[Scottish Cleaning Service]

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/england-highest-proportion-adults-overqualified-100000457.html

Beginning to notice that the UK is heading in the same direction as Sweden. We will soon see folk coming into our industry that we never dreamt would become a window cleaner. White collar work is drying up due to AI and they will need to change careers. Glad I got into this game in 2018 and invested in a van system. fwiw

[Bungle]

Wibble

[colin bird]

i personally wouldnt worry about white collar workers starting up they wont be be able to cut the mustard as in working in the cold and rain ,they will soon be looking for and indoor job heated offices holiday pay and sick pay.
my son is a white collar worker as he has a brain that he can use,and he would never contemplate being a window cleaner,so in my opinion us thickos are safe the only thing we need to worry about is other thickos starting up cleaning windows.
just my opinion

[CleanClear]

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/england-highest-proportion-adults-overqualified-100000457.html

Beginning to notice that the UK is heading in the same direction as Sweden. We will soon see folk coming into our industry that we never dreamt would become a window cleaner. White collar work is drying up due to AI and they will need to change careers. Glad I got into this game in 2018 and invested in a van system. fwiw

WFP already opened the door for that.

Plenty of window cleaners on here who do this for a lifesyle choice and come from pretty academic and/or skilled backgrounds.

[AuRavelling79]

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/england-highest-proportion-adults-overqualified-100000457.html

Beginning to notice that the UK is heading in the same direction as Sweden. We will soon see folk coming into our industry that we never dreamt would become a window cleaner. White collar work is drying up due to AI and they will need to change careers. Glad I got into this game in 2018 and invested in a van system. fwiw

WFP already opened the door for that.

Plenty of window cleaners on here who do this for a lifesyle choice and come from pretty academic and/or skilled backgrounds.

Name and shame! 

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

[CleanClear]

Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff.

That could be because of your age and position in life Michael. That tends to be something that afflicts  elder people.

When i was in my twenties with two small kids i was always short of cash and free time    Not now though !!

[NBwcs]

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/england-highest-proportion-adults-overqualified-100000457.html

Beginning to notice that the UK is heading in the same direction as Sweden. We will soon see folk coming into our industry that we never dreamt would become a window cleaner. White collar work is drying up due to AI and they will need to change careers. Glad I got into this game in 2018 and invested in a van system. fwiw

WFP already opened the door for that.

Plenty of window cleaners on here who do this for a lifesyle choice and come from pretty academic and/or skilled backgrounds.

Name and shame! 

Well, i certainly don't have a skilled background, but was pretty bright at school. Last time i did  a mensa IQ test i scored 132 which isn't too shoddy. ( i wouldn't dare take one now, think id be very disappointed with the outcome). I came to window cleaning over 20 yrs ago and it was definitely a lifestyle choice. I was made redundant, had two young kids and an ill wife . My previous boss was fantastic, very understanding and let me have time off as and when i needed it,but i knew i couldn't get that flexibility in a new employed job. Window cleaning absolutely ticked all the boxes i needed at the time and couldn't even begin to contemplate going back in the office or work for anyone else now, I reckon there's plenty of bright sparks already shining, window cleaning has alot to offer.

[colin bird]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

I get where your coming from but as a one man band your ok if you stay healthy  and are able to work,if you become unwell no work no pay !  If your a white collar worker and work for a corporate company and earn a good salary the benefits far out way being a one man band as in annual paid holidays,sick pay,double pension contributions,private health care etc,yes as a one band we do earn good money but no real benefits apart from the freedom,but most people that work for a good Corparate company will work remotely and have the freedom along with all the above benefits and also be able to progress in a company,when your a one man band there is only so much you can earn with one pair of hands.
My son works for a corporate company works from home two days a week,also works from his phone when he’s in the gym and barbers goes to see a mate and works from there on his laptop,goes abroad and works there on his lap top whilst sitting in the sun,also has a company credit card and he’s 20 years old so it’s a no brainier he’s deffo not coming on the brush with his old man,I know what side of the fence I would sooner be sitting and is deffo not my side,but I don’t have a brain that works in that environment so at 63 I’m just going to stay pushing the brush in the cold,wind ,rain and boiling sun ,yes I can retire in a few years time with a decent pension,but please don’t try and tell me we’re better off if you have have read  and taken on board what I have outlined  above.
My son works for Collins aerospace as an account salesman take a look at there web site and then try to convince me I’m better off pushing a brush,no offence intended just my opinion

[deeege]

‘Goes to the gym and works from his phone’.  Yeh right. Before Covid and all this working from home nonsense that used to be called swinging the lead. Fair play if he can away with it though.

