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colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Domestics?
« on: April 18, 2008, 09:58:16 pm »

Hi Guys,

I've avoided domestics like the plague since I started out. I've done a few but have mainly targeted the commercial market and this has kept me busy. Its mainly been one off's and bits and pieces, some weekly shops, monthly offices and a big business park every three months and a few schools in the holidays.

Now though a friend of mine has decided that he wants me to help him build up a domestic round and I have limited experience with this side of the market but have thought that it would be a good idea as there are thousands of houses and only a few commercials in the area up for grabs.

I'm thinking of putting some terms and conditions together and then starting leaflet drops. I was thinking of leaflet dropping an area on a Saturday and then going back then next Saturday to clean any customers that I get. Once I've done them going somewhere else and leaflet dropping and returning the weekend after to clean. I was thinking of doing this on a four weekly basis once I get to week 4, canvassing week 1 again to see what I pick up. I've got all the kit and doing it this way I can keep on top of my commercial work and fill the gaps in my business by adding a days domestic work in to the week and bunching commercials together.

Do you guys have any opinions? Dave0123 have you got any ideas on areas I could target mate? 

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2008, 10:04:37 pm »
Your in a good position as you don`t have other domestics to maintain,don`t target run of the mill houses go out where there`s trees and fields that`s where the money is.Most days 5-6-7 houses and you`ve earn`t your doe.

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2008, 10:23:14 pm »

Yeah thanks mate. Thats a good idea, we have lots of area like that around my way. I must admit I've never really explored the domestic market because I've subbed a lot of work since starting out. Plus I know basically were the commercial work was up for grabs because when I worked for my old firm I knew were I was getting asked a lot so I just headed there. Now the subbing is slowing down because the company I sub off have started getting into cleaning products rather than services. Which is great because the last 12 months they have pestered me to get all sorts of kit and now the work is slowing and my over headed are quite high now.

Re: Domestics?
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2008, 10:44:15 pm »
Your in a good position as you don`t have other domestics to maintain,don`t target run of the mill houses go out where there`s trees and fields that`s where the money is.Most days 5-6-7 houses and you`ve earn`t your doe.
nwh can you email me please


design  @windowwashers.co.uk

I would like to have a chat with you, please email you details.

Ian

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2008, 10:50:35 pm »
What`s your full email address Ian.

Re: Domestics?
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2008, 10:51:56 pm »
What`s your full email address Ian.
the one below with no spaces  ::)

mark dew

  • Posts: 2901
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2008, 10:52:23 pm »
go out where there`s trees and fields that`s where the money is.

good advice this is.
You will also find that the vast majority will also be as recession proof a customer as you can get.
Oh and don't forget to use a landline number and your full name. Country people can be wary of 1st names and mobile number only.

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2008, 11:02:16 pm »
9 out of 10 money is not an issue at all,all there interested in is being able to trust you.If you can get these type of customers your laughing,to these customers you do have to sell yourself as a person not just a WC and what you offer,you need to come across as an honest individual that can be left to roam around the place where there might be bits and peices worth £££.The first 5 seconds on the doorstep with these people will determine wether you have the job,don`t forget all there freinds are loaded to.

mark dew

  • Posts: 2901
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2008, 11:12:18 pm »
don`t forget all there freinds are loaded to.

And they network as well. We could go on all night about the pro's of rural customers. Needless to say, there are 2 happy rural wc posting on this thread so far.

L.J.Thorpe

  • Posts: 2056
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2008, 11:18:12 pm »
9 out of 10 money is not an issue at all,all there interested in is being able to trust you.If you can get these type of customers your laughing,to these customers you do have to sell yourself as a person not just a WC and what you offer,you need to come across as an honest individual that can be left to roam around the place where there might be bits and peices worth £££.The first 5 seconds on the doorstep with these people will determine wether you have the job,don`t forget all there freinds are loaded to.
dont shout it too loud mate ;)

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2008, 11:20:01 pm »
9 out of 10 money is not an issue at all,all there interested in is being able to trust you.If you can get these type of customers your laughing,to these customers you do have to sell yourself as a person not just a WC and what you offer,you need to come across as an honest individual that can be left to roam around the place where there might be bits and peices worth £££.The first 5 seconds on the doorstep with these people will determine wether you have the job,don`t forget all there freinds are loaded to.
dont shout it too loud mate ;)
It`s boxed off mate,like i say these people like to know who there dealing with and don`t like change unlike your 2 up 2 down down the town who would drop you no sooner than look at you.

