[midage]

Hi to all. I have a chance of  redundancy and thinking of buying a window cleaning round. Although i am 57 years old i am fit due to running , weights, and use of a cross trainer. I used to do window cleaning 35 years ago have worked inside since. Any advice on this would be much apprieceated. kind Regards Midage.

[LWC]

go wfp

[cvdewsbury]

 go for part time traditional set up do a bit of ladder work yourself if  you fancy it... have a young lad clean the majority of tops, set up costs minimal,plus cost of round.

[Clive McDonald]

Yes you can do this. The fitness will help and you will need it. Do not expect other people to encourage you because they wont. Use the knowledge you've gained in your earlier life to your advantage.

Don't think that buying a round is an easy option or the best option.

The main qualitys you will need are determination and perseverance.

If you are the kind of guy who likes to plan for a marathon and do the extended training runs while avoiding injury etc then this might quite suit you.

[johnny_h]

what part of the uk do you live? your profile is pretty blank

[Feen]

Don't underestimate the physicality of wfp.  I would be very, very careful about buying work for these reasons: you may not like it. You may get sold sh*t work/ problem payers etc. Good luck, but don't jump in (financially or physically) until you are sure.

[johns window kleen]

Just a thought , as I was in similar position to you a year ago, a bit younger early 40's, why dont you build up a small round and do it on saturdays.  This way you learn the job and pricing b4 you commit. Funny enough most of my good / well paid work was built up by doing this. I started trad and now WFP upstairs, and trad downstairs.
Buy a light 3 section domestic use pole to start off with. I kicked off in winter so am now enjoying the summer months and i think this business is a brilliant way to earn a living and beats sitting on yer a**e at a desk all day long.

[midage]

Hi again. Thanks to all of you for  sending replys, it is much appreciated.I have worked 6-2 2-10 for about 30 years in Grt Manchester. Unhappy at work and need a change.

[Mike 108]

Midage.

I started 2 years ago when I was 59 years of age. If you want to chat - email me (see my profile) and I'll give you my telephone number.

Mike

[dai]

If your working 2-10 . you have an ideal opportunity to do a few hours in the mornings.
I started back in this game when I was 52.
Your age is an advantage too when it comes to canvasing new customers.
I found it best to canvass at weekends, most of my customers were recruited on Sundays.
I have been back in the game 14 years, and going WFP 3 years ago was the best move I ever made.
Good luck mate, you like me will find it a lot different to what it was all those years ago, We never even had squeegees then.

[windowwashers]

Hi to all. I have a chance of  redundancy and thinking of buying a window cleaning round. Although i am 57 years old i am fit due to running , weights, and use of a cross trainer. I used to do window cleaning 35 years ago have worked inside since. Any advice on this would be much apprieceated. kind Regards Midage.

being your own boss mean motivation (full stop) if you have this it will work, if your lazy it be be limited till you stop.

My grandad was 60 and went self employed as a builder and did very well from hinself and my nan.
You are young and you can do this if you really want to.

buying a round is the easy way as you earn from day one.

if you want to have a chat feel free to call me on 07788 732 789 if your in my area bedfordshire/cambridgeshire your welcome to come out with us for a day show you what has changed (this is a lot)

Ian

[alanwilson]

Hi midage

Firstly welcome to the forum.

The round you have been offered - why is it for sale?  what are the prices like?

Just be careful buying work, if its bad work you'll regret it, if its good work then its worth its weight in gold.

I agree with the post about getting a young lad out with you to do tops, although you would be liable to pay el plus holiday pay etc.  

If you could get a forum member or another local wc'er to go look at this work thats for sale I think that would really help you on your way.

good luck

[rillen]

go for it i's so profitable you will be able to afford a mate soon and retire in bliss try our mates at brodex for start up advice and a starter kit www.brodexbms.co.uk ask for partick he seems to be the man in the know...

[alanwilson]

rillen I'm not sure if thats the most scarcastic remark I've ever heard but its certainly in the top 10.

either that or you work for brodex, I can't figure it out - its like an ad that serves no real purpose.

[geefree]

as in any business, you will have to put the hard work in befoere you reap any rewards , wether small or large, and this will depend entiirley on you....

do you want a small round, with a wish to retire it later in life, to a part time round,?... or do you prefer to pursue a more vigourous approach and build build build?...

its up to you, but what i will advice ,is you will have to work hard which ever direction you take.


and, oh , you are not too old at all.....you are in your prime of your working life,

that has already shone through with your desire to change direction. that is ambition!!....

and if you still have that you can do anything you desire.

Gary.

[mick hay]

Hi, ya,,,,i started 3 years ago at 41. Im in manchester, if you want to bob along and spend a day with me your welcome, im totally wfp. Will let you know how i started, etc.

Mick

[midage]

Hi Mick. Have sent you e mail. Regards Midage.

[Glyn H]

Go for it!
We just installed a third van mount window cleaning system together with a full gutter cleaning system for a guy that only started in window cleaning nine months ago.
He told me yesterday that he will need a fourth van fitted out within a month.

Their is plenty of work at the right money if you spend your time promoting your business.
This particular guy has three sons in their early 20s and as the work has grown they have left their regular jobs and joined the business, they go out as a team and door knock to get the work.

[Clive McDonald]

I'm a bit jealous of that Glyn, it is how it should be done. i have a wife who doesn't like me spending money and a few other excuses, but that is how it should be approached.

[Dave Turley]

just startig up?......

....go see brodex??

now I have heard EVERYTHING!


also, if you send a lad up ladders and he falls off, you could be in a whole heap of trouble.

if you are going to be using ladders, I would do the upstairs yourself and get the lad to downstairs. then you can check his work also