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Optimum efficiency. Time is money!

BigFoot

Well-known member
Messages
937
Location
South wales
We only make money while we are cleaning windows but as we all know there is a lot of time taken up by other elements of the job that are important but don't create cash. what are some of the best decisions you have made for your company to operate more efficiently that have saved you time or made you more cost efficient?

 
I just go out and work all day and earn my money

I print out a list in order the night before and crack on writing on the list who has paid etc

10 minutes admin each night

Job done

The only way i could speed up my day would be to stop bumping in to @Adams0211 and chatting lol

 
I just go out and work all day and earn my moneyI print out a list in order the night before and crack on writing on the list who has paid etc

10 minutes admin each night

Job done

The only way i could speed up my day would be to stop bumping in to @Adams0211 and chatting lol
Ha ha. Yeah, that definitely slows us down. Probably wise of you not to take me up on that offer of a chat today.

 
What time did you get done there?

I got to number 89 at 1230 and you weren't around

 
What time did you get done there?I got to number 89 at 1230 and you weren't around
I was gone from there by about 11am. Went and did the rest of the day's work and then did a couple of tomorrow's jobs and one in Great Ashby for Havens. Had to go and fit some new rollers for my dad's shower door after that.

 
I'm not about tomorrow. .you know why

If you are still having problems saturday I'll pop round and give you a hand

 
I'm not about tomorrow. .you know whyIf you are still having problems saturday I'll pop round and give you a hand
Cheers mate. Hopefully we'll figure it out between us. I'm home most of the day and then out on the **** late afternoon.

 
Lots come to mind here is a few:

I have three window cleaners inc myself, so some of my tips might not seems that big a deal, but for me I would recommend the following; -

  • Round partner. I used to use a good old diary when I started, but had nightmares about loosing all my customer details and bookings, so started to use spreadsheets, which was quite time consuming, but data processing is a 10 minute job at the end of each day on round partner.
  • Buy one of those small tumble driers if you dont have one for cloths. I used to use my heaters, and have cloths hanging everywhere at the end of each day.
  • Coin counter/sorter. I spent about £300 on a coin counter as my monthly cash up was torture. Hand counting a months taking for three window cleaners was taking hours. Now I do it each week, and can quickly count the cash in about 30 minutes.
  • Get a website and offer paypal as a payment option. If I cant get a customer in at night, they just get invoiced, and asked to send a chq or pay online. I take in about £100 a week now through my site, which helps with my google ranking, keeping it no1 on a search for 'window cleaner/ing' in my area.
  • Oh... Get your invoices and 'we called today' slips printed (vista print). A6 slips are cheap as chips and perfect for a 'we called today' slip. Cutting home printed slips is a pain.

As far a time on the job, just cleaning customers in order, doing everyone in one area at the one time. Cutting down on logistics.

There is one thing that comes to mind actually. I dont take on any jobs where there is no access. Closes etc Instead I go get a key cut for the close doors, security gates etc and tell new clients its a must if we are to do the job. No more running back in forward, trying to get customers in, to provide access.

 
Try to not take on any jobs that they insist on a certain day, so annoying doing 12 jobs in one area then having to go back on friday at 1pm for that one awkward ****

 
I don't collect at all i give my customers every payable option to pay online or bank transfers works well

 
Sometimes I spend ages just sorting my van out, take today for example, vacuumed some gutters out and cleaned some windows,

Then spent more time in the car park than I actually worked cleaning out the gutter vac, unwinding the reel and winding back in to make it a bit tidier, washing and drying rags, re winding the hose on the telescopic sprayer after it all comes loose and starts sagging all over the place.

Just general maintenance bits that all in all take ages but your not actually getting paid for, I try to do it all as I go but when your in a rush one day and it all gets chucked in is the start of the end.

I spend a lot of time in the car park, I get through loads of coffee and smokes so it's not all bad

 

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