[David lyddon]

Just wondered what you all think,many years ago this job was recession proof.
I think now with the crud economy, and loads of new start ups its getting tough.
Been wc  nearly 30 years,and new work used to come easy.
I am working hard  to be pro active ,the work just isnt there like it used to be.
How is everyone else getting on.
Dave.

[formb]

I'm with you.

The problem as far as I see it is people are being made redundant and getting a few grand pay off. Just enough to get set up with a WFP system.

A proper hard winter should sort them out though.

[Richard iSparkle]

Just wondered what you all think,many years ago this job was recession proof.
I think now with the crud economy, and loads of new start ups its getting tough.
Been wc  nearly 30 years,and new work used to come easy.
I am working hard  to be pro active ,the work just isnt there like it used to be.
How is everyone else getting on.
Dave.

Have you seen Lee Pryors posts?  He's doing OK in the recession i think  

[Johnny B]

This game is based on supply and demand. All the time there are enough people who want our services and can afford them, we will be in business. When the time comes that more people need to cut back on non-essential services due to economic pressures than we are able to replace in order to survive, then we will be in trouble.

Is window cleaning recession proof?  No imho.

John

[g.brookes]

of course the job is recession proof.  theres a massive difference between new business being gained more slowly, and losing all of your customers.  we've got it easy compared to most employed people

[dave0123]

Problem with the WFP is its quite cheap to get started out with now! people in the past who would thought! well i don't want to climb a ladder don't like heights!! are now thinking wfp!

Spose it looks really easy to them too brush the window and its clean! compared to learning to blade

[Sure Cleaning]

Have to agree, it is far more difficult than even just a couple of years ago.

There are far more window cleaners out there now, although not all last that long. We have also found new customers are not as easy to come by as they once were, also finding they are much more price concerned than before.

I think any window cleaning businesses that have been around for a while and have built a good customer base will be able to ride out the current difficult times, however, many new starters will find it very difficult to make a living from scratch.

It would also be very helpful if the media and governments stopped making everything look so bad all the time.

We just keep working hard cleaning windows and be as positive as we can.


Steve G

[Richard iSparkle]

This game is based on supply and demand. All the time there are enough people who want our services and can afford them, we will be in business. When the time comes that more people need to cut back on non-essential services due to economic pressures than we are able to replace in order to survive, then we will be in trouble.

Is window cleaning recession proof?  No imho.

John

The whole economy is based upon supply and demand, not just window cleaning.

There's money to be made in every economy.

If people can't afford a window cleaner then the whole country really is introuble.  Your talking about £2 a week or something!

[dave0123]

The whole economy is based upon supply and demand, not just window cleaning.

There's money to be made in every economy.

If people can't afford a window cleaner then the whole country really is introuble.  Your talking about £2 a week or something!

True but customers don't see it like that maybe only 2/3 quid a week but its just money spent that really isn't a necessary. Specially to customers who currently haven't got a window cleaner they might turn around and go well there not that bad and am saving some cash! 

Spose you would keep the customers you have already tho unless they loose there jobs... i have noticed new customers contacting me initially asking for a 8 week clean now not monthly in a bid to save money

[bobplum]

nothing is recession proof but i feel if you have a business like our industry and your established you will ride the storm out.
i also think diversifying is a good way to protect your self

[jimiwindows]

wfp is killing the game

[Ian101]

nothing is recession proof but i feel if you have a business like our industry and your established you will ride the storm out.
i also think diversifying is a good way to protect your self

 

[landy2]

i have been a window cleaner for 18 years and during that time you used to pick rounds up for fun , i built rounds and dropped full rounds as they were hard to collect ,  you just can not do that now , everyday you wouls pick up at least 2 customers your lucky to pick up 2 a month ,
The ressesion has realy made a pig of it  when it started i thought wont effect me but id not think
houses let out
new people starting window cleaning in mass
people short of cash
frequincy of cleans (never heard every eight weeks )
price of diecel
canvassers 

All added up grim future , will get back to normal in future , as 70 % of people who clean windows now only do it as there is no other work .

[SunShineCleaning]

I'm personally doing better than ever. New work is slower coming forward but if you are established that shouldn't be an issue.

Diversifying is a mistake IMHO. I've specialised and it is much easier for a OMB like myself. Any other work I pass on and sometimes get a finders fee.

[trevor perry]

i think it depends where you are located in the country, even local areas can vary deeply on how much work you can gain and what prices you can charge

[andyM]

I blame those window cleaners who can clean 40 houses a day. 

[James archell]

Seems recession proof from where I'm sat if the definition of that is expanding and taking on staff.


Think on this: people on this thread are saying its hard to have a business in the current economic circumstances, but in the next sentence say there's too many new start ups with WFP. Make your minds up, it's one or the other.

[Steve Sed]

nothing is recession proof but i feel if you have a business like our industry and your established you will ride the storm out.
i also think diversifying is a good way to protect your self

Agreed. I'm going into dog walking, house sitting, Anne Summers, Tupperware, Amway, bell fixing, pest control and nappy disposal.   

[SunShineCleaning]

nothing is recession proof but i feel if you have a business like our industry and your established you will ride the storm out.
i also think diversifying is a good way to protect your self

Agreed. I'm going into dog walking, house sitting, Anne Summers, Tupperware, Amway, bell fixing, pest control and nappy disposal.   

Get the right member of parliment customer and you could cover all of those.

[SB Cleaning]

Bloody loads of window cleaners around at the moment I counted 8  in Worcester  today