[Lee Pryor]

In about 18 months we plan to set up another base and try to grow that to 10 vans in a 2 year period.

I cannot find another company cleaning houses with 2 bases in the uk, will we be the first? exciting times ahead.  Time for another million leaflets!

[P @ F]

Just think of all the friends you will make in 18 months 

[Lee Pryor]

I am sure I will be as popular as ever!

[P @ F]

You are gonna need a way bigger TV now Lee !
Fair play to you mate , just dont come to Plymouth eh !

[Splash & dash]

In about 18 months we plan to set up another base and try to grow that to 10 vans in a 2 year period.

I cannot find another company cleaning houses with 2 bases in the uk, will we be the first? exciting times ahead.  Time for another million leaflets!

why do you want to have a business that big ? Sounds like a nightmare to me running something that size hope you manage to work it out , I think you will find there are several big firms that have multipal bases in the U.K. , mitie, OCS are just two that spring to mind , not that Ime saying they do a good job though

[Og]

We're looking at this too.
Albeit on a far smaller scale than yourself. And aiming for the pv market.
Possibilities are endless.

[Lee Pryor]

You are gonna need a way bigger TV now Lee !
Fair play to you mate , just dont come to Plymouth eh !

Ah your safe.

Yes there will need to be TV,s I plan to replicate exactly the set up we have now. Same everything.

I actually think it will be quite easy, other than the given issues going through 5 people to get and keep 1 good one. Im prepared for that.

[Lee Pryor]

In about 18 months we plan to set up another base and try to grow that to 10 vans in a 2 year period.

I cannot find another company cleaning houses with 2 bases in the uk, will we be the first? exciting times ahead.  Time for another million leaflets!

why do you want to have a business that big ? Sounds like a nightmare to me running something that size hope you manage to work it out , I think you will find there are several big firms that have multipal bases in the U.K. , mitie, OCS are just two that spring to mind , not that Ime saying they do a good job though

I mean residential companies not commercial. They do not clean houses. Houses are our main focus.

The answer to why is easy. I want to earn the money. 2 bases would give us a monthly turnover of £130K

Actually its not a nightmare at all. The key is getting and keeping the right people. There is a formular to that which I already have.

[Splash & dash]

We're looking at this too.
Albeit on a far smaller scale than yourself. And aiming for the pv market.
Possibilities are endless.

are you going to compete with solar steve ?? He seames  to have abandoned the forum again , we have found it un economic to do the big solar farms any more as prices are so poor , still do a few roof mounts on farms and industrial units etc and houses how are you finding the market at the moment ? We are still having a number of large solar farms installed around hear but no local cleaners are intrested in doing them as more money can be earned doing domestic 3 bed semis !!!! Sounds daft but it's true

[Splash & dash]

Ah sorry missed the domestic bit !!! That's a lot of houses , dont envy you sorting that lot out two vans is enough for me !! 😂😂😂😂😂

[Lee Pryor]

Ah sorry missed the domestic bit !!! That's a lot of houses , dont envy you sorting that lot out two vans is enough for me !! 😂😂😂😂😂

Its actually easier than most realise. Just have the right processes in place, then its just a numbers game. We will need about 5000 houses for 10 vans.

[Tosh]

There's going to be literally hundreds of shiners who work out of more than one base. A place, for example, where they setup, have their main round, the place probably where they learnt the ropes; then when they go and stay at the long-term girlfriends place who lives 150 miles away they've started to develop a round there. Easily done, most guys in that kind of situation have probably reflected on the viability of such a set up.

[STEVE-UK]

In about 18 months we plan to set up another base and try to grow that to 10 vans in a 2 year period.

I cannot find another company cleaning houses with 2 bases in the uk, will we be the first? exciting times ahead.  Time for another million leaflets!

Lee, 10 vans in 2 years, you can create £78k round in just over 2 months?  thats good going!

is you work all regular window cleans only or add on services included?

[richyp]

Do you use facebook for getting new customers lee or is it solely leaflets ?

[Lee Pryor]

TV and leaflets. Nothing else now. Facebook, adwords, radio are all a waste of time.

We will use the profit from base 1 to grow base 2. It will require 2 million leaflets over a 2 year period.  Aprox £230k investment over that period.

