[Stoots]

I only clean Trad.. last of the dying breed i know.. been doing it for 18 years plus, if a customer wants insides doing, i do it.. I am a window cleaner after all.

££

What you've said sounds like you are a people pleaser (or customer pleaser) jumping through hoops to make them happy...

Also "I am a window cleaner after all" sounds a bit degrading on yourself. Have more self respect. You are not a window cleaner you are a human being who runs a business and you should run it on your terms.

I don't agree here Adam. As business owners, its in our interest to keep our customers happy.

And i think he was referring to his choice of trade as being a window cleaner not as something negative; but stating fact that he is a window cleaner and thats what he gets paid to do; thats clean windows.

Just a moment ago a customer came out to me apologetic that he got crud all over the windows just as i was about to clean.

My reply was, "well Adrian it is my job after all; and it what you pay me for" agreed he said, ill get the coffee on.

No need to have a chip on your shoulder guys. (Not targeting Gomo; just a general observation)

I only do work that I want to do, that's why I started a business not to keep people happy.

Your situation isn't quite the same, a dirtier than normal outside window isn't the same to me. I would have cleaned it also but I wouldn't have gone inside to clean some insides that he was having a problem with.

I suppose it depends on your business model, I'm trying to set mine up to be fast efficient exterior window cleaning.

I don't do insides, it's just a choice. It doesn't bother me what a customer might think about that they can go elsewhere. I don't do them it's that simple.

[dazmond]

at the end of the day lots of us who have been window cleaning for many years and are well established have done all the pain in the arse jobs(gutter clearing/inside window cleaning,inside conny roof cleaning etc)and can choose to not do this work due to having enough outside window cleaning to be getting on with....

i even turn down outside window cleaning jobs half the time if their not easy access jobs!

the main reasons i hate inside window cleaning are

1.you have to book them in no "turn up and clean".

2.i really dont like being inside a customers property.

3.a chance of being accused of stealing something(it has happened before)

4.clutter on window sills/blinds/ornaments and general stuff you need to get around to clean the windows.

5.often ive ended up sweating buckets as ive been used to being outside all day(even in winter!)its a nightmare cleaning inside a conny for example in bright sunshine....

for me its so much easier to refuse these jobs and just crack on with my scheduled outside work.it makes me happier.

[Stoots]

I only clean Trad.. last of the dying breed i know.. been doing it for 18 years plus, if a customer wants insides doing, i do it.. I am a window cleaner after all.

££

That's the problem..

Not the fact you are trad...you can clean how you like...

Feeling like you must clean them or you are not a window cleaner. What you've said sounds like you are a people pleaser (or customer pleaser) jumping through hoops to make them happy...

Also "I am a window cleaner after all" sounds a bit degrading on yourself. Have more self respect. You are not a window cleaner you are a human being who runs a business and you should run it on your terms.

You call out a plumber to fix your heating, which he does.  When he's finished:

"Here pal, can you sort that dripping tap"
"Sorry I don't do taps"

You have a sparkie out to fit an outdoor security light, which he does. When he's finished:

"Here pal, can you look at my living room light fitting for me"
"Sorry, I don't do inside lights"

Do you not see how either of those might confuse and annoy you, as a customer?

Yes

But we are not plumbers

my business is water fed pole window cleaning. We don't carry ladders or trad gear.

Exterior only.

I couldn't care less what a customer thinks.

That said, I can't remember the last time anyone asked to clean insides. It's not a service I offer or promote.

I've had a few hints "oh I will have to clean inside now" or " it would be good if you did inside"  I just nod and smile and think no it wouldn't be good.

I've done a few when I started out and I hated it.

[p1w1]

i wouldn't clean my customers inside windows , they would then see what a crap job i've done of the outsides 

[Arnold Palmer]

I only clean Trad.. last of the dying breed i know.. been doing it for 18 years plus, if a customer wants insides doing, i do it.. I am a window cleaner after all.

££

That's the problem..

Not the fact you are trad...you can clean how you like...

Feeling like you must clean them or you are not a window cleaner. What you've said sounds like you are a people pleaser (or customer pleaser) jumping through hoops to make them happy...

Also "I am a window cleaner after all" sounds a bit degrading on yourself. Have more self respect. You are not a window cleaner you are a human being who runs a business and you should run it on your terms.

You call out a plumber to fix your heating, which he does.  When he's finished:

"Here pal, can you sort that dripping tap"
"Sorry I don't do taps"

You have a sparkie out to fit an outdoor security light, which he does. When he's finished:

"Here pal, can you look at my living room light fitting for me"
"Sorry, I don't do inside lights"

Do you not see how either of those might confuse and annoy you, as a customer?

Lots of plumbers only service boilers. The one we use won't touch taps or bogs. In fact generally those with plenty of work will specialise in what they prefer doing or makes the most money.

Cleaning outside windows isn't a "speciality".

