[Dave_Lee]

I wish you well in finding something that suites you in your work, and if it is in this industry - well good luck to you, but can I just comment on the age thing.
During one of my mountaineering trips a few years ago when I was 61 years (am now 67 years) a couple of my mates workmates came along. They were in their late 30s/early 40's. They struggled to keep up although they were obviously fit guys. Apparently back at work they spoke about the experience and mentioned myself, adding that it just shows that 'age is just a number'.
Well they may have thought that, but what they didn't realise was that I was working harder than them on the climbs. Because I had been doing it for so long I was able to work harder than them.
The problem with getting older is when you stop doing something on regular basis - it is very difficult to impossible to just pick up the pieces to where you were, 'before' you stopped. This is due to normal physiological changes. These changes can be dramatically held off/slowed down, as long as you keep going, but stop for some considerable time and they manifest quickly.
The big danger of starting a new physical job/regime in later years is that of injury. The muscles are more dehydrated, they don't resist strain anymore, and don't like doing more than they have been used to.
I used to think that I wouldn't be able to continue in this business after the age of 45, however here I am more than 20 years past that and still going strong (the TM has a lot to do that, I think) but like I said, it is because I have been doing this continuously for 34 years.
Of course you will only know if you give it a go.
Dave.

[Craigp]

The first few years you will not have enough work to get knackered.

[Brook Campbell]

The first few years you want have enough work to get knackered.

WOW I wish i could predict the future like that. 

Who is to say what work or contracts you will get.
Just more negativity .
I have started three different businesses from scratch this being the latest one and have plenty of work in the firstfew months of trading( the other ventures were sold on with a healthy profit).

[Mike Halliday]

Well  there yea go.....why ask our advice? you obviously are a captain of industry, success awaits you with open arms

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I think there has been some really good advice on this thread.

Merry Xmas

Doug

[hasti]

hello

Heres my dilemma,in the early 90's i did some carpet cleaning with a prochem steameasy,i worked for a short time
in a friends business, while i was between jobs.Now at 58 ive lost my job, and the prospect of getting another is daunting,what with age discrimation and the number of people out of work.its made me ponder on carpet cleaning
if i succeed or fail is down to me! From what ive read machines have moved on a lot since steameasy, i remember them being
very solid and good at what they did, but how do they compare to newer models? what is a good
workhorse nowadays? Another dilemma is how physically demanding is the work,im naturally slowing down and my back is not what it was, am i setting myself up to fail? ive thought too of oven cleaning, it seems less physically demanding, but the grease....... any thoughts most welcome.

Hi Red
Get in to window cleaning game, specially the water fed pole system, you don’t have work so hard to earn good money.

[William Sharpe]

Hi positive attitude, knowledge a big smile, offer true value, be consistent, always on time to appointments, a consistent marketing approach, good (does not have to be expensive equipment) a ninja you cant go wrong a reliable van, a decent website not full of nonsense offer a service or services you are confident with and go for it
I am 64 I have never looked back, every day is a new day with lots of challenges and exiting my glass is always half full not half empty a good living can still be made
I do carpets, upholstery, pre-tenancy cleans, commercial, retail, hospitality, schools, surgeries ect ect. it just keeps building. I was made redundant 5 years ago aged 59 and never regretted starting my cleaning business.
By the way I go on holiday for 3 weeks twice a year and couldn't do that befor
Remember custies love us older people we talk straight, reliable, honest and the ladies feel safer

Just get the training and go for it
Reg

[Ian Gourlay]

Reg according to your web site you have 26 years experience ,

[Craigp]

I notice that with some new starts Ian. They spring up with 20 years under their belt already.

I guess they have been in the contract cleaning business had a few goes on a hwe and so say that.

I hope customers look for 'Established' and not the 'Experience'

[Carpet Dawg]

I notice that with some new starts Ian. They spring up with 20 years under their belt already.

I guess they have been in the contract cleaning business had a few goes on a hwe and so say that.