Steve, 10 vans with us will be more like 60-65K a month. So 2 bases target will be 120-130k a month.

Its all services combined but mostly windows.

[sunshine windows]

Good on you Lee. Looks like a few on here should be eating a bit of humble pie, after slating you for selling you house to finance the first phase of your operation.

How far afield are you thinking of going from your current location?

[Lee Pryor]

Good on you Lee. Looks like a few on here should be eating a bit of humble pie, after slating you for selling you house to finance the first phase of your operation.

How far afield are you thinking of going from your current location?

we go about 30 miles in every direction now. A map of our area is on our website for those that are interested. We will cover  a different area the same size from the new base. In fact everything will be mirrored exactly as it is in base 1. We are at least 18 months away from setting that base up but we are planning it from now.

[Tom-01]

What brushes are best to clean that many houses?

[Lee Pryor]

I can tell you that Gardiners stiff sill brush is our brush of choice!

[ashbash]

great stuff lee but what the end goal

is it to drive a nice car etc or is it so you can retire

[Lee Pryor]

great stuff lee but what the end goal

is it to drive a nice car etc or is it so you can retire

The end goal is to have 2 bases, 20 vans on the road and the level of income to have the lifestyle I aspire to, and a business I can be proud of.

I have always had a very clear picture in my mind of the house I want, cars, holidays, work hours each week ect ect....

Those are my goals.

Just to add that I don't look down on anyone who doesn't have those sort of goals. I don't expect to be hated on here because I have those aspirations.

[Stoots]

Lee. Who do you use for leafletting? Is it royal mail, your own staff or do you outsource to a company?

Tried outsourcing a couple of times but always found results to be very poor vs delivering them myself. So obviously they are not getting delivered.

[Lee Pryor]

As many know I use jog post for our delivery. We also use others from time to time.

I think the most important thing when choosing is to get a company that uses GPS tracking with their staff and lets you the customer see that in action.

[8weekly]

Lee. Who do you use for leafletting? Is it royal mail, your own staff or do you outsource to a company?

Tried outsourcing a couple of times but always found results to be very poor vs delivering them myself. So obviously they are not getting delivered.

Get your leafleters to use Strava.

[Danny F]

very inspiring to see lee but i think its fantastic that you share it on here to show boys what can be done with focus.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Well done Lee, it is amazing what can be done with grit and determination.  Looks like there is a race on for getting a second base opened for servicing mainly (99%) domestic customers. 

[STEVE-UK]

Lee

Do jogpost deliver to rural properties?

 

[Lee Pryor]

Lee

Do jogpost deliver to rural properties?

I dont know. I think they need an area of at least 5000

[STEVE-UK]

Are you nearly at full capacity at your current location?

I do find your plan Interesting and does make me think about the direction I'm going

I don't feel as secure with all my eggs in one basket, so going  down  the route of multiple smaller businesses

What staffing structure will you need to operate each location,  i.e office staff, manager, maintenance, there has to be lower profit margin with the extra staff required to operate, but hey, it's the annual profit you get that makes it all worth while

[Lee Pryor]

Are you nearly at full capacity at your current location?

I do find your plan Interesting and does make me think about the direction I'm going

I don't feel as secure with all my eggs in one basket, so going  down  the route of multiple smaller businesses

What staffing structure will you need to operate each location,  i.e office staff, manager, maintenance, there has to be lower profit margin with the extra staff required to operate, but hey, it's the annual profit you get that makes it all worth while

Not quite full here yet. Another year I think.

Each base will have 3 full time office staff. A manager and 2 others so there will never be less than 2 people in each base if someone is off. I will still manage fleet, equipment, marketing and financial things. I will split my work from home and in both bases every few weeks.

[STEVE-UK]

Sounds like a plan, not too many staff so should be quite manageable,

How many full rounds/ vans running  do you have now ?

[supernova77]

Is base number 1 in profit yet?

[Mick Kent]

TV and leaflets. Nothing else now. Facebook, adwords, radio are all a waste of time.

We will use the profit from base 1 to grow base 2. It will require 2 million leaflets over a 2 year period.  Aprox £230k investment over that period.

