[Simon Carter]

As a follow on from the thread about earning £300 per day  which I think we mostly consider to be unrealistic, it begs the question that if it's not the money, why have we chosen to be window cleaners?.
My primary belief is that window cleaning is actually very unusual in that although it isn't a gold mine, it is in fact one of the easiest & most stress free ways to earn enough. Where else can you start when you want, finnish when you want, take a day off when you want, catch up when you're ready without a customer blowing a fuse & still earn more than the poor sod jumping through hoops in a warehouse or factory.

[Ian Rochester]

I think you have just answered your own question there.

[pjulk]

I started window cleaning as i really enjoy the job.
I love working outside, Talking to people.
For me it's not all about the money (But it Helps)
It's about job satisfaction.
I don't take orders from anyone, I don't have to be at work at a certain time or finish at a certain time.
I hate earning money for other people, when that money would be better off in my pocket.
And you get a nice tan in the summer.

Paul

[bobjarrett]

I started working with brother in law bought some work , never looked back since wish i done it years ago , the only thing that does me in is wheni load car just pull off and it starts raining , i get satisfactoin out of a good days graft knowing i havent earnt it for someone else , luv it best job in world.

[Marc's on the Glass, LLC]

Very few professions allow you to set your own standards in everything you do and still be successful, yeah?  Stress free, easy work...People love the results, every time... There are perks to, eh?  I don't pay full tilt for anything anymore (coffee, clothes, movies, whatever).  I love the relationships you can form with the business people on your round.

My wife and son like their dad being home too!

Anyone ever go on vacation and clean some windows???  Free hotel...restaruants...rentals?

[s.hughes]

Yup, One of my customers who are relatively wealthy has said she is going to give me some t-shirts, sweat shirts from her son who is 17. She said that even though he buys these things and never wears them that they would be ok for work. I joked that I only like the top brands like Boss, Armani etc. She replies that he never buys anything less than that.
Somehow I dont think these will be used for work, if I did then my customers will be looking at how much I charge.

Steveyboy

[texas girl]

I think window cleaners are the smartest people in the world.

I have been in the business for 25 years.  Started when I was 23. I have never worked for anyone else because I served in the army and then went straight to college for 4 years.

It was when I was waiting to begin teaching that I cleaned a few windows for a freind that had a jewelry store. Had nothing better to do and I like physical work. I like athletic stuff.

So that first day I picked up 3 stores located next to the jewelers. I thought wow this is cool!  I like cleaning glass. I still do. I think either you love cleaning glass or you hate it.

Now I have an office job in that I manage my business. I have a staff that does the work. My job is marketing, billing, quality control (staff; yuk).

But I am very pleased with the way things are going. I live on the lake and go out often on my boat. I have forced myself to relax and stop worrying about stuff.

When you hire people it is always something; yet; that is your job. 

I have thought of deducting vacations by doing windows while there but I have a ton of deductions already.

But that is a great idea!

Hugs,

Texas Girl

[Duke]

I started working as a w/c when I worked for the local council as a caretaker. My hours were afternoons, evenings and weekends. Then they cut my hours to 30 a week (@ £6.30 an hour), no overtime rates. I was so stressed and skint, I started building a small round in the mornings just to see if I could make an extra £20 a day to supplement my income. Then I lost my job through stress (not enough income and bills mounting)...I built the round a bit bigger, then joined up with Simon (from this list).....and never looked back. I wish I'd done it years ago. Now I'm stress free and have enough money to do mostly what I want...for half the hours ! (and I dont have to work silly hours, clock in or take krap from anybody...that's freedom.)

[windows_chepstow]

For Wor Lass and I, it's all about being my our own boss and managing my own time, and working as hard, or as little as we want.

Mind, I had to get her permission to reply to this thread!

It's stress free, no chasing work (once you're established), no telephones ringing every five minutes, no having to work with despised collegues, no impossible targets set and repecussions when they're not met.  There's loads of reasons.

Not only that, there's no ceiling on your earnings.  While we're not clearing £300.00 quid a day yet, we know it's not impossible.