However it's efficient. Insides take longer, break your daily rhythm and aren't financially worthwhile if you do them at a price that's acceptable to customers.

I can make just as much doing insides, yes it's normally more than the customer wants to pay but isn't everything?

[Arnold Palmer]

I've done a few when I started out and I hated it.

That's because you weren't very good at it (yet) and you weren't charging enough.

A nice wee inside job on a frosty morning is great.

[Arnold Palmer]

i wouldn't clean my customers inside windows , they would then see what a crap job i've done of the outsides 

Funny, but also true!

[Arnold Palmer]

1.you have to book them in no "turn up and clean".

True. call outs are charged extra though...

2.i really dont like being inside a customers property.

Depends on the customer

3.a chance of being accused of stealing something(it has happened before)

Been accused of robbing a customers garage recently. Never been in his house.

4.clutter on window sills/blinds/ornaments and general stuff you need to get around to clean the windows.

One thing we are NOT is furniture movers. Sills should be clear or the window will be missed (not always the case in real life)

5.often ive ended up sweating buckets as ive been used to being outside all day(even in winter!)its a nightmare cleaning inside a conny for example in bright sunshine....

You need to be prepared, just like you need to be prepared for outside work

for me its so much easier to refuse these jobs and just crack on with my scheduled outside work.it makes me happier.

If you've got as much or more work than you need/want then fine, I'd hazard a guess that's not the norm though.

[Marc Stock]

You set down rules for inside cleans.

I tell them.

1. All sills need to be cleared, sofas moved, and sideboards shifted out the way of any windows.

2. Its glass only unless otherwise quoted.

3. Insides are by prior arrangement first. I won't clean insides with 10 mins notice.

Doesn't take long and it keeps the trad skills up. It also sets you apart from the so called 'competition' who say they are window cleaners, when really they are WFP operators. If you have good squeegies skills a 3 bed semi can be done insides just as quick, if not quicker than outsiders with snagging hoses and equipment. All you need is a good scrim, a boab, decent squeegies and its a great demonstration of your skills. No need to move anything or climb anything just bosh bosh bosh to each window

[Smudger]

You set down rules for inside cleans.

I tell them.

1. All sills need to be cleared, sofas moved, and sideboards shifted out the way of any windows.

2. Its glass only unless otherwise quoted.

3. Insides are by prior arrangement first. I won't clean insides with 10 mins notice.

Doesn't take long and it keeps the trad skills up. It also sets you apart from the so called 'competition' who say they are window cleaners, when really they are WFP operators. If you have good squeegies skills a 3 bed semi can be done insides just as quick, if not quicker than outsiders with snagging hoses and equipment. All you need is a good scrim, a boab, decent squeegies and its a great demonstration of your skills. No need to move anything or climb anything just bosh bosh bosh to each window

Shouldn’t that be bish bash bosh ?
Darran

[Den68]

You set down rules for inside cleans.

I tell them.

1. All sills need to be cleared, sofas moved, and sideboards shifted out the way of any windows.

2. Its glass only unless otherwise quoted.

3. Insides are by prior arrangement first. I won't clean insides with 10 mins notice.

Doesn't take long and it keeps the trad skills up. It also sets you apart from the so called 'competition' who say they are window cleaners, when really they are WFP operators. If you have good squeegies skills a 3 bed semi can be done insides just as quick, if not quicker than outsiders with snagging hoses and equipment. All you need is a good scrim, a boab, decent squeegies and its a great demonstration of your skills. No need to move anything or climb anything just bosh bosh bosh to each window

that’s exactly What We do my son does the outsides wfp while I trad inside  normally finish at the same time when it’s inside I don’t clean the frames, tracks or rails glass only.

[Johnny B]

I only clean Trad.. last of the dying breed i know.. been doing it for 18 years plus, if a customer wants insides doing, i do it.. I am a window cleaner after all.

££

What you've said sounds like you are a people pleaser (or customer pleaser) jumping through hoops to make them happy...

Also "I am a window cleaner after all" sounds a bit degrading on yourself. Have more self respect. You are not a window cleaner you are a human being who runs a business and you should run it on your terms.

I don't agree here Adam. As business owners, its in our interest to keep our customers happy.

And i think he was referring to his choice of trade as being a window cleaner not as something negative; but stating fact that he is a window cleaner and thats what he gets paid to do; thats clean windows.

Just a moment ago a customer came out to me apologetic that he got crud all over the windows just as i was about to clean.

My reply was, "well Adrian it is my job after all; and it what you pay me for" agreed he said, ill get the coffee on.

No need to have a chip on your shoulder guys. (Not targeting Gomo; just a general observation)

My sentiments exactly. I did a first clean yesterday evening, inside and out. Mrs Johnny B was helping me. We were rewarded with very generous helpings of a takeaway meal they had ordered in! All for doing what we were paid to do!

John

John