[Jay Le Huray]

After a lengthy discussion with my wife I have decided to go back to work the first week in May.

As she has COPD I will need to be very careful,  obviously no contact with customers, I will text them the night before explaining that all payments to be done online and to keep the social distance.

I will probably only work up to midday and when I get home I will go around the back of our house (not through the front door) so I can remove all clothing and put them in the washing machine then straight upstairs for a shower.

Although I am looking forward to a change of routine as I've been self isolating since day 1,
I have to say that I'm a wee bit nervous about going back and what peoples reactions may be

[G Griffin]

I think your customers will be ok, Jay. And it sounds like you're being very careful.
Good luck with it all.

[Jay Le Huray]

I think your customers will be ok, Jay. And it sounds like you're being very careful.
Good luck with it all.

cheers Griff, a few weeks ago I text all my customers that I'm self isolating (took me  ages)  and I would be back when things start to improve
this was to prevent my round being poached by the scumbags that go door knocking claiming that their window cleaner has packed in,

I must say I had a great response in return from them however I did lose 2 customers who have found a replacement shinner because I was well late

[Simon Trapani]

Two customer found a replacement? Wow. Customers like that really aren’t worth having. They want all these little extras for next to free & then drop you. Unbelievable.

[Jay Le Huray]

Two customer found a replacement? Wow. Customers like that really aren’t worth having. They want all these little extras for next to free & then drop you. Unbelievable.

That's what I was thinking Simon

[Phil J]

I'm with you Jay. Climbing the walls sat at home, back to work 1st week in May. I texted everybody who I had a number for telling them we were stopping for a while. Hopefully we've not lost too many, gonna start texting this coming week to inform.

[Stoots]

That's what a lot of us have been doing since day 1.

I appreciate why you haven't though, but there's nothing to worry about in the customer front.

I've had a total of 3 cancellations. I've had about 8 asking to skip a clean but I've been texting all mine giving the option to skip.

I've probably picked up half a dozen walk ups now including a one off fsg and a con roof.

I don't like working at the moment with a ll the cars and kids about etc it's a pain but in terms of lost business I'm just as busy as always.

Lots of customers have been positive including a couple who skipped insisting on paying me anyway. Quite a few customers I've spoke to are enjoying the time off work.

[Dave Willis]

I will probably only work up to midday and when I get home I will go around the back of our house (not through the front door) so I can remove all clothing and put them in the washing machine then straight upstairs for a shower.

Some of my customers insist on that.

[G Griffin]

Two customer found a replacement? Wow. Customers like that really aren’t worth having.

Correct.
I think losing only two dubious customers is a great return.

[Slacky]

In reality, that'll be their loss.

[NWH]

I’m behind now I’ve had 2 days off enjoying the sun in the garden,I’ve had 5 texts this morning can you please come ASAP windows are filthy.
I still say some will lose work if they don’t go back.

[Jay Le Huray]

I'm with you Jay. Climbing the walls sat at home, back to work 1st week in May. I texted everybody who I had a number for telling them we were stopping for a while. Hopefully we've not lost too many, gonna start texting this coming week to inform.

yes Phil, been indoors for nearly 5 weeks now, it's hard eh

[Jay Le Huray]

I’m behind now I’ve had 2 days off enjoying the sun in the garden,I’ve had 5 texts this morning can you please come ASAP windows are filthy.
I still say some will lose work if they don’t go back.

that's one of the reasons for my decision I don't want to lose my business

[Spruce]

I’m behind now I’ve had 2 days off enjoying the sun in the garden,I’ve had 5 texts this morning can you please come ASAP windows are filthy.
I still say some will lose work if they don’t go back.

that's one of the reasons for my decision I don't want to lose my business

This is something I'm seriously considering as well.  For us older ones it isn't a decision for us to take lightly. 

The next update is supposed to be at the end of April, but its been hinted already that social distancing and self isolation are going to be in place for at least a year.

[deeege]

I’m behind now I’ve had 2 days off enjoying the sun in the garden,I’ve had 5 texts this morning can you please come ASAP windows are filthy.
I still say some will lose work if they don’t go back.

By your own admission you are late to some jobs by 6-8 weeks. Do you lose work because of that?

[Slacky]

Should do, being realistic. Its not the customers fault and they wouldn't be being unreasonable if they went elsewhere if that were the situation.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

I went back on Tuesday after consideration as wife has asthma.

1. Five weeks into this now and unlike the beginning, everyone is onboard and taking this seriously- so no muppets trying to show me something on their mobile phone etc and everywhere is pretty quiet.
2. Contacted selected customers where I know I can work in good isolation and response was overwhelmingly positive with not one single rejection. Explained that I had stayed at home for Four weeks to weigh this thing up and all stated that I had done the right thing.
3. Everyone pleased to see me, some almost exited to speak to another physical human being! Again, only positive reactions and welcoming.
4. It's not half as bad as it could have been. So far, it's almost like normal, although both me and the customers are adhering to social distancing, I've not come across any of them that even remotely seem twitchy.
5. Obviously, I have soap and hand sanitiser gel with me and wear gloves at all times where possible. I also have face masks but have not required one for work yet up to this point.
6. 90% have been bank transfers but Three were cash (which I knew about) so any cash goes into a sealable plastic bag and will remain there for at least Three days.
7. So far, so good. I'm confident in the decisions I have made from the very outset to now but will continue to evaluate the situation on a daily/weekly basis and wont hesitate to make any changes required- including isolating again. Proceed with caution.

Just my own experience over the last few days.👍

[NWH]

I’m behind now I’ve had 2 days off enjoying the sun in the garden,I’ve had 5 texts this morning can you please come ASAP windows are filthy.
I still say some will lose work if they don’t go back.

By your own admission you are late to some jobs by 6-8 weeks. Do you lose work because of that?

I’m always behind sorry I meant on certain stuff I am usual bang on with though,I have a good relationship with nearly all customers as a big percentage are long standing they know I’ll turn up eventually.
Some I can do every 6-8 weeks or 3 months which ever suits me really they don’t worry about it,like I say they know I’ll get to them in time so I get a lot of play.
My opinion from what I’ve been hearing from not only mine but other cleaners is that people still want the windows cleaned,are you still coming other cleaners customers have been saying,if not I’ll have to find someone else I can’t wait 4-5 months for the windows to be cleaned.
All I’ve had with mine is texts just making sure I am still continuing to come that’s all,if people sit this out to much longer they’ll lose work and thats a given,there’s no reason to sit at home now if your cleaning windows you just have to keep you’re distance you are in no more danger than as I’ve said before by going to any shop.

[dazmond]

After a lengthy discussion with my wife I have decided to go back to work the first week in May.

As she has COPD I will need to be very careful,  obviously no contact with customers, I will text them the night before explaining that all payments to be done online and to keep the social distance.

I will probably only work up to midday and when I get home I will go around the back of our house (not through the front door) so I can remove all clothing and put them in the washing machine then straight upstairs for a shower.

Although I am looking forward to a change of routine as I've been self isolating since day 1,
I have to say that I'm a wee bit nervous about going back and what peoples reactions may be

dont worry most of your customers will  be fine....ive had customers who skipped 4 weeks ago itching to get their windows cleaned today.....

[gary999]

Took a month off during the lockdown...personally felt the right thing to do...going back Monday ...have had a few
phone calls from customers asking if i'm still cleaning...so time to go back.