[AuRavelling79]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

I get where your coming from but as a one man band your ok if you stay healthy  and are able to work,if you become unwell no work no pay !  If your a white collar worker and work for a corporate company and earn a good salary the benefits far out way being a one man band as in annual paid holidays,sick pay,double pension contributions,private health care etc,yes as a one band we do earn good money but no real benefits apart from the freedom,but most people that work for a good Corparate company will work remotely and have the freedom along with all the above benefits and also be able to progress in a company,when your a one man band there is only so much you can earn with one pair of hands.
My son works for a corporate company works from home two days a week,also works from his phone when he’s in the gym and barbers goes to see a mate and works from there on his laptop,goes abroad and works there on his lap top whilst sitting in the sun,also has a company credit card and he’s 20 years old so it’s a no brainier he’s deffo not coming on the brush with his old man,I know what side of the fence I would sooner be sitting and is deffo not my side,but I don’t have a brain that works in that environment so at 63 I’m just going to stay pushing the brush in the cold,wind ,rain and boiling sun ,yes I can retire in a few years time with a decent pension,but please don’t try and tell me we’re better off if you have have read  and taken on board what I have outlined  above.
My son works for Collins aerospace as an account salesman take a look at there web site and then try to convince me I’m better off pushing a brush,no offence intended just my opinion

Sales in a specialized field is a bit different from lackey office work though. You are comparing a lad who is doing well and with a plan to get ahead with a steady older window cleaner.

It's the fit forties and fifties that do well at window cleaning as a career change. They often come from low level in the forces or emergency services and have a pension waiting.

And of course unskilled Jehovah's Witnesses are well represented as it fits their lifestyle but they often don't have a pension waiting for them if they have started window cleaning from a young age.

As a one man band I don't hear of many getting beyond 3-5 times their monthly turnover so what are we talking - £15/£20K? - that won't get far.

The brighter and more savvy will sometimes employ or franchise and do well that way.

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

I get where your coming from but as a one man band your ok if you stay healthy  and are able to work,if you become unwell no work no pay !  If your a white collar worker and work for a corporate company and earn a good salary the benefits far out way being a one man band as in annual paid holidays,sick pay,double pension contributions,private health care etc,yes as a one band we do earn good money but no real benefits apart from the freedom,but most people that work for a good Corparate company will work remotely and have the freedom along with all the above benefits and also be able to progress in a company,when your a one man band there is only so much you can earn with one pair of hands.
My son works for a corporate company works from home two days a week,also works from his phone when he’s in the gym and barbers goes to see a mate and works from there on his laptop,goes abroad and works there on his lap top whilst sitting in the sun,also has a company credit card and he’s 20 years old so it’s a no brainier he’s deffo not coming on the brush with his old man,I know what side of the fence I would sooner be sitting and is deffo not my side,but I don’t have a brain that works in that environment so at 63 I’m just going to stay pushing the brush in the cold,wind ,rain and boiling sun ,yes I can retire in a few years time with a decent pension,but please don’t try and tell me we’re better off if you have have read  and taken on board what I have outlined  above.
My son works for Collins aerospace as an account salesman take a look at there web site and then try to convince me I’m better off pushing a brush,no offence intended just my opinion

Maybe I should have said its a great Part Time job like a Taxi driver. But as you say, as a full time job then there are obviously pit falls especially when unwell of fall off a ladder.

[zesty]

I love this job. But then I look at family members who have great pensions. Sick pay. Holiday pay and other work based benefits, company cars etc.

There is definitely a lot going for office career minded people.

I’d still never swap. I can’t hack sitting in an office all day. However, we can’t knock people that do, it can be a very rewarding and secure way to earn a coin.

[cgh window cleaning]

Had this conversation a few times lately.Self employed used to be more money as more risk less benefits.Like Holiday pay,sick pay bonus etc.It just doesn’t seem that way any more.

My brother never drives in to the office and gets a car allowance.I know some one that doesn’t even hold a uk driving licence and gets a car allowance.Just one of the perks.

The office people I know all earn well do on average 1-2 days week not in the office have flexible working the pensions aren’t as great as they use to be,Most I know as they have climbed the ladder the responsibility has grown but the graft has definitely slowed for them.

I couldn’t do it personally but I also don’t like the thought of manual labour in my 60’s

[james peters]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

please... please... stop with this hot water system dribble...... and new van dribble ... dont you realise that you are preaching to window cleaners that have been going for decades , and actually have  rounds full of 
No messers
no late payers
no ladders needed
very little travelling
constant  influx of new enquiries
hardly any missed days due to weather
I have been  at it 32 years myself , and the only thing these statements do is make me giggle
having said that ..... I do like your enthusiasm ..... 

