[boldy1304]

gave up window cleaning 2.5 years ago now after doing it for 10 year and went into hgv driving hoping for something better I was advised at the time not to do it by you guys on here and well I hold my hands up you were all right I wished I hadn't ok I've got the mortgage and holiday pay but work 60 hr week for someone else grass isn't greener that's all I can say 

[dave f]

you never know untill you tried it would have been bugging you for years .i jacked in window cleaning years ago .ive been back at it a good few year went wfp dramaticly increesed my work load life style ,etc my only regret is i dint come to cleaning sooner .im 52 now ,i think whith drive and ambition i still have i could still improve .but i dont want to take on to much so i keep a steady pase on things/why dont you have a go at a small round if youve the time see what happens .

[boldy1304]

ive been considering it for a while trouble is I work 6 am till 8pm and every other sat and lots of new windys around I was wfp hot water system before I packed in I cant just pack my job in and try building again as I have a mortgage and kids

[Dunner]

I done just the same Boldy years ago.

If ya can be disciplined to get up and out and do a steady day every day, like if we were an employee and not come home early, you can earn a good wage.

The bit between my ears was always my worst bit of equipment.

Saying that though, if i hadn't swapped to WFP i am not sure how motivated i would be running up and down a ladder at the mo with me body packing up.

With WFP it still feels like i am cheating.

Give it another go Boldy.

 

[Tom White]

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=179441.0

[Spruce]

I can see the problem.

Its easier to go back into full time employment from self employment than the other way round. Starting a window cleaning round with equipment requires capital, so you either have to borrow the capital or save up until you have enough.

There is still work to be had, but we are finding that most of the new stuff we are picking up is what another cleaner has disguarded for being messers. Working 60 hours a week doesn't leave any time for you to start a small round and grow it.

[paul ette]

Get a loan or if you have some cash put away, pay a good canvasser like whizz biz or other guys on here to blitz your area for 4 weeks, that will give you a starting wage of 400 to 500 a week, the leave your current job and make a fresh start, that's what I would do

[Nameless Drudge]

The "work" produced by a canvasser blitzing your area is exactly the type of work that will have you searching for a different job sooner than later.Buying an established round is the only quick way in without it being a tremendous slog.

[smearo]

I went from trucking to scrubbing no looking back now 

[Cliff perkins]

i used to drive a truck and i worked longer hours than now,got up 3 hours earlier,every job has its bonuses i guess.

[G Griffin]

I went from trucking to scrubbing no looking back now 

Didn't you use your mirrors? 

[wightsurf]

just before I started my windy cleaning business I passed my HGV. But a friend of mine whos a windy said give window cleaning a go. At the time thought he was only making a bit of cash in hand, how wrong I was . 8 yrs on still here,but do often think about HGV , then think of the hours!

[DG Cleaning]

This thread is food for thought.
I've got an interview tommorow at a power station, very well paid, final salary pension, medical, annual bonus.
Most people would say I'd be mad not to take it (should I be successful) but I really don't know if I want to be tied to working Monday to Friday with work pressure etc

[koopmaster]

I went from a Senior It Engineer to a window clean.  mortgage and all, I had to work 7 days a week to build my round last year.  I would never give this up and go work for someone else again. 

[stuart mc]

good stuff and good luck whatever you all decide, now are any you ex truckers selling a snooper truck mate sat nav I start tuesday morning

[bobplum]

spent many years HGV driving, last good job was as  a shell tanker driver took the redundancy when we got transferred to PO, BUNCH OF F*****G cowboys, any way went into plumbing / property maintenance recession came along went to work for Homeserve but couldn't hack being employed and lack of flexibility, dropped into window cleaning by accident, daughters boyfriend, and the first thing i noticed was what a great easy to run business model it is and funnily enough have been mapping my next 10 years out tonight with the family, retirement , pensions, etc and its all around window cleaning.
Gave up my HGV licence 7 years ago so i am committed now

Too me its all about life style or work life balance and i would recommend anyone to try it

[boldy1304]

I used to leave when I wanted and come back when id had enough for the day now I have to go in when im told and finish when I finish some times don't get in till 9pm didn't see my kids all week last week and was not spose to be in this Saturday then the boss woman phones me at 5pm still 3hrs away from home and says ive got to put you out tomorrow ....SORRY I SAID I HAVNT SEEN MY KIDS ALL WEEK IM NOT SPOSE TO BE ON TOMORROW AND HAVE SOMETHING ORGANISED went down like a lead balloon and has really got me thinking about things

[wightsurf]

I have for the last 3 years been working on building another Business up BeeKeeping.
But even if it works out ok I will keep 2 days a week on the Glass,just in case.

[G Griffin]

I have for the last 3 years been working on building another Business up BeeKeeping.
But even if it works out ok I will keep 2 days a week on the Glass,just in case.

It's good to have a plan bee.

[C o z y]

Griff