[Inskip1991]

I am going to start up my own trad window cleaning business as I want the freedom of working for myself and not being someone else s work-monkey, got experience, know how the business works etc but there is one thing holding me back.... money!

So do you guys think I should save up for a year or 2 before I start or go to the bank and get a loan (small one mind you) and just go for it, I will be door-knocking myself as this will be where I save the most money.

Any suggestions appreciated?

[William McCafferty]

If you are going Trad how much money do you need?

[colin purewater]

£150 should see to  basic trad gear,
Start weekends and go from there.

No need to wait

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

My guess is he wants to have money put aside to live on while he builds his business?

Is it faesable to start canvassing and work weekends until you have enough work to justify quitting your own job ?

[Inskip1991]

Thanks for the replies, I had budgeted more than £150 for the gear but still cheap! As for canvassing and starting weekends I had not thought about that, however, sometimes my current employer requires me to work weekends as and when so not sure how that could work out.

I feel like I want to go out canvassing every day until I had enough work which I am confident I could do, but want a money cushion if you see where i'm coming from.

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

I see exactly where your coming from mate. I had the same predicament. However I ended up being paid off, so started then whwn I had nothing to lose. Go for it mate and if asked to work weekend, say sorry I cant....  If it aint in your works contract, then you aint gotta do it

[William McCafferty]

The chances are that all the banks will refuse you a loan for starting up a business unless you have something to offset the loan against, like your house.

Advise your employer that you cannot do weekends anymore because of family commitments and start filling these 2 days up with work, this will give you a start.

The other way is, do you have credit cards, if not get a couple with 0% for 12 months, this you can use to help keep you afloat until the business takes off.

You then need to canvass every night for at least 3 months before you are in the clear

[William McCafferty]

you haven't explained your personel circumstances, for instance are you married or single, do you live at home, can you get working tax credits etc

also have you thought of getting a part time job or jobs in the evenings like bar work which will give you a wage until the business starts to earn money

[james peters]

you haven't explained your personel circumstances, for instance are you married or single, do you live at home, can you get working tax credits etc

also have you thought of getting a part time job or jobs in the evenings like bar work which will give you a wage until the business starts to earn money

good post...
I would see what tax credits you can get and then work around that....
but  for the first few months set your heart on working like crazy..... when you have a nice round , it can be nice family hours!!! getting to that stage takes a lot...A LOT of work

[Johnny B]

You can start up trad from around £200.

As said, unless it is in your contract that you may have to work weekends, your time is your own, and this would be a good time to set aside for cleaning the houses you pick up. It is also a time when many people are off work as well so you are more likely to be seen and asked to do theirs.

Do you have time available during the week, ie evenings, for canvassing? Also, have you done window cleaning before? I'm not trying to be patronising, it's just that it would be good to practise on your own and family's windows to build your confidence.

Best wishes,
John

[Inskip1991]

Thanks for all the replies guys I've missed out a lot of info lol!

As for my circumstances, no children or partner, live at home with my mum as I am only 21 but been window cleaning since I left school so obv nothing new to learn there and no big financial risks.

I managed to get a loan in the past with no problem so I think this would not be a problem, I am thinking of getting a 6 month repayment holiday as well which will give me the chance to build the business in this time before I start paying it back.

[Inskip1991]

You can start up trad from around £200.

As said, unless it is in your contract that you may have to work weekends, your time is your own, and this would be a good time to set aside for cleaning the houses you pick up. It is also a time when many people are off work as well so you are more likely to be seen and asked to do theirs.

Do you have time available during the week, ie evenings, for canvassing? Also, have you done window cleaning before? I'm not trying to be patronising, it's just that it would be good to practise on your own and family's windows to build your confidence.

Best wishes,
John

My contract says I have to work every other Saturday but I have not done one yet, it's more as and when. Yes I have been window cleaning for a good few years now so i'd say I have the hang of it haha! I have got time in the evenings to canvass yes.

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

Not that I reccomend loans or credit cards mate, but if you goto the bank, and are already in solid employment, im sure if you ask for a loan, and tell them its for a new car etc..  Then youl be fine?

But do try & build up a customer base on the weekends before you go for it

[Inskip1991]

Not that I reccomend loans or credit cards mate, but if you goto the bank, and are already in solid employment, im sure if you ask for a loan, and tell them its for a new car etc..  Then youl be fine?

But do try & build up a customer base on the weekends before you go for it

Yes that's what I was thinking but the only problem is if for example I got 2 custies one Saturday, I wouldn't be able to tell them how long it will be before I can clean it if I haven't got all the gear ready in place.

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

What region of these delightful isles do you reside mate?

[Inskip1991]

Bedfordshire/ Hertfordshire mate

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

Bit far from me mate, otherwise would of sorted you out with some gear to get you started

[Inskip1991]

Bit far from me mate, otherwise would of sorted you out with some gear to get you started

Cheers mate I appreciate that, not to worry! Anyway, off to bed cleaning a showroom in watford early doors tomo!

Will keep you updated on progress of my own start-up

[colley614]

You have basically just re posted my post from before Christmas. At the beginning of May I just handed my notice in and went for it. I bought van £1400, water fed pole system £500 (but I already had filters,poles,static tank, just needed pump tank for van and connections. Then trad gear I spent £400 on ladders (trademans ladders and A frame ladder) Then about £100 on a bucket.

I'm in week 3 now and I've got about £300 a month in work so I'm currently canvassing £100 a week in new work. If you can, I'd say buy what you need then go for it. I was thinking of starting weekends but my boss used to spring weekend work on a Friday afternoon and if he found out I had my own work I'd have been P45'd. Trust me looking over the cliff edge is scary but once you leap its incredible!

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

Then about £100 on a bucket.

Bloody hell m8 how bigs the bucket