[AuRavelling79]

Had this conversation a few times lately.Self employed used to be more money as more risk less benefits.Like Holiday pay,sick pay bonus etc.It just doesn’t seem that way any more.

My brother never drives in to the office and gets a car allowance.I know some one that doesn’t even hold a uk driving licence and gets a car allowance.Just one of the perks.

The office people I know all earn well do on average 1-2 days week not in the office have flexible working the pensions aren’t as great as they use to be,Most I know as they have climbed the ladder the responsibility has grown but the graft has definitely slowed for them.

I couldn’t do it personally but I also don’t like the thought of manual labour in my 60’s

This is a point. But it's not hard manual labour is it?


And if you plan with other income streams/pension you can wind down.

I know it's partly luck of the draw but I quite like working in my sixties at window cleaning - but if I had a mortgage or rent, or the need to work 5 days a week for 7/8 hours a day I wouldn't like it! But 2/3 days a week at 5/6 hours a day is fine.

[james peters]

Had this conversation a few times lately.Self employed used to be more money as more risk less benefits.Like Holiday pay,sick pay bonus etc.It just doesn’t seem that way any more.

My brother never drives in to the office and gets a car allowance.I know some one that doesn’t even hold a uk driving licence and gets a car allowance.Just one of the perks.

The office people I know all earn well do on average 1-2 days week not in the office have flexible working the pensions aren’t as great as they use to be,Most I know as they have climbed the ladder the responsibility has grown but the graft has definitely slowed for them.

I couldn’t do it personally but I also don’t like the thought of manual labour in my 60’s

This is a point. But it's not hard manual labour is it?


And if you plan with other income streams/pension you can wind down.

I know it's partly luck of the draw but I quite like working in my sixties at window cleaning - but if I had a mortgage or rent, or the need to work 5 days a week for 7/8 hours a day I wouldn't like it! But 2/3 days a week at 5/6 hours a day is fine.

I agree with this
I am 53 and do an average of  26 /30 hours a week
I am never home later than 3 , and most days I am done by 2.
at the moment I still have a mortgage , but that will be done in about 5 years . I am able to pay the mortgage and save  comfortabely.
I work at a leisurely pace , and dont worry about hitting targets etc.
when my mortgage is finished  , I will cut back slightly or adjust my hours to what my body is telling me .
I will then be in a position to do another price hike  as daringly as I can , as I will not need to worry about losing customers .

my plan b ..... if need be will be to downsize.
I have a four bed detached so  could downsize releasing funds towards my retirement.
I am fortunate as regards I am not materialistic .

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

I've had numerous jobs and careers although you would never have thought so. This may seem bizarre but wfp has been the best because it ticks all the boxes. Never had so much ready cash and free time to do other stuff. The only thing is, one needs a van system and hot water in the winter months.

please... please... stop with this hot water system dribble...... and new van dribble ... dont you realise that you are preaching to window cleaners that have been going for decades , and actually have  rounds full of 
No messers
no late payers
no ladders needed
very little travelling
constant  influx of new enquiries
hardly any missed days due to weather
I have been  at it 32 years myself , and the only thing these statements do is make me giggle
having said that ..... I do like your enthusiasm ..... 

Mate up here been going years and decided to buy a bigger van and 2 man system. A few months later Winter arrived and he wished he got a hot water system. I think its necessary for window cleaning up here and its just my thoughts on making my business more efficient.
Yes, I have lost 4 days this month so back out today and most of my customers will be in. I'm looking forward to a great week window cleaning and the tips are a bonus.

[Slacky]

 Working on a Sunday? 

What happened, did the horse fall at the last fence?

[Scottish Cleaning Service]

Had this conversation a few times lately.Self employed used to be more money as more risk less benefits.Like Holiday pay,sick pay bonus etc.It just doesn’t seem that way any more.

My brother never drives in to the office and gets a car allowance.I know some one that doesn’t even hold a uk driving licence and gets a car allowance.Just one of the perks.

The office people I know all earn well do on average 1-2 days week not in the office have flexible working the pensions aren’t as great as they use to be,Most I know as they have climbed the ladder the responsibility has grown but the graft has definitely slowed for them.

I couldn’t do it personally but I also don’t like the thought of manual labour in my 60’s

This is a point. But it's not hard manual labour is it?


And if you plan with other income streams/pension you can wind down.

I know it's partly luck of the draw but I quite like working in my sixties at window cleaning - but if I had a mortgage or rent, or the need to work 5 days a week for 7/8 hours a day I wouldn't like it! But 2/3 days a week at 5/6 hours a day is fine.

Hard manual labour 😂 Try working on a building site as a shuttering joiner, building a massive hospital in the wind and rain wearing wellington boots. Some folk have never lived and think a splinter under the skin is a big deal.