[jeff1]

Until I changed to wfp, I never had the luxury of being able to take time off, (except for the bad weather days)
I worked this Monday and only because the Travel inn I took on, was opening its doors to the public the next day, but the rest of the week has been a real lazy one for me, and 'O' boy how I have enjoyed it.  It gave me plenty of time to finish my trailer system off.

My earnings have risen nicely and I'm still able to have time off, I'm making the most of it, because on average, I'm getting about 8 calls a week so far, from my yellow pages advert, I don't take them all on, other wise, I'll be all over the place with the odd one, here and there, I can afford to pick and choose.

I assume all you guy's have found the same since you changed to wfp, but what have you done?
Have you taken on more work to fill your time and increase your earnings? or have you filled the gaps with more work? but still allow your self time off as and when you need it.

[Paul Coleman]

I couldn't really vote because mine is both 1 AND 3   
I've taken on more work, increased my takings, AND I have more time off.  I have about the same number of customers as before but I have passed on/offloaded some of the jobs I didn't want and replaced them with larger, better paying jobs.  This process seems to be ongoing.

[pjulk]

I earn more money now than when i was traditional and taken on more work which has been good as its allowed me to drop the crap work.

But i also have more time off.

Just having a bite to eat and a coffee now and then back to work.

I must get out of the habit of comming home for lunch

Paul

[Sir Squeaky]

No change for me yet, as I'm just finishing first cleans.

Actually, because things went all into a different order due to my injury and my rubbish first van, I spent this morning on 2nd cleans.

So quick and easy, and I've got no worries about the job I've done.

Even on first cleans I was barely slower than trad, often faster.
Had one of my best ever weeks this week, and 4 days of it were 1st wfp cleans.

So it's bound to make me more money.
Schplendid.

[Paul Coleman]

No change for me yet, as I'm just finishing first cleans.

Actually, because things went all into a different order due to my injury and my rubbish first van, I spent this morning on 2nd cleans.

So quick and easy, and I've got no worries about the job I've done.

Even on first cleans I was barely slower than trad, often faster.
Had one of my best ever weeks this week, and 4 days of it were 1st wfp cleans.

So it's bound to make me more money.
Schplendid.

I'm glad to hear things are going better for you now Rog.

[jeff1]

No change for me yet, as I'm just finishing first cleans.

Actually, because things went all into a different order due to my injury and my rubbish first van, I spent this morning on 2nd cleans.

So quick and easy, and I've got no worries about the job I've done.

Even on first cleans I was barely slower than trad, often faster.
Had one of my best ever weeks this week, and 4 days of it were 1st wfp cleans.

So it's bound to make me more money.
Schplendid.

I only started wfp in January Rog, so give it a couple more months and you will  reep the benefits  You have a great looking van, making you look more professional so more work will come your way, along with the money.
Wishing you the very best for the future.

[Tosh]

No change for me yet, as I'm just finishing first cleans.

Actually, because things went all into a different order due to my injury and my rubbish first van, I spent this morning on 2nd cleans.

So quick and easy, and I've got no worries about the job I've done.

Even on first cleans I was barely slower than trad, often faster.
Had one of my best ever weeks this week, and 4 days of it were 1st wfp cleans.

So it's bound to make me more money.
Schplendid.

Do you not think you owe certain people an apology and others a thanks?

I think you should eat some 'humble pie', after all the anti stuff you've wrote about WFP?

And just think about those other window cleaners who you may have put off from going WFP!

 

[Dean Aspects]

just gone back to being a sole trader this week so much less stress
was working wfp upstairs and the other guy was trad down
i got a larger van and tank so i now wfp everything
and i am doing the same amount as the two of us were doing
i am now going to cream off the best of the work and fill the gaps with better paying and easier jobs
forgot to mention all week i have been finising earlier so i am not as tired at the end of this week am almost looking forward to work next week

[Sir Squeaky]

For what?

My arguement was that it didn't go as good a job as by hand.
I still stand by that, and most customers say so too.

But...it's good enough to get away with.
As long as they don't all desert me it'll do me, as it's lazy and quicker (on the upstairs anyway).

[East coast window cleaning Services]

I Switched to it 2 1/2 years ago and aint looked back started with a 125 tank then went upto 200 now using a 400 ltr tank. Did a job today which ive had the contract since i got the wfp used to take 9 hours by hand with to people but now takes 4 hours with one person  and is worth £250 quid

[Tosh]

My arguement was that it didn't go as good a job as by hand.
I still stand by that, and most customers say so too.

But...it's good enough to get away with.

Just wait till you start doing it properly!  Then you'll see (sometimes)!

[Ian_Giles]

My woek load has increased all over the place, sometimes I've a job to keep up with it all!
But I still have the odd lazy day, and I don't worry too much as I know I will still have a decent week come what may.

I agree with both Roger and Tosh about quality, Rog is right in respect that you will make more mistakes, leave spots now and then etc, and Tosh is also right in that at times it does an absolutely top drawer job at times, and I would also add that it does a more thorough job too.

I disagree with the lazy bit though, I put in a lot of effort personally, it isn't as energy sapping as trad for sure, but that doesn't mean it is lazy!

the trouble is, WFP isn't as consistant as trad, though of course if you are a pants trad cleaner your results will be consistantly bad, so it really comes down to the individual, not forgetting that as you get more experienced you get far better at leaving a top quality job.

Today I picked up two accounts, one was in good order and was a doddle, came up top notch, the other (her neighbour) was much tougher, most of the windows were in need of painting and were badly oxidised.
Now if a newbie such as Roger had done this account, he would have left behind a pretty ropey job, but as I had been yakking with the customer for 20 minutes after I'd done, I was able to recheck the windows after they'd mostly dried out, and if there were spots on the windows I sure as hell couldn't see them :

But that's the 'experience' bit isn't it, something that newbies such as Rog can only acquire with time.....

Ian

[Sir Squeaky]

Today I picked up two accounts, one was in good order and was a doddle, came up top notch, the other (her neighbour) was much tougher, most of the windows were in need of painting and were badly oxidised.
Now if a newbie such as Roger had done this account, he would have left behind a pretty ropey job...etc

Maybe, maybe not.

I'm certainly a lot better at it than I was a month ago.
I was checking my work then and having to redo or squeegee off quite a bit.

These days, it's only the odd one here or there.
On the 2nd cleans today I didn't notice anything bad at all.

[Clive McDonald]

I went into this a business, but I don't think I could have hacked it trad. I did do three months.

One of the big WFP advantages is that your round does not have to be that compact.

The other thing too I think is the computer. I still have less than a hundred accounts, but how you used to remember how often, who's paid etc. The computer also aids convenient payment (for them and for us), and by logging into your bank you can see who's paid in. What did you use to do before wait for a statement?

I click a button in George it gives me a debt list. click another tomorrows work. These tasks took me forever.

Not to mention printing our own leaflets, and seeing others designs .

Money doesn't bother me, I just find it exciting trying to biuld a business.

[geefree]

dont forget about how big your muscles grow in your arms and shoulders 

that has to be a plus.