Steve, 10 vans with us will be more like 60-65K a month. So 2 bases target will be 120-130k a month.

Its all services combined but mostly windows.

Is 65k a month not enough to be turning over then no? Surely there is over 20k a month profit there.
A million every 4 years.

That aside you surely dont lack ambition or motivation, total fair play for what you have built up and achieved.

[Lee Pryor]

Is base number 1 in profit yet?

yes

[Lee Pryor]

TV and leaflets. Nothing else now. Facebook, adwords, radio are all a waste of time.

We will use the profit from base 1 to grow base 2. It will require 2 million leaflets over a 2 year period.  Aprox £230k investment over that period.

Steve, 10 vans with us will be more like 60-65K a month. So 2 bases target will be 120-130k a month.

Its all services combined but mostly windows.

Is 65k a month not enough to be turning over then no? Surely there is over 20k a month profit there.
A million every 4 years.

That aside you surely dont lack ambition or motivation, total fair play for what you have built up and achieved.

£20k yes

After corporation tax and dividend tax its still not a lot IMO. I want to be taking home after all taxes something like 17-20K a month. We viewed a brand new house last weekend that was £1.5m the monthly repayment is £5k throw in a few nice cars for me and the mrs ect ect holidays. I want to be able to save 5-7K a month so we can by an ivestment property every 2 years (pension plan) we would like to by a villa in portugal as the first one ect sudenly to have that life that is the amount required to make it happen.

I always picture my end goals and work out how much is required to make it happen.  That is the life I have decided to have. It doesnt make me wrong, greedy, unhappy and all the other names I get called here. It just means thats what I want. Others want different things and thats fine.

[AuRavelling79]

Well done Lee! An inspiration and a reminder as to what can be done.

But don't forget to enjoy the journey.

All work and no play ... and even Luke 12 v 16 - 20. 

[Delta]

Hello Lee,
I really admire your drive and enthusiasm. I would love your set up but managing that many employees would scare me :-)

With 12 employees how to you mange their 28 day holiday periods? I can see how the girls could cover for each other but what about the window cleaners? Do you just move on their round on a week or two on CP or do you try and get the work done?

[Walter Mitty]

Well done Lee! An inspiration and a reminder as to what can be done.

But don't forget to enjoy the journey.

All work and no play ... and even Luke 12 v 16 - 20. 

I just looked that up online (I don't have one in my book collection).  It was archaic language and I read it as (paraphrased) "Have fun, because you can't take it with you."     Hope you didn't book time for making that post

[Lee Pryor]

Hello Lee,
I really admire your drive and enthusiasm. I would love your set up but managing that many employees would scare me :-)

With 12 employees how to you mange their 28 day holiday periods? I can see how the girls could cover for each other but what about the window cleaners? Do you just move on their round on a week or two on CP or do you try and get the work done?

We don't have 12 cleaners yet.

Without going into all the small details. Holiday, sickness, tax.......ect ect is part of any business and you simply factor those things into the model.

[Tosh]

Lee, bung us a tenner

[Dean Taberner]

Well done Lee,

I enjoy reading this posts,

Good luck and enjoy it mate,

Dean

[AuRavelling79]

Well done Lee! An inspiration and a reminder as to what can be done.

But don't forget to enjoy the journey.

All work and no play ... and even Luke 12 v 16 - 20. 

I just looked that up online (I don't have one in my book collection).  It was archaic language and I read it as (paraphrased) "Have fun, because you can't take it with you."    Hope you didn't book time for making that post

Of course I did - and this one is a Return Visit too! 

 

[simon123]

As a younger man I never got to second base 

[robbo333]

Best wishes Lee.
I guess when you have exhausted all the quality leads within your chosen area, the next natural progression for growth is to move to a new area and repeat the same. Hope it works out for you.

[Lee Pryor]

Best wishes Lee.
I guess when you have exhausted all the quality leads within your chosen area, the next natural progression for growth is to move to a new area and repeat the same. Hope it works out for you.

Exactly.

[Tom-01]

So did the original business plan not work then?

[Lee Pryor]

So did the original business plan not work then?

This is the original plan

[Og]

Great plan!

How come you're using vivaros? Are they a 2.0 l engine? Going out with one guy in each?

