[geefree]

Hi all,
just wondered what all you pressure wash guys n gals did in the winter months, or can you struggle through doing the same, driveways, graffiti etc...or do you rely on your all year round contracts, just starting so trying to plan ahead and any tips would be very useful.
thanks.
gazza.

[geefree]

LOL, I KNOW WHEN THE EXPERIENCED GUYS COME ON THEY WILL ANSWER.
GARY.

[andy roberts]

Why you shouting?

[geefree]

because its full of advice in the winter months here, come summer people busy so very quiet,
im just wanting advice regarding winter, but that seems to be a closed shop.i also read another guys post who had a shocking winter and asked for advice... no replies. so although this site is very useful and gives the impression of togethernes, there are some things which are strictly out of bounds.. trade secrets!... tell you what i will fight through my first winter this year, find lots of things to clean , lots of options and variation to keep busy,,, then next summer i will post to the newbies how to be successful in the winter months, real help.and advice for people starting up... thats how it should be..
gary.

[andy roberts]

You'll probably find that your question has been answered many times before and some of the more experienced cleaners just dont want to go over old ground. Just my thoughts.

Regards  Andy

[geefree]

you may be right, i dont know... never mind .
thanks for your input andy.

cheers

Gary.

[Mike Jones]

Try the other forum!

[TVCS]

Maybe everyone is in the same boat but wont admit it.
I'm not embarrassed to say last winter we did very little.  It was our first winter but we were practically jobless.

We started pressure washing towards the tale end of last year.  Not super busy but had a few good jobs and our name was being spread around nicely.  Then nothing till MAY!!!

To try and keep the wolf from the door for this year, we have managed to talk some customers to have a winter clean.  Basically gutters fascias and slippery paths and drives.  We have also got a quite successful window cleaning round on the go.  This is work that goes all year round.  I even ask new customers if they want the windows cleaning during wet and windy winter months.  The windows bring in a good steady monthly income which was very much missed last winter.  Conservatory cleaning is another job which keeps the pennies rolling in.  One in spring another in autumn.

Fleet cleaning is something I am looking into at the moment.  Vehicles get super mucky and salty in the winter. 

Let me know if you have a brain wave about winter work as like I mentioned before I think when it comes to pressure washing the winter can drag on for a long time.

All the best
ANT
TVCS

[Ged]

Gary

i would think you need to find commercial work for the winter, truck washing,council work, hotels, shops, car parks , pubs, nursing homes, boat yards, sports grounds etc. etc.

or put your gear away till spring and do something else. if you've got a van use it to do small removals, delivery drops catalogue distribution etc. will keep you going till the next season at least


Ged

Ged

[bulldug]

Just a small tip if you are going to do removal work/delivery work to keep the money coming in....make sure you are insured for "couriering" and have "goods in transit" insurance, to be honest it costs an arm and a leg to get the correct insurances and the money you'll get will probably not cover the costs, or at best will give you a small profit margin.
If you choose not to get the correct insurances and are either stopped by the police or something gets broken in transit, you might find yourself with even more money to put out and a blotch on your driving licence.
Whatever you do, good luck with it!
Tom

[tomh]

i found a firm removal insurance £280 inc p/l & g/i !
but why not try the transport co's in your area about cleaning there truck's & trailer's, i would go for smaller to meidum size firm's as larger will have there own washer ! nightmare to do your own won't go through a car wash & have to 3 goes with sprayer & brush !

[geefree]

thanks guys for all your help and ideas, thought about courier work but prob need a newer van, washing trucks etc ,charging may be a headache as i have no idea what to charge and i have no way of finding out without stepping on toes.
gary.