[nathankaye]

It goes to show how alot is dependant upon your mental outlook of the job, as can be seen by the many comments on here.
Some//all of the negatives that were first posted can be overcome by changing how you work. But it depends if you want to make changes or not. I know some on here hate change or cant see the point but then they dont improve what they are doing and its possible to get oneself stuck in a rut!

Im grateful that ive been doing this for many years as i would hate to be starting up new. But at the same time i wish i made some changes in the early years as well.
I think we live in a time period where technology and electronics can really help us in such areas of getting paid. At one time it was reliant on cash n cheques and forever trying to catch people in to get your money. Whereas now we have so many options and with the use of smart phones its even easier to get paid.
It all depends on mind set to make use of these advances or not.

[dave f]

ive been shining 10 years

[NWH]

I reckon a lot of it is down to the work someone would be cleaning for them to have the attitude of just jacking it all in,I just look at it from the perspective that what else could I do that would earn me the same money for the same hours with the same stress level. I know a few people that have been in the same situation and what are they doing now,they are back to starting all over again canvassing and yes it’s window cleaning again.

[Brian Nunn]

I'll shoot from the hip too.

This time of the year we're a week away from the clocks going back and winter approaching. It's a bit gloomy, dank and drizzly and I want to forget window cleaning, but what else is there that will pay £30/£40 per hour?

But I find the Daz's and Nathan's of this world encouraging and want to have their positive attitude. So ...

I'm 58 and climb gates with a small ladder. Bit of exercise see?
I will put up prices from time to time.
I can save dosh/have a break/take a day off when like.

I won't do dog crap houses.
I won't text beforehand.
I wont put up with bad payers/not today's/it might rain/it's too drizzly/come back in spring types.
I will not go back to any customer that puts a knot in my stomach - as in I feel uneasy to go there.
I do cull untrainable customers usually after a strike or two, but I reserve the right to flounce immediately.

I have a bit too much work and so can drop any developing dross to improve the average.
I do count my blessings.
I do "only" 6 hour days. (I might do 7 or 8 if it means I can take the next day off)
I usually average 4 days a week. Rarely more. Maybe less.

I only do "one offs" if the price is good and I'm in the mood.

....

Hobbies and interests. I use spare time on these.

This year I have done nothing major but here's a few little treats I have given myself/family.

January - Day out to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with my bro, my nephew and my son-in-law.
February - Long weekend to Budapest with Mrs. Gold
March - Visited the West Somerset Heritage Railway and had lunch in Watchet with Mrs Gold.
April - Down our (23 year old) caravan for a weekend in Devon
May - Day out for a pub lunch - cycling out from Bath to Wellow in Somerset with my bro and our wives and my daughter.
June - Caravan and drove to Cornwall for a day.
July - Day out on the motorbikes with my other son-in-law and his dad - Monmouth - South Wales.
           Went for a day walk along Offa's dyke path with youngest daughter - bought her lunch in Tintern
August - Camping barn lake district long weekend with a group of about ten.
September - Canoeing on River Spey for 5 days
October - Back down for a day out to the Submarine museum in Portsmouth with my bro and co.

Freeeedoooooommmm!

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading that post GG.

[dazmond]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I've done many trades and i have to say window cleaning is by far the worst! There is a psychological torment about window cleaning. Repetitive, Chasing money, messers, winter, rain, and the physical side of things too. IT'S A SH#T TRADE!!

That sums it up quite nicely. It's a mentally challenging business.

Nothing Is ever done, there's always someone who hasn't paid or someone who moves out or cancels, skips a clean etc. Rarely does it run smoothly and when you think  you are on top a week of thunderstorms throws the entire thing to pot again.

It's the ability to cope with these factors that will define how you enjoy the job. Some people can just block all the crap out and keep going regardless. Others like Dave obviously are sick of the thing.

I'm 3 years in, pretty much full and I know that my next aim is to start removing myself from window cleaning as much as poss.

mentally challenging business?that really makes me laugh!

my business virtually ALWAYS RUNS SMOOTHLY  adam because im very organised.round software,smartphones and electronic payments coupled with WFP have made this job so easy.

yes some customers skip a clean very occasionally,die,move out,cancel but it doesnt disrupt me.its part and parcel of the job and doesnt bother me one bit.i just crack on and move onto my next job without giving it a second thought.

same for bad weather.i just work in it and keep to my schedule.i might re arrange a few jobs here and there for another day or the next week but its not a problem/issue.

[robbo333]

You need a holiday, somewhere hot, all inclusive, 2 weeks, branded drinks, women in bikinis...works for me! 

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

My other half says she couldn't do my job full time. She's the problems in cash-flow and motivation.

