[Stoots]

So ive been bored of window cleaning for a long time.

I fancied a change this year so decided that i would go more seriously into pressure washing and try to get into roof cleaning .

I have dabbled with pressure washing and other bits over the years but never gave it much effort but decided i need to do something else. Already had a pressure washer but had to buy  a few bits like flat surface cleaners, roof scrapers and a longer pole.

Anyway i decided to try google ads i setup my ads did a lot of work on my website and manged to get some leads. I spent about 200 quid in 2 weeks on leads and had maybe 12 leads come through. Not bad actually.

However no jobs 

I quoted 3 roofs all of them said it was too expensive and i tried to be cheap because i just wanted the job, i was quoting around 500 quid for a semi and didnt land any, one bloke thought it would be about 100 quid lol. I had a commerical job come in that wanted me to clean an asbestos roof near a river (cant be dont hse).  I had 3 people almost book in and then say oh i dont have an outside tap, like wtf. I drove half an hour to quote this woman against my judgement because she couldnt send pics only for her to say oh its a bit expensive. I had a couple of people just ghost me on quotes. Then i had one woman book in for a job to turn round a few hours later and say ive found someone cheaper.

All that work advertising, calling people, quoting, the expense of the gear etc im starting to realise what an easy touch we have it with window cleaning . Yes its super boring, but its repeat, its low overhead, you dont really get people price shopping comparing 5 differenet quotes. Its just easy, simple not much can go wrong your machine cant break down and have to be sent off for repair etc.

Now im not gonna quit the pressure washing its early days and ive been unlucky but i am going to focus back on my round, build it back up a bit and increase its efficency i will then take another shot at the pressure washing but i will probably steer away from the paid ads and try to get jobs off existing customers.

Window cleaning is a pretty unique business model we have it so easy,...boring, relentless, monotonous but easy.

[Slacky]

Lots of pressure washing going on over here.

They clean everything here. I even had a job pressure washing all the trolleys at the local supermarket.

 Ant see the point of it to be honest but they really take pride in their environment here which is so enthusing and good to see.

One of the really nice things I see here is the amount of women landscapers. They really make a go of it out here, such positivity.

My only regret, not being able to move here years ago.

And fuel is 80/90p a litre 😝😝

[AuRavelling79]

So ive been bored of window cleaning for a long time.

I fancied a change this year so decided that i would go more seriously into pressure washing and try to get into roof cleaning .

I have dabbled with pressure washing and other bits over the years but never gave it much effort but decided i need to do something else. Already had a pressure washer but had to buy  a few bits like flat surface cleaners, roof scrapers and a longer pole.

Anyway i decided to try google ads i setup my ads did a lot of work on my website and manged to get some leads. I spent about 200 quid in 2 weeks on leads and had maybe 12 leads come through. Not bad actually.

However no jobs 

I quoted 3 roofs all of them said it was too expensive and i tried to be cheap because i just wanted the job, i was quoting around 500 quid for a semi and didnt land any, one bloke thought it would be about 100 quid lol. I had a commerical job come in that wanted me to clean an asbestos roof near a river (cant be dont hse).  I had 3 people almost book in and then say oh i dont have an outside tap, like wtf. I drove half an hour to quote this woman against my judgement because she couldnt send pics only for her to say oh its a bit expensive. I had a couple of people just ghost me on quotes. Then i had one woman book in for a job to turn round a few hours later and say ive found someone cheaper.

All that work advertising, calling people, quoting, the expense of the gear etc im starting to realise what an easy touch we have it with window cleaning . Yes its super boring, but its repeat, its low overhead, you dont really get people price shopping comparing 5 differenet quotes. Its just easy, simple not much can go wrong your machine cant break down and have to be sent off for repair etc.

Now im not gonna quit the pressure washing its early days and ive been unlucky but i am going to focus back on my round, build it back up a bit and increase its efficency i will then take another shot at the pressure washing but i will probably steer away from the paid ads and try to get jobs off existing customers.

Window cleaning is a pretty unique business model we have it so easy,...boring, relentless, monotonous but easy.

Have you actively marketed your new services to your window cleaning customers?

Mine for coal in your own rich seam.

[tlwcs]

So ive been bored of window cleaning for a long time.

I fancied a change this year so decided that i would go more seriously into pressure washing and try to get into roof cleaning .

I have dabbled with pressure washing and other bits over the years but never gave it much effort but decided i need to do something else. Already had a pressure washer but had to buy  a few bits like flat surface cleaners, roof scrapers and a longer pole.

Anyway i decided to try google ads i setup my ads did a lot of work on my website and manged to get some leads. I spent about 200 quid in 2 weeks on leads and had maybe 12 leads come through. Not bad actually.

