[stoner]

hi all
just about to buy some commercial work form window cleaner (nursing homes,schools,and the like).but cannot decide on how to approach the new customers ,to ensure smooth take over,so that i dont loose any.anyone got any advice on draughting a take over letter.
any help greatly appreciated

[bonsey]

the person should take you round and introduce you thats the best way be careful cos when a new window cleaner takes over thats when they  more likely to cancel 

[stoner]

yeh thats what i was worried about.do you think a low key approach along the lines of' im taking over from him',or a more formal letter informing them .

[stevieg]

absolutely right ,if customer loyalty counts for as much as people on here think it does then they wont have to have any toward a new window cleaner.You need to be introduced to all of the customers and ask them (with a genuine smile)if they are all right about someone else taking over the work.It will be very difficult after that for them to cancel other than the reason that the cleaning isnt to to same standard.

[bonsey]

i brought a few rounds its best to work with him  to show you around  then give your details to them when finished the job and he introduces you to them its better if he introduces you to them

[trevor povey]

you need to go around and get formally introduced with the new window cleaner,have a look at any paperwork relating to contracts...be aware of any contracts relating to housing association work some could not be worth the paper they are written on,

[stoner]

there arent any written contracts,all done with verbal agreement.i do a few commercial jobs myself on this basis ,and its always been fine.however taking over from someone else sort of leaves you more liable to being binned

[cherubs cleaning]

stoner


if you r paying cash try to get someting in writing if you can




jerry

[seandyer2003]

surely commercial isnt like domestic, you could turn up on time and do the job and i bet they wouldnt really notice, prob think you were the old guy with a haircut if they say anything, say yeah he has given up im new window cleaner, everything is the same, only im better

[matt]

i went as far as taking the guys biz name with me when i took over a fair chunk of commercail work, its not a issue, just another biz account trading as

[stoner]

yeh i will.does anyone know if the amount i pay for the goodwill of the round,can be offset against my tax bill. i think i remember being told that it can,by 25 % per year.does this sound right? as i would look at this as minimising my risk

[seandyer2003]

no goodwill is not tax deductible one bit !! i read anyway! But if you buy some ladders or something, some equipment, might be able to get round it....

[stoner]

surely commercial isnt like domestic, you could turn up on time and do the job and i bet they wouldnt really notice, prob think you were the old guy with a haircut  if they say anything, say yeah he has given up im new window cleaner, everything is the same, only im better .
i know what you mean ,but id be worried that the person paying the bill might not think so .also theres an issue with bank details/invoices

[Chris Galloway]

Best to do it via a letter, include all your RA, MS etc for the jobs at hand. Include you insurance details for them too.

Just because you have taken them over from him, doesn't mean they will continue if you dont hold all the relevant requirements, and they have agreed to it as well.

[davids3511]

no goodwill is not tax deductible one bit !! i read anyway! But if you buy some ladders or something, some equipment, might be able to get round it....

Well according to my accountant that changed a few years ago. Once the deal is at arms length, ie not from your wife, it is tax deductable.

[bluez]

In my experience of buying others work, the customer values the supplier much less than the supplier thinks, they value the service not the provider in most cases.

Dont create a problem for yourself unless you have to, say nothing until it is necessary or directly asked, but make sure that all your documentation is at least on a par with the previous guys.

[matt]

Dont create a problem for yourself unless you have to, say nothing until it is necessary or directly asked, but make sure that all your documentation is at least on a par with the previous guys.

good call, we never even mentioned it, just told them a change of bank details and that as it, oh and a slight change in the biz name, i just dropped the window cleaning services bit off the name