[mgba_78]

Ive been at it now for 4 months and have built from scratch which makes it even more satisfying.

Ive got quite a full diary now and this week every month is nearly full, so wanted to test myself!

Well yesterday i thought i would time myself on leaving the house and arriving back home to get an idea of an hourly rate, well i was plesantly suprised at £15.84 per hour for 6.5 hours work, was well happy with that as the last time i checked i was working to about £9 per hour and wasnt happy!!!

Did the same again today and blow me 6 hours work which worked out to £20.66 per hour.
(both are full residential days)

Both days i didnt stop for lunch and only had 1 cuppa on both days.
And the quality of my work was 100% as usual, not sloppy as i wanted to finish early!!!!!!

So really just wanna say to the other newbies out there to stick at it as it will happen, if i can do it anyone can!!!!!
As i know at the begining i was thinking how the hell am i going to make any decent money especially as i earnt a silly amount of money last year with my old job, it seems that i can make this business really happen and next year will be superb.



Andy

[windows_chepstow]

Did the same again today and blow me 6 hours work which worked out to £20.66 per hour.

Andy

Andy, you're doing a lot better than I, when I first started up at your stage.  I was well under-priced. 

Anyway, well done.  Once you can sustain this day-in-day-out, you're on par with some local window cleaners to me who've been at it far longer than you or I.

Remember, it's not about the money; hitting good monetary targets is just one indicator of how well you're running your business.

Just think how much more you're going to be earning once you get a more concentrated round and your fitness, skills and experience improve yet more; which they will.

[mgba_78]

Remember, it's not about the money; hitting good monetary targets is just one indicator of how well you're running your business.

Just think how much more you're going to be earning once you get a more concentrated round and your fitness, skills and experience improve yet more; which they will.

Yeah i know its not saying i have a GOOD business by how much i have earnt but going from zero to where i am now while still managing to pay mortgage, bills and keeping 2 cars on the road etc etc is i feel a real achievement by me!

I know hourly rate is not really a good indicator but it just looks so good.

Next year for me will be a big one i think, the work is just rolling in at the minute and instead of spending all day driving round doing one here and there its more like 1 or 2 roads next to each other and 10-15 houses at £15 or more.

Its so good to see growth of customers and tunover rise without even trying too hard.

I am really starting to enjoy this, not just the work but building a name for myself and building the business.

Love it!!!!

Bring it on for tomorrow!!

Andy

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

WELL DONE Mate!!!

One word of warning.  This year you have built up a round and built your own system, all been very successfull and new.
But a couple of years on you will probably get bored - most of us do!!! - no crime - Thats when it sorts the men from the boys.  Somehow I think you'll stick it, because you have the same incentive as me, and many other pro's on here. A mortgage to pay and a family to keep!! at the end of the day it DOES boil down to money!!

David

[simbo]

davids right boredome and lack of motivation happens to us all, i personally take the odd day off and try to remember how exactly i lived on £320 pounds per week and at the time thought this to be pretty good money
wish i had done this years ago
simbo

[mogy]

 Hi All , , wow this  sounds familure , Ive been going now  bit under a month , started taking anything for what i could get , , am filling the diary now and learning that it is possible to quote a realistic price and still,be ok . Would you belive there are some semis , around Leicester  being cleaned for a fiver ........or so the owners claim !
If I could get my average earnings  up to  £10 / hour would be dead chuffed

How long does it take you old timers out there to clean a window .. ? found myself taking an hour to do a ten windowed house , so 6 mins a time , that is frames , detailing and giving the glass a shine as well., but  still need to  be  quicker if im going to earn more.
 Best wishes All
         Mogy

[mgba_78]

How long does it take you old timers out there to clean a window .. ? found myself taking an hour to do a ten windowed house , so 6 mins a time , that is frames , detailing and giving the glass a shine as well., but still need to be quicker if im going to earn more.
 Best wishes All
 Mogy

I'm not an old timer, but my first month i didnt care about how long it took just made sure EVERY job was 110% perfect, i was out all day to do 5/6 houses and earning £30-£40, very dishartening but 2 things came from this

1 - The next clean will be a doddle as you put the effort in  1st time around
2 - Recommendation, the best way to get new customers (as long as have        done a good job)

The speed will come with time only now can i say my squeegy technique is finally getting there, its not perfect but it is better by a mile than when i first started.

