[DJC Clean]

 HI, I`m in the process of buying a round. This will be my intro into window cleaning. Do you generaly get contacts drawn up or is it just a verbal agreement. he has already taken me out 2 mornings on the round, and written up the whole round on paper with house no`.s and special requirements.

Would this be enough for you.

Also whats to stop him in 2 months coming back on his old patch ?

[matt]

nothing will stop him returning

you only in effect by the "goodwill"

ive brought all of my round, 3 days a week, 400 quid a week with a 6 week turn around

all have been great, its a easy way to start imho

i did put up a few prices at the start, and some complained, lost 3 i think, picked 2 back up in time

[james menzies]

buyiny a round is ok see all is books and pay him when you are happy when you have seen all the work.

[Central]

Fill in a contract mate, doesnt have to be too intracate just something basic, make sure you put something in the contract to stop the person canvassing your area within a set time limit - like 25 years, theres nothing for him to loose if hes not gonna try and do you over.  If he sells the round to you then goes back 3 months later saying hes been on holiday ort something his customers may be loyal and go back to him.  probably wouldnt happen but its piece of mind

[Ian Rochester]

In my opinion a contract of this sort is not worth the paper it's written on, you have to have trust in the person you are buying the round from, if you don't trust him, walk away. 

You also have to gain the trust of the people who's windows you are going to be cleaning.  There is nothing to stop them turning around and saying they no longer require you after the very first clean.

For an intro into window cleaning, I would start on the cheap and find a few houses for yourself, why fork out a few hundred pound for something you may not like it or you may not be any good at - it's not everyones idea of a living. 

However, once you are happy that it is the job for you, then look at expanding by buying a round or better still canvassing more houses for yourself, there are new builds going up everywhere, get in early, speak to the builders and get your leaflets included in their introduction packs for new buyers.

If you are determined to buy a round, get your leaflets into all the houses stating you are taking over the window cleaning, only pay him once you have established that all the houses are staying with you, ie: after your first or second clean.

Good luck   Ian

[Central Window Cleaners]

Hi, we drew up a contract when we bought our round and got the guy to sign it. Would be happy to email you a copy for you to tailor to your requirements. Drop me an email with you email address and I will forward it on. We stated that he could not work in the same line of business for 5 years.

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

personally i would insist on a contract however it's not worth the paper its written on unless drawn up through lawers etc. having said that though, if you do get a contract it may deter him from canvasing or working on your patch, it's a chance you have to take, on trust i'm afraid.

[AuRavelling79]

1. Get him to introduce you personally to his customers and hand a typed note (maybe produced by you) signed by him explaining  to them you are taking over.

2. Negotiate to pay him in instalments if possible (eg if you are paying 3 x the round's face value, pay it monthly as it comes in.)

3. Agree that if any customers cancel within the first (say) three months that you will deduct them from your final instalment.

Obviously the above is negotiable, but hold something back to cover the inevitable "drop-offs!."
Of the above number one is the most crucial (IMO) and the easiest for him to agree to if he is genuine.

[Ian_Giles]

Malc,
I've sold work before, and it was me that did the contract
I know they are not worth the papaer they are written on, but they are at least an indication of trust.
I'm afraid though that when it was mooted that I should take off a percentage should customers cancel, I also mentioned that they will pick up work as a direct result of taking on the round I sold them, I also built in a guarantee from me that I would not take back any customers whatever the conditions.
This also included a letter explaining all to the customers too
Easy for them to copy out on a photocopier.
The problem with trying to safeguard yourself about cancelations is that it may well be because you have done a job that sucks, have been rude to a customer, customer has died/moved away and so on.
But if you have bought something like 350-400 customers there will be a natural wastage, and they are always replaced by more than you will lose.

your work will increase, not decrease over a 3 month period.

But a contract, oh yes, no question, it means everything is in writing, how much, how many accounts, conditions agreed upon and so on, and get it independantly witnessed too.

Ian

[matt]

DJC Clean

how did it go ??

[windows_chepstow]

In my opinion a contract of this sort is not worth the paper it's written on, you have to have trust in the person you are buying the round from, if you don't trust him, walk away. 

I couldn't agree more!

[Moderator David@stives]

i bought my round and wrote a contract onthe following lines
that a 20% deposit be paid immediately then worked with the guy 50/50 for 2 weeks then the final payment after introduction to all customers where reasonably possible .
it is best to try and work some of the round either with or without the seller so you get a feel for what you are buying ,in my case i neednt have worried everythink worked out better than ok .dont get worried about losing some customers ,thats par for the course ,if some of the work is underpriced that can usually be sorted over the next year or so ,the customers seem to understand nobody works cheap these days .what you get when you buy a round is proven customers who live close together with not much traveling,if you took other advice about starting your own round it will be a long time before you get established and what you usually get is everybody elses dregs,moaners,cast-offs,akwerd customers ,bad payers,difficult cleans etc .plus doing a lot of travelling and not a lot of earning.i am sorry to waffle but it really annoys me when people try and tell people not to buy rounds and instead go out and tread on other window cleaners toes .remember buying a round is the fastest and easiest way into window cleaning,not sat at home waiting for the phone to ring or posting flyers as some would have you believe.
chears
dave

[Moderator David@stives]

sorry if i upset anyone on this post i was not aiming at anyone on this post only what as gone before on other posts
chears
dave

[Stuart Webster]

David,

Your allowed your opinion. Dont worry too much.

Your right, it's the quickest way to get started, plus you get a feel of the work first.