[JRDEasiReach]

Murdie thats what im trying to do now too, theres quite a few w/c's in my town already and trying to 'get in' was hard at the start, still is in many ways but im getting there, and its growing on my balance sheet month by month so im happy with that, not as much as i would like but im getting there, im finding though that you have to go out regardless of the weather to 'keep your name up' as other w/c's round here where i live dont come regular enough and when you do it makes you look good ive only put 1 day off so far since i started in mid september, i need a wife like window washers I have to do the canvassing myself and it takes alot of time!!

[Murdie window cleaning]

It would certanly help having an other half that was willing to help drum up business. I've never managed to get out today as I've had to many other things to sort out, so it sure would help. On the being regular and going out when you would rather stay in is spot on, had one yesterday say she didn't want me because she had been let down over the years with guys doing it for a few cleans then not coming back, I had to give her the chat and reasure her I was going to be regular. Just have to stick to my word now.

[ccmids]

i've had enough of battling for days off and not seeing my kids. I've gathered a few (7)  regular customers gathered from door knocking and 2 neighbours and done 2 large one off jobs. Going for 4 weeks fitting in the cleans on day off. I'm nervous about making the change, leaving my rut which pays the mortgage etc. Just wondered if anyone had done the above.

good luck tom you done the right thing you will make more wonger than the other job.and have time to see the kids.

[cockney rebel]

i've had enough of battling for days off and not seeing my kids. I've gathered a few (7)  regular customers gathered from door knocking and 2 neighbours and done 2 large one off jobs. Going for 4 weeks fitting in the cleans on day off. I'm nervous about making the change, leaving my rut which pays the mortgage etc. Just wondered if anyone had done the above.

Make that change my friend or you will regret it the rest of your life. I started weekends whilst working, had a big bust up with my old fat greedy boss, walked out & left him in the lurch... lol...and have never looked back. All i done is drop loads of leaflets off and bobs your mum. Wouldn't bother buying work. Now have over 300 punters. Nice!!

[Murdie window cleaning]

i've had enough of battling for days off and not seeing my kids. I've gathered a few (7)  regular customers gathered from door knocking and 2 neighbours and done 2 large one off jobs. Going for 4 weeks fitting in the cleans on day off. I'm nervous about making the change, leaving my rut which pays the mortgage etc. Just wondered if anyone had done the above.

Make that change my friend or you will regret it the rest of your life. I started weekends whilst working, had a big bust up with my old fat greedy boss, walked out & left him in the lurch... lol...and have never looked back. All i done is drop loads of leaflets off and bobs your mum. Wouldn't bother buying work. Now have over 300 punters. Nice!!

Tom if you do quit your job to go full time you are going to need to get work quickly and unless you are lucky enough to be able to buy work you will need to canvass, dropping leaflets alone doesn't normaly bring in enough work unless you drop maybe 30'000.
If anyone has managed to build up a round from leafleting alone then they are very fortunate.

[cockney rebel]

Tom if you do quit your job to go full time you are going to need to get work quickly and unless you are lucky enough to be able to buy work you will need to canvass, dropping leaflets alone doesn't normaly bring in enough work unless you drop maybe 30'000.
If anyone has managed to build up a round from leafleting alone then they are very fortunate.

I must be fortunate then. I admit it isn't easy, but if you are willing to make a success out of it for little outlay, then leaflets is the way. People don't like cold callers anymore ( i blame the god squad ). If people want there windows cleaned then they will call you.

[Murdie window cleaning]

Tom if you do quit your job to go full time you are going to need to get work quickly and unless you are lucky enough to be able to buy work you will need to canvass, dropping leaflets alone doesn't normaly bring in enough work unless you drop maybe 30'000.
If anyone has managed to build up a round from leafleting alone then they are very fortunate.

I must be fortunate then. I admit it isn't easy, but if you are willing to make a success out of it for little outlay, then leaflets is the way. People don't like cold callers anymore ( i blame the god squad ). If people want there windows cleaned then they will call you.

I'm picking up work just fine by canvassing, never had a bad experiance from any one, it's either a yes I would, no I do them myself or the more common I've allready got a cleaner. You get some doors with a sticker saying "No door knockers"ect, but there few and far between round my way

[scud]

  I left my job 5 years ago with just 6 customers to service!

  The job I left was a paying a salary that attracted 40% tax, company car and other perks (lovely sexy secretary for 1), but the stress would of killed me sooner rather than later.

   I was lucky I had some savings (not enough though), I worked hard and 5 years on I am making the same sort of money but with alot less stress.