I have pulled my hair out with cash-flow in the past but am fortunate enough not to have to concern myself with it anymore. Motivation is an on-going concern. New toys help. I fitted a PowerUP reel last week. That helps!

I see my debt list as money in the bank.its virtually the same as it being in the bank (esp with the low interest rates at the moment).it comes in eventually.even if i didnt get paid off ANY customer for months id still be able to pay my bills comfortably but that never happens.i get paid every day here and there.some days i get virtually all my days money in(cash/cheques).

Same here. Hardley taken a bean in cash this week. I  have some of my best payed days on a day off!! All messers have been filtered out over the years so I have zero concerns any longer regarding cash flow. Many of my customers now pay via bank transfer which helps.👍

[rosskesava]

I've done many trades and i have to say window cleaning is by far the worst! There is a psychological torment about window cleaning. Repetitive, Chasing money, messers, winter, rain, and the physical side of things too. IT'S A SH#T TRADE!!

There's a world of difference in mentality between not liking a job and blaming the job for you not liking it.

It's not a **** trade, it's just simply 'a trade' that you don't like. If you blame the job then you make doing the job you don't like even harder to do.

[p1w1]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I've done many trades and i have to say window cleaning is by far the worst! There is a psychological torment about window cleaning. Repetitive, Chasing money, messers, winter, rain, and the physical side of things too. IT'S A SH#T TRADE!!

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=46185.0   

[windowswashed]

I reckon a lot of it is down to the work someone would be cleaning for them to have the attitude of just jacking it all in,I just look at it from the perspective that what else could I do that would earn me the same money for the same hours with the same stress level. I know a few people that have been in the same situation and what are they doing now,they are back to starting all over again canvassing and yes it’s window cleaning again.

I have to agree with Nigel.  I am permanently on medication and have to juggle my work as well as working around the weather. Don't think any employer would take me on with random days off very occasionally. I wouldn't want to work for any one else Eff that not after all these years. I'd rather do three days a week doing what I'm doing now or even two days then get bored, spoken down to by an employer and for peanuts of a minimum wage,.......stuff that up your backside  I'm fortunate I have good, loyal customers so I just have to make sure I don't let them down.

[Missing Link]

ive been shining 10 years

At 56 and window cleaning for 10 years, what's your options?

I think Lee Prior made the best suggestion for you.

[CleanClear]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I'm right where you're at !!    Same age, same lenght of time cleaning, only i aint got hot water  I think, for me anyway, i'm just at the end of my tether working in general. In a previous life i was a HGV driver, i don't fancy rolling out my bed at 4 am in the morn only to finish at 7pm and have no life outside a truck, so i do try to embrace my window cleaning. Its a struggle to stay positive but looking at the alternatives helps me stay focused..... for now anyway.

[dazmond]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I'm right where you're at !!    Same age, same lenght of time cleaning, only i aint got hot water  I think, for me anyway, i'm just at the end of my tether working in general. In a previous life i was a HGV driver, i don't fancy rolling out my bed at 4 am in the morn only to finish at 7pm and have no life outside a truck, so i do try to embrace my window cleaning. Its a struggle to stay positive but looking at the alternatives helps me stay focused..... for now anyway.

when was the last time you had a week off? and how many hours a day do you work?

do you have weekends off?

[CleanClear]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I'm right where you're at !!    Same age, same lenght of time cleaning, only i aint got hot water  I think, for me anyway, i'm just at the end of my tether working in general. In a previous life i was a HGV driver, i don't fancy rolling out my bed at 4 am in the morn only to finish at 7pm and have no life outside a truck, so i do try to embrace my window cleaning. Its a struggle to stay positive but looking at the alternatives helps me stay focused..... for now anyway.

when was the last time you had a week off? and how many hours a day do you work?

do you have weekends off?

Not sure where you're going with this Daz, but i'll try answer...
I can't specifically remember when i had a week off (this year anyway), but i've had plenty of weeks where i just worked a day or two in the week.

I don't generally work more than 4 hours per day.

I have most weekends off, i just have a few Saturday jobs where i bunch 'em together and do them about every six or seven weeks.

 That help your assesment? 

[Stoots]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I've done many trades and i have to say window cleaning is by far the worst! There is a psychological torment about window cleaning. Repetitive, Chasing money, messers, winter, rain, and the physical side of things too. IT'S A SH#T TRADE!!

That sums it up quite nicely. It's a mentally challenging business.

Nothing Is ever done, there's always someone who hasn't paid or someone who moves out or cancels, skips a clean etc. Rarely does it run smoothly and when you think  you are on top a week of thunderstorms throws the entire thing to pot again.

