[harleyman]

I think window cleaners now adays have be come jack of all trades that includes me.. gone have the days for most that only do Windows  we seem to  take on  all sorts of add ons ,I've recently  been asked to re-place air vents in facias  and block up holes so birds can't get in to loft space. People  are either geting lazey or have money to burn  or looking for a cheap  alternative  ...

[Smudger]

From my experience these "add on" jobs are usually asked for by people looking for a cheap job - they are part of the "can you just..." brigade

Fortunately, the father in law is a builder so I've some help in pricing/time to do or I pass it over to him - I probably get 2 in 10 of this sort of work but it's charged at £70 p/h

Darran

[Kev Martin]

From my experience these "add on" jobs are usually asked for by people looking for a cheap job - they are part of the "can you just..." brigade

Fortunately, the father in law is a builder so I've some help in pricing/time to do or I pass it over to him - I probably get 2 in 10 of this sort of work but it's charged at £70 p/h

Darran

Darran

From another angle I also think that these requests can come from people because they trust you.  When I was Tiling I was asked if I also fitted skirting boards, coving and whether I could do bricklaying because he thought it was about the same as Tiling.  One customer offered me £250 to assemble their wardrobes and cupboards from IKEA .
But in general most are lazy and want it done on the cheap.

Kev

[harleyman]

It's mostley younger ones imo  one's who have no life experience  or have sat on the game boy gone straight  to uni  landed a cushy job and can't fend for them selves.or simply cant be arssed having a go..it was different back in my day..god i sound like my dad😁😁

[swanson]

Jack of all trades master of none.
I think that was the old saying 

[NWH]

🤣🤣 I actually spoke to a builder last year that did a bathroom he finished the plastering tiling etc and she kept on asking for little add on jobs or can you just,he said to her hang on before you give me a list of jobs that haven’t been quoted for I need to go to the van and get my “can you just” note pad🤣he never heard another job mentioned,she wanted a mirror toilet roll holder cabinet all fitted for free.

[dazmond]

I think window cleaners now adays have be come jack of all trades that includes me.. gone have the days for most that only do Windows  we seem to  take on  all sorts of add ons ,I've recently  been asked to re-place air vents in facias  and block up holes so birds can't get in to loft space. People  are either geting lazey or have money to burn  or looking for a cheap  alternative  ...

I'm actually the opposite these days....years ago when I was in my twenties I'd fix gutters,paint fences,fix roof tiles,cut ivy away from upper windows for some of my customers.....not now....I cant be arsed....

I stick to window cleaning and the odd f/s/g,conny roof clean......I get round as quick as possible and get home....

[Smudger]

Kev,

Your right, long established customers tend to "inquire" IF we could do something or know a local tradesman - my post was generally aimed at new/1 off customers

Darran

[harleyman]

Im like you daz just want to do windows but ive started to do odd jobs now and agian i just cant help my self i always have to be doing something ,I need help😁I've shelved the soft washing for now

[Pete Thompson]

Never.

I am geared up for window cleaning. I’m expert at window cleaning. I’m insured for window cleaning. I have all the perfect equipment for window cleaning. I know how to price window cleaning.

I’m not geared up for anything else, and I know I won’t be as efficient at anything else.

If I have extra time available, I’ll fill it with... window cleaning!

If a customer asks for anything else, I have a collection of business cards in the van for various trades people.

[SB Cleaning]

I have actually replaced vents on soffits for a couple of customers

I do pressure washing, FSG, con roofs, solar panels, I have even cut ivy away from walls etc.

[Stoots]

I started off doing car valeting, added windows, then carpet cleaning, gutter cleaning, fsg, roof cleaning, pressure washing.. used to do internals as well.

At the end of it all I got really busy and  realised I was running around doing all sorts for less profit than window cleaning with a load more hassle to boot.

Stopped car valeting first then sold the carpet cleaner then the pressure washer. Then sold the gutter vac. Now I don't even carry trad gear.

All I do is external  windows, easier and more profitable. I may do the odd fsg or conny but they are always priced daft now because I just don't want to do them.

I wouldn't entertain doing anything else now far too busy to be fixing someones fence lol

[Slacky]

The last add-on job I did was raking out and pointing up a brick lintel over a front downstairs window.

For a mornings work and some real job satisfaction it was well worth it. Including the £250.00 cash.

[Richard iSparkle]

Never.

