[pdale]

Hi all, i am getting so dissallusioned with window cleaning at the moment.
I have been window cleaning for over two years now and have built a very good round up. Howver most of my work is high demographic domestic and i am doing it the traditional way. Alot of my work is by appointment and a bad forecast puts people off.
The wet winter we had made me question where i am going wrong. We haven't had brilliant weather so far, this has really made me question whether i am doing the right thing.
May be i should move over to commercial or even commercial cleaning.
I have so much on this week I hate being reliant on the weather.
Sorry to moan, just want to have a rant.
Paul

[Wayne Thomas]

Put aside money for rainy days or find alternative work for wet days. Grow a hard shell and don't be put off by customers moaning about showery weather if they want a regular, reliable window cleaner as it works both ways.

[kris martin]

best bit of advice in this job..... PUT ASIDE FOR A RAINY DAY

[WCE]

The weather has been really poor of late. I don't just mean this week I mean in general. Since we had the floods here in July there has not been a decent run of dry weather. Still plenty of time to work on the magazine!

[kris martin]

in 11 years i have never had it so bad as i have since christmas......    loads of work hasnt got done, wind, rain, rain, wind, wind, rain and so on...

[jeff1]

Take on conservatory roof cleans along with guttering and facias, you can still work in the rain then.

[WCE]

....And as soon as we get a bit of sun the water companies will start moaning about shortages (nothing to do with the amount they lose through leaking pipes mind!) and then we will have the fun of hosepipe bans! How ironic!

[Helen]

Hi all, i am getting so dissallusioned with window cleaning at the moment.
I have been window cleaning for over two years now and have built a very good round up. Howver most of my work is high demographic domestic and i am doing it the traditional way. Alot of my work is by appointment and a bad forecast puts people off.
The wet winter we had made me question where i am going wrong. We haven't had brilliant weather so far, this has really made me question whether i am doing the right thing.
May be i should move over to commercial or even commercial cleaning.
I have so much on this week I hate being reliant on the weather.
Sorry to moan, just want to have a rant.
Paul

By demographic, what group of people or properties are you actually referring to?
One of your issues is the "by appointment" this must be hindering your way forward, go and get some quality work that doesn't have to be by appointment. perhaps change your strategy when taking on new and explain you clean in all weathers etc etc and that contact made the previous day is for gaining acees reasons only.
Don't immediately jump to commercial. It won't solve all your problems

[steve.ternent]

Hi all, i am getting so dissallusioned with window cleaning at the moment.
I have been window cleaning for over two years now and have built a very good round up. Howver most of my work is high demographic domestic and i am doing it the traditional way. Alot of my work is by appointment and a bad forecast puts people off.
The wet winter we had made me question where i am going wrong. We haven't had brilliant weather so far, this has really made me question whether i am doing the right thing.
May be i should move over to commercial or even commercial cleaning.
I have so much on this week I hate being reliant on the weather.
Sorry to moan, just want to have a rant.
Paul

By demographic, what group of people or properties are you actually referring to?
One of your issues is the "by appointment" this must be hindering your way forward, go and get some quality work that doesn't have to be by appointment. perhaps change your strategy when taking on new and explain you clean in all weathers etc etc and that contact made the previous day is for gaining acees reasons only.
Don't immediately jump to commercial. It won't solve all your problems

Exactly... Appointments definitely not! (unless the houses are £200 & up!0

Just say I am unable to give an exact time/date due to weather condition, other work commitments etc...

One other thing , If people don't like leaving the gate open ask for a Key!
either they will leave it open or you get a hundred keys to carry around! 

[gordonswindows]

I'm with Jeff1

save up your gutter work and do it on a rainy day.

Eight years in and only ever lost two days and that was because of a snowstorm

And i live in Scotland

Gutters even clean easier in the rain,  its dirty wet and cold work but hey IT IS WORK

[pitcher]

gutter cleaning is the way to go rained all day done 9 house in just over 5hrs.
jeff ref gutter sort maze shop in stoke ,have u no for other people over road

[pdale]

Interesting what you say about gutters, i do get that sort of work but don't push it like i should.
Wheni talk about appointments, around two thirds of my work are larger affluent houses. They expect me every month, but i have always rang the night before to arrange to call, rather than just turn up.
Paul

[jeff1]

gutter cleaning is the way to go rained all day done 9 house in just over 5hrs.
jeff ref gutter sort maze shop in stoke ,have u no for other people over road

Here you Go Craig  825822 its the same code as ours or email Restaurant@theprioryhouserestaurant.co.uk
Sonia is the one you want.

Just emailed them to let them know your name.

[Ian Lancaster]

Wheni talk about appointments, around two thirds of my work are larger affluent houses. They expect me every month, but i have always rang the night before to arrange to call, rather than just turn up.
Paul

Your mistake is in not selling the service properly.  When you book a new job, always ask if they need a call the night before "in case you keep the gate locked, or the dog's loose"  Most of ours do, but they know it's for access only, not a request for permission to call.

Give proper written quotes (get quote forms printed with terms and conditions on them)  Your quote will tell the customer exactly what it is they are paying for.

I also have a "rain guarantee" printed on a separate sheet and attached to the quote.  I always go through the terms with the customer before accepting them onto the books.  That way there's no misunderstandings.

[colinyates]

Really dont know how you guys put up with such crap weather, I just couldnt do WC in the UK.
Down here in Joburg there is no rain in the winter from May to October. Its just Sun sun Sun.
We did however get more rain then usual this summer.
Its just the crime you have to watch here.  

[shaun Collier]

hey pdale,

where you based?

cheers

shaun

[tompoole]

Hi

All my regulars so far accept the fact that i clean in the rain. no complaints yet.

[kirky]

Hi all, i am getting so dissallusioned with window cleaning at the moment.
I have been window cleaning for over two years now and have built a very good round up. Howver most of my work is high demographic domestic and i am doing it the traditional way. Alot of my work is by appointment and a bad forecast puts people off.
The wet winter we had made me question where i am going wrong. We haven't had brilliant weather so far, this has really made me question whether i am doing the right thing.
May be i should move over to commercial or even commercial cleaning.
I have so much on this week I hate being reliant on the weather.
Sorry to moan, just want to have a rant.
Paul

ive been in the game near on  20 years mate..keep the faith it aint that bad..even though i reckon ive just had the worse combined summer and winter since i started hopefully things can only get better

[windowwashers]

Hi all, i am getting so dissallusioned with window cleaning at the moment.
I have been window cleaning for over two years now and have built a very good round up. Howver most of my work is high demographic domestic and i am doing it the traditional way. Alot of my work is by appointment and a bad forecast puts people off.
The wet winter we had made me question where i am going wrong. We haven't had brilliant weather so far, this has really made me question whether i am doing the right thing.
May be i should move over to commercial or even commercial cleaning.
I have so much on this week I hate being reliant on the weather.
Sorry to moan, just want to have a rant.
Paul

When I was trad only I used to hate it when it poured down day in day out so I know how your feeling m8, summer here soon so that feeling will go away till next time. light rain I worked in trad. I changed to wfp, I now work rain or shine if it is pouring we still work, I know some say it cant be done, but we do this all the time, I have been back and checked windows and they are fine.

Not trying to convert you but maybe this could be a thought you should think about even if just for when it rains.

Ian

[pdale]

Thanks for your suggestions.
I think i may have to go wpf, it's about time. I'm now turning any new customers away and if i can work faster and in the rain with wpf it's got to be worthwhile.
Shaun - iam in Dudley, but most of my work is Wolverhampton as i lived there when i initially set up.
Paul