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MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Getting the 2nd van
« on: August 15, 2019, 06:42:29 pm »
I'm currently working alone out of a 350l tank, I'm pretty much fully booked now I make on average 1k a week, some long days for that.

I've got the money for the 2nd van but financially it's going to take me back to when I first started out a year ago.


I'm picking up apx 10 new customers a week so I feel with my methods I should get back on track quite quickly.

Just worried about having no work for a while while I employ someone to do the current work I have.

Any advice?

Soupy

  • Posts: 19326
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2019, 06:46:04 pm »
Yes. Stay off my patch.
Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism, as I understand it - George Orwell

High-Tower

  • Posts: 247
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2019, 07:09:48 pm »
Be prepared for VAT.

Crystal-clear

  • Posts: 3029
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2019, 07:16:35 pm »
To be fair he's way off VAT especially when he goes on holiday or takes some time off due to sickness.
The bank holidays as well.

Now 1k turn over or profit ? If it's turn over you will have to add for example £500 a week as an wage expense +the other expenses I don't think it will be profitable enough for you to justify it?.
Also you mentioned long hours people who work for you won't be doing that so turnover could be even less.
I would say work on your profit which is the most important and then go from there


Lee Pryor

  • Posts: 2285
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2019, 07:24:20 pm »
You will need way more turnover per week to take someone on. At least £1500-£1700 which also probably means a bigger tank, My team will each do around 600L a day to produce the sort of figures required to pay them a decent wage, cover all expenses and leave someting for me.

i dont think you are ready yet, another year of building I would say. Its way more expensive than you think to employ someone. I actually think its almost impossible to do and expect to stay under the VAT limit.

Good luck, I hope you deal with stress well.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.

MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2019, 07:26:20 pm »
To be fair he's way off VAT especially when he goes on holiday or takes some time off due to sickness.
The bank holidays as well.

Now 1k turn over or profit ? If it's turn over you will have to add for example £500 a week as an wage expense +the other expenses I don't think it will be profitable enough for you to justify it?.
Also you mentioned long hours people who work for you won't be doing that so turnover could be even less.
I would say work on your profit which is the most important and then go from there

By long hours I mean 9 till 5 😂 and my turnover is apx 4.6k a month £760 is for current expenses. I have someone that's willing to work for £10 an hour out of my van 5 days a week.

Crystal-clear

  • Posts: 3029
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2019, 07:34:58 pm »
To be fair he's way off VAT especially when he goes on holiday or takes some time off due to sickness.
The bank holidays as well.

Now 1k turn over or profit ? If it's turn over you will have to add for example £500 a week as an wage expense +the other expenses I don't think it will be profitable enough for you to justify it?.
Also you mentioned long hours people who work for you won't be doing that so turnover could be even less.
I would say work on your profit which is the most important and then go from there

By long hours I mean 9 till 5 😂 and my turnover is apx 4.6k a month £760 is for current expenses. I have someone that's willing to work for £10 an hour out of my van 5 days a week.

It's not enough turnover really well how motivated do you think this person will be to continue to bring in that amount of turnover for very little return to himself? And a lot of hours.
Stability is everything it's better that you can pay more. Work on your profit build more then but if those numbers add up for you fine..




MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2019, 08:22:34 pm »
You will need way more turnover per week to take someone on. At least £1500-£1700 which also probably means a bigger tank, My team will each do around 600L a day to produce the sort of figures required to pay them a decent wage, cover all expenses and leave someting for me.

i dont think you are ready yet, another year of building I would say. Its way more expensive than you think to employ someone. I actually think its almost impossible to do and expect to stay under the VAT limit.

Good luck, I hope you deal with stress well.

Unfortunately I'm limited by the tank size I have, I'm sure I dont want to get rid of this van as it runs perfect and I dont want to get stung buying another that may get issues I want to keep it for back up atleast.

So my next step really has to be getting a 2nd van even if I hold off on employing, although like I said further up I have a lad who helps me every now and again and hes happy at £10ph so I think why not use him while I can and get another van and build up more while getting apx 2.2k income off that van.

Stoots

  • Posts: 5986
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2019, 09:06:14 pm »
Where abouts in the country are you ?

1k a week if working Monday to Friday 9-5 is only 200 a day

Or £25 - £30 an hour ish ?

That's not enough to employ and really make it profitable. I think you need at least £250 a day to make it worthwhile.

I would sack the employing idea off for now and work on making the round more profitable per hour.

For an 8 hour day I would think unless you are in a really poor area you should be able to do 300 a day.

Lee Pryor

  • Posts: 2285
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2019, 09:07:37 pm »
You are not limited by tank size you are limited by your mind telling you not to change it. Sorry to be blunt.

Trust me it needs to change.

Sadly most people like to learn the hard way. What I see here is your guy earning £10ph and who knows how much turnover he will generate for that. Then we can factor in his Tax and Ni your need for employers liability insurance, his 28 days a year paid holiday, vehicle and equipment maintainance....... The list is actually endless and WILL cost you more than you currently think it will. You will just have to trust me on that, I have a little experience in this area.

Put it this way. If you want a good worker you need to pay them right. After you have paid them right that amount should not exceed 30% of turnover, the most mine get to is about 32% some days.

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Stoots

  • Posts: 5986
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2019, 09:29:10 pm »
£10 ph for an 8 hour day plus holiday and n.i cost is £95 per day

£10 a day fuel
£5 a day water

There's £110 a day without employers n.i. Cost of van and insurance, any allowance for sick pay, downtown, uniform, equipment replacement etc.