However no jobs 

I quoted 3 roofs all of them said it was too expensive and i tried to be cheap because i just wanted the job, i was quoting around 500 quid for a semi and didnt land any, one bloke thought it would be about 100 quid lol. I had a commerical job come in that wanted me to clean an asbestos roof near a river (cant be dont hse).  I had 3 people almost book in and then say oh i dont have an outside tap, like wtf. I drove half an hour to quote this woman against my judgement because she couldnt send pics only for her to say oh its a bit expensive. I had a couple of people just ghost me on quotes. Then i had one woman book in for a job to turn round a few hours later and say ive found someone cheaper.

All that work advertising, calling people, quoting, the expense of the gear etc im starting to realise what an easy touch we have it with window cleaning . Yes its super boring, but its repeat, its low overhead, you dont really get people price shopping comparing 5 differenet quotes. Its just easy, simple not much can go wrong your machine cant break down and have to be sent off for repair etc.

Now im not gonna quit the pressure washing its early days and ive been unlucky but i am going to focus back on my round, build it back up a bit and increase its efficency i will then take another shot at the pressure washing but i will probably steer away from the paid ads and try to get jobs off existing customers.

Window cleaning is a pretty unique business model we have it so easy,...boring, relentless, monotonous but easy.

Have you actively marketed your new services to your window cleaning customers?

Mine for coal in your own rich seam.

You took my sentence!
Tony

[Stoots]

No not asked current customers yet only because ive done that before and not had much response and i wanted to see what the longevity of it likely was once I had exhausted those few off jobs I might get.  I will do though.


My only point really though was window cleaning is pretty unique when you think most services like plumber, electrician, plasterer, landscaper etc will all be the same running round quoting and dashing to suppliers etc putting in far more hours than we do.

I just think its easy to take for granted just going round the same houses every week on autopilot and being home for 1 or 2pm without any headaches.

[zesty]

I used to do loads of driveways, it’s slowed down a lot recently, but I enjoyed it. Really good money and it was always job and knock.

I wouldn’t pay to advertise though, I just have it as a service on my website .

Last two years it seems to have dropped off massively. No idea why. Perhaps loads more blokes out there doing it.

Window cleaning is a great job compared to many many others. It’s easy, stress free work.

Did some labouring for one of my best mates the other week, to help him out. Sod that as full time job. The building game is hard graft.

[cgh window cleaning]

I find similar problems with commercial window cleaning.People just don’t want to pay good money at the the minute.
You’re always going to be safe with residential because the job value is low people can’t be bothered to shop around for £20-£25 .

[james peters]

I started offering exterior cleaning to my customers about 6 years ago.
I now get repeat jobs  .
its mainly gutter and fascias , render cleaning, and a small amount of pressure washing.

just this past week, I have had 3 of my window cleaning customers book in to have their render cleaned.
during november, on my "windows cleaned " slips , i put a little note telling them I can empty gutters , and gave them a price.
I had about 25 customers book in a gutter empty.

this is a good thread though.    I have realised how good , easy and uncomplicated window cleaning is.

[KS Cleaning]

You have stated many times on here that you don’t like having conversations with your window cleaning customers……not ideal if you want to sell add on services to them. If you build up a good relationship with your customers these type of jobs will come flooding in.

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

When I began window cleaning, I didn't realise how many add-ons there was. So bought the PW and started cleaning driveways and even roofs. I would tackle anything that came along but always stuck with the basics which is window cleaning.

Went on a Softwash course and do that now rather than PW anything. Getting consistent roof sprays every 2 years now with hypo. I still have the PW but will not return to this Seasonal work because there is easier money out there.

Okay window cleaning is boring but brings money in everyday because its consistent. That's what I noticed when I started window cleaning and the add-ons is our bonus. I pruned some trees for a customer and now her son wants me to do some tidying up for him.

Today a customer told me she called to get a Magpie's nest removed and they would have charged her £230. I did it for free when I cleaned her windows today and now I have the insides to do next month. If you have good public relations with our customers then the work trickles in and begins to grow. I have noticed the more you put in then the more you get out, it works for me. 

[Splash and dash]

So ive been bored of window cleaning for a long time.

I fancied a change this year so decided that i would go more seriously into pressure washing and try to get into roof cleaning .

I have dabbled with pressure washing and other bits over the years but never gave it much effort but decided i need to do something else. Already had a pressure washer but had to buy  a few bits like flat surface cleaners, roof scrapers and a longer pole.

Anyway i decided to try google ads i setup my ads did a lot of work on my website and manged to get some leads. I spent about 200 quid in 2 weeks on leads and had maybe 12 leads come through. Not bad actually.

