[Sean Dyer]

i think you sell up dirt cheap

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

What i think is that you should keep an open mind about window cleaning.To even think about moving away from it is the most stupid thing i ever heard from you.Trust me I've said more stupid things.  Yesterday I managed to clean 5 houses, my shoulder was making it almost impossible to use the pole. I shall load up with painkillers this morning but it's not really an ideal situation.
The renting won't work, and the selling won't get you what your business is worth.Subbing can work it depends on the two parties and the agreement struck. While selling wont properly value the business (unless I do what Platinum did!) it would give 5-6 months worth of income and I could always set up again. If someone wanted to buy the whole business it would generate much more money and you would sign an agreement not to do business in that area for say 3 years.
You do not have any option at all but to employ.But what a faf if your not there to monitor the employee. I could always look for a 20 year old to do all the grunt work, but I don't fancy that much.
You have just got to make the best fist of it that you can.You've built a good business, carry on doing that- it's what you are good at, your niche, so carry on.

To carry on you do need a open mind though.Have a look at your options, business, franchises, whatever, and then look freshly at wc. I am oppen to new things which is why I will look at re-training

We are all good at some bits of the job and worse at others, you need to get out of your comfort zone and work on the bits you don't like, such as employing.You will earn less than you do now initialy, I'm not sure I want to earn less I can only manage to work part time at the moment, it's just as well that most of my work is priced £35-50 per working hour.accept that and don't let it stop you.

Thanks for the comments Slumpbuster, I've replied in red!

[Clive McDonald]

I accept that you are thinking out loud and i also know that you are good at what you do.I just think if you came at it fresh you could do even better.

A guy on this forum who you probably know left window cleaning and bought a franchise.This was hard and not very rewarding, he ended up skint having wasted his purchase money, and un happy in his job. He started window cleaning again from scratch, but this time did all the things he should have done the first time plus added some of the discipline he had learned in his failed franchise.The result was that now he had a much better business etc.


If you can't do the work at least look at the options.I believe the best shout you have is this, a big van, transit or similar to hold 1000l or above.A three man team, you as driver ticket writer/admin and canvasser while the other two lads get stuck in.

So you need to buy a van with a big system and look to employing two men.And yes you will earn less.

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

I accept that you are thinking out loud and i also know that you are good at what you do.I just think if you came at it fresh you could do even better.

A guy on this forum who you probably know left window cleaning and bought a franchise.This was hard and not very rewarding, he ended up skint having wasted his purchase money, and un happy in his job. He started window cleaning again from scratch, but this time did all the things he should have done the first time plus added some of the discipline he had learned in his failed franchise.The result was that now he had a much better business etc.

Good point, the grass is often greener. I have thought in the past about how I would set up if I did start up again. My work gained for the past 18 months has been with this in mind.


If you can't do the work at least look at the options.I believe the best shout you have is this, a big van, transit or similar to hold 1000l or above.A three man team, you as driver ticket writer/admin and canvasser while the other two lads get stuck in. Yes good option, employing would scare me but it is possible.

So you need to buy a van with a big system and look to employing two men.And yes you will earn less.

[LWC]

I always go through fazes in this business, ive been in one for months now lol. But what else are you going to do? I look at jobs and well paid jobs are like £10 a hour which i probably wouldnt get and then i think...£10 a hour!! I could do a £10 house in 10 mins and alot more!

Try and stick with it if you can, or just get a young lad to work for you, you just do the downs or something? Sorry i havent read the whole thread, are you WFP? If you are, you could reel out the hose for him, show him what to do, ticket/collect money etc etc. And when you feel hes confident enough you could send him out on his own...and then get another lad and so on and so on. Try to think im going to build this up where i dont have to work maybe? Something to work for, it is hard on your own, mind you its hard with someone but a challenge. This aint a easy job sometimes but if like me its all your good at then you gotta stick at it.

Good luck in whatever you decide mate   

[bobby p]

keep posting on your interview etc ,   i reckon you should do as the above says,employ and drive to the jobs with your lads and you canvass as and when you feel ,/   i know a guy like that , he spends all his days drivin about and raking in the money  , just keeps all the wheels oiled , if you know what i mean

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Well I went for the interview, very interested in this new project. I would sell up tomorrow if I was offered a jaw dropping amount for everything but as that is unlikely I will keep working and increasing the value until I have made a firm decision.
I have a couple of guys that may be able to help me out. I will have to start another thread about the value of work ie. selling. That will be fun.

[AuRavelling79]

How light is your pole Sunshine - sorry if you've posted that before. Can you go lighter?

[Clive McDonald]

It's a tough job we do malc, i'm always surprised when i see a woman mentioned on here.Most of us seem to be crocs and physical wrecks so i've no idea how a woman can do this job.Whenever you get a thread about aches and pains such as sqeakys the other day almost everyone tends to chip in, and you think, it's not just me.

Wfp is still fairly new and maybe we walking wounded are just the tip of the iceberg. I constantly ache throught the constant repetion of the same arm movements etc.It's not just Anyone who hits big numbers day in day out who seem to suffer, some of the slackers and the forum hippie have health issues too.

Before i came into this i looked at lots of franchises dominoes being my favourite, it was 273k(not including about four mopeds and two little cars and wages for ten staff from day one) for a turnkey and the earnings figures were good.

We (i mean you malc, ww, sunshine and a few more besides) are very lucky.We are in the right place at the right time and just about have enought nouse to know what to do.All it takes is a bit of courage.Being a physical wreck could be the making of him.

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

where is your round then mate might be interested if its in the midlands or around abouts

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

How light is your pole Sunshine - sorry if you've posted that before. Can you go lighter?

To be honest lifting my arm up to wipe the top of a frame gives me pain. It's not really the weight, obviously its worse with weight, but just the position of my arm makes it worse.

The physio recommended cortisone injections but I must have a period of 10 days where I don't work. Her assessment is that it will not go away but did say a specialist may well suggest the cortisone or surgery route. Either way stressing the shoulder will not help.

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

try get a lighter pole mate or could you strap your shoulder with a support any news where your round is mate i do midlands and surrounding areas

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

I'm in Bakewell, North Derbyshire.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

Would defo be interested in renting mate 25 yrs exp do a day a week in glossop scootergav@msn.com