Oh and when customers skip cleans or forget to unlock gates etc that all takes its toll, if he does a poor job and loses customers or doesn't get round them all etc.

£200 a day just isn't enough turnover unless you want all the extra stress and admin involved for maybe £300 a week profit?



Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #11 on: August 15, 2019, 09:31:54 pm »
On the topic of second van,  I'd only be looking at the figures and then you'll see what it'll cost you before getting anywhere near buying it. (I'm sure you have already) and not everyone runs around in shining new vans!
I work these "long 9-5 hours" (only shiners think it's long) but I'd be looking to take on another chunk of work and more stress before putting another van on the road. Insurance is for the second van will double and then there's the issue of parking, filling, charging, keeping it from freezing etc.

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #12 on: August 15, 2019, 09:35:33 pm »
Remember you get a 3k allowance for employers ni per annum so don't need to worry about that.

MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2019, 10:13:51 pm »
Where abouts in the country are you ?

1k a week if working Monday to Friday 9-5 is only 200 a day

Or £25 - £30 an hour ish ?

That's not enough to employ and really make it profitable. I think you need at least £250 a day to make it worthwhile.

I would sack the employing idea off for now and work on making the round more profitable per hour.

For an 8 hour day I would think unless you are in a really poor area you should be able to do 300 a day.
Dont get me wrong I'm not hitting 250 a day doing 9to5 some days I'm doing 9 to 5 hitting 500 I'm just saying averages this month I'm on target for 6k this month but my average is approximately 4.5k a month.

MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #14 on: August 15, 2019, 10:15:54 pm »
You are not limited by tank size you are limited by your mind telling you not to change it. Sorry to be blunt.

Trust me it needs to change.

Sadly most people like to learn the hard way. What I see here is your guy earning £10ph and who knows how much turnover he will generate for that. Then we can factor in his Tax and Ni your need for employers liability insurance, his 28 days a year paid holiday, vehicle and equipment maintainance....... The list is actually endless and WILL cost you more than you currently think it will. You will just have to trust me on that, I have a little experience in this area.

Put it this way. If you want a good worker you need to pay them right. After you have paid them right that amount should not exceed 30% of turnover, the most mine get to is about 32% some days.

Yes your definitely correct about tank size I'm going to upgrade to a 650l tank I think then an go from there building more with the money I get from my current van I'll spend on advertising.

Smudger

  • Posts: 13165
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #15 on: August 15, 2019, 10:25:52 pm »
so when you do a "500" day where do you refill your tank?

Darran
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

www.oddbodscleaning.co.uk

dazmond

  • Posts: 23504
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #16 on: August 15, 2019, 10:46:55 pm »
I'm currently working alone out of a 350l tank, I'm pretty much fully booked now I make on average 1k a week, some long days for that.

I've got the money for the 2nd van but financially it's going to take me back to when I first started out a year ago.


I'm picking up apx 10 new customers a week so I feel with my methods I should get back on track quite quickly.

Just worried about having no work for a while while I employ someone to do the current work I have.

Any advice?

i work part time hours for roughly the same money...but use more water than you......(500L tank)

do you still do a fair bit of trad work?..... as a 350L tank seems small for a 9am-5pm day or do you nip home to fill up at lunchtime?

how do you earn £500 in a day window cleaning?do you look for valuables to steal at your customers houses to make it to £500? ;D
price higher/work harder!

MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #17 on: August 15, 2019, 10:47:23 pm »
so when you do a "500" day where do you refill your tank?

Darran


At home waters ready to go just pump straight into tank

MrWindowClean

  • Posts: 28
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2019, 10:48:22 pm »
I'm currently working alone out of a 350l tank, I'm pretty much fully booked now I make on average 1k a week, some long days for that.

I've got the money for the 2nd van but financially it's going to take me back to when I first started out a year ago.


I'm picking up apx 10 new customers a week so I feel with my methods I should get back on track quite quickly.

Just worried about having no work for a while while I employ someone to do the current work I have.

Any advice?

i work part time hours for roughly the same money...but use more water than you......(500L tank)

do you still do a fair bit of trad work?..... as a 350L tank seems small for a 9am-5pm day or do you nip home to fill up at lunchtime?

how do you earn £500 in a day window cleaning?do you look for valuables to steal at your customers houses to make it to £500? ;D

Univalve has been a godsend and nipping home to fill up has become a regular occurrence

Crystal-clear

  • Posts: 3029
Re: Getting the 2nd van
« Reply #19 on: August 16, 2019, 12:23:50 am »
I'm currently working alone out of a 350l tank, I'm pretty much fully booked now I make on average 1k a week, some long days for that.

I've got the money for the 2nd van but financially it's going to take me back to when I first started out a year ago.


I'm picking up apx 10 new customers a week so I feel with my methods I should get back on track quite quickly.

Just worried about having no work for a while while I employ someone to do the current work I have.

Any advice?

i work part time hours for roughly the same money...but use more water than you......(500L tank)

do you still do a fair bit of trad work?..... as a 350L tank seems small for a 9am-5pm day or do you nip home to fill up at lunchtime?

how do you earn £500 in a day window cleaning?do you look for valuables to steal at your customers houses to make it to £500? ;D

Univalve has been a godsend and nipping home to fill up has become a regular occurrence
Ok pal that's quite a jump in turn over for the hours I take it some works much better priced then some other to make it that different for the same hours?.

Anyhow obtaining a second van will only give you an extra overhead if you haven't got the workload.
Don't forget you can run that van on a Saturday and Sunday at your days off and your employee can cover you 2 full days a week.and you can work the others that could be more of a viable option for you while you build.