[jo5hm4n]

Current goal is to increase turnover by £2k per month to be achieved by may.  Started in January, already almost increased turnover by £1k per month.

The only issue i am having is alot of the work is scattered here, there and everywhere in between.  I decided the best thing to do was just block book 1st cleans in as the work pours in.  So for example today we did 1st cleans all day, in 3 different towns.  Some jobs were only a few minutes away from regular jobs, but it doesn't fit in with the schedule to have 1st cleans on same days as full working regular cleans.  The plan is to then on the second clean move the jobs around to fit in with other regular work.  So for example one job we did today is due in 4 weeks, but im thinking of going back in 6 weeks when it actually fits onto the round where the work is close by.

So how would you do it?  As i say, currently just block booking in 1st cleans as and when they come in.  Got a backlog of about £350+ in 1st cleans to hopefully get done by next week, on top of maintaining regular work on other days.

Just after some tips and tricks from those who are expanding or who often take on 1st cleans and then try to fit in with your regulars the following clean/month.

Taken on alot of new jobs so schedule is looking a bit messy, hope to get it all sorted by April and nice and tidy along with our other existing work.

 

[Smudger]

well depends on how you run your rounds - if for example you give a next clean date like we do I simply let the customer know that the service is either 4x or 8x (depending on what they want) but the gap to the next clean ( after the initial clean ) may be slightly longer or shorter gap to fit into the round

for those that don't give a date - then I really don't see an issue when you return - just schedule them into the correct position and carry on - maybe if your more customer orientated just mention that to fit them in there will be a slight delay until the next clean is carried out

Darran

[Shrek]

well depends on how you run your rounds - if for example you give a next clean date like we do I simply let the customer know that the service is either 4x or 8x (depending on what they want) but the gap to the next clean ( after the initial clean ) may be slightly longer or shorter gap to fit into the round

for those that don't give a date - then I really don't see an issue when you return - just schedule them into the correct position and carry on - maybe if your more customer orientated just mention that to fit them in there will be a slight delay until the next clean is carried out

Darran

Exactly how I do it - just fit the 1st clean in and tell them the next clean will be out of sync so you can fit them in with their neighbours then 3rd clean will be Nsync

[jo5hm4n]

well depends on how you run your rounds - if for example you give a next clean date like we do I simply let the customer know that the service is either 4x or 8x (depending on what they want) but the gap to the next clean ( after the initial clean ) may be slightly longer or shorter gap to fit into the round

for those that don't give a date - then I really don't see an issue when you return - just schedule them into the correct position and carry on - maybe if your more customer orientated just mention that to fit them in there will be a slight delay until the next clean is carried out

Darran

Exactly how I do it - just fit the 1st clean in and tell them the next clean will be out of sync so you can fit them in with their neighbours then 3rd clean will be Nsync

How do you tell them if you never see the customers or if they are never home.  Would you just message them after the clean?

[Don Kee]

As long as you’re not going to be 3/4weeks over due, I wouldn’t bother messaging them.
Just get then done when you want to tie them in, I’ll bet they wont even notice if you’re a week or so overdue the one time.

[Shrek]

well depends on how you run your rounds - if for example you give a next clean date like we do I simply let the customer know that the service is either 4x or 8x (depending on what they want) but the gap to the next clean ( after the initial clean ) may be slightly longer or shorter gap to fit into the round

for those that don't give a date - then I really don't see an issue when you return - just schedule them into the correct position and carry on - maybe if your more customer orientated just mention that to fit them in there will be a slight delay until the next clean is carried out

Darran

Exactly how I do it - just fit the 1st clean in and tell them the next clean will be out of sync so you can fit them in with their neighbours then 3rd clean will be Nsync

How do you tell them if you never see the customers or if they are never home.  Would you just message them after the clean?

