[Ben wood]

So who employs workers and how do you find it, and who is a lone worker and why are you still working alone then.

Just wondering as last year I employed but did not turn out to well. Now still on my own and keep thinking about going for it again.

[supernova77]

How come it didn't turn out very well?

Andy

[Window Lickers]

I employ five days a week now. It's not everything it's cracked up to be Ive found. A right royal pain in the ass at times. Rarely is it smooth, mostly it's testing.

Is it worth it? Just.

[richywilts]

the thing i find hard is if you do find u need to sack someone it becomes quite hard because the customers get to know them, they know the rounds and the houses etc, sometime u begin turning blind eye to small things for the sake of an easy life the little things going unnoticed prob let them think they can get away with bigger things

ive had good employee and bad one some a bit of both there always seems to be a drawback with everyone of them tho

[TomCrowther]

You can only do so much on your own. If you employ then you begin to "move up" in terms of number of customers, turnover and so on but often earning no more than when working on your own.
The first employee is key, get a good one and you are on the way, a bad one and its pain.
One main advantage for me is intending blocks of flats and offices. Two or three is so much better than one.

[TomCrowther]

Predictive text is also a pain..

[Leeds]

Its amazing how people are employing yet seeing no increase of their own profits.

How is every other business in the world doing it then?? 

[dazmond]

ive been window cleaning many years and i made a decision about 10 years ago that i would stay on my own.ive had lots of lads working with me over the years.none of them lasted long and it was worse if they were old schoolfriends!yes we had a laugh!sometimes we couldnt do much work cos of laughing,nipping to the pub at lunchtime(BIG BIG MISTAKE! ).some guys trying to nick my work,stealing money off me etc.

one morning i woke up i thought never again.i sold a chunk of work on and concentrated on my other rounds in more affluent areas alone.its the best thing ive ever done.

yes there is only so much work you can clean on your own but years and years of sifting out the crap and compacting my work into an 8 mile area its paying off handsomely now.

im VERY self motivated which i think is essential in any business but especially when working on your own day after day,month after month,year in/year out.

BUT i also know when to take a day off.im very organised with work schedules/debtlists/equipment maintenance etc but sometimes i just take a day off and reschedule and dont worry about it.

im having the day off today.i need to get some new drumsticks for band practice tonight,a few jobs round my flat and a bit of  xmas shopping.

i enjoy the peace and quiet of working on my own usually and its less hassle than employing plus i know the jobs going to be done right.

i earn really well for a sole trader thats for sure and im very happy with my workload/round currently.

[NWH]

Dazmond that's got to be the best post I've read on hear for ages mate

[Arnold Palmer]

Cleaning window is (or should be, obviously not if you are gary999) a full time job. Employing people is a job in itself.

It's difficult to do both jobs simultaneously I found.

[Smudger]

Very true mc Scrooge


Firstly, it depends on what or where you want to take your biz.

It's perfectly fine to be OMB and have a great living, but for me, coming into it late in life ( almost touching 50 ) I wanted to grow it and employ then move away from the constant day to day regular window work. This for the most part is now in operation.

Is it worth it, overall like Matt -  Just. When going well- it's like OH YEAH BABY then there are the days that make you want to CRY!

We've had the downs, and the ups, it's a large learning curve and you need to move away from working on the glass and become a manager to oversee the whole biz.

Darran

[Wrekin C S]

Can you hit your employees?  If so I might consider it! 

[Mike #1]

I prefer been on my own i know were i am with my schedule and can maintain reasonable control of my schedule weather permitting .

Custys know its only me calling at their house so i assume it gives them peace of mind dealing solely with me , I have no desire to ever employ anyone

[Sean Dyer]

Ive toyed with the idea and have had help in the past but id rather stay alone

I have a plan over the next 12 months to maximise my round and efficiency and will be turning over enough alone that to take on staff would mean pushing vat and then it wouldnt be worth it for the extra few k turnover , for me to make employing worthwhile id have to have a few vans out to start seeing the profit i can make alone with all the added vat and expenses like vans and wages, so for now while im young id rather have the freedom of being a one man band , i like window cleaning as im outside doing physical work , i purposely avoided adminastrative work , so no way would i turn my job into that , not just yet anyway

as i get into my forties it will be time to change, or if enough work comes along who knows , but for now i like the lifestyle and freedom, which is why i came into window cleaning  - it certainly wasnt love of the job if i started to feel trapped in the job i know i would hate it , so im happy as i am

[Don Kee]

Cleaning window is (or should be, obviously not if you are gary999) a full time job. Employing people is a job in itself.

It's difficult to do both jobs simultaneously I found.

He's busy on thursdays and fridays

[Frankybadboy]

Cleaning window is (or should be, obviously not if you are gary999) a full time job. Employing people is a job in itself.

It's difficult to do both jobs simultaneously I found.

He's busy on thursdays and fridays

if that his new wfp system 

[Tom-01]

Cleaning window is (or should be, obviously not if you are gary999) a full time job. Employing people is a job in itself.

It's difficult to do both jobs simultaneously I found.

He's busy on thursdays and fridays

if that his new wfp system 

Apparently its much easier than pulling hoses out of a van..

[Johnny B]

Is that an 'A' frame ladder sticking out of the back?

John 

[paulben]

Used to have my son with me til he got another job . Wont take anyone else on got to pay holidays and sick pay or they take a day off when they want a lay in . Also have seen another company in town the employees make a terrible job keep losing work but do they care .

[Leeds]

Used to have my son with me til he got another job . Wont take anyone else on got to pay holidays and sick pay or they take a day off when they want a lay in . Also have seen another company in town the employees make a terrible job keep losing work but do they care .

If they're still making profit....