[Don Simon]

Lost a lot of work due to illness so need to start another round, how hard is it getting new work now ?

Thanks

[dave f]

how long is a piece of string? depends on where you live  I suppose  . I have found that the more wfp users  is less work simply because you can do more jobs which equals less work which means you have to go further away thus having a scattered round the compartition is vast with introduction of wfp you wont know until you try, or buy some work imo

[paul alan]

A doddle mate!
Just get out  knocking.

[paul alan]

Try talking to your ex customers, they may still feel some loyalty if your any good.

[SB Cleaning]

It's getting tough to pick new work up now....enquiries are definitely down the last couple of years...

Seems like every one wants to be a window cleaner these days.

[Clever Forum Name]

Depends on how hard your willing to work really.

Lots of people want a wc still and need one.

[paul alan]

Window cleaners creaping out of everywhere! But i hear so much talk of "he doesnt do a good job" " dont know where he is"
" dont like his attitude" "dont like the look of him" get out talking to people, listen to what theyre saying and resolve to remedy the issues theyre having. There is a lot of window cleaners but theres still a need for good window cleaners!

[Stoots]

Depends on how big you want to grow.

Just for yourself? Might take a few years but it's a lot easier finding 300 that  3000

[Johnny B]

How long have you been away from window cleaning? And were you able to inform your customers of your situation?

If you are able to salvage as many of your former customers as possible you will have a foundation to build on.

I am in Ireland now but built a run in the UK in the 90s. It was really easy then, but I am sure it is harder now with so much competition about, though anything is possible if you are willing to graft, do a good job and be polite and professional.

Best wishes
John.

[dazmond]

TBH mate id hate to be starting again.some of my customers have already had 5 different leaflets from window cleaning companies this year alone.its certainly very competitive out there.more than in 1993 for sure in my area.

BUT if you want more work you will get it if you try hard enough.leafleting,canvassing,FB,website and advertising in local magazines.also offer to clean f/s/g,conny roofs,solar panels,gutters......even inside window cleaning if you need the money.

i would also go and knock on your ex customers doors too.i bet you end up picking a few up here and there and (over time) get most of them back if you did a good job and the customers liked you.

i lost a fair bit of work due to illness myself over 10 years ago.luckily for me i sold the rest of that part of the round(which was mainly underpriced anyway) before i lost the lot.i also had other rounds in other areas that i managed to keep ticking over and then as i got better and went wfp my round just exploded into what it is today.all my newly acquired work(picked up in the last 5 years or so)  has been picked up through walk ups,word of mouth and recommendation with virtually no canvassing/leafleting.

i dont have a website or FB page either and ive never advertised in local magazines.

a  logo d uniform and a clean sign written van with matching business cards,etc are essential IMO for making you stand out from the other window cleaners in your area(your branding if you like).

good luck

[Shrek]

Which area are you in?

[Dry Clean]

Canvass your old round and explain your situation, you will be surprised at how many will take you back just because
their new wfp'er with the flashy van and uniform hasn't got a clue.

[Tosh]

Tim, where are you in the country?

[Don Simon]

I am in Huddersfield, good idea about contacting customers though, will give that a go, we do gutter and pressure washing too.
Thanks for the advice guys.

[duncan h]

I am in Huddersfield, good idea about contacting customers though, will give that a go, we do gutter and pressure washing too.
Thanks for the advice guys.

Not a good area to get work then

[Shrek]

Ever thought about starting up as a canvasser instead? there's lots of work in that field

[nathankaye]

I have one particular round that initially i only had the two customers in a large cul de sac. I cleaned them every four weeks and built up a good rapport with them, oh and did a good job. By end of year i had expanded quite rapidly and by 2nd year i do the huge majority. I didnt canvass, it was down to people watching, recommendations but also looking/being professional.

So with consistency, you can build a round up. But dont under charge or under cut other shiners in the area.  But also the opposite, dont over charge. Aim for a middle ground, be fair and the work will come.

[Marc Stock]

Being consistent is key. Also being polite and easy to please. It's very saturated now and it's not like it used to be.

[Don Simon]

Being consistent is key. Also being polite and easy to please. It's very saturated now and it's not like it used to be.

I remember 30 years ago when we had   " MY PATCH "   areas  . . . . times were so simple then with a bucket and a chamois
Those were the days my friend I thought theyd never end . . . . . .  altogether now

[Marc Stock]

Personally I think that new entrants into this game has hit a peak. We are going to see a slow down of new window cleaners coming into the market now as Brexit bites and saturation wanes.

But at the moment yes, it's very competitive. I just priced up a job that should be in the £90 mark, very big new build house a mansion, and was up against silly quotes of £30 and £40. I won it at £65 as I was recommended by neighbouring houses and estates but the times of the cream jobs, or those golden nuggets where you used to get 200 quid for 2 hours work are well gone.  £65 for this job isn't in my opinion for the area I live particularly good. Even £90 is cheap in my opinion it should be around the £140 mark.

For anyone starting up its hard as you have no reputation to base your prices on, and the advent of canvassing companies means more and more areas are being canvassed over and over again driving prices down, saturating the market.