I am geared up for window cleaning. I’m expert at window cleaning. I’m insured for window cleaning. I have all the perfect equipment for window cleaning. I know how to price window cleaning.

I’m not geared up for anything else, and I know I won’t be as efficient at anything else.

If I have extra time available, I’ll fill it with... window cleaning!

If a customer asks for anything else, I have a collection of business cards in the van for various trades people.

great response

this is the simplest way to run a profitable business and best way to get an easier life.

far easier if you want to scale and employ too

i always want to add things and grasp 'opportunities' that 'fall in my lap', but i try to stop myself and simplify the business again and again.

the more different jobs you do, the more problems you have with staff, or trying to get yourself out of the day to day business.

even domestic window cleaning and commercial window cleaning are different jobs. often even need different equipment

saying that, some people want the variety of the additional jobs. window cleaning on its own can be very boring.. if you work on your own and like the variety thats great..

probably not best for your 'business' but as long as you know why you are doing it, and what impact it has, you can do it

[dazmond]

Im like you daz just want to do windows but ive started to do odd jobs now and agian i just cant help my self i always have to be doing something ,I need help😁I've shelved the soft washing for now

your making a rod for your own back mate... ......unless you enjoy doing them....i just want to get my window cleaning done and get home....ive got enough of my own DIY jobs to be doing in my spare time at home!

its different when your younger with boundless energy and holes to fill in your round...when you get a bit older you need to use your time/energy wisely.....the more you accept these jobs the more you will be asked.....

[EandM]

Darran

From another angle I also think that these requests can come from people because they trust you.  When I was Tiling I was asked if I also fitted skirting boards, coving and whether I could do bricklaying because he thought it was about the same as Tiling.  One customer offered me £250 to assemble their wardrobes and cupboards from IKEA .
But in general most are lazy and want it done on the cheap.

Kev
[/quote]

Exactly that.

I was a painter before and I picked up a vast amount of painting work through regular window cleaning.

The customers knew that I had to do a decent job and be reliable and honest simply so as not to jeopardize my monthly window clean money.
It worked very well until I ran out of available time and just concentrated on glass instead.

[MrChurchMouse]

I hate it when customers ask for extra jobs like guttering etc.  On the odd occasion I'll do it but normally I'll have to reject it which can sometimes be a bit awkward.  Even if they just want me to do inside windows it can be a bit of a blow to have someone spring it on you when you don't expect it.  It's even worse I find if working trad as when you have a ladder out you seem to get more requests for little extras but I'm definitely of the pursuasion not to want to do anything other than actual window cleaning.       

[Suffolkcleaners]

I had a customer the other day ask if I would clean his car with my gear. He said he would give me a fiver(I charge a tenner for his bungalow which is reasonable anyway).

He was an old boy and I felt a bit bad saying no but I had other jobs booked in and I didn’t really want to get my brush gritty from cleaning his wheels etc.

I know what you mean though customers can think we do all sorts lol

[Stoots]

I hate it when customers ask for extra jobs like guttering etc.  On the odd occasion I'll do it but normally I'll have to reject it which can sometimes be a bit awkward.  Even if they just want me to do inside windows it can be a bit of a blow to have someone spring it on you when you don't expect it.  It's even worse I find if working trad as when you have a ladder out you seem to get more requests for little extras but I'm definitely of the pursuasion not to want to do anything other than actual window cleaning.       

Haha yes it is soul destroying when a customer says by the way would you be able to clean my fascias whilst your here. You've got a full day's windows booked in and in your head thinking ffs how do I get out of this. 

So you mumble something like, oh er ill have to do it next time.

Next time comes around and you just clean the windows hoping they forget. You finish off and they collar you and reluctantly you swear and sweat your way through the next hour with your shoulders on fire vowing to just say NO next time. 😂

[SB Cleaning]

Never.

I am geared up for window cleaning. I’m expert at window cleaning. I’m insured for window cleaning. I have all the perfect equipment for window cleaning. I know how to price window cleaning.

I’m not geared up for anything else, and I know I won’t be as efficient at anything else.

If I have extra time available, I’ll fill it with... window cleaning!

If a customer asks for anything else, I have a collection of business cards in the van for various trades people.

I'm not knocking you but i think it would drive me round the twist just doing windows day in day out, it's such a boring mundane job with little to no job satisfaction.

I like doing the extra jobs and they pay better than windows if priced right and usually a lump sum instead of driving around for little bits.