[Stoots]

With regards going into debt i.e taking out a loan. It not nessarcarily a bad thing although it's a calculated risk, if you have captial and are carefully you can use it to your advantage.

For example if you took a 10k loan and bought work at 3x you would have 3k a month of work straight of the bat...you might pay 200 a month back on the loan.

As you can see if you are used to earning 1250 a month you will still be massively Better off. Even if you lost a fair bit of the work.....

Not saying you should do this, actually as someone who had never cleaned a window I would not recommend it but it's certainly possible. It's a risk, but a calculated one.

[andyM]

[Thanks mate. Its something I've always wanted to be my own boss. 15 years with the same company has probably made me to content.

Just my 2 penneth worth........
Question yourself if you really feel that you are cut out to be self employed after 15 years as an employee.
It's not for everyone!
   

[slap bash]

Why not get the tools and start on Saturdays. You will get casual work with one off cleans intentions which may lead to regular cleans. At least you will be moving forward.  This will give you experience and inside knowledge of this business. By the time you start full time you will be a seasoned window cleaner. I did this myself and used this income to buy the equipment I needed. Within 12 MONTHS I had enough money for a pole and backpack and water purifier. All I bought was a squeegee and 18-foot ladder, bucket and mop to start with.

[Stoots]

[Thanks mate. Its something I've always wanted to be my own boss. 15 years with the same company has probably made me to content.

Just my 2 penneth worth........
Question yourself if you really feel that you are cut out to be self employed after 15 years as an employee.
It's not for everyone!
 

Good point. It takes some adjusting to. Even with all the latest things in place like go cardless and bank transfers etc. Work does not stop when you get home, cloths to clean, vans to charge, fill up. Forgot to order resin so dash to shop. Chasing bad debts, marketting, answering calls and giving quotes whilst watching  Corrie  lol. It takes over your life even with the best systems in place it's still a big difference to clocking in and out.

Also don't be fooled by the freedom, like I was...thinking can have a day off whenever I want, won't bother today there's always tomorrow etc. It a false freedom because any time off you literally pay for. 

The positives outweigh the negatives, never could I work for someone else again and I did for 15 years just like you but it's not for everyone you have to develop a thick skin to be able to cope with all the stresses or it can burn you out.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Yes not to forget there is no holiday pay. No sick pay. No pension.  Lost money not being able to work  due to viclele or equipment failures or poor weather conditions.

So you have to make sure your business plan covers that shortfall.

Invest in decent equipment.  It's impossible to start your own business without an investment or risk.

I think you mentioned that you looked into  window cleaning  before but as soon  as something else came along you went back to employment. Now your employment is causing you issues and you want to return back to window cleaning.   This tells me that window cleaning is your last fall back option which may lack your heart and sole being motivated for this industry.

Sorry if I am wrong but having seen so many new start ups disappearing very quickly, there seems to be a theme here.

However if you are now ready to make the leap into self employment then go for it and enjoy the many rewards that go with it.   You won't look back as long as your heads in the right place.

[Slacky]

Unfortunately that's one of risks of running own business.  It's never as safe as being employed.

I don't know about that because from my position, no-one can make me redundant.

Exactly. If you’re employed by a twot who isn’t able to secure work you’ll be out on your arse.

[A A R O N]

Why not get the tools and start on Saturdays. You will get casual work with one off cleans intentions which may lead to regular cleans. At least you will be moving forward.  This will give you experience and inside knowledge of this business. By the time you start full time you will be a seasoned window cleaner. I did this myself and used this income to buy the equipment I needed. Within 12 MONTHS I had enough money for a pole and backpack and water purifier. All I bought was a squeegee and 18-foot ladder, bucket and mop to start with.

This is kind of my plan, Saturdays and late afternoon after work. One good thing about my job I can start earlier and then have time after to do a few jobs after.  Build it up slowly.  Thanks

[A A R O N]

I'm north/east ish

When I started typical prices in my city were about 5-8 quid a semi.

I started by accident kind of, I had worked employed in minimum wage jobs  since leaving school. I started car valeting on a Saturday  as sideline nothing serious, not long after I Split with my ex , lost house, dignity, was skint and wanted to die. Anyway lol on a brighter note being in a state of depression i decided to quit my job  and valet cars find time. Not very bright didn't think it thru..panicked and got a part time job at halfords! Few month later came across the window cleaning idea, did that alongside part time job for over a year. Put off going full time as was scared, eventually just went for it and two years later here I am in a position i never believed  i could be in..full with work and looking for first employee.

