[Mist A Bit]

I had a large commercial customer which provided my worker with a full time job and recently lost it after the project manager came across a Romanian guy who is willing to continue this work for the most unbelievable day rate. I now have to let my guy go sell the van and will be just me on my domestics again.
I'm glad I didn't give up on domestics and do this on my own as I'd have lost everything  .
IMO domestic round can last you a life time and that's the only way for me now.
Had to write it on here as quite upset about it but at same time the stress will be at a minimum from now

[Smudger]

While I sympathise with you, and it's a real blow, it is business I'm afraid and that is the nature of the beast.

We built our biz up on residential cleans before moving into commercial works but we always aim to keep the balance in favour of residential

Darran

[Dave Anderson]

Feel for you and the poor lad that has lost his job...it's a real kicker! on the other hand you never know what will come of this....sometimes from the flames a real opportunity or a different way of thinking brings us to a new road in life..... Good luck and don't let this event bring you down...it's just business.

Have a great weekend...take your family/friend/s out and go do something you really enjoy doing to recharge!

Cheers
Dave.

[Tom White]

who is willing to continue this work for the most unbelievable day rate.

How much was the day rate, just out of interest?

[PoleKing]

Sorry to hear that, Eco.

What was the job?

[Mist A Bit]

Its two guys and they want 150 quid a day so 75 quid each  I was charging substantionaly more day rate plus travel allowance , my guy was earning more than these people.

I'm full time myself on domestic so will reinvest money into that by selling the 2nd van
 

[Mist A Bit]

Sorry to hear that, Eco.

What was the job?

Cleaning windows on marquees at most British events, basically they erect the marquees and we clean them before the event takes place

[Jonny 87]

Sorry to hear that, Eco.

What was the job?

Cleaning windows on marquees at most British events, basically they erect the marquees and we clean them before the event takes place

At that price the Romanians are working at about minimum wage.

That really frustrates me. 😞

Atleast you have your back up plan of residential.

[C o z y]

I had a large commercial customer which provided my worker with a full time job and recently lost it after the project manager came across a Romanian guy who is willing to continue this work for the most unbelievable day rate. I now have to let my guy go sell the van and will be just me on my domestics again.
I'm glad I didn't give up on domestics and do this on my own as I'd have lost everything  .
IMO domestic round can last you a life time and that's the only way for me now.
Had to write it on here as quite upset about it but at same time the stress will be at a minimum from now

amen

[Clever Forum Name]

I know this won't help. But I got upset over losing a £40 job

It was small offices. In and out in under an hour. Quick chat and tea
And on to domestics at8.30.

In over 10 years we were always on time. One day we was late and they called in another guy. He was £5 cheaper and we lost the account.

So that kinda set my mind on commercial. If we get any. It's
A bonus and has to be done out of hours or at weekends.

I wouldn't be able to mentally cope losing a £2000/£5000/£10000 job

[AuRavelling79]

I would say that the Commercial customer might need to ensure the two Romanian guys are legitimately self employed, legally insured, have health and safety documentation in place or he could be very vulnerable if:

a)  the previous window cleaner feels the need to check whether the new guys comply with criminal legislation.

b) the new guys find a better job and leave him in the lurch

c) a claim is made due to an injury to the new guys and the Commercial customer hasn't taken a duty of care towards them.

Of course all these things may be in place but who knows?

As a back stop mightn't your employee go in at a cheaper rate himself?

[dazmond]

GOLD i dont think this type of commercial customer gives a flying fig about those things as long as their doing the work cheaper.........until something goes wrong!

[LWC]

Domestic is your bread and butter, never forget that.

When new buildings pop up everyone says hey you want to go quote that loads of windows there. Id prefer to go get 10 - 15 houses somewhere. Never rely on commercial. Its business at end of day. I find domestic a little more personal, be good to your customers and theyll be good to you! Ive still got customers my dad used to do over 15 years ago!

[lal]

Domestic is your bread and butter, never forget that.

When new buildings pop up everyone says hey you want to go quote that loads of windows there. Id prefer to go get 10 - 15 houses somewhere. Never rely on commercial. Its business at end of day. I find domestic a little more personal, be good to your customers and theyll be good to you! Ive still got customers my dad used to do over 15 years ago!

Good post LWC.

[HampshireWindowCleaning]

Is there no way you could get your guy out canvassing and try to build up another domestic round to keep him going?

[Pete Thompson]

While I sympathise with you, and it's a real blow, it is business I'm afraid and that is the nature of the beast.

Don't agree.

It's not the nature of the business, it's the nature of the effect of unlimited immigration from poor countries in eastern europe.  And don't think you're safe if you stay with domestics, I too have lost jobs (mainly domestics) to unbelievably cheap immigrants, and it's getting worse by the month.

It's why I'll be voting UKIP.

[PoleKing]

While I sympathise with you, and it's a real blow, it is business I'm afraid and that is the nature of the beast.

Don't agree.

It's not the nature of the business, it's the nature of the effect of unlimited immigration from poor countries in eastern europe.  And don't think you're safe if you stay with domestics, I too have lost jobs (mainly domestics) to unbelievably cheap immigrants, and it's getting worse by the month.

It's why I'll be voting UKIP.

It only matters if your USP is 'cheap'
I think all the shiners round my way are cheaper than me already.

[Tom White]

While I sympathise with you, and it's a real blow, it is business I'm afraid and that is the nature of the beast.

Don't agree.

It's not the nature of the business, it's the nature of the effect of unlimited immigration from poor countries in eastern europe.  And don't think you're safe if you stay with domestics, I too have lost jobs (mainly domestics) to unbelievably cheap immigrants, and it's getting worse by the month.

It's why I'll be voting UKIP.

So when I was undercut by a Welsh window cleaner, what's the UKIP going to do about the Taffs?  Send 'em back into the Valleys and mines; the urchins.

[AuRavelling79]

>Pete Thompson

I wondered how long it would be before someone brought up immigration.

Plenty of white British folk that will offer cheap rates. Some of them just top up their dole/benefits money too. 

[Paul Coleman]

While I sympathise with you, and it's a real blow, it is business I'm afraid and that is the nature of the beast.

Don't agree.

It's not the nature of the business, it's the nature of the effect of unlimited immigration from poor countries in eastern europe.  And don't think you're safe if you stay with domestics, I too have lost jobs (mainly domestics) to unbelievably cheap immigrants, and it's getting worse by the month.

It's why I'll be voting UKIP.

So when I was undercut by a Welsh window cleaner, what's the UKIP going to do about the Taffs?  Send 'em back into the Valleys and mines; the urchins.

Nah.  Just blow up the Severn Bridge(s).