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lee andrew

  • Posts: 59
just some helpful advice
« on: September 03, 2012, 10:24:31 am »
Hi guys iv been reading a lot of posts on here and you all seem very helpful,
Iv been working now as a Postie for 15 years, and iv had enough 6 days a week £1300 - £1500 a month, i love the job i.e. being out all weathers meeting public, but i now Hate being employed by a big Machine (the job is dead)...
Im 36 and have come to that time in my life i want a change, and i really fancy Window cleaning, i might have an advantage of being on the same delivery for last 10 years and could drum up some business through my customers ( i have just over 800 delivery points).

But i would like to know some things, is earning  £2000 - £2500 a month realistic? Do you guys like your job? Best way to advertise your business? and is it bad practice to advertise where they already have W/C i dont want to step on anyones toes. oh and best place for equipment with out buying on line.

Thanks Lee

C o z y

  • Posts: 7775
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2012, 01:05:11 pm »
To set up a business with a turn over of around 2K can take a year or two for some and others I know put that together in less than 6 months. Horses for courses etc etc. Read all you can on back posts here and start getting your method to get customers ready to roll.

My view is, if you want to build fast and compact, then leaflet and follow up within 3 days. Works for me, but do what you need to to get what you need if you know what I mean.

Sounds like you have some advantage as you have so many faces that already know you. Go for that. Don't undercut, that will get you enemies and bother. Just speak to the faces who open the doors, and take it from there.

 THERE ARE NO "PATCHES" so ignore knuckle draggers who may crawl from under rocks to moan about you being in their "manor".

Who dares wins mate.  ;D
No still don't understand, I must be thick

sham33

Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2012, 03:32:52 pm »
You could drop flyers through every door you deliver too. Don,t worry about other window cleaners its an open market.

AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 25285
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2012, 05:21:31 pm »
2K/2.5K gross TURNOVER is very realistic. 3K is attainable and some will claim even higher. I suspect it isn't so easy to start up as it was a few years back though ...

If you have a van and wfp allow £500 pcm for running them.
It's a game of three halves!

lee andrew

  • Posts: 59
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2012, 05:52:33 pm »
You know to be honest to start with i wouldnt mind earning what i do now.and work 5 days a week, obviously my goal is to earn more but im not expecting it to come quick, also does anyone think it might be the wrong time of year to start

GoodFella2006

  • Posts: 413
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2012, 06:09:11 pm »
Do you already have a mortgage?

It's not easy for us self employed to get a good deal when it comes to buying a house.

Gav Camm lammy 283

  • Posts: 7520
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2012, 06:14:33 pm »
i love my job , can you clean windows ????

i know where there is 2k a month of retail work going
begging weekly not far fr you
LET YOUR PANES BE MY PLEASURE

"If CALSBERG did WINDOW CLEANING
 it would be C.C.C  Probably the best WINDOW CLEANERS IN THE WORLD ..........."

Gav Camm lammy 283

  • Posts: 7520
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2012, 06:15:26 pm »
infact all youd need is a set of trad gear n a extension pole
oh n transport
LET YOUR PANES BE MY PLEASURE

"If CALSBERG did WINDOW CLEANING
 it would be C.C.C  Probably the best WINDOW CLEANERS IN THE WORLD ..........."

lee andrew

  • Posts: 59
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2012, 06:49:15 pm »
Ha good question, i can yes but poop im slow, have every thing apart from pole no van but car, done my house today took 45 min 3 double bedroom  inside and out with a 3 half year old pulling at my legs so you could say im a novice big time but i learn very quick at anything i do

Gav Camm lammy 283

  • Posts: 7520
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2012, 09:43:07 am »
try john nolan at approved window cleaning bristol
he always as commerical shop work yr ways  ;)
LET YOUR PANES BE MY PLEASURE

"If CALSBERG did WINDOW CLEANING
 it would be C.C.C  Probably the best WINDOW CLEANERS IN THE WORLD ..........."

Ian Lancaster

  • Posts: 2811
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2012, 01:48:33 pm »
Ha good question, i can yes but poop im slow, have every thing apart from pole no van but car, done my house today took 45 min 3 double bedroom  inside and out with a 3 half year old pulling at my legs so you could say im a novice big time but i learn very quick at anything i do

If you did a 3-bed house inside and out in 45 minutes I'd say that was pretty good going :o  At that rate you should be able to do 3 outside only an hour, at £10-£15 each that's £30-£45 per hour!

john63.

  • Posts: 191
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #11 on: September 04, 2012, 04:33:11 pm »
I would go canvassing when your not working then when you have a few to clean do them in your spare time,see if you enjoy it if you do carry on canvassing.I would not pack full time job in just yet.
my circumstances were different being made redundant twice in 5 years so had no choice really.

Spruce

  • Posts: 8452
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #12 on: September 04, 2012, 08:49:16 pm »
Being a full time postie does have its benifits. You get paid holidays, paid sick and the provision of a pension whatever that ends up to be. We don't get that. Self employed is not considered as permanent employment until you have been at it for a number of years. Loans are harder to get as the criteria is different.

