[th74]

Hi all,first of all ,would  like to say what a fantastic site,find it so refreshing that you guys are willing too help newbies!! like me ,no other industry i know i have seen this ,and i have worked in a few!! I am at the moment building up a round,going out with a real W/c this week and ready too go ,i work shift work,and am hoping too ,fill 3 days a week with work ,i am based in nw london and am basing my prices at roughly 12 pound a 3 bed semi,was told too go 15 but this seems quite high too me, just need a bit of encouragement at times ,seem too get mixed reactions from people out there,am very used too grafting,so long days and cold mornings arent a problem,like i said this site has been a huge help ,any advice would be very much appreciated

[DaveG]

welcome to the forum mate...

if you use the search button, most topics have been covered and im pretty sure youll find what you need

[kevinc]

hi birchie and welcome

[pingu]

Welcome and good luck..do not under-price...

Cheers
Dave.

[easycleaner]

I hope you know what your letting yourself in for!!!!!
Freedom from the shifts!!!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully you earn more dosh for your time.
Mart

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

 8)hi mates nice to hear from you hope you ad a nice weekend

[amayze]

Hi Birchie,

Good luck mate!!
I started 4 weeks ago so know what you're facing ! I was made redundant 6 months ago, and after applying for 206 jobs with any luck, a mate suggested w/c.

My advice is to practice, practice and practice before canvassing custys, afterall you want them to use you time and time again. And don't expect to earn serious money until you can really pick up the pace ....a month ago an average 3 bed house was taking my twice as long as now. I offered my mates, mates rates and picked up work while doing their houses from their neighbours

Make sure you invest in some quality equipment,such as scrims and branded squeeges rather than those available from Wilko's. 

I've a flyer design I can send you if you like, it's quite simple. B&W - I normally get it photocopied at Staples 'cos it's A5 I get 2 to every sheet and I'm getting quite a good response from it, normally 4>6 calls from 200 leaflets.

I have one simple rule - I will never undercut another w/c although I've picked off work from others because of the quality of my clean - which came from practising !

[th74]

Hi mate ,thanks for your reply and sound advice ,which i will take on board ,thanks to all ,really appreciated, yea them flyers would be great mate ,areyou pleased with your career choice ?? takes a lot of balls i imagine ,to start up from nothing!!!

[amayze]

Birchie,

I'm as Macky D's would say ' lovin' it' !!

For the past 4 years, I worked for a complete twat. I grew his business from £1.8m to £5.6m. Trouble is the money went to his head. Company cars went from Vectra's to BMW's, he paid for his wife's boob job thro the biz, he even bought a company jet, despite the fact he couldn't fly !!

The last two years, I've worried every month, how I was going to find the £45k+ to pay the staff. Had suppliers constantly chase me for money, we he went to the wall all that went with it.

Now it's just me and that's how I wanna keep it. I don't have any hassles, no one on my case (except the missus !!), no office politics, and at the end of the day put my ladders and scrims away, no laptop (the liquidator got that along with my co car !) no writing emails or reports until midnight.....total bliss.

[Mike55]

amayze'n'glaze,

I am also starting out and have a few custys already.  Would you mind sending me a copy of your flyer?  Would help a lot.

Thanks
Mike

[amayze]

Mike,

Sure no probs, drop me your email address at amayzenglaze@yahoo.co.uk

Regards, Andrew