[Dean champion]

I’m 38 and been cleaning windows since 23, started off with a small trad round i bought from a friend and built it up to a extremely full one man round, all water fed pole and Gocardless. I built it this way, as i wanted to employ and continue growing into 2 vans but now I’m at that point the thought of growing any further and being around window cleaning the rest of my life feels me with dread. I’ve recently had a health issue with my feet which forced me to have 4 weeks off work and I am still not walking properly without pain in the mornings or been fully diagnosed as of yet, which also feels me with dread if I have to continue cleaning windows in this condition.

I don’t have a clue what I would like to do, but I feel that i could be happier spending my time instead of growing the round, transitioning into some thing else and just employing one man to cover the work i have now to bring in some funds, as I try something new. I don’t need a lot of income as i just have bills to pay as fairly new van 2019 custom and equipment is all paid off. And our family home and car are payed off due to my son being disabled at birth and his fund has payed for these and any future costs.

Has any one on hear done this and made it work, or thought about doing it and come across to many difficulties and stoped ?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

[tonyoliver]

Dean  I had some life saving advice on here many years ago saved my soul and finances
And stopped me jumping off a cliff
no one knows how your shoe pinches only you
Make the best decision for you and yours
It depends on your other skill sets as they call it now
I only know window cleaning no qualifications or posh degrees it’s all I do
 my advice for what it’s worth is shrink the round  take the physicality out of your work.
 
Live a little
the windows are there to expand or contract as you need or don’t need to work what other job does that ?  Get a job have a moron boss try to drag more and more out of you till you fold ? Ask any friend whose employed  this is the golden goose it will lay and lay as long as you are able to collect 
If you don’t need lots of money you can earn as much as you need  sure it’s mundane and a little slow some days and we all want to give it in but the thought of going back to employment fills me with dread.  I worked in a showroom and did lots of free overtime  he said
Your two mins late ….. but boss I worked till 11.30 on the contract last night free of charge  your two mins late …. I did five extra hours and your saying what ? Your two mins late
f you I am off. And never looked back  that was 1987
Make the best choice for you and no one else  your no good to anyone if your crooked   It’s you ,family ,friends  first  then think about anything else after  good luck which ever route you choose through life 

[windowswashed]

I was in the same boat as you in 2002. Fit, young and healthy and woke up one day paralysed, couldn't move from the neck down, huge shock to the system. At the time I employed people and my parents had to run my business temporarily to cover me.

I was told I would never work again by the medical profession and would need care 24/7. I'm stubborn, determined and wouldn't listen to the quacks. Had to let my business go as it was the least of my worries. Slowly but surely through medical help got my health back through mentally and physically blocking pain to overcome my disability.

Slowly built up a round of window cleaning again, partly for financial reasons but the main reason was to get the exercise to physically recover my muscle wastage, my mental well being, self dignity and independance. No one has a clue what it's like being looked after 24/7 for EVERYTHING and believe me there is only one way up when you're at that point. It made me a more understanding and caring person coming through it.

Today I am still window cleaning part time and got all my priorities sorted like paying off my mortgage, paying off all debts. I work enough to pay my bills and save for a rainy day. Need a day off or a week off at a moments notice then I do. Life is for living, enjoying the company of others, life is more than just window cleaning, it's a job that luckily allows a great deal of flexibility.

[andycap]

Humbled by some of the previous messages...but here’s mine for what it’s worth..
Had on and off major stomach issues for about 20 years,left my safe employed management role 2007
Due to inflexibility of the job,stress etc,cashed in my share options at same time that almost cleared the mortgage and relieved  some strains..
Started windows part time 2008 (bought a small trad round to get some money in)over the next few years
Things health wise deteriorated to the point my missus forced me to get treatment...me really scared
As I thought I have got stomach cancer😩...anyway fast forward after much dodging,I collapsed taken to hospital and diagnosed with...Crohn’s disease..bowel disease..
This job has been part time since 20/22 hrs a week ..fitting in with any attack’s and rest I needed to take
No employed job would tolerate the ups and downs of this disease...tiredness during the day results in
Hour long naps most days,as your body is always fighting the disease.
I suppose what I’m saying is the job flexes for me and I can still earn a living ..hope this helps 👍

[Stoots]

Ive thought for a few years now i would like to cut window clenaing right down and do something else.  Maybe not pack it in completely but get down to about 2 days a week.

Problem is its such an easy business to build and fairly lucrative its hard to give it up. In an ideal world id employ 1 guy doing it full time and myself do 2 days a week and maybe start some other business.

The stumbling block for me has always been finding a decent employee, ive had a quite a few and always had to go back to being on my own. So these days i tend to just get through the weeks best i can and treat it as any other job working for the weekend. Fed up of doing it full time but procrastinating on what to do so just keep ticking over.

[dd]

Could your foot problem be Plantar Faciitis?

[dazmond]

You need to get to the bottom of your foot problems first...

I was diagnosed with tendonitis in my right foot by a chiropodist....he said 3 to 6 months to heal properly but I'm fine now 8 weeks on...I had a week off after limping round my work for a week...

Let's face it before your foot problems you were doing OK right?

Window cleaning is just so damn convenient and flexible once you have an established round...good money too.....

Don't be too hasty as it's took you a long time to build up your work...

[mike1986]

I’m 38 and been cleaning windows since 23, started off with a small trad round i bought from a friend and built it up to a extremely full one man round, all water fed pole and Gocardless. I built it this way, as i wanted to employ and continue growing into 2 vans but now I’m at that point the thought of growing any further and being around window cleaning the rest of my life feels me with dread. I’ve recently had a health issue with my feet which forced me to have 4 weeks off work and I am still not walking properly without pain in the mornings or been fully diagnosed as of yet, which also feels me with dread if I have to continue cleaning windows in this condition.

I don’t have a clue what I would like to do, but I feel that i could be happier spending my time instead of growing the round, transitioning into some thing else and just employing one man to cover the work i have now to bring in some funds, as I try something new. I don’t need a lot of income as i just have bills to pay as fairly new van 2019 custom and equipment is all paid off. And our family home and car are payed off due to my son being disabled at birth and his fund has payed for these and any future costs.

Has any one on hear done this and made it work, or thought about doing it and come across to many difficulties and stoped ?

Any thoughts would be appreciated

I am in a similar position to you. I started window cleaning at 16 and now at 36 I am certain I do not want to do this for the rest of my life.

I have 1 franchise set up and have recently taken on 1 full time employee so that i can come away from actually cleaning windows for good.

I have just enrolled on an access to higher education course in college which I am starting in September.

For the first time in years i actually feel optimistic about the future! I'm not 100% sure which career path i will choose but in a way there is something exciting about that.

Sounds like you know in your gut what you want to do. What have you got to lose? If the grass isn't greener you can always go back to window cleaning. That's my approach anyway

[Kinderbueno]

Change is good, i wish u the best.