[Tom White]

Mark, what's your maximum start up budget?

How long can you live without an income?

Do you have a family who rely on your income for the basic necessities?

You'll get some better, more specific answers if you can answer these.

Also, working outside isn't easy, especially if you're from an office environment.  I did 17 years in the army and assumed window cleaning would be easy.  I was fairly fit and had spent long periods working outside.

I was ready for jacking it all in after a few months; the first few days nearly killed me as well (I started on ladders with next to no training).

People say, "It's only window cleaning", but to make a living out of it isn't as easy as some folk think.

[Mark Eatwell]

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES

Budget wise i reckon i'm lucky enough to be ok to set up and for a while i don't have to be the breadwinner as missus just took a promotion.

I'm happy to start up my own and realise it'll take quite a time to do it with canvassing etc but it would be mine.

 I have not completely dismissed the franchise idea and did go out for a day with one of Ian Lancaster's lads last summer. Honestly though i was attracted by the initial set up help and the fact that i could hit the ground walking but i was worried re the cost of the franchise and subsequent payments that had to be made.

in limbo really at the moment but think it could be a good chance for me to change my life - hopefully for the better and get a decent work / life balance going rather than being one of the zombies on the commute.

[Darranvps]

Mark

Ians way is proven and very cost effective and definately a safe bet................If you dont like it you can always sell it back to Ian/Other in the future.

I started in March 2010 with no work and loads of equipment, we had a good website and started from there. We only clean commercial buildings and specialise in many types of one off cleaning services all over the place.........

the world is your Oyster - take advantage now you are free

[Perfect Windows]

Mark,

Good on you.

Don't underprice; you'll regret it later and resent doing the underpriced jobs.  If you're in a part of the country where people have cash, charge more; they'll pay it.  Customers you gain in winter will stick with you like glue.

Leaflet and canvass together.  Work out what frequencies you're going to offer and stick to them.  Decide now how you're going to get round your customers and how you'll add new ones (much easier than reorganising later).

Get a notebook.  Read through fifty pages of posts on here and make a list of who posts sense.  Go back into the past to find good posters.  Ian Lancaster might be a good start, though he doesn't post too much now.  Then use the search facility to find all their posts and read the lot.  Note what they do and take the best of their ideas.  However, don't be afraid to improve what they are doing if you are sure you know better - that's how people beat the opposition.  Ignore any posts that look like they are just a whinge.  (not just when you start, keep up the habit - people who whine about weather and van problems on here just sap your willpower)

Surround yourself with optimists.

Expect to work twice as hard for everything than you initially expect.

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough.  It's hard work at the start and when you're low on fuel, your morale will drop.  Keep well fuelled by eating and drinking enough.

Finally, the simple bit.  If you keep on turning up and you keep on getting their windows clean, you'll not lose many customers and they'll recommend you to everyone they meet.

Vin

[Mark Eatwell]

my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .

i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.

i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research

thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.

good luck to you all.

all the best
Mark

[Halfadaylee]

my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .

i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.

i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research

thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.

good luck to you all.




all the best
Mark

Hey Mark,
If you read every one of perfect windows back posts you will not go far wrong.
For the time this guy has been in the industry, it shows just what can be done with the right attitude and commitment.
Shame he's a numpty though.
Art

[Mark Eatwell]

cheers mate -

we are all numpties though so the women say !!!!!

[mgba_78]

When you start cleaning, make sure you're eating enough. 

Yeah i start eating at 8am and dont stop till 5pm 

[robertphil]

add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .    

 most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders  and i recommend it as a way of life

Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip

[johnwillan]

Hi Mark

Decisions, decisions, if you fancy a chat re on your own, franchising, change of lifestyle, feel free to give me a call number's on the website.

What ever you decide I wish you all the best.

John

[Halfadaylee]

add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .    

 most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders  and i recommend it as a way of life

Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip

Welcome to 1970  

[mgba_78]

Before you do anything about kit what i would do personally is canvass like a loon for maybe 2/3 weeks.
Just say to people you are expanding or have relocated. Give them all your details and say you will be round to clean at your preferred start date. (dont leave too long though)

Get some quality flyers made up, a work top with details printed on and a map.

The quickest way to build a round will be door knocking!
Although we have found this not to be the best work it fill days easy and as you are starting out you have quite a few to fill  

To start with you will have work dotted all over and maybe none next door to each other. Dont worry just keep at it and IT WILL COME!

To build a round could take any amount of time, all depends what you put in to get the customers.
I'd say after year 1 you should be in a nice position, as long as you work at it.

Also go WFP from day 1. Its safer and more efficient. We done 7 years trad and wished we'd done it way way sooner.
Although WFP as you know has the initial higher outlay of the kit, it is way worth it!
If you need to start on a budget ladders are an option but if you can go WFP.

Just keep at it there are plenty of houses and people who want window cleaners, you just gotta find um!

good Luck  

Andy

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .    

 most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders  and i recommend it as a way of life

Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip

Welcome to 1970  

Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.

[robertphil]

add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .    

 most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders  and i recommend it as a way of life

Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip

Welcome to 1970  

Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.

i betcha a million dollars on that .   its funny that as soon as a trad guy gives his opinion on being a window cleaner  the trad way theres a wfpoler trying to shoot him down.  and its not about money either,when i started up as a windie about 5 yrs ago now i had enough cash to buy wfp gear 20 times over but it just wasnt my style -each to their own !

[Dani J]

my god you lot are a nicer bunch that what i've been used to over the last 20 yrs - thank you all .

i am drawn to the open air, freedom, and option to see my 3 kids when i can - my dad cannot remember me growing up and i don't want that.

i am prepared to work hard and really think this is a good option. i'll go away now and do some research

thank you all once again . keep warm and let's hope the weather picks up soon.

good luck to you all.




all the best

Mark

You welcome 

[Mark Eatwell]

tks a lot  mgba_78 and all of you

[johnny bravo]

i take it from your profile your in london,   should be able to get some free training off someone on here. if not   look up window cleaners on web,   ask them for a free days work to gain experience.,    been at it on and off for 25 years,  ready to pack in a 6 months ago fed up,  but gritted my teeth,  went out serious  canvassing , first time for 25 years,  picked up solid work out of my town in the country viliages,  love going out there now,  especially now good weather is on its way.  heaven.   best part of job.    cant wait to wear my budgie smugglers ,  the ladies love it.   LOL.
gET SOME free experience before spending your savings.  if you have transport you are already to start.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

Easy to start
If u need traing try the
Window cleaning college

[Perfect Windows]

Shame he's a numpty though.
Art

Oi!

[Halfadaylee]

add my tenpenneth- just buy ladders and start slowly without frittering money away on gear you might get rooked ,you will get work on ladders fairly easily and get fit as a fiddle to boot .    

 most on the forum are wfp but out on the street the Majority of windies are still on ladders  and i recommend it as a way of life

Dont do too much reading but do start as soon as you possibly can is my tip

Welcome to 1970  

Majority of window cleaners are certainly not still on ladders, thats for sure.

i betcha a million dollars on that .   its funny that as soon as a trad guy gives his opinion on being a window cleaner  the trad way theres a wfpoler trying to shoot him down.  and its not about money either,when i started up as a windie about 5 yrs ago now i had enough cash to buy wfp gear 20 times over but it just wasnt my style -each to their own !

Fair point and I apologise if my 1970 comment to too flippant.
After I working off ladders for 6 years I went wfp. I just don't think to recommend starting trad, although all window cleaners should be able to trad.
He has many choices, but the best advice would be to work a couple of days with different guys using each method
Art