[SeanK]

Depends on your attitude. I see a lot of positives in this job. There's a few negatives, however every job has negatives. The positives far outweigh the negatives. By a mile.

That's very true, I think its easy at times to forget this.

[8weekly]

There's a few negatives,

Yeak, customers.   

[SeanK]

There's a few negatives,

Yeak, customers.   

Hoses.

[Walter Mitty]

It makes me smile when builders say something like you should have got a trade lol,I think to myself what and take an over a 100 percent pay cut compared to what you earn you tool.

I think I know what you mean, but a 100%+ pay cut would mean paying someone for the work you do

[NWH]

Go and work for someone doing something else but take your trainers coz you'll be running right back to cleaning windows 100 per cent,i know 1 bloke that has sold his rounds 2-3 times over the years coz he'd had enough winter etc,a year or so later he's back out canvassing trying to get another round together lol

[Walter Mitty]

Go and work for someone doing something else but take your trainers coz you'll be running right back to cleaning windows 100 per cent,i know 1 bloke that has sold his rounds 2-3 times over the years coz he'd had enough winter etc,a year or so later he's back out canvassing trying to get another round together lol

No chance mate.  The relative freedom of window cleaning suits me .  It can get tedious and boring, but I like the flexi-time.

[Tom White]

I've had a perfect job.  In Northern Ireland I was attached to an Intelligence Unit and sent to work in RUC Carrickfergus along side five special branch coppers, who were great fun.

My job was to collect information regarding any terrorist use of weapons (longs and shorts - rifles or handguns).  I had to wear civilian clothing, I was paid a civilian clothing allowance, and I got a 'company car' (a civilian vehicle).

A week after I started the job there was a ceasefire which lasted a long time.  Apart from the odd incident, maybe 30 minutes work, I didn't have a job to do, so I just used to hit the gym, chat up the ladies in the offices, and look good.  I'd start late, finish early, no-one kept an eye on me, and I was usually left alone to do what I want.

That lasted nearly two years.  It was a bit of a shock to the system when I had to go back to the regular 'green army'.

Ditto on the flexibility that window cleaning gives us; I also like the lack of responsibility.  If I make a mistake, no-one dies, there's no law-suits, and the only targets we have to achieve are the ones we set ourself.

[ChumBucket]

Putting the Jam in Jammy Dodgers....... now that's a perfect job!!

[lal]

                                                                   Being your own Boss
           
                                                                    Flexi Hours

                                                                    Not bad money

                                                                   Very little Stress
    The four pointers above says it all for me, i would hate to have to work for someone else again.

[Frankybadboy]

i love my job 

[Pete Thompson]

How can you say window cleaning is as close to a perfect job.... Let alone love it beats me

Yes I know about it's more of a lifestyle that fits around kids etc than working for the man but really don't you find window cleaning a repetitive boring job. Not to mention all the agro that comes with it?

A repetitve boring job? No!  Aggro? No!

It's all about attitude.  This is how I think of it;

I get up in the morning, no boss to get on my nerves or idiot colleagues.  No rush hour traffic to contend with or deadlines.

I get ready, sit eating my brek while staring out of the back patio watching birds fly and listening to the wind rustling the trees.  I already know what work I have that day, so I idly think about the route I'll take.  Usually one of the cats meows to be outside in the fresh air so I let it out and spend the last 5 minutes watching it chase leaves and expertly climb the tree.

Then I do a final check of my gear, make sure my spares box in the van is all ok and (most importantly) I have a good story to listen to (Audible is the greatest thing ever).

Then I get to work.  I always glance in the mirror and look back with a little burst of pride at my house.  MY house.  I bought it with window cleaning money.  Before window cleaning I rented, and I hated it.  Not owning my own home was a constant annoyance and source of stress.  If I hadn't started window cleaning, then probably I'd still be renting.

I drive to the first customer, set up and then I do what can only be described as the easiest, most stress-free job in history.  And I'm in the fresh air, all the time.  The work is not what I'd call physically demanding, but it is the equivalent of light exercise so I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.
 
Sometimes the customer is in, in which case there's a chance for a little chat and some pleasantries, but mostly they are not so I'm left to get on with the work in peace.  After years, I'm expert at doing my particular houses so I get through them fast.  I listen to my stories - science fiction is my favourite - and every hour that passes I mentally tot up how much I have just earned.

And on it goes for the whole day.  Some may think that is boring, but not me.  The worst thing I have to deal with is when the hose gets caught on a car tyre, or when I carelessly unplug the hosereel and the water spits out on my shoes a bit.  Hardly the end of the world.

And when I get home at about 5pm, I put the van in the garage and set it filling.  That is it, there is no more work to do.  There are no long hours, no crazy demands from people, nobody else's incompetence to cope with.  I don't go to sleep worrying how I'll get XYZ project finished or if some idiot boss will like the thing I did.  The fresh air and light exercise of window cleaning means I'm tired enough to sleep well - something I've only ever done while window cleaning.  I used to have pretty bad insomnia and restlessness.

I only work 4 days, I always take Fridays off.