It sounds sad but i used to practice on my conservatory, Mrs didnt mind either as it was always clean

[Mike 108]

Hi Mogey.

You seem to be in a similar situation to me. I've only been cleaning for 3 months. I'm quoting customers similar rates as other window cleaners in the area (I know because I know several of them) but I'm only earning £7.00 per hour while their earning £12-£15 per hour.

Like you, I wipe the frames/clean the cills on every visit and this takes time, but it has got me extra work through 'recommends'.

The fact is we're still learning/improving our techniques - I've watched the other cleaners work and they are just faster than me/us - thats all there is to it!

We'll get there in the end! Best wishes.

Mike

[julianbiggs]

Are you glad you packed in your other job then

[neil100]

Congratulations Watford Boy.

I think you will do well at w/c and provide a good standard of living for your family.

Someone Mentioned Boredom in their posts. Good point, it effects everybody to varying degrees, but that will allways apply to whatever job you do.

The diffrence here being that you are working for yourself. The motivation and drive has to come from yourself.

I have nearly done my 27th continues year of w/c. I still have the drive week in week out. I love working for myself. The wage I bring home reflects in how hard I work.

Its stress free for me while I earn a comparaple wage with many proffesonal people. But I am only ever as good as my next weeks work. I set myself up every week to earn a certain amount, When I hit the target I still pat myself on the back.

What I am trying to say is, How you feel now about w/c  never needs to change.

Nel.

[mgba_78]

Are you glad you packed in your other job then

Errr well i suppose so..............hell yeah!
 none of that corperate bull poo which as you know is rubbish

[marc]

it sounds like you enjoy your work at the moment shame you cant enjoy your football as well i wonder if my team will go down with yours ??

[windows_chepstow]

Someone Mentioned Boredom in their posts. Good point, it effects everybody to varying degree...

I find mornings fly past, but I find it's early afternoon when cleaning windows can become a drag.

To keep myself motivated I try to start as early as I can.  It's great when 10.00 am comes and you've already made a decent amount, and that can motivate you to work on.

After lunch I normally put on my mp3 player and clean windows to songs I'd be embarrased to name.

For bigger jobs, where I'm not getting 'bothered' by customers trying to pay me, or offer cups of tea, or wanting a chat; I stick on a talking book.

I used to hate working by myself, but now I'm getting to prefer it; the boring git I am.

[mgba_78]

I find mornings fly past, but I find it's early afternoon when cleaning windows can become a drag.

To keep myself motivated I try to start as early as I can.  It's great when 10.00 am comes and you've already made a decent amount, and that can motivate you to work on.

After lunch I normally put on my mp3 player and clean windows to songs I'd be embarrased to name.

For bigger jobs, where I'm not getting 'bothered' by customers trying to pay me, or offer cups of tea, or wanting a chat; I stick on a talking book.

I used to hate working by myself, but now I'm getting to prefer it; the boring git I am.

Im the other way round seem to be slower first thing and really ramp it up come 12 o'clock, dunno why, i like to leave the house and be at my first job for 9 but always struggle with the first 2 every day

I need to get a portable digital radio, tried using the IPOD but just gets boring listening to music, i prefer it being broken up with banter, news etc etc.

I now also prefer working on my own, no one to hold you back and accountable for everything that you do, its good

Andy

[Fast 1 *]

I prefer working with someone else(preferably someone who is getting a lot less than you).Today i worked on my own and i was bored.I need to get an i pod.