It's the ability to cope with these factors that will define how you enjoy the job. Some people can just block all the crap out and keep going regardless. Others like Dave obviously are sick of the thing.

I'm 3 years in, pretty much full and I know that my next aim is to start removing myself from window cleaning as much as poss.

mentally challenging business?that really makes me laugh!

my business virtually ALWAYS RUNS SMOOTHLY  adam because im very organised.round software,smartphones and electronic payments coupled with WFP have made this job so easy.

yes some customers skip a clean very occasionally,die,move out,cancel but it doesnt disrupt me.its part and parcel of the job and doesnt bother me one bit.i just crack on and move onto my next job without giving it a second thought.

same for bad weather.i just work in it and keep to my schedule.i might re arrange a few jobs here and there for another day or the next week but its not a problem/issue.

In my experience it can be a ballache of a job at times. Some times it's great other times it's stressful.

But that depends on your outlook.

[Cookie]

Like with a lot of things it's a case of whether you consider this job "glass half empty" or "glass half full". Also for everyone there has to be a time when you finally pack it in whether that be for health reasons or just the fact that you just need a change ....

Having been an employee most of my working life it's great to be running the business the way I want to rather than having some faceless manager way up the management chain telling me how I should do things. Also it means that I can live where I want to, & earn a reasonable living rather than having to work half way across the country & spend nights away from home & family.

It would probably be untruthful of me to say I actually enjoy the cleaning of windows - although you can get a sense of satisfaction at the results after having cleaned a filthy conservatory for example. What I enjoy is getting out in the fresh air, keeping fit, meeting people of all ages & all backgrounds (as well as the free tea & cakes). When I see some of my older customers confined to their homes - because they can't get out - TV on, volume turned up & subtitles on it makes me think how lucky I actually am!

"The grass is NOT always greener the other side of the fence".

[nathankaye]

Sometimes it depends where you are in lifes' journey as well.
Also the window cleaning journey......daz is in a comfortable position but how long has he been doing this game!  So its ok saying for him its the best it can be but not everyone is there yet.
Myself, i used to work everyday apart from sundays.  Not true, i did work a handful of sundays just to catch up.  I took on a helper just one day a week and not to make more money but to get my work done so I could have saturdays off!  Then i realized to stop saying yes to every job that came my way but to start refining the work I had. I then helped my friend to build his own round up as i no longer required him to work for me.
But then I still enjoyed my job and didnt work wknds for a good number of  years. I  refined it to how i liked it and I was begining to get the odd additional days of here and there. But since going onto WFP those odd days off became virtually fixed days off and I added to them. So its only been in the last 2 years for me where all the small tweaks all came together. I have my work exactly where I want it.......well for now anyway. Perhaps in a year or so I may want to take on employees or expand my empire....i dont know.
But I understand why some might want to jack it in and listening to everyone else's success doesnt always provide people with the motivation to continue or make changes to improve the situation for the better. Nor to grin through the battle to push on, its sometimes easier to throw the towel in and call it a day

[windowswashed]

Bailiffs  won't worry if you don't pay your bills, they'll just seize your assets, surely that's enough motivation to get working to pay the bills, money in the bank then you can afford to get depressed, have a well earned holiday, otherwise get to work and get your motivation back before your bills get on top of you and you lose everything you've worked so hard for, simple 

[Og]

Am I the only fool working a 40+ hour week?


You need to make the job more interesting, some kind of challenge.
Window cleaning destroys the soul, it's that boring.

[dazmond]

im just about the end of my tether with window cleaning  its just one big ball ache I have 300 custys and a new ish fully fitted 350 ltr hot wash system  its a good  round  I'm just not botherd any more

I'm right where you're at !!    Same age, same lenght of time cleaning, only i aint got hot water  I think, for me anyway, i'm just at the end of my tether working in general. In a previous life i was a HGV driver, i don't fancy rolling out my bed at 4 am in the morn only to finish at 7pm and have no life outside a truck, so i do try to embrace my window cleaning. Its a struggle to stay positive but looking at the alternatives helps me stay focused..... for now anyway.

when was the last time you had a week off? and how many hours a day do you work?

do you have weekends off?

Not sure where you're going with this Daz, but i'll try answer...
I can't specifically remember when i had a week off (this year anyway), but i've had plenty of weeks where i just worked a day or two in the week.

I don't generally work more than 4 hours per day.

I have most weekends off, i just have a few Saturday jobs where i bunch 'em together and do them about every six or seven weeks.

 That help your assesment? 

i just wondered as i thought you guys might be working too hard for too long with no breaks/holidays/time away from window cleaning.