[dean b]

Hi, i have just been given the chance to buy a round with 96 homes and a turnover of £1000. It is up for sale for £5000. Can anybody please tell me is this a good price or should i start from scratch and spend some of the money on advertising etc ? Many thanks !

[NWH]

Bear in mind that your more than likely going lose at least 10% after taking over from him,if it was me for houses that are only worth £10 each i woud only offer him £1500.It`s what you call run of the mill work so i would only offer him run of the mill money for it,if it was worth 5k a month then that`s a different ball game.

[AuRavelling79]

That's a lot of money unless it is extremely well priced, (and the average of £1000 divided by 96 is just over £10 so it probably isn't) comes with the previous guy introducing you personally and guaranteeing that you do not have to pay for any "drop-offs".

Also pay in monthly instalments and knock off any "drop-offs".

Can you trust the seller? Will he guarantee not to re-canvass in a years time?

If it's fairly compacted, all non bay windowed semi's with no conservatories I reckon with the above proviso's 3X would be nearer the mark.

If bigger properties I would walk away.

[tompoole]

hi

start your own round 5k pays you a wage and buys a lot of marketing. and equipment. and they will all be your customers.

[dean b]

Thanks guys, some useful advice there. The round is very compact but like you say, it seems a bit pricey. I guess advertising in local newspapers and magazines would be more beneficial ? 

[NWH]

Make sure there is a genuine good reason for why he` selling,i don`t know any WC that would sell work if it was cream.99% of work for sale is average at best from what i`ve seen in the past,like i say check out reason for selling and try and get him to back it up,also look through the list of work and pick a couple out at random,call on those houses and see if there willing to let you continue this will give you a better feeling as to what your buying.

[dean b]

He reckons he is selling it as most of their work is now pole work and these particular customers are a bit resistant to change.

[tompoole]

Hi Dean

Try leaflets first they are cheap and if you have any success then word of mouth tends to click in. It is slow for a couple of months but it does start to snowball.  When you get a cluster of response, leaflet the area again. A good tip is to solo the leaflets on a fri or sat in good weather , also try try to get a local shop or better still a hairdresser and offer to do the job cheap as chips if they give out your flyers.

Get the leaflets going out regular . every 4 weeks leaflet the same area so people begin to recognize them. try local village mags etc .

More leaflets the better. then follow up after awhile by door knocking but i bet you won't need to

tom

[Wayne Thomas]

If you buy any work, go around and meet the customers 1st and make sure you get a contract wrote out with the seller preventing them from re-canvassing your work.

[AuRavelling79]

He reckons he is selling it as most of their work is now pole work and these particular customers are a bit resistant to change.

So in modern terms this is below average work.

Are you on a ladder? If so I revise my valuation from a possible 3X to 1.5/2X if at all!
If wfp I wouldn't bother!

[jonah]

Easy to pass comment but if you want to start earning right away then you will not lose any money buying ready made round ( If it is legit )  Its like when you are looking for a job , if you allready employed its easier to find a job !

[matt]

5 X the amount is a bit steep

2 X is acceptable imho

[jonah]

You are a wise old man matt with your experiance behind you ! But if you are starting out then a good round is like gold dust IMHO 

[dean b]

Everybody has been so helpful, thank you. I finish nice and early on my present job so i guess i could start part time window cleaning ?