[Tony dunmall]

Well i have been training someone up to help me out along with my daughter

And it's been 4 months and now I'm very pleased with his standard  work, apart from struggling to find the houses I can't complain and never have had  one complaint

It's not been without frustration as I've been using poles over way over 20 years and you forget how second nature it becomes

So it's time to start canvassing as he wants more work about 2 days a week

And Now I need to motivate myself, must be getting old as It's hard, so let's see how next three months go

[Stoots]

Good luck.


Hate canvassing that's why I never do it.

[C & S]

Canvassing horrid. But it works

[martin hulstone]

I gave up with canvassing and bought established work, retention rate is poor and the first cleans are horrendous.
It quite often is people that have been fired off by other window cleaners for numerous reasons.
If you can buy good quality work for 4-5 times the monthly clean you will make it back in no time.

[jonboywalton75]

I gave up with canvassing and bought established work, retention rate is poor and the first cleans are horrendous.
It quite often is people that have been fired off by other window cleaners for numerous reasons.
If you can buy good quality work for 4-5 times the monthly clean you will make it back in no time.

+1

[Stoots]

Out of the dozen rounds I've looked at none suited how I work. Either underpriced,  trad or cash collection.

At least building yourself you build it to exactly how you want to work.

Buying work you are inheriting someone else's way of doing things.

[jonboywalton75]

That's true but it's worked a treat for me.
I've bought 4 rounds over the years and adapted them to the way I work
Most were good payers and the rounds mushroom in size naturally with hardly any extra canvassing

[Marc Stock]

I quite like canvassing it keeps you sharp and in tune with how the market is going.

[duncan h]

I gave up with canvassing and bought established work, retention rate is poor and the first cleans are horrendous.
It quite often is people that have been fired off by other window cleaners for numerous reasons.
If you can buy good quality work for 4-5 times the monthly clean you will make it back in no time.

Been looking for 3 years. Nothing half decent at that price.
Ill keep on with flyers and the odd canvas now and again.
My friend has bought dozens of rounds over his 30 years doing it. Hes never paid more than X2. Those days are gone

[Tony dunmall]

Update

Well the canvassing is going well, still don't like it

So far this month 30 enquiries and 15 new jobs

Best return is internet advertising and being seen whilst working

Bought a few rounds in my years some work some don't,  this time will build to the completion of what we need

[chris turner]

A really easy way of picking up new work is to befriend as many window cleaners in your area as possible. Having these connections is a great way of passing each other work if you or they are to busy, or get enquiries from areas either of you may not cover.
Iv had one guy pass me a load of work that was to far for him but in an area i cover.
Another guy i helped set up wfp last year, he is in his late 50s and thinking of retirement over the next few years, he has already offered me all of his work when the time comes. For next to nothing might I add. Simply because i gave up some of my time to help him. Even now when he has problems he comes knocking on my door for advice.

[Tony dunmall]

Well an update

As I'm quite pleased we started canvassing and advertising 1 march , its now end April

So two months on I'm really pleased we're now averaging 3-4 new clients a week all at the average £30-35  picked few larger £85 clients up

So in all Increased by  £240 a week of 6 weekly clients over  every  weeks six weekly schedule so target is nearly there

Wanted by the summer to be £1600 weekly turnover which is just below VAT

And I think we may just be there, really surprised how much new work you can find when it seem to be so many cleaners out there

Must say we've had a large amount of one offs but people have been very honest and that's all they want so priced well and job done extra cash in which has helped pay for sign writing and advertising

[Stoots]

30-35 quidder and 85 quidders 

f***ing hell, ive only one 30 quidder on my books, 90% are 10-12 quidders

Different worlds some of us live in, hard to believe its the same country the way prices vary

[paul alan]

Well an update

As I'm quite pleased we started canvassing and advertising 1 march , its now end April

So two months on I'm really pleased we're now averaging 3-4 new clients a week all at the average £30-35  picked few larger £85 clients up

So in all Increased by  £240 a week of 6 weekly clients over  every  weeks six weekly schedule so target is nearly there

Wanted by the summer to be £1600 weekly turnover which is just below VAT

And I think we may just be there, really surprised how much new work you can find when it seem to be so many cleaners out there

Must say we've had a large amount of one offs but people have been very honest and that's all they want so priced well and job done extra cash in which has helped pay for sign writing and advertising

mate im doing well too, havent even knocked a door in 3-4 weeks. Did loads of door knocking and it just gained momentum from there, had to stop as i couldnt keep up with it.
Theres tons of scope for work if your good at cleaning, im happy to admit im getting other cleaners custom. Always make sure im more expensive though, i tell em if you were happy to pay someone who misses windows, turns up when he likes and pes in the back garden x then if you want a proper service its naturaly gonna be more expensive. They then know its going to be a better service cos its dearer.
I knock em out with the best clean theyve ever had on the first 1, tell em how much i like em etc etc and next thing i know theyre passing my number round like a hot bag o chips. Its too easy if your running on the right lines.

[k.diver]

iv noticed that anyone who posts up look im going canvassing  and then does the fantastic updates is  faking it.   

  folk pat them on the back

 but a month or 2 later theyre posting now im  buying a pressure washer cos the real results were shoite

[Mick Kent]

I always get good results when i do a canvass campaign! Nothing hard to it, just drive and confidence with super thick skin.

[paul alan]

iv noticed that anyone who posts up look im going canvassing  and then does the fantastic updates is  faking it.   

  folk pat them on the back

 but a month or 2 later theyre posting now im  buying a pressure washer cos the real results were shoite

I I laughed at you when I read this.
You dont believe it can be done, because you dont believe you can do it.
 Come to wales for 1 day and i'll show how its done son.

[paul alan]

Looks to me like some people just are  not cut out for being self employed, self made, or successful!
Maybe look to working for someone who is??

[k.diver]

iv noticed that anyone who posts up look im going canvassing  and then does the fantastic updates is  faking it.   

  folk pat them on the back

 but a month or 2 later theyre posting now im  buying a pressure washer cos the real results were shoite

I I laughed at you when I read this.
You dont believe it can be done, because you dont believe you can do it.
 Come to wales for 1 day and i'll show how its done son.

oh i know how to do it ,iv a full round .  i spose youre another one who  will say im getting  only big bucks jobs when out cancassing,

thing is ,anyone whose been a windie any length of time knows whats what.  big exaggerated claims impress nobody

[Tony dunmall]

To be fair I'm really surprised how well it's gone, there a few big companies setting up franchises in our area so I thought would be really tough going

Internet defiantly brings in better results but it's a bigger monthly investment than i wanted to do

But I've been training  someone to help from August /" September last year and there out by them selves from end February now and they want more income

I've not posted  to show how well I've done,  as I was very deflated by having to canvass after cleaning windows for over 30 years  with a good round already established, but to see the progression I still don't like door knocking 

But hopefully will come to an end by end summer and internet can do it's thing at it's own speed