Point being we've all been where you are, from me it was far from easy and plenty of times wanted to quit etc.

Just go for it, you can't look back, take a leap of faith and get stuck in.

Thanks mate. I guess it is the risk of leaving a 'safe' job (all be it a safe job that now pays a pittance and is no where near as enjoyable at it was 6 months ago) that is a worry, mortgage, wife and kids to think about. But since the job has changed for the worse I have started to think life is to short.

It is great to hear how you have come through everything you have and are succeeding. Cheers for the words of encouragement.

It's good that you are worried. It's only natural. I had the same fears, we all do mate.

I think for me being on minimum wage for so long you don't think you can or deserve better in life. I had low self esteem and did not believe in myself, I thought success was something other people had, that I wasn't worthy.

I can tell you for sure that all the sleepless nights and the worrys you will go through, the doubts, the fear and anxiety will be worth it in the end. When you finally reach your goals and succeed in something you set out to do it literally makes you feel like you can do anything you set your mind to...and you can by the way.

It's all about baby steps, if you look at the big picture it's too daunting and you won't do it. Just take each small goal at a time, first you want 10 custys then 50 then 100 etc.

Where there's a will there's a way mate, no matter your current situation if you want it you will get it no doubt. Soon as you set your mind to it it's as good as done.

Go get them custys ! and in no time you'll be eating carvery s and scratching glass with the best of us. 

Thanks mate. You do sound very much like myself.  I really do want this to work for me, like you say you get those anxiety feelings of it won’t work for me etc. The fact you have these feelings and have made it work and are a success is very inspirational for others. Cheers and well done.

[A A R O N]

Yes not to forget there is no holiday pay. No sick pay. No pension.  Lost money not being able to work  due to viclele or equipment failures or poor weather conditions.

So you have to make sure your business plan covers that shortfall.

Invest in decent equipment.  It's impossible to start your own business without an investment or risk.

I think you mentioned that you looked into  window cleaning  before but as soon  as something else came along you went back to employment. Now your employment is causing you issues and you want to return back to window cleaning.   This tells me that window cleaning is your last fall back option which may lack your heart and sole being motivated for this industry.

Sorry if I am wrong but having seen so many new start ups disappearing very quickly, there seems to be a theme here.

However if you are now ready to make the leap into self employment then go for it and enjoy the many rewards that go with it.   You won't look back as long as your heads in the right place.

To be honest it is quite the opposite. Window cleaning and working for myself would be a dream come true, years back when I was wanting to start up I was earning £19k, then the opportunity to earn £25k came along and with the wife returning to university it was the safe option, and with the extra cash came long hours, meaning no chance of trying to start up. Even though I had this (for us) good income I always came back to wanting to start up on my own. So by my work cutting my money and hours I think this is my perfect opportunity. Think it’s a just a case of wanting it so much I don’t want there to be no work when I finally get all my gear together.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Yes not to forget there is no holiday pay. No sick pay. No pension.  Lost money not being able to work  due to viclele or equipment failures or poor weather conditions.

So you have to make sure your business plan covers that shortfall.

Invest in decent equipment.  It's impossible to start your own business without an investment or risk.

I think you mentioned that you looked into  window cleaning  before but as soon  as something else came along you went back to employment. Now your employment is causing you issues and you want to return back to window cleaning.   This tells me that window cleaning is your last fall back option which may lack your heart and sole being motivated for this industry.

Sorry if I am wrong but having seen so many new start ups disappearing very quickly, there seems to be a theme here.

However if you are now ready to make the leap into self employment then go for it and enjoy the many rewards that go with it.   You won't look back as long as your heads in the right place.

To be honest it is quite the opposite. Window cleaning and working for myself would be a dream come true, years back when I was wanting to start up I was earning £19k, then the opportunity to earn £25k came along and with the wife returning to university it was the safe option, and with the extra cash came long hours, meaning no chance of trying to start up. Even though I had this (for us) good income I always came back to wanting to start up on my own. So by my work cutting my money and hours I think this is my perfect opportunity. Think it’s a just a case of wanting it so much I don’t want there to be no work when I finally get all my gear together.

