[james peters]

hi
so we all know the weather has been a little crazy this year.... I havn't lost a day to rain yet, and I always work to my schedule.....
admitedly...I have finished a little earlier than I would normally , but that is normally because I have been soaked through
1stly I am too busy to let rain stop play, but also I ned the money
I do get comments from customers from time to time but I never react...... I feel that a reaction just tries to prove justification , when I know there is no need for one...
I have done many new cleans in the rain....if they ask, I just say it makes no difference with wfp....
I dont feel the need to justify it...as by just saying it makes no difference shows I am confident in my service.
anyhow.....just thought I wouls share this

[paul marshall]

im the same james ,if asked i sayim using water so rain makes no diffrence

[Window Washers]

hi
so we all know the weather has been a little crazy this year.... I havn't lost a day to rain yet, and I always work to my schedule.....
admitedly...I have finished a little earlier than I would normally , but that is normally because I have been soaked through
1stly I am too busy to let rain stop play, but also I ned the money
I do get comments from customers from time to time but I never react...... I feel that a reaction just tries to prove justification , when I know there is no need for one...
I have done many new cleans in the rain....if they ask, I just say it makes no difference with wfp....
I dont feel the need to justify it...as by just saying it makes no difference shows I am confident in my service.
anyhow.....just thought I wouls share this

I agree with working in the rain and you don't need to justify it, but explaining WHY it makes no difference is needed sometimes. Confidence doing it is key, but just that one liner is imo not enough sometimes, explain it right and they will stay longer, just say it makes no difference is a lazy way which can lose customers that if educated correctly would stay.

[mr smear]

I'm going to work in the rain from now on. As it seems impossible to run a business if you have lots of void days. Thanks for the post.And if i LOSE A FEW it may be for the best if they stop you working fot the whole day.

[Carl2009]

I don't work in anything heavier than light rain. The reason for this is:

1. I can afford not to, so I guess i'm luckier than most.
2. I price higher than most other WC's. I learnt NOT to under-price at the BWCA training course I did. It was the only worthwhile thing I learnt I think.
3. I leave free days in the month so I can catch up if it's pouring.
4. I don't like working in the rain; it makes me miserable and I feel a pratt.
5. Most importantly, i'm in the customer satisfaction business, not the window cleaning business. Even if people don't say anything many don't like you cleaning in the rain and begrudge paying for a service they see as a waste of money. I take the position that I want people to be delighted with me appearing when I do.

Rain can in some circumstances make windows dirty - if you live by a moderately busy road the microscopic dirt in the spray makes the windows dirty - apparent when they dry. Similarly if it rains just after there is dust in the upper atmosphere following a south wind cars and windows can be left dirty.

Price your work so you don't need to work in the rain is my advice.

[james peters]

I don't work in anything heavier than light rain. The reason for this is:

1. I can afford not to, so I guess i'm luckier than most.
2. I price higher than most other WC's. I learnt NOT to under-price at the BWCA training course I did. It was the only worthwhile thing I learnt I think.
3. I leave free days in the month so I can catch up if it's pouring.
4. I don't like working in the rain; it makes me miserable and I feel a pratt.
5. Most importantly, i'm in the customer satisfaction business, not the window cleaning business. Even if people don't say anything many don't like you cleaning in the rain and begrudge paying for a service they see as a waste of money. I take the position that I want people to be delighted with me appearing when I do.

Rain can in some circumstances make windows dirty - if you live by a moderately busy road the microscopic dirt in the spray makes the windows dirty - apparent when they dry. Similarly if it rains just after there is dust in the upper atmosphere following a south wind cars and windows can be left dirty.

Price your work so you don't need to work in the rain is my advice.

I see the dragon.....you live in wales?   
I understand your reasoning, all valid points, and yes you are lucky that you can afford not to
but this must mean you only work a 3 day week as its always tipping down here in wales

[Window Washers]

I don't work in anything heavier than light rain. The reason for this is:

1. I can afford not to, so I guess i'm luckier than most.
2. I price higher than most other WC's. I learnt NOT to under-price at the BWCA training course I did. It was the only worthwhile thing I learnt I think.
3. I leave free days in the month so I can catch up if it's pouring.
4. I don't like working in the rain; it makes me miserable and I feel a pratt.
5. Most importantly, i'm in the customer satisfaction business, not the window cleaning business. Even if people don't say anything many don't like you cleaning in the rain and begrudge paying for a service they see as a waste of money. I take the position that I want people to be delighted with me appearing when I do.

Rain can in some circumstances make windows dirty - if you live by a moderately busy road the microscopic dirt in the spray makes the windows dirty - apparent when they dry. Similarly if it rains just after there is dust in the upper atmosphere following a south wind cars and windows can be left dirty.

Price your work so you don't need to work in the rain is my advice.

I hope all take your advice, in a few years time I would like to see if this is still the case, I do not want free days, thatrs what weekends are there for.
least your honest and say you dont like it, just not all think like you, which I am very pleased to say as would have lost quite a few days of work each month had I am not wanted to get wet. I don't have to work in the rain I choose too.

[Carl2009]

Yep, sounds good to me!

Wish it were true. I have no kids so can work Saturdays if need be. Also, I haven't taken a holiday since I started in April 2009 - my wet days are my holidays. Saying that I don't feel like I need one - i'm home by 4pm most days with an 8:30 start; today I was home by 3pm.

But you are right, we get a hell of a lot of rain here! Tomorrow is looking bleak!

[Carl2009]

I'm not so young as I was, but not old at 48. I do feel the aches and strains though after doing some jobs. The work is physical and I want to carry on for years - well on into my 60's. Financially i'm not minted, but i'm not skint either - for me it's about quality of life.

