[sunshine windows]

M & M, why then state on your website that you clean the framework in every visit? 

[DG Cleaning]

Good idea M&M

[Granny]

Thats because you are cleaning the frames mate , If I was doing a one off I would not touch the frames . Mike

TBH I don't get all this don't touch frames business. For the extra time it takes it shows you as a proper window cleaner who does a quality job whatever, or the other type and we all know what they are......  Saddle up your horses
Can't stand to see clean glass and the frames minging and they have a regular windie!!!
G.

[G Griffin]

Had a lady request a one off today, 3 doors down from where i was. She said she'd tried arranging a one off with a different local cleaner but he only wanted regular work.

What a numpty! £20 for 10 mins work.

Price it right lads and you're laughing all the way to the bank.

Really don't understand the logic in refusing work like this unless you're absolutely rammed with work and busting your balls to get finished each day. If that is the case then put your prices up x amount, which might lose you a few customers but gain you a substantial increase in income overall.

Rant over!

You could have lost a lot more income by not training her to become a regular customer, though.
That said, there's nothing wrong with one-off cleans if the money is right. But you also need a hell of a lot of these jobs to keep you going. I look at it like selling off work; the money appeals, at the time; but you can only do it once.
I'd prefer the security of a steady-ish income from a clean, even if it's only quarterly. There are too many factors determining whether we earn or not, as it is.

[Steve Sed]

If you aren't full, why not? Just price at least double usual price. If I was full I would not.

[robbo333]

For me, a one off is about the customer as well as the clean. If they are honest about it being a one off and are willing to pay a fair price then fair enough. If they try and hide the 'one off clean' or want a 'deal' cause it's a big house and they're doing me a favour then they can go and run.

[Mike #1]

M & M, why then state on your website that you clean the framework in every visit? 

For a regular customer i will clean the frames each and everytime . but for a one off clean which this post is about i wont spend 2-3 times as long cleaning frames and glass as i probably will never see that person again and they will never become a regular customer so i wont waste my time .

Regular custys will get the best service and one offs wont simples . Mike

[zeontech]

If you don't focus on repeat business you're not building a real business. Spend the time it would have taken to get a new repeat customer. Focusing on cash in hand is short sighted and will mean your mindset won't be set for growth, therefore it's unlikely to happen.

[C o z y]

If you don't focus on repeat business you're not building a real business. Spend the time it would have taken to get a new repeat customer. Focusing on cash in hand is short sighted and will mean your mindset won't be set for growth, therefore it's unlikely to happen.

Good post, well said. Don't want to go too deep into this, but I heard a clever bloke once say that attitude determines your altitude in any business. Running after every job is not for some, as some posts have said on here. One off's are for when you have time and the price is right, but I do well without them.

If you watch what the established guys on here post about this, you'll see that when your work reaches a certain level and the income is fairly safe and very steady, you see that they pick and choose to a certain point what they do and where they work and what they charge. When you're far enough into this malarky, one off's aren't really worth the bother.

I know what the OP means and understand his point, and all the best.

[home6442]

Like most of the guys who do one offs on this forum I have a full
work load of repeat customers.
I dont need to focus on getting any new repeat customers.
Charging double or even  more for doing a one off is very easy money.
Its worth working a bit longer in the day to do them.
I have my weekly repeat customers from which my living is earned and they come first.
Any work above this is overtime and charged extra.
Wouldnt want them everyday, but now and again why not.

[zeontech]

I respect your view John. However, the key expression for me was 'full workload'. When I arrived at that point any further work was taking away from 'living time', which is what I value more than extra money.