[Leyla]

Hello, I am another new guy wanting start up advice, i've spent quite a while going through your disgussions and have really appreciated your advice.
I hope you will help me too. I am unsure how to bill customers, do you charge them ? as and when you do the windows or is it better to set up standing orders or bill 6 monthly? Also is each appointment you make an exact time and date or do you just do it whenever you can within reason, for example if you agree monthly, as long as it is cleaned monthly does it matter when?
lots of questions i hope you dont mind

[pjulk]

Hello giles

This is what i do.
When i clean a customers house i collect the money then but if they are out i leave a slip saying there windows have been cleaned and tell the what evening i will call back for the money get nearly everyone that way. The ones that are not in i put another slip through saying they where not in when i called for the money so could they please send me a cheque.
And for most people thats works out fine and usually get the cheque within seven days i also get some post it through my letter box at home.

Also is each appointment you make an exact time and date or do you just do it whenever you can within reason, for example if you agree monthly, as long as it is cleaned monthly does it matter when?

When i take on a new customer i always say i will be round every 4 weeks but i cannot guarentee a day due to the weather could turn bad.
I never give a time when i'm going to clean i have had a lot of people ask and i tell them i won't say a time as it nearly impossible to stick to as you may pick up a new customer whilst cleaning before you get to them or someone may ask if you could do there insides. Most people are fine with this the one's that say i need a time are usually a bit of a pain once you have built your round up a bit.
I have some customers who keep there gates locked so i give them a ring the night before a let them know i will be round to clean there windows and quite a few of them will also leave the money out for you then aswell.

I would not bill customers every six month unless its six months in advance i think you would be asking for trouble.
Standing order is a good idea and i am going to put some of my customers on that shortly so i can cut back on calling back for the money.

Paul

[gaza]

YOU DONT DO WORK THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO IT EVERY TIME YOUVE FINISHED A CUSTOMERS WINDOW CUS COLLECTING IS GOING TO BE A PAIN,TIME =MONEY LOST+PETROL BURNED ETC ETC.IF I HAVE TO I ADD 50P/£1 TO A QUOTE IF THEY SAY YES KEEP IT THAT PRICE FOR ALL NEW WORK YOU TAKE ON,ITS WORKED 4 ME CHEEKY I KNOW,BUT THE STREET GRAPEVINE WORKS WONDERS IN THIS BUISS,MOSTLY IF YOU GET ONE ON A STREET YOU GET MORE,IF YOUR AFRAID OF THINKING YOUR TO EXPENSIVE ITS A GOOD WAY OF TRYING YOUR LUCK,CUS YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MANY YOU WOULD HAVE PICKED UP ON THAT STREET,YOU WILL ALLWAYS BE IN WORK IF YOU WORK FOR NOTHING,BUT YOU WONT DIE RICH YOULL DIE OF STARVATION.IF YOU GET MY DRIFT,DO THE WORK COLLECT FRI NIGHT,EARLY SUNDAY MORNING,pES THE BAD PAYERS OFF,START PAYING FRI NIGHT AFTER THEVE HAD THEIR SUNDAY LIE IN DISTURBED,IF THEY MOAN SAY IF THEY WERE DOCKED HALF HOUR FROM THEIR WAGES BET THEY WOULD BE THE FIRST IN LINE AT THE PAY OFFICE,I GET SOME OF MY CUSTOMERS TO LEAVE THE MONEY ON THE TOP WINDOW SILL,FOR WHEN IM DUE.ONE DAY A BLOODY MAGPIE KNICKED A 2 POUND COIN,OR SO THE CUSTOMER RECONDS ,BUT WHATS 2 SQUID,REFER TO TIME = MONEY
 I CAN ONLY WISH YOU GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW VENTURE.MY 16 YR OLD STARTS WITH ME IN THE MORNING,SACKED BY DINNER,TAKE HIM TO HOSPITAL TO HAVE HIM XRAYED TO SEE IF HES GOT ANY WORK IN HIM,BIT RICH COMING FROM A STEP KID WHO WHEN AT SCHOOL ONCE SAID ALL YOU ARE IS A BLOODY WINDOW CLEANER.MY REPLY WAS IF YOU DONT STUDY AT SCHOOL YOU WILL BE A WINDOW CLEANER REST MY CASE WHEN HES EARNING TWICE AS MUCH AS HIS MATES HE WILL REALIZE WERES THERES MUCK THERES MONEY ENJOY

[Leyla]

did you find any?
if you did i would get it framed, rare commodity!

from what i'm hearing, smart people window clean..