Occasionally (about once every other month) I wake up and think "I don't feel like work today" and instead I take the missus out for the day to a park, or shopping, or whatever.   Or sometimes I'll just lay in bed reading the news till midday then we'll go to the cinema.

I look at what my little business earns and I am still amazed after all these years.  I did this.  From nothing.  This work that is easy, stress-free, flexible and keeps me fit also happens to pay (what I consider) fantastic money.  And it's my business, I am the boss, I can work exactly as I want and don't need to depend on anyone else.  I won't be made unexpectedly redundant.  If I want to go on holiday for 2 weeks I don't need to clear it with anyone.  I just go.

I feel like I'm cheating at life, especially when I talk to friends and hear the hassles they go through in their working life.

Sure, I'll never be as rich as a footballer, or an investment banker, but I can live with that.  I have everything I want and (thanks to window cleaning) more money than I need.

I find it hard to understand people who do this work and are not happy.

When you say "all the agro that comes with it", what aggro?  If a customer gives aggro they get dropped immediately.  The weather is sometimes an annoyance, but I don't mind working in the rain too much.  I can't think of anything that I would class as "aggro" in window cleaning.

[lal]

How can you say window cleaning is as close to a perfect job.... Let alone love it beats me

Yes I know about it's more of a lifestyle that fits around kids etc than working for the man but really don't you find window cleaning a repetitive boring job. Not to mention all the agro that comes with it?

A repetitve boring job? No!  Aggro? No!

It's all about attitude.  This is how I think of it;

I get up in the morning, no boss to get on my nerves or idiot colleagues.  No rush hour traffic to contend with or deadlines.

I get ready, sit eating my brek while staring out of the back patio watching birds fly and listening to the wind rustling the trees.  I already know what work I have that day, so I idly think about the route I'll take.  Usually one of the cats meows to be outside in the fresh air so I let it out and spend the last 5 minutes watching it chase leaves and expertly climb the tree.

Then I do a final check of my gear, make sure my spares box in the van is all ok and (most importantly) I have a good story to listen to (Audible is the greatest thing ever).

Then I get to work.  I always glance in the mirror and look back with a little burst of pride at my house.  MY house.  I bought it with window cleaning money.  Before window cleaning I rented, and I hated it.  Not owning my own home was a constant annoyance and source of stress.  If I hadn't started window cleaning, then probably I'd still be renting.

I drive to the first customer, set up and then I do what can only be described as the easiest, most stress-free job in history.  And I'm in the fresh air, all the time.  The work is not what I'd call physically demanding, but it is the equivalent of light exercise so I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.
 
Sometimes the customer is in, in which case there's a chance for a little chat and some pleasantries, but mostly they are not so I'm left to get on with the work in peace.  After years, I'm expert at doing my particular houses so I get through them fast.  I listen to my stories - science fiction is my favourite - and every hour that passes I mentally tot up how much I have just earned.

And on it goes for the whole day.  Some may think that is boring, but not me.  The worst thing I have to deal with is when the hose gets caught on a car tyre, or when I carelessly unplug the hosereel and the water spits out on my shoes a bit.  Hardly the end of the world.

And when I get home at about 5pm, I put the van in the garage and set it filling.  That is it, there is no more work to do.  There are no long hours, no crazy demands from people, nobody else's incompetence to cope with.  I don't go to sleep worrying how I'll get XYZ project finished or if some idiot boss will like the thing I did.  The fresh air and light exercise of window cleaning means I'm tired enough to sleep well - something I've only ever done while window cleaning.  I used to have pretty bad insomnia and restlessness.

I only work 4 days, I always take Fridays off.

Occasionally (about once every other month) I wake up and think "I don't feel like work today" and instead I take the missus out for the day to a park, or shopping, or whatever.   Or sometimes I'll just lay in bed reading the news till midday then we'll go to the cinema.

I look at what my little business earns and I am still amazed after all these years.  I did this.  From nothing.  This work that is easy, stress-free, flexible and keeps me fit also happens to pay (what I consider) fantastic money.  And it's my business, I am the boss, I can work exactly as I want and don't need to depend on anyone else.  I won't be made unexpectedly redundant.  If I want to go on holiday for 2 weeks I don't need to clear it with anyone.  I just go.

I feel like I'm cheating at life, especially when I talk to friends and hear the hassles they go through in their working life.

Sure, I'll never be as rich as a footballer, or an investment banker, but I can live with that.  I have everything I want and (thanks to window cleaning) more money than I need.

I find it hard to understand people who do this work and are not happy.

When you say "all the agro that comes with it", what aggro?  If a customer gives aggro they get dropped immediately.  The weather is sometimes an annoyance, but I don't mind working in the rain too much.  I can't think of anything that I would class as "aggro" in window cleaning.

Great Post Pete. 
Regards
Lal

[Smurf]

Nice post 

Yes I understand all that but still the actual process of cleaning glass is mind numbingly boring don't you think?

[NWH]

How can you say window cleaning is as close to a perfect job.... Let alone love it beats me

Yes I know about it's more of a lifestyle that fits around kids etc than working for the man but really don't you find window cleaning a repetitive boring job. Not to mention all the agro that comes with it?

A repetitve boring job? No!  Aggro? No!

