[Carl2009]

I finished 2012 with the most ever custies I've ever had. Even with those custies I've gained through 2013 I finish 7% (in size of customer base) down on 2012.

A quick look through the "reason for loss" column shows that the most common reason for the loss of business is the recession - they just can't afford a WC. Next it's a tie between those I've dumped as they were messers (I had a long overdue cull) and those that have moved house; I've lost 4 to the grim reaper. Of the ones that have moved there are only 2 or 3 I'd want to take on again and I've got to visit them yet as they've only just moved. The housing market is definitely improving.

The average value of a clean has moved up by just under 5%. Projected annual turnover for 2014 is down by 2% on that projected this time last year for 2013. This is a lower drop than it would otherwise have been as I put my prices up in Jan 2013.

All in all I'm not too worried. The cost of living crisis is just that for many people here in what is a deprived part of the country. The recession was slow to arrive here and it's going to be slow to leave. The number of threads on here from windies talking about doorstep canxs and losing custies shows that people are still struggling; we have to accept that for many we provide a luxury service.

I'm happy to have culled a lot of messers as they waste my time and cost me money. I have a good solid core of customers who have even put up with me cleaning in what has this last week be decidedly dodgy weather - had a window cleaner tuned up to do my windows I've have sent him on my way.

Nevertheless I can see that for the first time in 5 years I might have to do a little canvassing - I am certainly not complacent.

How has your year been?

[PoleKing]

Long & short.
Fantastic!
Picked up far too much work, so now in a position to cherry pick where I'll be going in the new year.
Best year turnover wise ever.
And best month (August) ever.
Made loads more $. Spent it.
Happy days.

[H20cleaning]

Has anyone ever made i loss each year window cleaning? If so i have never heard about it  usually you loose a job and gain 2 newbys thats how it works lol

[PoleKing]

Has anyone ever made i loss each year window cleaning? If so i have never heard about it  usually you loose a job and gain 2 newbys thats how it works lol

I know people who've made a loss year on year but they've planned to.
Don't know any proper workers who are down though.

[dazmond]

over 12 grand up on 4 years ago.

a steady 3 grand a year rise year on year.

i didnt put any prices up this year either apart from one or two!

i project next years earnings will be another 3 grand extra at least maybe 4.


im happy with that considering the recession.

i also have a week off most months and finish at 4pm most days.sometimes earlier.

[Carl2009]

Obviously what is forecast as revenue for the coming year and what I actually take are 2 different things. I'm actually £2k up on this time last year, but that's not hard because much of last year was a washout; i've also had a long weekend in Florence and a week at the Sensatori Tenerife in Nov so have had a bit of time off this year compared with previous years!

I'll probably end up around £3k up I think; I always pick up work when the New Year rolls in, from Feb usually. I don't want too much really - 20 or 30 custies would be good. Like Dazmond I like the early finishes (around 14:30 for me most days, I've burnt through most of my 500l of pure by then anyway) and I don't work days that are anything more than light rain. I do work Saturdays though (mainly because my wife does).

My year end is 5th April, so plenty of time to get the custie numbers up - I should never have taken on those messers I have just binned off. I much prefer the recommended custies and those that approach you - even though the messers approached me! I've also got this thing about advertising - I don't do it (save the website I have) - i've only spent a tenner on advertising since I started and it's sort of a thing with me - I refuse to do it.

[kempy]

I've still got about 10 full days to do in about 3 available .

So I guess I've got the work , need better paid and be more business minded and sort it all out

[PoleKing]

Obviously what is forecast as revenue for the coming year and what I actually take are 2 different things. I'm actually £2k up on this time last year, but that's not hard because much of last year was a washout; i've also had a long weekend in Florence and a week at the Sensatori Tenerife in Nov so have had a bit of time off this year compared with previous years!

I'll probably end up around £3k up I think; I always pick up work when the New Year rolls in, from Feb usually. I don't want too much really - 20 or 30 custies would be good. Like Dazmond I like the early finishes (around 14:30 for me most days, I've burnt through most of my 500l of pure by then anyway) and I don't work days that are anything more than light rain. I do work Saturdays though (mainly because my wife does).

