[Lee Machin]

Hi everyone.

I'm wanting to start up my own window cleaning business.

I'm 27 and have worked in the retail business for most of my working life.  For a while now I've been wanting to be my own boss and window cleaning seems ideal.

Ideally I'm wanting to start a round on my estate and the joining one as the guy that usually does it has not been for ages and many people have mentioned this.  Apparently he keeps giving the business to his son but he can never be bothered.

I don't want to jump straight into it though as from what I have read on this forum it's not just simply owning a pair of ladders and a bucket that makes you a window cleaner so I was wondering if anyone in the Sheffield area could spare some of their time to give me a real insight into what the day to day is like.

Many thanks

Lee

[Rob_Mac]

Lee

We are between Stoke and Derby - you are more than welcome to come down for a day

Rob

[Lee Machin]

Thanks Rob

Might take you up on the offer soon, however, need to stay close to home for next few weeks due to my wife expecting this week.

Another question though.  Like I said I work in retail and as a manager I could be doing 14 days with no day off.  Do you find that you get more time with family ( or other for other things)once you have a well established round without having to compromise too much time.

[windows_chepstow]

Do you find that you get more time with family ( or other for other things)once you have a well established round without having to compromise too much time.

Yes, no doubt about it.  I used to work long hours, often getting home well after the kids had went to bed.

Now I/we don't have to work past 3.00 pm (in Winter anyway).

I never work a Sunday and do only the rare Saturday; about four hours work if I do.

Tread carefully though.  If you're just about to have a child, you need to plan how you're going to build or buy a round and learn all the skills needed to ensure you have a decent income to provide for your family.

We may also work short hours, but it's hard-monotonous work; often in difficult working conditions too.

Window cleaning is not as easy as it looks.

[Rob_Mac]

Agree with Tosh - your time is yours, If you want to work like a nutter you can but when you want a day off it is up to you.

No numpty on your back telling you how it ought to be.

I am building a business for the future and this mentality has cost me one marriage and causes no end of troubles with my impending marriage.

My business is number one and I am trying to create something that will outlive me.

Rob

[Lee Machin]

Cheers for that.

Thought perhaps run it along side my job building it up as I go along.  A read through alot of posts and realise that if you are to start from scratch then it can take a while to build it up.

My only worry is the pricing.  The previous window cleaner charged £2!.  His idea of cleaning was to wipe the windows with a dry cloth.  Now obviously I want to do a decent job so will have to charge more in order to use more than a dry cloth.  But will people see that or will they just see the price increase?  Is there anyone in the Sheffield area who could possibly give me an idea of an acceptable price for Sheffield?

Many thanks

Lee

[gaza]

LEE: LOOK AT POST BY BASIL JOHN ON SITE

 GAZA

[Mike George]

Lee, I'm building up a new round, and I was worried about my prices when somebody told me they only paid £4 for a house I was quoting £8 for.

But I've now got a few customers in the same street, at £8, £10 and £12.