[JamesFirth]

Hi guys! It's my first time on the forum and I thought I would use the opportunity to introduce myself. My names james I'm 23 years old and live in Wakefield West Yorkshire. I am currently and events manager working for minimum wage in a small banqueting and conference centre and I'm utterly miserable. I want to be out there doing something for myself earning good money. My brother in law is a window cleaner and makes a very comfortable living and tells of how he loves the job. My son was born November last year with Down syndrome and heart defects and I want the very best for him and 3 days working for minimum wage is not enough but i need a little help and inspiration to hold my nose in take the plunge! Thanks for reading guys  iv read through a few threads and you seem a friendly lot 

[sunshine windies]

Best of luck mate head down and keep going sounds like you have plenty of motivation so I'm sure you'll do great 😀

[bobplum]

go out with the brother in law and learn

[mlscontractcleaner]

There's no easy route to a decent living mate; my advice would be to get out knocking doors in the evenings and clean them the following day. It's hard work but in time you'll have a full month's work each month. Don't go down the route of buying a round as it's too risky.

Failing that undercut your brother and take all of his customers haha!!!

[trippyboy]

Hi James welcome onboard mate.
You will get good advice on here, I wouldn't be where iam now if it wasn't for the help of the guys on here.
Hope all goes well for you
trippy

[JamesFirth]

Thanks guys! I wernt sure if anyone was even going to respond!  I'm going to begin canvassing next week... Slightly nerve wracking but a needs must. The good part is I live on and street of belive it or not 150 terrest houses and I've not seen a window cleaner once 

[JamesFirth]

Sorry about any typos and errors aswell guys my mobile has seen better days

[duncan h]

Welcome and good luck mate.
ANOTHER FROM WAKEFIELD!!!!!

[colin bird]

Hi guys! It's my first time on the forum and I thought I would use the opportunity to introduce myself. My names james I'm 23 years old and live in Wakefield West Yorkshire. I am currently and events manager working for minimum wage in a small banqueting and conference centre and I'm utterly miserable. I want to be out there doing something for myself earning good money. My brother in law is a window cleaner and makes a very comfortable living and tells of how he loves the job. My son was born November last year with Down syndrome and heart defects and I want the very best for him and 3 days working for minimum wage is not enough but i need a little help and inspiration to hold my nose in take the plunge! Thanks for reading guys  iv read through a few threads and you seem a friendly lot 

Good luck mate I've also had lots of good advice from here,but at the end of the day it's down to you,it's hard work,building a good round,In my opinion the best way to do this is canvassing,but others get good results by dropping leaflets.
Whatever you choose to do just keep doing it and don't give up,you will get there in the end

[Matt.]

Hello James, welcome to the forum mate,

First mate, defo go out with bro in law learn how to clean windows before you take the leap. I can understand 3 days on min pay isn't going to look after your family, but getting your street with that many houses in would for sure.

Best of luck with getting started and just being a dad makes you want to go to work so should be all good there.

Are you looking to work traditional or wfp, if I was starting out on domestics I would go right to the wfp. IMO

Good luck
Matt

[FRESHER]

Good luck mate, keep us posted with your progress! 

[RO-Sheen]

Mate, So many times I have wished I started my biz when I was early 20's instead of leaving it until I was 35. I have just celebrated my business' 9th birthday on Saturday and it was the best decision I ever made.
As someone said earlier, get out and canvass and dont buy a round. before I started my biz my wife and I used to put £850 each into our joint account to pay for mortgage, bills, food, holiday fund etc etc so when I started my biz I knew that I needed to find that much regular work per month. I was out every night and got that figure by the end of the second month of canvassing. It was such a relief!

Another thing I did was I went out with other window cleaners to work free of charge just so I can gain experience. Two WFP guys and one trad. Found that very valuable.

Finally, keep every single receipt when you buy work stuff whether its uniform, shoes, to tools, van.

Best of luck and always ask on here if you are unsure of anything and best of luck to you and your family. Your boy is very lucky to have such a caring and responsible Dad.

[Dave Willis]

Go trad - it's far quicker.

[JamesFirth]

Thanks so much guys your support is really what I needed as that kick and I was going to go straight wfp as my preference but after reading on i see there is pros and cons to both wfp and trad but looking at start ups now a days it seems wfp is the way forward (no offence intended to experience trad cleaners ) I will keep all updated and iv just to remember "if you really really want something you'll find a way, if you don't you'll find an excuse"

[kempy]

I James , I'm from wakefied , clean Thornes , Outwood , centre , sandal and Normanton . And a few other areas .

The terraced houses near you would be a great start .

As Dave Willis stated , start trad for 6 months and build up the customer base , and monies .

Then go for Wfp .

I'm always here for help if required as are others on here .
Great way to earmark money and get time for your SON , who needs you

[DG Cleaning]

Hope it goes well for you.
Learn trad (it's a good skill to have) but I'd go wfp straight away if you can afford it.
Ladders can be very dangerous if working on your own at this time of year.
I'm nearby in Barnsley message me if you want any tips on doing wfp on a budget.
Mine cost me a fraction of what some on here have paid.

[paulben]

Good luck agree with DG if you can go wfp asap less wear on knees mine are knackered from climbing ladders

[lal]

go out with the brother in law and learn

 +1

[DeLuce]

Hi James, good luck with your venture.
Defo go out to get the basics with other cleaners, trad and wfp. That's what I did, helps pick up techniques.
Also, set your stall out with regard to payment methods from the off. Don't collect as it's a waste of your time, you don't get paid for that time. Get them used to paying online, or, leave an envelope (no stamp) post cheque. Kindly explain these methods to the customer, make it seem like the norm as all your other customers pay you this way.

[JamesFirth]

Thanks kempy & DG it's much appreciated. The only other concern I have is the amount of cleaners there is in Wakefield, I don't want to be stepping on anybody's toes or struggling for customers. What is your experience on this kempy?