[Scrimble]

currently having 2 vans, ibc in a shed and all equipment kept at home I am considering renting a unit, want to separate work from home,

anyone share some input good or bad? costs isnt low approx £100 per week but is it worth it?

[LWC]

Thats a big expense isnt it? I know what you mean but is it worth it? How much does it cost you running it from home?

Im not saying this in a negative way. I would love one to! But hey it doesnt cost me £100 a week at home 

[WGB]

Have you room to put up decent size shed??

[Clever Forum Name]

I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!

[8weekly]

I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!

At that stage I'm surprised neighbours aren't complaining. Bet they aren't too happy unless the vans are out of sight.

[Clever Forum Name]

I know it's not idea but share with another window cleaner or look around.

I currently have 3 vans outside and most days I wanna scream and one doesn't even move!

At that stage I'm surprised neighbours aren't complaining. Bet they aren't too happy unless the vans are out of sight.

I don't think they would dare

[Inspire Cleaning]

Hi,
If you want to grow your business its the only way to go. You say you have two vans already. Well two vans with full rounds will push you near to the VAT threshold of just over £80k. (Midlands prices )

£100.00 per week is peanuts to pay out. Take a balanced view of advice given on here. There are window cleaners who are happy with a one van operation and there are others who are building a business so they can soak up the sun in later years.

[Scrimble]

inspire i am vat registered, way passed 80k turnover, 2 vans are myself and 1 employee but I plan on growing

think you are right as I am the 2nd window cleaner you described,

am just interested in other windys views on here who have or have had a unit

[richywilts]

when renting a unit think of the other costs involved such as

**business rates
**water rates
**electricity
**security
**deposit
**terms of lease
**service charge
**building insurance
**contents insurance
**phone
**broadband

they all mount up so dont make the decision lightly i agree if you want to build a business not run it like a job you should ideally have a business premises, but ive been stung in the past just make sure you make the right choice on size etc, consider who uses the units nearby as a lot are occupied by noisy garages etc

[deeege]

Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 

[richywilts]

Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 

haha 

[Dean Taberner]

I've got a lock up with an office attached to it which costs me £300 a month,

The broadband is £10 a month and we haven't spent £20 in electric since we moved in 3 months, electric is paid for by the means of an electric card.

The office came fully furnished with office furniture and has heating/air conditioning,

We have no contract on the office and can leave whenever we wish, like wise they could move us on I suppose.

The massive plus point to this is we've got our home life back as the business had taken over our house.

[Richard Neal]

If I was running 2 vans,over the vat threshhold and making a good profit I would definately want a unit with soace to park up at least one van.

[Tony dunmall]

I rent a space/ old diary unit, of local farmer it's clean I've got water, power and can park vehicles the post code actually lowers by insurance cost as it comes up as secure parking, no there's no cows in there now


costs £60 per month no rates

Water and electric on top that I currently sell water to 8 other window cleaners on total 10 of us use the water 

Car parking is £20:00 per month

It's not glamorous, just on edge village but 5 mins from house but if you look around you can find these places

[Neil Gornall]

Try contacting your local council.
We rent one from ours, no contracts and very reasonable costs. 600sq ft  for £3100 pa.
Our local govt offer rate exemption if its your only unit and its under a certain size. So that saves me £1200pa.

[sunshine windows]

Here's a thought for you if at all possible.

Find a suitable property that you could rent out to a tenant, but use the garage space for your business needs. 

You'll practically have a base for your business rent free

[Smudger]

We have 3 vans and got a unit ( from the council ) as parking would have been really problematic yes it costs around £550 per month but all the vans are locked up inside every night and I don't have to worry about frost protection during the winter months
All water is produced down there, generators, pressure washers are all safely stored as well.

Depending on the size of the biz you should be exempt from rates.

Also it's a great ad - we are on a busy ( for norfolk villages ) road and the sign is easily seen by passing traffic.

It's a big step, but well worth taking

Darran

[Scrimble]

contacted the local council and they dont do units anymore

[Stephen.C]

Ritchy you forgot one expense.....

** comfy office chair

 

haha  when did you get out?

[Bob Stones]

500 a month

7 X 1000 IBC tanks

Space for my 5 vans

Great