[sunshine windows]

Will you be happy with 2 bases though Lee, or can you see yourself rolling this out on a national level. Personally I think you like the challenge and will keep growing and expanding. 

[8weekly]

I guess you've looked at franchising outside of you core region?

[dave f]

sounds a bit like dazmond but on a bigger scale lol.

[supernova77]

Is base number 1 in profit yet?

yes

Oh right?

A couple of months ago you said you were hoping to be in profit within the next 2 years

Personally I wouldn't think of a second base until the first one was in profit, but I hope the plans go well.

[Lee Pryor]

well that depends on why a business is or isn't in profit. In our case we are in profit if I choose to stop spending the profit on further growth.  For example our month to month expenses are about £30K, our turnover is about £50K take the Vat off that which is about £6K (after claim backs)  and we have a pre tax profit of £14K a month, which I either spend on more marketing or not.

So on paper we are well into profit. The reason I said 2 years is because that's how long I intend to keep spending to grow at this pace. If we open a second base next year then we continue to spend the profit.

What I think you meant by profit is our turnover not exceeding our fixed monthly expenses........................... Is everyone still paying attention? lol

[8weekly]

well that depends on why a business is or isn't in profit. In our case we are in profit if I choose to stop spending the profit on further growth.  For example our month to month expenses are about £30K, our turnover is about £50K take the Vat off that which is about £6K (after claim backs)  and we have a pre tax profit of £14K a month, which I either spend on more marketing or not.

So on paper we are well into profit. The reason I said 2 years is because that's how long I intend to keep spending to grow at this pace. If we open a second base next year then we continue to spend the profit.

What I think you meant by profit is our turnover not exceeding our fixed monthly expenses........................... Is everyone still paying attention? lol

If you're spending that £14k you aren't in profit and it's possible that the marketing spend is needed to drive one offs because there isn't enough regular scheduled work. I get your point, but on paper you are making a loss. I'm quite certain you will be in profit once you reach saturation for the vans you already have mind.

[Tom-01]

That's why I assumed the original business plan didn't work, because he stated early on that he wouldn't need to grow it beyond his original base for the lifestyle wanted, but the costs seem like they are more than planned so another 10 vans need to be set up to achieve the original goal.

[Bungle]

Do the wages come out of the 30k expenses?

[Lee Pryor]

well that depends on why a business is or isn't in profit. In our case we are in profit if I choose to stop spending the profit on further growth.  For example our month to month expenses are about £30K, our turnover is about £50K take the Vat off that which is about £6K (after claim backs)  and we have a pre tax profit of £14K a month, which I either spend on more marketing or not.

So on paper we are well into profit. The reason I said 2 years is because that's how long I intend to keep spending to grow at this pace. If we open a second base next year then we continue to spend the profit.

What I think you meant by profit is our turnover not exceeding our fixed monthly expenses........................... Is everyone still paying attention? lol

If you're spending that £14k you aren't in profit and it's possible that the marketing spend is needed to drive one offs because there isn't enough regular scheduled work. I get your point, but on paper you are making a loss. I'm quite certain you will be in profit once you reach saturation for the vans you already have mind.

Sorry but thats not correct as I have explained there. We dont do one offs for a start . I am choosing to not be in profit by spending the profit, If I choose to do no marketing in a month then we have clear profit.

Yes bungle that includes the wages. Once again I have clearly mentioned fixed and chosen expenses in the breakdown. Clearly wages are a fixed expense that I cannot choose to not pay each month

No my origional plan would deliver the origional amount but I have extended that plan because im enjoying the process and I simply want to earn more money in the long run.  Why stop at earning 10K a month when it could be 20 for another 2-3 years effort.

[Stoots]

well that depends on why a business is or isn't in profit. In our case we are in profit if I choose to stop spending the profit on further growth.  For example our month to month expenses are about £30K, our turnover is about £50K take the Vat off that which is about £6K (after claim backs)  and we have a pre tax profit of £14K a month, which I either spend on more marketing or not.

So on paper we are well into profit. The reason I said 2 years is because that's how long I intend to keep spending to grow at this pace. If we open a second base next year then we continue to spend the profit.

