older i would want to move more in doors during the winter

bob

[bobplum]

Hey Bob .... Think its a great idea .... maybe we could combine our databases and work the hell out of the Chester / North Wales area ... cant be that difficult just need a little set up cash, some proper training and rekon be good to learn another skill alongside the water fed pole.

Anyone on this forum willing to take us out  for a day or 2 ... we like to do this for fellow window cleaners just starting out so rekon all you carpet cleaners are just as helpful and not as stuck up as your made out to be 

i knew you'd jump on the bang wagon   THERE'S NO SECRETS ON HERE,WILL CHEW THE FAT WITH YOU ON THIS LATER

[bobplum]

as any one used the "fusion system"

[AshWhite]

Carpet cleaning is like lots of things - you can do it cheap, or do it well.

If you're planning on marketing to your existing customers, it's probably not going to do your relationship any favours if you go in, soak their carpets, fail to remove stains, and charge them £50 for the pleasure.

That said, there's plenty of people making a decent sideline using a £500 machine and a bottle of 1001 - I suppose a lot of it comes down to the customers expectations. They might not expect massive results from their window cleaner moonlighting as a CCer, whereas if they paid full rate from a full time CCer they might want better results.

Just my 2c worth

[bobplum]

ian
do you think if we did marry up we would need to lower our prices to gain a customer base or go in higher

[Craigp]

c/c'ers dont bite its a wind up.

[bobplum]

c/c'ers dont bite its a wind up.

this bit was but i am genuinely thinking of of the carpet part as an extension of the window cleaning so sorry for that bit,this is something i will take time doing and hopefully do it right