[Joe Lauzon]

I expect this has been done in past, but I thought it might be useful to get a few top tips in one thread.  You never know it all I figure!

My top tips may be fairly obvious to some I guess, but anyway.

S.A.E - With regards to collecting.  I have a very established round, and only work for people I trust.  I collect every 3 months with a stamped addressed envelope through the door.  That stamp costs about 12p a month.  I have found the customers love this non hassal form of payment no end. 

WFP - Don't believe the hype.  If you have a good thing going with trad, don't feel its a necessary progression.  People will tell you how great it is, and often gloss over the drawbacks.  You can still make a killing with a ladder on the right round.

Price high - Bloody obvious I know, but how many times when you start out do you get asked for a quote, price it too low, and end up with a job that is worthless to you down the road.  Take a bit longer and get high quality work.

Canvass the work you want - I got set in my ways for years doing residential work.  One day I took a day off and touted a small industrial estate.  I got 10 hours work - which is now 15 after people saw me about.  Priced at 35 per hour instead of the 20 I was getting for residential.

Gutters in the rain - When you get guttering jobs, tell them you will do it when it rains.  Stick your waterproofs on and away you go. 

Be pleased to hear any other tips others would like to share...

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

WFP Dont believe the hype and dont believe everything on here :

I for one would NOT collect every 3 months. Some of my jobs are £20 every 4 weeks. Im sure if I turned up after 3 months asking for £60, It would cause problems in the credit crunch.


Bob

[windowwashers]

I think one of the main tips on saving time is do not collect payments have them sent.

Wfp is a very good tool and trad will always have its place, my tip for wfp is try it you or you will never know, the Hype can sometimes be true. 

Dog earing a blade saves time on detailing.

Marketing: canvassing is the best way to get new customers (without buying a round), Leaflets give a steady flow of customers, a website also gives new customer as more and more people look online for what they want.

A good tip is to talk to other window cleaners and be freindly they may just pass work on to you or viceversa.

Always look smart and a smile helps.

[Joe Lauzon]

WFP Dont believe the hype and dont believe everything on here :

I for one would NOT collect every 3 months. Some of my jobs are £20 every 4 weeks. Im sure if I turned up after 3 months asking for £60, It would cause problems in the credit crunch.


Bob

What works for you my man.  I've been at it a very long time, and it works for me   

[birdymiller]

Recently bought some microfibre floor cloths from lidl by aqupure in a blue box. They are orange and cost £1.99 for 2. Used them this week and they are brilliant. Well used one all week. Fantasic on leaded, puts unger cloths to shame

[Joe Lauzon]

I remember when I first starting using microfibre, never touched scrim since.

Are those cloths the small variety as opposed to the 80x60 cm size?

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

work to live,not live to work

Or is it

[elite mike]

get a good accountant 

[Wayne Thomas]

Don't become the busy fool

[david-maunder]

find another job 

[twt]

If you need to stand on roof tiles and they are slippy/damp and you dont have wfp spread a scrim over the tiles and stand on that and you will have no problems.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

A little one for wfp users with pumps that are hard to prime.

Turn the pump on full whack and rock the hose reel back and forth.  Save you from having to suck.

Simon.

[NWH]

If you need to stand on roof tiles and they are slippy/damp and you dont have wfp spread a scrim over the tiles and stand on that and you will have no problems.

Standing on peoples tiles,with all the good intentions you may have i don`t think so.

[twt]

If you need to stand on roof tiles and they are slippy/damp and you dont have wfp spread a scrim over the tiles and stand on that and you will have no problems.

Standing on peoples tiles,with all the good intentions you may have i don`t think so.

No good intentions just a tip of the trade you may not use ladders but others do, this thread asked for tips and that is what was given.

[NWH]

You shouldn`t stand on peoples tiles anyway end of story.

[twt]

You shouldn`t stand on peoples tiles anyway end of story.

Ok thats your view.

[Moderator David@stives]

I stand on tiles with customers permission.

If i didnt i would lose a lot of money every year

[Joe Lauzon]

I stand on tiles with customers permission.

If i didnt i would lose a lot of money every year

What he said.  If your a trad cleaner you have to use your head, but its part and parcel of the job.

[NWH]

If customers gave  me permission to stand on there tiles and more than likely break them then i would,i prefer not to nowdays with WFP.I did it once and it cost me £200 for the privilage.

[twt]

Thats unfortunate because i have only had to replace a few tiles in my time, there are places you can walk on roofs without putting alot of strain on the tiles.