[ccmids]

NO STRESS

[Murdie window cleaning]

If any one thinks there is stress involved in this job obviously hasn't worked for a big company in a senior position then. Obviously there is certain stresses in this, but only the ones you put upon yourself, nothing like what being an employee for some one else can put upon you

[daz1977]

i didint jump from a job to window cleaning, i couldnt get a job, as when i moved to cornwall i could only get a child minder 3 days a week, so ended up wc, really enjoy it,  got about 80 custys at mo, but have lost about 10 -15, crap payers, canceled etc, but havent been knocking for about 4 months, found some one who will print of 10000 leaflets for £65 quid, so going to get a load dont in feb and then get delivered, then try and leaflet and knock most weekends till full

[Frankybadboy]

i left my job as a transport manager for a  very big local frim,at the time i went though divorce and didnt want the stress that came with it.i was on 28k+
so i left after 8year servive,best thing i every done.

i took 3mth off where i just enjoyed life and sorted me head out from the divorce,and that when i decided to take up w/c.never looked back,trust me.the hard work is starting to pay off now.

[cockney rebel]

i left my job as a transport manager for a  very big local frim,at the time i went though divorce and didnt want the stress that came with it.i was on 28k+
so i left after 8year servive,best thing i every done.

i took 3mth off where i just enjoyed life and sorted me head out from the divorce,and that when i decided to take up w/c.never looked back,trust me.the hard work is starting to pay off now.

Nice one matey. All you have to do is grow some balls. I earn more now than ive ever done before. The rewards are great for me, can come & go as i please, no one to answer to, no worrys of getting the old tin tack, can have time of whenever i want. God, it's GRRRRRRRRRRREAT to be in control.

[Frankybadboy]

grow some balls :oi had them last time i checked.

my out look on life as changed since the divorce,to the fact i dont worry about what i earn as long as iam happy and all me bills are paid.more you earn the more you spend or want.
i now after 4years have a very full round with good custys.
iam at the stage where iam now turning work away if it not worth it or never to what i do.

and yes i love the freedom

[daz1977]

isnt being happy the point of life, people think that we are just wc, but we are all a lot happier than most people

we got job security, work for a great boss, get tans, basically we got every thing from a job that we ever wanted, there is only two jobs better than a wc, premiership footballer and porn star, i dont know about u but i am crap at football


next time you are out look at how miserable your custy are, with the great job that they always wanted and how hard they work, just to earn the same money as a lot of use do

[JRDEasiReach]

I actually enjoy being my own boss too, although when starting out you have to keep you nose clean but i enjoy it no end, dont want to ever work for anyone else again and having been a stay at home dad full time for the past 4 and half years im chomping at the bit to get out, and with me only working around his schooling during the term anyway(i know i am going to have to take him out some time when hes off) its saving us a fortune on childcare costs, i know a local man who i clean for has a 9 yr old, gets looked after for 1hr 30 mins a day during week for £60 and has been paying that since child was 5 months old, total so far 27,000!!!! Mental money!!! Cheapest you can get starting now is £100 a week, im not working extra to pay for that, not a chance.  What would be the point?

[Mist A Bit]

i left a job as a employed window cleaner to start up on my own. i brought a round which provided £600 every 4 weeks and built it from their. 7 years on and i never regretted it.

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

I actually enjoy being my own boss too, although when starting out you have to keep you nose clean but i enjoy it no end, dont want to ever work for anyone else again and having been a stay at home dad full time for the past 4 and half years im chomping at the bit to get out, and with me only working around his schooling during the term anyway(i know i am going to have to take him out some time when hes off) its saving us a fortune on childcare costs, i know a local man who i clean for has a 9 yr old, gets looked after for 1hr 30 mins a day during week for £60 and has been paying that since child was 5 months old, total so far 27,000!!!! Mental money!!! Cheapest you can get starting now is £100 a week, im not working extra to pay for that, not a chance.  What would be the point?

There is an element in the family credit that coveres childcare. Having said that I feel it is best for children to be cared for by family rather than strangers. (Where possible)

[JRDEasiReach]

yeah i know theres that, but id prefer to do it myself and still bring in what i need to get by on, if i cant do that being self employed then whats the point in doing so?

[markmckinley]

Personally myself, started at 17/18 now 41 been at it all the time, now selling
the rounds been as mad as Three point five large a month but lost some big earners due to shop cutbacks, ie KFC, Mcdonalds, Waitrose..

best way to start in this business and to make it pay is SIMPLY just to stick at it WHATEVER nature and your personal circumstances throw at you.....
i had some really awfull winters ie 1988 sticks in my mind, God it was freezing that year for about 4 months, and i was still out in it...bills to pay :

also dont be disheartened by customers 'coming and going', i could tell you stories of clients that have fased in and out for the last 20 years through housemoves and God knows what other circumstances....
if you are good, and i mean GOOD, you'll get work, that simple.
Keep your face in public, don't rip no-one off, be polite, listen to your customers monthly winging with a smile on your face and you'll be fine, trust me.