I could work every day there is, earn loads and retire at 55, but I don't want to. I enjoy the work and the money is as good as I was earning in the SE of England, yet far fewer hours and zero stress. I'd rather poodle along earning a damn good living well into my sixties as I say. Slowly slowly catchee monkey...

[james peters]

Yep, sounds good to me!

Wish it were true. I have no kids so can work Saturdays if need be. Also, I haven't taken a holiday since I started in April 2009 - my wet days are my holidays. Saying that I don't feel like I need one - i'm home by 4pm most days with an 8:30 start; today I was home by 3pm.

But you are right, we get a hell of a lot of rain here! Tomorrow is looking bleak!

hi carl....
yes more rain tomorrow...... I also work some saturdays even when I have worked everyday....
I have 3 kids and a big mortgage, but hey that was my choice so I suppose its my fault that I need to work in the rain
however because I have children this job gives me freedom to be with them after school.... and so I work everyday , but I start at 8-8.30 and finish by 1.30-2.00pm......
I get an hour peace before I pick the kids up from school
but also I have a full round that is kept up to date, and carefully worked out ...... so my method of working needs to be consistent.....
my mortgage is going down next month by aprox £500 so this will give me a bit of  a choice as to whether I will plod on in all weathers......but I think I will carry on the way I am

[dazmond]

Ive had a stinking cold for a couple of days and i went out in POURING RAIN today for 5 hours.finished the work i wanted to get done.customers didnt bat an eyelid and just paid up as usual.they are  used to me working in most types of weather as ive been doing this for a few years now.

im having 3 days off now.re scheduled for monday.it was pretty miserable working today but glad i did now.i also hammered it mon,tues,wed when is was dry.

tommorrow it forecast a washout with strong winds here in the north west so having a break.

the trick is not to have a round thats bursting at the seams so you dont have to work flat out all day every day so you have room to chill out and catch up because i tell you if you work flat out every day you ll get really fed up with window cleaning and think about jacking it in!!i know ive been there!!!

best wishes to you all


dazmond

[james peters]

Ive had a stinking cold for a couple of days and i went out in POURING RAIN today for 5 hours.finished the work i wanted to get done.customers didnt bat an eyelid and just paid up as usual.they are  used to me working in most types of weather as ive been doing this for a few years now.

im having 3 days off now.re scheduled for monday.it was pretty miserable working today but glad i did now.i also hammered it mon,tues,wed when is was dry.

tommorrow it forecast a washout with strong winds here in the north west so having a break.

the trick is not to have a round thats bursting at the seams so you dont have to work flat out all day every day so you have room to chill out and catch up because i tell you if you work flat out every day you ll get really fed up with window cleaning and think about jacking it in!!i know ive been there!!!

best wishes to you all


dazmond

tell me about it .....its been 20 yrs for me......thats why I finish by 2 everyday......work hard and be regular.....but have time to play.........like in a porche911 lol  ...glad your still alive

[Carl2009]

Seems we are all sorted in our various ways! Happy days lads. Keep at it and enjoy life.

[Jackal]

bit unhappy with myself 2day went out this morning did 1 house then it rained so sat in van for a while,

then decided go for a drive to my favourite butty shop,bacon egg mushroom bagette 

sat and waited again still crappy weather so went home for a bit,then went out again did another house and weather wasnt much better so home agen 

by half 1 it cleared up but lost interest by this time but do wish id gone out for a few hour now tomorrow is looking even worse,was hopeing to get a few fascia/gutter jobs off my growing list

[martin clarke]

Also soaked on first job of the day, carried on and did next 4 before I felt like I was drowning. Went back out after a bit of lunch and finished off in some sunshine.  just wish I could find some decent waterproofs!

[GB Window Cleaning]

i worked all day yesterday in the rain, as soon has i finished the sun came out 

[Carl2009]

I have to say it's pouring here again and i've used all my spare days up. Maybe i'll have to break my own rule... 

[WGB]

Rains every day in N.Ireland, only difference between summer and winter is rain is wammer in summer. I only stop when it gets heavy!

[Granny]

I don't work in anything heavier than light rain. The reason for this is:

1. I can afford not to, so I guess i'm luckier than most.
2. I price higher than most other WC's. I learnt NOT to under-price at the BWCA training course I did. It was the only worthwhile thing I learnt I think.
3. I leave free days in the month so I can catch up if it's pouring.
4. I don't like working in the rain; it makes me miserable and I feel a pratt.
5. Most importantly, i'm in the customer satisfaction business, not the window cleaning business. Even if people don't say anything many don't like you cleaning in the rain and begrudge paying for a service they see as a waste of money. I take the position that I want people to be delighted with me appearing when I do.

Rain can in some circumstances make windows dirty - if you live by a moderately busy road the microscopic dirt in the spray makes the windows dirty - apparent when they dry. Similarly if it rains just after there is dust in the upper atmosphere following a south wind cars and windows can be left dirty.

Price your work so you don't need to work in the rain is my advice.

Carl2009
I've read on here about a BWCA price guide with pictures of typical properties.  Some say it is unrealistic is this what you use?
I am trying to get the best price but typically it goes something like  "What! How much - I can get another window cleaner to do it for X." or "That's a lot more than the last cleaner / house we had." A 3 Window terrace front quoted £5 "I can get someone to do it for £3 - we settled for £4."
I know some will say Don't do it but when you're starting out It's hard to turn work down even if the price is not great.
Any tips on pricing on what you learned at the BWCA course?
Thanks
Granny

[rah]

I think it's a case of factors,

Intensity

Wind

Direction.

We work in moderate rain, but we also look  at othe factors, H&S for one.

Rob.