[CleanClear]

Sorry if I've waffled on, but hopefully some bits on here will be of interest.

I didn't miss a word of it. I'd agree with everything you said. I'm not looking to improve my business though (when you mentioned..to the OP ), i was just curious about how others do it.

I thought there would of been more replies to this (thread) to be honest. Seems not......................

[Ooooooog]

What sets us apart from the competition?
I’m not sure it’s sensible to highlight any advantage that you think you have. It’s a competitive market.....
We have a retained Health and Safety consultant. That has won us some big contracts.

[dazmond]

for domestic work having a good attitude and being respectful(always closing gates and being mindful not to tread on all their plants/flowers)and not letting customers down helps too......

[nathankaye]

It's funny, obviously you need to be good at your job and no one has stated that I dont think.
As far as the customer is concerned, its weather or  not you dona good job. That you are regular and finally that the price suits them.
If you match all of that then you will get the job.

So it then becomes the details of the cleaner/business to stand out from the others or as Simon Cowell likes to make mention of, to be memorable.
For me, it's a uniform.  I've yet to see another cleaner working the same areas as me wear a uniform.   
Many have liked the welcome packs and commented how professional it makes it and can tell I run a business. Ie, I'm not just a summer window cleaner.
I've always used business card style, "window cleaned today cards" and my customers have commented on that when referring me to others. That I will post a card so they know that I have  been and not some scrap paper torn from a note pad.
So its little details like that which make you memorable, because chances are, you have a customer which you may never see again as they will not be in when you clean the windows. So they dont or wont care if you use the latest pole or what system is in the back of your van.

It should go without saying how ones should have good manners when working at another person's home ie, not smashing pots or trampling on flowers and yet sadly there is a need for it to be mentioned. 

[Stoots]

It's funny, obviously you need to be good at your job and no one has stated that I dont think.
As far as the customer is concerned, its weather or  not you dona good job. That you are regular and finally that the price suits them.
If you match all of that then you will get the job.

So it then becomes the details of the cleaner/business to stand out from the others or as Simon Cowell likes to make mention of, to be memorable.
For me, it's a uniform.  I've yet to see another cleaner working the same areas as me wear a uniform.   
Many have liked the welcome packs and commented how professional it makes it and can tell I run a business. Ie, I'm not just a summer window cleaner.
I've always used business card style, "window cleaned today cards" and my customers have commented on that when referring me to others. That I will post a card so they know that I have  been and not some scrap paper torn from a note pad.
So its little details like that which make you memorable, because chances are, you have a customer which you may never see again as they will not be in when you clean the windows. So they dont or wont care if you use the latest pole or what system is in the back of your van.

It should go without saying how ones should have good manners when working at another person's home ie, not smashing pots or trampling on flowers and yet sadly there is a need for it to be mentioned.

Yeh surprises me how many I see without a uniform or a sign written van.

I had a lad work for me who kept walking across other people's gardens to clean the windows, kept telling him but he didn't get it, disrespectful to walk across someone else's lawn  or lay the hose across their drive imo.

Just have some manners and be polite and turn up looking  half decent not like some chav dosser and you will be alright.

[JandS]

My van isn't sign written and I don't wear a uniform.
But then 80% of my customers never see me from one month to the next.
I wear work pants or shorts and a nice tee shirt.
The customers I do see don't give a flyer about what I'm wearing just that I'm pleasant, respectful and do a good job.
Only customers I've lost in recent years have been either bad/non payers and four who wanted me to trad which I don't do anymore.

[nathankaye]

My van isn't sign written and I don't wear a uniform.
But then 80% of my customers never see me from one month to the next.
I wear work pants or shorts and a nice tee shirt.
The customers I do see don't give a flyer about what I'm wearing just that I'm pleasant, respectful and do a good job.
Only customers I've lost in recent years have been either bad/non payers and four who wanted me to trad which I don't do anymore.

True, most wont ever see their window cleaner etc and many who dont wear a uniform still work and so did I for the first 14yrs or so before I got a uniform sorted.  Obviously you can dress smart for work unlike the ones I drive past who work in tacky bottoms (joggers) and a t shirt with a bin bag full of scrums and a dry scrim over the shoulder and another tucked into their trackie bottoms.  More often than not, with a fAg in one hand as well.  But then, I've only seen them in dodgey areas when I drove past and never in the nicer areas, so this could possibly say something as well.

I know from word of mouth customers which I have gained, that the customer giving my details make mention that I'm in uniform and so you know who he is.....

[Shrek]

My van isn't sign written and I don't wear a uniform.
But then 80% of my customers never see me from one month to the next.
I wear work pants or shorts and a nice tee shirt.
The customers I do see don't give a flyer about what I'm wearing just that I'm pleasant, respectful and do a good job.
Only customers I've lost in recent years have been either bad/non payers and four who wanted me to trad which I don't do anymore.

Why don’t you work in the rain then 

[Dry Clean]

My van isn't sign written and I don't wear a uniform.
But then 80% of my customers never see me from one month to the next.
I wear work pants or shorts and a nice tee shirt.
The customers I do see don't give a flyer about what I'm wearing just that I'm pleasant, respectful and do a good job.
Only customers I've lost in recent years have been either bad/non payers and four who wanted me to trad which I don't do anymore.

Are you not worried that some might not think you're a real business man.

[Dry Clean]

My van isn't sign written and I don't wear a uniform.
But then 80% of my customers never see me from one month to the next.
I wear work pants or shorts and a nice tee shirt.
The customers I do see don't give a flyer about what I'm wearing just that I'm pleasant, respectful and do a good job.
Only customers I've lost in recent years have been either bad/non payers and four who wanted me to trad which I don't do anymore.

Why don’t you work in the rain then 

Why should he, its only part time shiners who need to work in the rain.

[Shrek]

I don’t know why anyone would list their qualities just so other shiners can copy ffs 🙄
Everyone will be the same and their won’t be any difference between you and others 😂😂

[Dave Willis]

Never worn a uniform - never will! 

[Johnny B]

What sets me apart I believe is that I'm still traditional (although  most other shiners I see around here are too). I drive an old battle scarred van with no sign writing, although it is kept clean. I don't have a uniform or advertise my name on my clothing or van.

I focus on trying to do an excellent job (yes I always do frames as well), I take my time and put a lot of pride into what I do. I charge a reasonable price, am always polite and friendly and in fact I regard many of my customers as friends, and therefore have an excellent rapport with them. Getting to know my customers personally is my USP as it builds a strong business relationship which has the twofold benefits of me being more likely to be recommended to their family and friends, and also to make my services less likely to be dispensed with.

John