However no jobs 

I quoted 3 roofs all of them said it was too expensive and i tried to be cheap because i just wanted the job, i was quoting around 500 quid for a semi and didnt land any, one bloke thought it would be about 100 quid lol. I had a commerical job come in that wanted me to clean an asbestos roof near a river (cant be dont hse).  I had 3 people almost book in and then say oh i dont have an outside tap, like wtf. I drove half an hour to quote this woman against my judgement because she couldnt send pics only for her to say oh its a bit expensive. I had a couple of people just ghost me on quotes. Then i had one woman book in for a job to turn round a few hours later and say ive found someone cheaper.

All that work advertising, calling people, quoting, the expense of the gear etc im starting to realise what an easy touch we have it with window cleaning . Yes its super boring, but its repeat, its low overhead, you dont really get people price shopping comparing 5 differenet quotes. Its just easy, simple not much can go wrong your machine cant break down and have to be sent off for repair etc.

Now im not gonna quit the pressure washing its early days and ive been unlucky but i am going to focus back on my round, build it back up a bit and increase its efficency i will then take another shot at the pressure washing but i will probably steer away from the paid ads and try to get jobs off existing customers.

Window cleaning is a pretty unique business model we have it so easy,...boring, relentless, monotonous but easy.

Before going to look at a job say to the  customer prices for this type of job start from xxx would you like me to come and take a look at? If they hesitate it’s time to walk away , if they say yes take a look you know they are prepared to pay xxx .
As for outside tap that should be a question to ask before looking at a job if you don’t carry water with you .
Don’t know your area but I don’t know anyone that cleans a roof for less than £1200 plus the vat it’s simply not worth doing for any less scaffold tower hire , all the mess to clean up and it’s much harder work than window cleaning, if ones don’t want to pay that then I would stick to the windows .

[dazmond]

Why would you want to faff about doing anything else but window cleaning? I do clean roofs and fascias occasionally for existing customers but that's using existing equipment with no advertising  and no extra equipment.

Keep it simple is my motto....

Short days,low stress and more time for pursuing hobbies or just relaxing with family,friends.

[deeege]

All that time, effort and cost trying to figure out exactly what everyone on here has been telling you for ages 

Stick to the windows, price well and do a good job and you’ll have a solid repeatable income for as long as you want it.

[Stoots]

Its like anything when youve been doing it so long you take it for granted.

I will stand by that its super boring, pressure washing is much more fun but windows is easy to run with little headaches.

I will build my round back up a bit as ive let is slide lost/dumped about 50 customers last 6 months.

[dazmond]

Its like anything when youve been doing it so long you take it for granted.

I will stand by that its super boring, pressure washing is much more fun but windows is easy to run with little headaches.

I will build my round back up a bit as ive let is slide lost/dumped about 50 customers last 6 months.

I never ever take my round for granted even after 33 years. Customers come and go but a solid base is always there with new jobs added to my round through recommendation/walk ups when cleaning.

If you enjoy pressure washing then fair enough do that too if you want to mix it up a bit but you never seem to be happy/content with whatever you do....

Imagine if you were still at your factory job? What a horrible situation that would be!

An active,outdoor job that's not too physical and very straightforward with plenty of flexibility should be celebrated.....

No chance of AI replacing us too!😄👍

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I find similar problems with commercial window cleaning.People just don’t want to pay good money at the the minute.
You’re always going to be safe with residential because the job value is low people can’t be bothered to shop around for £20-£25 .

Retail is on a downward spiral. Bumped into a guy after he had cleaned Greggs and he was saying some shops he cleans have not went up in price for decades. They have told him if the price even goes up a pound then they will cancel. M & S used to get cleaned ever day but now its once a week inside and out. I reckon its only a matter of time they get the staff to do it.

Usually when one side goes down another side goes up and that's what I'm seeing on the domestic side. With a home being an increasing asset, folk want to keep making it more attractive. That's the reason when I clean the new estate and a new window still has the protection tape on it, the ladder comes out and up I go to remove it. I don't want any complaints so I can pick up more during the build process. They still have more than half to build and they own both fields either side of the estate. All front gardens don't have any obstacles, only a side gate, so one can clean a 4 or 5 bed detached in less than 10 minutes.

[tlwcs]

Prices haven’t gone up for decades, you kill me man.
When he said that to you, did you believe it or have you just made it up?

[deeege]

Tbf to Scottish, I was offered some retail jobs last year, I don’t do retail anymore but I asked for details out of curiosity, the prices were exactly the same as they were 12 years ago when I did used to do that type of work.

I feel for anyone who tries to make a living out of cleaning the larger nationwide chains these days.

[windowswashed]

10-15 years ago shop prices were pants, stopped quoting, waste of time.

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

Prices haven’t gone up for decades, you kill me man.
When he said that to you, did you believe it or have you just made it up?

I'm only telling you what he told me. Do you clean any retail and how are your prices?