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jaykie

when started lose work
« on: January 18, 2008, 09:40:19 am »
When you 1st started out and started getting your rounds together did you lose much work due to unsatisfied customers as im just starting and know its not as easy as it looks, so want to know if i need to expect people to drop me. Also shall i start of with low quotes or just go for it from the start.

steven ainger

  • Posts: 1953
Re: when started lose work
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2008, 09:49:29 am »
dont start off with low quotes as you will regret it in the future, just take your time and do a good job and the speed will come

MSTAV

  • Posts: 366
Re: when started lose work
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2008, 09:52:25 am »
yea for god sake. i did that mistake in going in cheap i used to work all day for peanuts and got the right hump with the job. now im doing ok but still trying to get them prices up. go in and earn as much as you can mate. TRUST ME and if you do a good job your customers will stay with you for years to come

pootwo

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2008, 10:12:11 am »
strted with 17 cutys lost 3  started on a wet & windy day  furst house laders blown over & crash bang & next doors window wos broken £25 to replace ? its awonder  but hear im 8 years on & on wfp now go for it

jaykie

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2008, 10:17:27 am »
Its quite nerve wracking but lucky enough i can keep my other job as dont start till 3.30 there so dont need to give up work till totally up and running.

Sir Squeaky

  • Posts: 8341
Re: when started lose work
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2008, 10:17:40 am »
strted with 17 cutys lost 3  started on a wet & windy day  furst house laders blown over & crash bang & next doors window wos broken £25 to replace ? its awonder  but hear im 8 years on & on wfp now go for it
;D

L.J.Thorpe

  • Posts: 2056
Re: when started lose work
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2008, 10:20:24 am »
imo pricing really is one of the most difficult things to get right when you start out and rest assured you will def get it wrong a few times i know i did . Try basing price on number of windows(obvious i spose ;D)and also think about how long it will take(is it all easily acessed etc.) thing is its something you have to learn yourself and it can be a bit daunting. I spose you could ask family and friends who already have a window cleaner how much they pay ,what method their bloke uses etc could give you an idea where to start as for losing custs thats all part of the rich tapestry of life as a window cleaner and in six months you will be on here asking whats the best way to get rid of the annoying ones ;D

steven ainger

  • Posts: 1953
Re: when started lose work
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2008, 10:20:31 am »
if you can afford it go wfp now, because if youve only just started up all your  customers will be new and it wont be so hard trying to change over in the future, as it seems theres alot of w/c,s changing over.  

Paul Coleman

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2008, 10:23:55 am »
Its quite nerve wracking but lucky enough i can keep my other job as dont start till 3.30 there so dont need to give up work till totally up and running.


I like that bit where you say "don't need to give up work" etc.  I was wondering what you think window cleaning is   ;D
OK ok.  I do know what you mean really but I take your point because in many ways, window cleaning doesn't seem like work as it's my own business.  It feels more like playing the game of life.

jaykie

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2008, 10:27:34 am »
Cheers guys, got people on other posts telling me trad first but ive got the cash and dont want to blow it on rubbish, i find myself looking at houses and thinking how much, whats the access and thats just when im taking my kids out for the day lol, where i am theres loads of 3 storey town houses and i live in one so i know its hard to get window cleaner, also conservatries so id need to miss windows if trad.

Paul Coleman

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2008, 10:47:34 am »
Cheers guys, got people on other posts telling me trad first but ive got the cash and dont want to blow it on rubbish, i find myself looking at houses and thinking how much, whats the access and thats just when im taking my kids out for the day lol, where i am theres loads of 3 storey town houses and i live in one so i know its hard to get window cleaner, also conservatries so id need to miss windows if trad.

I reckon start with WFP.  However, you will need trad gear anyway for inside w/cing.  A good way to start with WFP is to go around once scrubbing and rinsing all the framework (including the tops) and the glass.  Then, go around again scrubbing and  rinsing glass only.  First cleans can be time consuming but are worth doing properly.  Think of them as an investment.  However, if there are vents over the frames, it's better to not do top frames (unless the customer is prepared to accept runs from them on first cleans).

Londoner

Re: when started lose work
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2008, 11:05:44 am »
Even today after 35 years (off and on ) I would expect about 30% maybe even 50% of new customers obtained by canvassing door to door to end up being rejects.
Just because you asked the question and they said yes doesn't mean its all going to be happy ever after.
Just have to keep on bashing away and eventually you end up with a good customer base. Don't take the knocks to heart.

Also, we all underquote jobs so just accept that you are going to make mistakes. Even if they are low its best to keep on doing them till you have more work than you can handle then address it.