It's all about attitude.  This is how I think of it;

I get up in the morning, no boss to get on my nerves or idiot colleagues.  No rush hour traffic to contend with or deadlines.

I get ready, sit eating my brek while staring out of the back patio watching birds fly and listening to the wind rustling the trees.  I already know what work I have that day, so I idly think about the route I'll take.  Usually one of the cats meows to be outside in the fresh air so I let it out and spend the last 5 minutes watching it chase leaves and expertly climb the tree.

Then I do a final check of my gear, make sure my spares box in the van is all ok and (most importantly) I have a good story to listen to (Audible is the greatest thing ever).

Then I get to work.  I always glance in the mirror and look back with a little burst of pride at my house.  MY house.  I bought it with window cleaning money.  Before window cleaning I rented, and I hated it.  Not owning my own home was a constant annoyance and source of stress.  If I hadn't started window cleaning, then probably I'd still be renting.

I drive to the first customer, set up and then I do what can only be described as the easiest, most stress-free job in history.  And I'm in the fresh air, all the time.  The work is not what I'd call physically demanding, but it is the equivalent of light exercise so I'm the fittest and healthiest I've ever been in my entire life.
 
Sometimes the customer is in, in which case there's a chance for a little chat and some pleasantries, but mostly they are not so I'm left to get on with the work in peace.  After years, I'm expert at doing my particular houses so I get through them fast.  I listen to my stories - science fiction is my favourite - and every hour that passes I mentally tot up how much I have just earned.

And on it goes for the whole day.  Some may think that is boring, but not me.  The worst thing I have to deal with is when the hose gets caught on a car tyre, or when I carelessly unplug the hosereel and the water spits out on my shoes a bit.  Hardly the end of the world.

And when I get home at about 5pm, I put the van in the garage and set it filling.  That is it, there is no more work to do.  There are no long hours, no crazy demands from people, nobody else's incompetence to cope with.  I don't go to sleep worrying how I'll get XYZ project finished or if some idiot boss will like the thing I did.  The fresh air and light exercise of window cleaning means I'm tired enough to sleep well - something I've only ever done while window cleaning.  I used to have pretty bad insomnia and restlessness.

I only work 4 days, I always take Fridays off.

Occasionally (about once every other month) I wake up and think "I don't feel like work today" and instead I take the missus out for the day to a park, or shopping, or whatever.   Or sometimes I'll just lay in bed reading the news till midday then we'll go to the cinema.

I look at what my little business earns and I am still amazed after all these years.  I did this.  From nothing.  This work that is easy, stress-free, flexible and keeps me fit also happens to pay (what I consider) fantastic money.  And it's my business, I am the boss, I can work exactly as I want and don't need to depend on anyone else.  I won't be made unexpectedly redundant.  If I want to go on holiday for 2 weeks I don't need to clear it with anyone.  I just go.

I feel like I'm cheating at life, especially when I talk to friends and hear the hassles they go through in their working life.

Sure, I'll never be as rich as a footballer, or an investment banker, but I can live with that.  I have everything I want and (thanks to window cleaning) more money than I need.

I find it hard to understand people who do this work and are not happy.

When you say "all the agro that comes with it", what aggro?  If a customer gives aggro they get dropped immediately.  The weather is sometimes an annoyance, but I don't mind working in the rain too much.  I can't think of anything that I would class as "aggro" in window cleaning.

Great Post Pete. 
Regards
Lal

I could not have put it more perfectly than that,everything you have said I agree with,the ideal attitude for working for yourself. It's funny how when you can have a day off you very rarely take it though if you worked for someone else you'd always be craving 1,I think a lot of people in this job lose track of how stress free it is it's like the worlds best kept secret to me I don't let on if I'm asked by others in different jobs. If you go to commercial it is a different ball game but again that's your choice to make for yourself again no ones holding a gun to your head to take on certain jobs.

[Steven Biggs]

Mines near perfect . Got the rest of the week off.all this weeks work is complete . Half of next weeks is done . The lad has picked it up a lot faster than I thought . Gunna need a bit more work . He can see the gold shining off the glass . ; now is it too early for a strongbow . Probably is . I,ll start on the vino .   

[8weekly]

Disagree about the aggro. Some customers are infuriating. I like my job though.

[johnny bravo]

i like it now i am waterfed pole set-up.
i would have sold up 2 years ago,   hated clinging onto ledges in the wind.   especially in autumn and winter months.

but now i dont worry about that now,    go out in the wind when i wouldnt even bother if trad.

benefits are now paying off thankfully, all because i went wfp.

thanks to everyone on here who put up with my questions.    i dont need to ask as much now.

i was going to go on holiday to turkey last friday  but weather forecast was not too good.  instead im going to tenerife in november for my birthday,   why,     because i can.   

big benefits of working for yourself.

if everything goes as it has been this year next year   i will need to employ someone.      as long as they claim working self employed.     it will do my head in all these employment laws .    pensions etc.

[G Griffin]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[dazmond]

every day is like a holiday in this game compared to working for someone else

[lal]

every day is like a holiday in this game compared to working for someone else

 You took the words right out of my mouth dazmond. 

 Regards
 Lal