I hope customers look for 'Established' and not the 'Experience'

The ones that say they are local in their marketing but in fact live in another town 30 plus miles away are rather annoying.

[Carpet Dawg]

Hi positive attitude, knowledge a big smile, offer true value, be consistent, always on time to appointments, a consistent marketing approach, good (does not have to be expensive equipment) a ninja you cant go wrong a reliable van, a decent website not full of nonsense offer a service or services you are confident with and go for it
I am 64 I have never looked back, every day is a new day with lots of challenges and exiting my glass is always half full not half empty a good living can still be made
I do carpets, upholstery, pre-tenancy cleans, commercial, retail, hospitality, schools, surgeries ect ect. it just keeps building. I was made redundant 5 years ago aged 59 and never regretted starting my cleaning business.
By the way I go on holiday for 3 weeks twice a year and couldn't do that befor
Remember custies love us older people we talk straight, reliable, honest and the ladies feel safer

Just get the training and go for it
Reg

That's good Reg but not all people in their late 50s are the same. Its a hard enough business for a young person never mind someone with more advanced years. Just saying.

I think big Red has gone off the idea anyway, he's not replied since the 9th of December...

[William Sharpe]

Ian just to let you know I have been in the cleaning industry for over 26 years in various management rolls within the industrial and commercial sector;s.  I am now semi retired with a private pension. I dont just do carpets, upholstery but some consultancy work as well as some specialist industrial work. I' will probably work till 70 or dead which ever comes 1st. in the mean time I will keep getting happy customers and going on nice holidays
If I can help any new starts with advice or any body for that matter I will always be happy to do so I for one find carpet cleaning a pleasure keeps me fit, enjoy meeting and chatting with my customers and never leave a job unless I am 100% happy with the work and results and effort taken.

Reg

[heritagecleaning]

Reg - well done to you mate. You have just about the worst website I have ever seen and yet you're rolling in it!

Also, I notice you clean 'LOUNGE SUIT'S' (sic). Have you never thought about expanding into dinner jackets? You might be missing a trick there.

[D Ingram]

Hmm want be as asking him for tips   

[neil 47]

heritagecleaning

after looking at both your site and regs

 I trust his as he has

1  a land line no
2  a mobile no
3  a email address
4  I know his name all this is the first thing and last you see on his page
5  it isnt a standard wordpress template
6  he has his own before and after shots
7 he comes up twice on the front page of Google you come up once halfway down

for me Reg aint doing a bad job  ,

[heritagecleaning]

1. Matter of opinion - 0800 has its benefits too
2. Some say this looks unprofessional
3. My email address is on every page
4. Again, a matter of opinion - it depends on the style of site you're going for
5. Customer won't know or care.
6. See 5

7. Agreed.

[William Sharpe]

Neil. Your a gentleman and a scholar Sir and yes my website according to my clients is open not full of surprises, straight to the point and give them just the info they need.

Heritage- well lets not delve in the past ?

[neil 47]

Heritage

This one tip will make you over £3000 easy per year extra    contact David         01209 ****
                                                                                                             0797*****
                                                                                                             0800   *****
                                                                                                             heritagecleaning@gmail.com 


Try It and a photo of you  , always give them multiple ways of contacting you

ps use your own numbers 

[garry22]

Reg, if you are happy with your site and your statistics back you up, then great.

From a copywriting point of view, you are committing a cardinal sin with the text layout.

Using centred text makes it really hard to read as the eye has to cross the full width of the page. Eye tracking tests have shown that this leads to eye fatigue pretty quickly.

It's no coincidence that newspapers (with 200 years of experience) use left or mostly justified text in narrow columns, which makes readership far easier.

Another no no is white text on a black background. Some trendy web designers (who've never written a successful sales letter) seem to think this is "cool", when in reality, it vastly reduces readership.

[William Sharpe]

Hi Gary- point taken during the next few days I will be working on some changes, doing draught layouts at the moment which does have left to right wording and black on white background. thank you for your positive and constructive comments.
Reg