[frames to panes]

How do you know when to stop taking work on? Do you set aside days where you could do that gutter clean or conservatory clean or do you keep piling it on untill you get a couple of weeks behind?

[Paul Coleman]

How do you know when to stop taking work on? Do you set aside days where you could do that gutter clean or conservatory clean or do you keep piling it on untill you get a couple of weeks behind?

I've always found that to be a difficult one myself.  Some years ago I reached my limit and just kept on taking it on.  Eventually, I gave away all the work in an entire village to balance things up a bit (it was all underpriced anyway).  I did eventually lose a load of work due to being off sick for quite a while so had to start rebuilding from the work I had left.  Then along came WFP and the gaps in the work grew larger.  I've now got to the point where, if I pushed myself hard, I could probably have a ferw days of in every 6 weekly cycle but the time is coming when I could end up oversubscribed once more.  The problem is different this time.  When it happened last time, the economy was recovering from the early - mid 90s crash.  This time there is a danger of the economy going pear shaped once more, so there is an incentive to have some "spare" work in case there is a spate of cancellations.  It's a tough call I think.  If you are not looking to build an empire (as I'm not currently), perhaps the way to go is to have some part-time, ad hoc help (assuming you know somweone who is OK to work that way) and if you lose a load of work, just don't get the help in.  The trouble is with that is that the other person would have to be doing it on a self-employed basis so it would be necessary for them to have another source of income in order for you not to fall foul of the PAYE laws.
No answer for you but maybe something to think about.

[frames to panes]

Thanks for that, i have no intention of building an empire either, but i am finding the add ons are getting quite lucrative and will need to keep time by for them. I don't intend cleaning windows in the rain so it's impossible to have a full round anyway. I look at my work load for next week and it looks dreadfull (little work) but by the time i get a rainy day or two and pick up some gutter/conservatory cleans, it soon builds. I suppose subbying a bit of work out to other cleaners could be an option if you temporarily become inundated.

[Dean Aspects]

I have enough work to pay all my bills be able to put some aside as savings and to pay for some luxuries i do now have targets to aim for to be more productive with my time and efforts
Have enough work to keep you busy but enough so you can have time off with family/freinds
Dont over analyse things go with the flow its less stressful 

Dean

[matt]

its a real tough 1

im at 110 % and cannot find time for any extra's

i wish i hadnt got like that, though on the other hand i do, i like the idea of having too much work, if i lose a few then i still have enough work, i was also planning on working 4 days a week ( we then had another baby, thus im still at 3 days )i still have enough work for 4 days

personally i would go as far as expanding intill you had 1 day less that you needed ( thus if you work 5 days, stop at enough for 4 days work ) this gives you 1 day to do extra's OR for rain OR for a day off to enjoy life, afterall thats why we work for ourselves isnt it ( a fact often forgotten by many )

[simbo]

i have found for me it is best to try and earn your money in 4 days anyway, just in case of rain etc.  keep refining those days ie bette priced stuff and then you have a day to play with or do the add ons
simbo

[cbcs]

I'm really struggling at the moment to get round my work in a month (most of work is monthly) its taking 6 weeks and most customers aren't happy with that. More new work comes in everyday or two. I keep taking it on and on. I'm trying a lad out with me on  Monday so if that works out, I'm going to take him on full time.

[Feen]

I try to keep my windows work load to 3 days per week. I know I have other work that is is not so weather affected, such as clearing some garden rubbish or the odd farm job. This way I can keep on top of my window schedule. Suits me Sir, as some eejit said

[Feen]

martinsadie said " always take new work on.when you cant keep it regular sell a section of bad work on to some one else." What a really stupid comment and if you can't work out why, I wish you luck because you'll need it.

[windowwashers]

How do you know when to stop taking work on? Do you set aside days where you could do that gutter clean or conservatory clean or do you keep piling it on untill you get a couple of weeks behind?

I do not turn down good work, I keep building, when it comes to the point we ared flat out again I just get another person to work, we offer 4/6 week cleans giving time for my business to grow and without lettinmg customers down, if flat out for 6 weeks time to look for new staff, I know some dont want to employ, so if you get like this increase your price on all accounts you will lose some, but will keep most, cuts down on clients yet ups rates for the day, I do not leave a day for add-ons these are extra jobs that go on top of the days work, why leave a day when you can fill with regular work IMO thats bad business sence to do that.

Ian

[Londoner]

I am always behind and chasing my tail but the theory goes that any new work you take on should be top notch. That way the quality keeps improving and you don't mind dropping a few poor jobs when you have to.

A lot of my customers are really old and the Grim Reaper takes his toll. I have three at the moment who look as though they are on the way out. They have all been good customers but they are now underpriced, so when they go I will replace them with jobs that pay a lot more.

[frames to panes]

Ian, so where do you fit your add ons? If you have no spare days and you get a request for a gutter or conservatory clean do you work after hours to complete them?

[windowwashers]

Ian, so where do you fit your add ons? If you have no spare days and you get a request for a gutter or conservatory clean do you work after hours to complete them?

it is added on the days work, I am not saying my way is the right way as everyone works different, but it works for me