[welshwindows]

whats your hourly rate? since the ecenomic downturn 30 quid an hour seems unlikely,or am i wrong.
(im talking actual pocket money here, not turnover.)

[HIGH LEVEL WINDOW CLEANERS (scrimmy)]

run for cover mate.......that question is a taboo on here.

[GWCS]

hourly rate is dependant on a lot of factors.

How wealthy your area is.

How much experience you have

How many customers you have

How you run your business

If you are a start up, how much equipment will you be buying, and upgrading?

But looking at how a proper business is run (taking into account all expenses and investing in the future) your looking at taking in your pocket approx 30-40% of what your take.

So if your looking at £30 in your pocket an hour you need to be taking approx £70 an hour..

[AuRavelling79]

£5.00 pocket money.

[welshwindows]

thank you GWCS, id be interested to hear where the other 60% goes??? marketing is kept down to a minimal due to regular customer base, and most of the equipment seems to be a one off purchase.

[GWCS]

I take it your an expanding business, therefore you need to outlay for new vehicles, staff training, accountant, tax bills throughout the year, upgrades of equipment such as wfp - most poles will prob anly last about 2 years before they need replacing.

Or are your a low key Sole Trader with just a local neighbour hood business? Just taking things as they come no foresight for future growth and so pocketing everything that you dont currently need for current expanses?

[welshwindows]

GWCS you sound like an experienced business man and one i could probably learn a hell of a lot from. i must admit im a bit of a low key sole trader but do have the drive and ambition to expand the buisness.

i have one van, just me cleaning windows the traditional way. im currently working six full days about nine hours solid. thats why im thinking of taking on staff, would you therefor take on another van and work seperately and keep on canvassing or just use the one van and go through the round twice as fast?

id love to hear how you set your buisness up???

[welshwindows]

p.s im only 17years old so need all the advice you can

[GWCS]

p.s im only 17years old so need all the advice you can

jesus you insurance must be like over £1000 for a van! mine is £500 fully comp with 9 years no claims..

I set my business up 2 years ago when i moved, after working for my uncle.. I had a good grasp of the business so could easily set up, knowing what type of equipment i would need.

Having spent over £10K  this year on equipment I'm starting to reap in the rewards of that now.

I plan to stay a sole trader and have no one working for me, unless close friends or family wish to join me. Employing is more hassle than its necessary - no guarantee of getting someone good, and if they went on the sick you have to find a replacement fast or lose customers, not to mention paying issues. Rather than work harder to increase the amount of custies i plan to reduce the amount of low payers and increase the amount of high payers , and get a balanced mix of the 2 - so therefore not heavily relying on the hi end payers encase they drop off due to whatever reason.