My year end is 5th April, so plenty of time to get the custie numbers up - I should never have taken on those messers I have just binned off. I much prefer the recommended custies and those that approach you - even though the messers approached me! I've also got this thing about advertising - I don't do it (save the website I have) - i've only spent a tenner on advertising since I started and it's sort of a thing with me - I refuse to do it.

I spent £120 on a parish mag this year.
First job-£200 gutter clean. 1/2 days work.
Chuck a couple if hundred quid at ads-you never know...

[Carl2009]

Obviously what is forecast as revenue for the coming year and what I actually take are 2 different things. I'm actually £2k up on this time last year, but that's not hard because much of last year was a washout; i've also had a long weekend in Florence and a week at the Sensatori Tenerife in Nov so have had a bit of time off this year compared with previous years!

I'll probably end up around £3k up I think; I always pick up work when the New Year rolls in, from Feb usually. I don't want too much really - 20 or 30 custies would be good. Like Dazmond I like the early finishes (around 14:30 for me most days, I've burnt through most of my 500l of pure by then anyway) and I don't work days that are anything more than light rain. I do work Saturdays though (mainly because my wife does).

My year end is 5th April, so plenty of time to get the custie numbers up - I should never have taken on those messers I have just binned off. I much prefer the recommended custies and those that approach you - even though the messers approached me! I've also got this thing about advertising - I don't do it (save the website I have) - i've only spent a tenner on advertising since I started and it's sort of a thing with me - I refuse to do it.

I spent £120 on a parish mag this year.
First job-£200 gutter clean. 1/2 days work.
Chuck a couple if hundred quid at ads-you never know...

The tenner I spent was a local parish mag and I got one regular monthly  job from it. Sadly now deceased. TBH i'd rather spend time canvassing - this costs me nothing except time, and I've plenty of that. Good to get your feedback though.

[trippyboy]

£1,300 up on last year,not brilliant but its an increase in troubled times 

[Archer]

About £80k+ up on last year (regular work), and never do one offs,builders cleans,enter tender process,undercut, or go knocking and even refuse work.

Its out there - if you want it !!!!

Just keep doing a good job

[roundbuilder]

You must have a serious business there.
Hat off to you.

[DG Cleaning]

What time do you start to get through 500 litres by 2.30?

[Archer]

Thanks Mick Kent,

[Carl2009]

What time do you start to get through 500 litres by 2.30?

I usually start at around 08:45. I don't take breaks as such - I just push on through. I have my digital flow controller set at around 55. By the time I'm done I've probably got 100 litres left.

[DG Cleaning]

Surprised you use so much if I do 6 hours I'll use less than 350 litres with no controller.

[Jonny 87]

Surprised you use so much if I do 6 hours I'll use less than 350 litres with no controller.

Your pressure must be quite low?

I have my flow controller on about half way, and if I'm just doing the upstairs windows of domestic by WFP then on a full day I use about 300-350 litres.

[bobplum]

About £80k+ up on last year (regular work), and never do one offs,builders cleans,enter tender process,undercut, or go knocking and even refuse work.

Its out there - if you want it !!!!

Just keep doing a good job

windows only?

[windowswashed]

A handful sadly passed away. Quite a few moved. Picked up half of those who approached me as not looking for hassle work. lost probably 30 customers and gained about 20 ish. About 30 customers I never quoted as too far out of my way or got the impression they were time wasters wanting one offs. Taken more time off this year, cleaned less houses but taken on bigger jobs for higher prices so a little bit up on normal years.

[AuRavelling79]

I've closed my books for December although had it been a normal month and I didn't want time off I could have squeezed an extra £1000/1500 in depending on weather. That will shunt over into January now.

Anyway in the 9 months to the end of December (year end March 31st) I am up a little on last year with no canvassing effort whatsoever. That in turn was a tidy sum up on the previous year.

But because I have dropped some messers I am working less on the tools to achieve that sum.