I had some this week that have agreed a price and I’m due in their area next week but I have time to do them tomorrow so just said il class this as next months clean as I’m due next week on your street , so your clean after this will be beginning of April. Never had a problem as long as they know the situation

[Stoots]

when you get a new customer look on your round when you are next in the area and book it in for that date

Never do first cleans out of sync it becomes a nightmare.

If you are getting the work how I do then I run ads  in the area I'm working the following week. So this week I have picked up 10 new custs for an area I am cleaning in next week. That way they don't have to wait too long.

[alank]

Any new customers I take on are cleaned when I'm next in that area that way they fit into their place on the schedule from day one and I don't have to run about like an idiot. Taking on a good few new jobs can be a big enough ball ache at times without going here there and everywhere to try and squeeze  them in.  They will wait and be fine with that.

[Simon Trapani]

I find the opposite. Most won’t wait too long for a quote or first clean.

I tend to do them within a week then sync it in later.

[Lee Pryor]

Any new customers I take on are cleaned when I'm next in that area that way they fit into their place on the schedule from day one and I don't have to run about like an idiot. Taking on a good few new jobs can be a big enough ball ache at times without going here there and everywhere to try and squeeze  them in.  They will wait and be fine with that.

Word for word what I would have said

[Simon Trapani]

The more I think about this thread, the more I think it depends on how far travel we’re talking & what time of year it is.

In my experience people are less patient for a quote or first clean in the nice weather.

[nathankaye]

If i get a new customer enquiry and its in an area i have just finished the week before.  I would schedule it in straight away, so it fits into that round nicely still.
However if the enquiry comes on the 2nd week that I am away from that particular area, i let them know that it will be in x amount of weeks that im there and i give them heads up via a text the night before im due. Which simply falls into my group messaging that I do.  This way, if they have sorted it with somebody else they can tell me so im not wasting my time. If not, i text them the quote and the direct debit link to set up gocardless and if they accept, it then gets cleaned. Simples

[Simon Trapani]

Depends on the frequency as well Nathan. You're four weekly aren't you? We're six weekly.

[Smudger]

If i get a new customer enquiry and its in an area i have just finished the week before.  I would schedule it in straight away, so it fits into that round nicely still.
However if the enquiry comes on the 2nd week that I am away from that particular area, i let them know that it will be in x amount of weeks that im there and i give them heads up via a text the night before im due. Which simply falls into my group messaging that I do.  This way, if they have sorted it with somebody else they can tell me so im not wasting my time. If not, i text them the quote and the direct debit link to set up gocardless and if they accept, it then gets cleaned. Simples

And don’t forget that extra little card explaining what you do if it’s raining 😁

[nathankaye]

Depends on the frequency as well Nathan. You're four weekly aren't you? We're six weekly.

Same difference, for me the principle will be the same. That way it lets the customer know how you work, ie 6 weekly and thats your routine, as in your not swapping and changing with every enquiry that comes in. If they are serious about wanting a quality window cleaner and especially if you come highly recommended, then they will wait.

Admittedly its easier with my work as it is 4 or 8 weekly, but they still could be waiting upto 3 weeks before i come.

[Stoots]

Sometimes I get enquires the day after or same day I've just finished an area. So they have to wait 4 weeks.

No point throwing your round out to fit them in, I mean if you have time to do that fair enough but it's a waste of fuel if nothing else.

[G Griffin]

Admittedly its easier with my work as it is 4 or 8 weekly, but they still could be waiting upto 3 weeks before i come.

Is that because it hasn't rained? 

Sorry, Nathan; it was your wording  .

[dazmond]

Sometimes I get enquires the day after or same day I've just finished an area. So they have to wait 4 weeks.

No point throwing your round out to fit them in, I mean if you have time to do that fair enough but it's a waste of fuel if nothing else.

thats exactly what happened to me last week,we agreed a price and frequency(including a first clean price) and i told him my payment methods and i said id clean them in 4 weeks when im next around as id just finished that block of work...he was fine about it....now i technically COULD fit him in before then as it not far from my other work but i couldnt be arsed...