When we had the bad weather a couple of winters ago, we never worked for 5 to 6 weeks. No work = no pay. You have to be very disciplined to put money aside for a 'rainy day.' I know of a roofer that only did 3 days work during that period - he applied for a post as an additional postie over the Christmas period and has been there ever since. This is his first employed job and he loves the security of it. He now does a bit of roofing in his spare time. Sometimes the grass appears greener on the other side, but it isn't.

Most jobs today are boring and repetitive - window cleaning is no different IMHO. Try to identify what the real reason is why you want a change of career. Most posties were very upset when the post office changed their terms and conditions and working hours to reduce costs. Our postie who has been on the same job all her life doesn't work 6 days a week, although a Saturday is one she does work, but does get one off in the week.

The job is getting more and more regimented, but things aren't easy anywhere.

Working for yourself isn't for everyone. Some of us were 'forced' into this status as I was too, some of us became window cleaners after leaving school, and some have seen this as a business opportunity after a few years experience in the industrial sector. Some have made a thriving business from it, but there are others , many others, that haven't made the grade - they were sold or sold themselves the dream which they didn't/couldn't achieve and have moved on.

As a window cleaner, you have a stigma cast upon you by virtually every other occupation. You are the lowest of the low in most peoples social pecking order.

Stay with the day job as has been advised, canvass and clean windows and build up your business in your spare time. This is going to mean sacrifice, not only yours but the whole family's.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

Richard Neal

  • Posts: 1737
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2012, 09:08:41 pm »
Well put Mr Spruce
Im not scared of heights, just falling from them.
mrwindowclean@hotmail.co.uk

boshravie

Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #14 on: September 04, 2012, 09:31:27 pm »
Being a full time postie does have its benifits. You get paid holidays, paid sick and the provision of a pension whatever that ends up to be. We don't get that. Self employed is not considered as permanent employment until you have been at it for a number of years. Loans are harder to get as the criteria is different.

When we had the bad weather a couple of winters ago, we never worked for 5 to 6 weeks. No work = no pay. You have to be very disciplined to put money aside for a 'rainy day.' I know of a roofer that only did 3 days work during that period - he applied for a post as an additional postie over the Christmas period and has been there ever since. This is his first employed job and he loves the security of it. He now does a bit of roofing in his spare time. Sometimes the grass appears greener on the other side, but it isn't.

Most jobs today are boring and repetitive - window cleaning is no different IMHO. Try to identify what the real reason is why you want a change of career. Most posties were very upset when the post office changed their terms and conditions and working hours to reduce costs. Our postie who has been on the same job all her life doesn't work 6 days a week, although a Saturday is one she does work, but does get one off in the week.

The job is getting more and more regimented, but things aren't easy anywhere.

Working for yourself isn't for everyone. Some of us were 'forced' into this status as I was too, some of us became window cleaners after leaving school, and some have seen this as a business opportunity after a few years experience in the industrial sector. Some have made a thriving business from it, but there are others , many others, that haven't made the grade - they were sold or sold themselves the dream which they didn't/couldn't achieve and have moved on.

As a window cleaner, you have a stigma cast upon you by virtually every other occupation. You are the lowest of the low in most peoples social pecking order.

Stay with the day job as has been advised, canvass and clean windows and build up your business in your spare time. This is going to mean sacrifice, not only yours but the whole family's.

Great post, i second that.

Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #15 on: September 04, 2012, 10:01:46 pm »
Spruce a case well put. So many think widow clean is a way out of any job they are tired of or frustrated with but it is harder each day as so many join the ranks of window cleaning and end disillusioned sometime there only achievement is forcing the prices down by over supply and cutting prices to find the volume to earn a living .     

lee andrew

  • Posts: 59
Re: just some helpful advice
« Reply #16 on: September 05, 2012, 02:39:35 pm »
Spruce, none of your post has fell on deaf ears thank you, i really dont see W/C as an easy option, to be honest this is why i need to do something else (no challenge) if i wanted it easy i could go management (indoors 8 hours 6 days a week no thanks) even if its more money... Your right about pension, sick pay and the other percs of being employed, but i cant get a day off for trying (to short staffed)  Holidays are impossible to book because the dates are always turned down, im around 150 a week down with the employment of weekend staff, part time and agency this has eaten up all O/T.. most of all i want my soul back and do a job with an end result.

The good thing i have got is that i can take a year out and still have my job open (sabbatical) which i will have to abuse. The thing is where im living Crayford/Dartford and closer areas are getting bigger by the second, i just feel iv got to jump on this before others do.

Can any one tell me about tools of the trade, i have a Unger sqeegee, Tbar, Bucket Ladders, but do i need to upgrade if so what make and where to buy a WFP will have to wait for  a while see if i can get some work first.

regards and thaks for all the positive posts