What I think you meant by profit is our turnover not exceeding our fixed monthly expenses........................... Is everyone still paying attention? lol

If you're spending that £14k you aren't in profit and it's possible that the marketing spend is needed to drive one offs because there isn't enough regular scheduled work. I get your point, but on paper you are making a loss. I'm quite certain you will be in profit once you reach saturation for the vans you already have mind.

Sorry but thats not correct as I have explained there. We dont do one offs for a start . I am choosing to not be in profit by spending the profit, If I choose to do no marketing in a month then we have clear profit.

Yes bungle that includes the wages. Once again I have clearly mentioned fixed and chosen expenses in the breakdown. Clearly wages are a fixed expense that I cannot choose to not pay each month

No my origional plan would deliver the origional amount but I have extended that plan because im enjoying the process and I simply want to earn more money in the long run.  Why stop at earning 10K a month when it could be 20 for another 2-3 years effort.

Technically though you are increasing revenue not profit. If you are spending your profit back into growth ( very wise btw) that profit now becomes an expense and what you are left with after this is your profit (technically)

What you are saying is once you pull the plug on marketting you will very quickly be in profit as you will have a much higher revenue than you would have if you simply stopped now.

Great plan though, im going to do the same...It makes perfect business sense to invest most of your profit back into marketting, you only pay tax on profit so why not shove it all back in reduce your taxes and grow your turnover/revenue then in a few years time pull the plug. Just like water building up behind a dam, looks like you have nothing for years then bam break the dam and watch the flood...if you keep taking money out of  the business it will only ever produce drips of money for you never a flood

[Lee Pryor]

well that depends on why a business is or isn't in profit. In our case we are in profit if I choose to stop spending the profit on further growth.  For example our month to month expenses are about £30K, our turnover is about £50K take the Vat off that which is about £6K (after claim backs)  and we have a pre tax profit of £14K a month, which I either spend on more marketing or not.

So on paper we are well into profit. The reason I said 2 years is because that's how long I intend to keep spending to grow at this pace. If we open a second base next year then we continue to spend the profit.

What I think you meant by profit is our turnover not exceeding our fixed monthly expenses........................... Is everyone still paying attention? lol

If you're spending that £14k you aren't in profit and it's possible that the marketing spend is needed to drive one offs because there isn't enough regular scheduled work. I get your point, but on paper you are making a loss. I'm quite certain you will be in profit once you reach saturation for the vans you already have mind.

Sorry but thats not correct as I have explained there. We dont do one offs for a start . I am choosing to not be in profit by spending the profit, If I choose to do no marketing in a month then we have clear profit.

Yes bungle that includes the wages. Once again I have clearly mentioned fixed and chosen expenses in the breakdown. Clearly wages are a fixed expense that I cannot choose to not pay each month

No my origional plan would deliver the origional amount but I have extended that plan because im enjoying the process and I simply want to earn more money in the long run.  Why stop at earning 10K a month when it could be 20 for another 2-3 years effort.

Technically though you are increasing revenue not profit. If you are spending your profit back into growth ( very wise btw) that profit now becomes an expense and what you are left with after this is your profit (technically)

What you are saying is once you pull the plug on marketting you will very quickly be in profit as you will have a much higher revenue than you would have if you simply stopped now.

Great plan though, im going to do the same...It makes perfect business sense to invest most of your profit back into marketting, you only pay tax on profit so why not shove it all back in reduce your taxes and grow your turnover/revenue then in a few years time pull the plug. Just like water building up behind a dam, looks like you have nothing for years then bam break the dam and watch the flood...if you keep taking money out of  the business it will only ever produce drips of money for you never a flood

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!

Someone gets it!

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Here here.

[robbo333]

Invest, invest, invest, invest...Oh hang on...invest, invest, invest...bored now...millionaire! So cool.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Guess you don't invest.

[robbo333]

That was actually a positive comment for Lee. He will invest and grow until he decides not to. I am guessing by then he will be close to a millionaire. Good luck to him.
The bit that said. 'so cool'. I meant it. I think what Lee is doing is cool!
 As for myself...what the f++k has it got to do with you!

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Nothing at all! I didn't ask anything. 

[robbo333]

Sorry its late and I miss read it. Applologies.