dave0123

  • Posts: 3553
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2008, 11:22:52 pm »
I have noticed quite a few turning down quotes over the last 2 months or so.

colley are u going to advertise in the yp this year again? if i remember corrected its more after your first year like 50% extra? to me its waste money better to leaflet the areas you want not the od 1 here and there tha the window cleaner doesnt want in that area  ::)


i dont no of any area's mate havent been canvassing for a while now just the od few
Dave.

Wayne Thomas

Re: Domestics?
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2008, 06:50:13 am »
don`t forget all there freinds are loaded to.

And they network as well. We could go on all night about the pro's of rural customers. Needless to say, there are 2 happy rural wc posting on this thread so far.

Make that 3, I love working deep in the countryside on detached houses in tiny little hamlets that tourists have problems trying to find on their maps or sat navs. I'd swap my town houses for rural anyday.

mark dew

  • Posts: 2901
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2008, 07:27:40 am »
An advert in a parish magazine is a good way to have a permanent advertising presence in the countryside.
It can be hard to find out what it is, but when you're in the sticks and you see a church, write down the vicars name and tel number if on there and give him a call. The name is usually on a sign or noticeboard.
I pay a tenner a year to advertise, although some charge more.
Not everyone gets a parish magazine, but the people who do are generally the community oriented types who get involved with village fetes or garden parties, fundraisers etc. And these are the type of people who have strong networks and are most likely to recommend you to a friend. 

d s windowcleaning

  • Posts: 2782
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2008, 09:42:21 am »
An advert in a parish magazine is a good way to have a permanent advertising presence in the countryside.
It can be hard to find out what it is, but when you're in the sticks and you see a church, write down the vicars name and tel number if on there and give him a call. The name is usually on a sign or noticeboard.
I pay a tenner a year to advertise, although some charge more.
Not everyone gets a parish magazine, but the people who do are generally the community oriented types who get involved with village fetes or garden parties, fundraisers etc. And these are the type of people who have strong networks and are most likely to recommend you to a friend.
got to agree i picked up loads of work this way for £20 for the year .
where theres muck theres money

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2008, 07:43:20 pm »
Thanks for your input guys, gives me a lot to think about.

Dave, after what happened this year I will be having a good chat with yellow pages before making a decision as I was left in the dark last year, didn't get the advert I wanted. Basically the advert was rushed by them and amendments weren't corrected. Unless they pull their fingers out this year I will be looking into other types of adverts.

Rob.Hall

  • Posts: 1095
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #16 on: April 20, 2008, 07:55:46 pm »
Which area of Sussex are you in NWH?

Have you a sign written van.

just out of interest being on the boarders.

Feen

  • Posts: 562
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #17 on: April 20, 2008, 07:58:06 pm »
I am nearly all domestic and probably have most types of customer or should I say houses :) I have some really compact semi's and terraces that you hardly have to move the van all day. The truth is there are too many customers. That means too much chat holding you back and too many people out at work. This means for me a) leaving payment a month, b) leaving an envelope (have they got cheque books?? Credit cards yes, but cheque books...) or c) calling round. If it's a), I still have to use b) or c) next month. Too much hassle and wasted time. As others have said, it's the good ones that make it worth it and working out in the sticks, with beautiful views is so good.
Feen

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #18 on: April 20, 2008, 08:00:18 pm »
Which area of Sussex are you in NWH?

Have you a sign written van.

just out of interest being on the boarders.

Where are you Rob,it dosen`t say in your profile.

colley614

  • Posts: 1557
Re: Domestics?
« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2008, 08:02:30 pm »
Since posting my last post a couple of minutes ago. A guy has just rang me up who is on the border of retirement. He has just been asking me how renting his round from him would work. I told him it would be best to have a coffee and a chat tomorrow morning and talk about it then. I think that it would be a case of me renting for a while then being offered the work from then on. what advice can you guys give me what sort of percent should he be taking rent and how percent should I be getting in return?