In that case go for it. I'm sure it will work out well for you. Don't worry about the lack of work out there. There will be plenty  providing you get you're marketing and profile right.

It may take a while to build a steady round as it won't happen  overnight.  The advise to start out on Saturdays is the best way forward to get momentum.

Make sure you have a small nest egg money pot available to support you once you go full time while building it up.  It could take 12 to 24 months.

[Missing Link]

Think it’s a just a case of wanting it so much I don’t want there to be no work when I finally get all my gear together.

There'll always be work because window cleaning is lonely, physical, unglamorous, sometimes dirty, and often looked down upon kind of work that only those with no other options can do.

That may or may not be the reality of the situation, but that perception helps keep the number of n00bs down. 

I'm sure anyone who has spent a decade or so window cleaning has seen many guys come and go.  I've seen a couple of blokes invest in a van and fairly good marketing too, but I don't see them around these days, so I guess they went down the pan.

Once the novelty wears off, the daily grind kicks in, and winter is fast approaching; it's not always easy.

If it wasn't for Wor Lass (who cleans windows with me), there are times I doubt I would've stuck at it. 

But I'm also glad I've stuck at it now.

Get a van, some decent kit and target the kind of houses that the ladder guys would avoid (leaded/high/awkward/georgian/difficult access).  Those kind of jobs turn out to be the best paying ones.

[A A R O N]

Yes not to forget there is no holiday pay. No sick pay. No pension.  Lost money not being able to work  due to viclele or equipment failures or poor weather conditions.

So you have to make sure your business plan covers that shortfall.

Invest in decent equipment.  It's impossible to start your own business without an investment or risk.

I think you mentioned that you looked into  window cleaning  before but as soon  as something else came along you went back to employment. Now your employment is causing you issues and you want to return back to window cleaning.   This tells me that window cleaning is your last fall back option which may lack your heart and sole being motivated for this industry.

Sorry if I am wrong but having seen so many new start ups disappearing very quickly, there seems to be a theme here.

However if you are now ready to make the leap into self employment then go for it and enjoy the many rewards that go with it.   You won't look back as long as your heads in the right place.

To be honest it is quite the opposite. Window cleaning and working for myself would be a dream come true, years back when I was wanting to start up I was earning £19k, then the opportunity to earn £25k came along and with the wife returning to university it was the safe option, and with the extra cash came long hours, meaning no chance of trying to start up. Even though I had this (for us) good income I always came back to wanting to start up on my own. So by my work cutting my money and hours I think this is my perfect opportunity. Think it’s a just a case of wanting it so much I don’t want there to be no work when I finally get all my gear together.

In that case go for it. I'm sure it will work out well for you. Don't worry about the lack of work out there. There will be plenty  providing you get you're marketing and profile right.

It may take a while to build a steady round as it won't happen  overnight.  The advise to start out on Saturdays is the best way forward to get momentum.

Make sure you have a small nest egg money pot available to support you once you go full time while building it up.  It could take 12 to 24 months.

Thanks for the advice bud.

[A A R O N]

Think it’s a just a case of wanting it so much I don’t want there to be no work when I finally get all my gear together.

There'll always be work because window cleaning is lonely, physical, unglamorous, sometimes dirty, and often looked down upon kind of work that only those with no other options can do.

That may or may not be the reality of the situation, but that perception helps keep the number of n00bs down. 

I'm sure anyone who has spent a decade or so window cleaning has seen many guys come and go.  I've seen a couple of blokes invest in a van and fairly good marketing too, but I don't see them around these days, so I guess they went down the pan.

Once the novelty wears off, the daily grind kicks in, and winter is fast approaching; it's not always easy.

If it wasn't for Wor Lass (who cleans windows with me), there are times I doubt I would've stuck at it. 

But I'm also glad I've stuck at it now.

Get a van, some decent kit and target the kind of houses that the ladder guys would avoid (leaded/high/awkward/georgian/difficult access).  Those kind of jobs turn out to be the best paying ones.

Thanks for the advice.  I guess what you say is true how people think think of it as unglamorous etc. I can’t for the life of me remember why I thought of it as something I wanted to do or how I found this forum. But it has stuck with me. When I told the wife years back she was like, you want to do what? Today she is actively encouraging me to do it which is great.