Heyas

[Synthetica]

Hi all,

I'm seriously thinking of setting up my own window cleaning business. I currently work in IT in an office and after the last 6 years it's slowly killing me I'm sure!

Oh, how I yearn to be outside!

So, as said I'm thinking of setting up a small window cleaning business, I'm based in Chichester, West Sussex. Currently non-driving so any customers would need to be local to me (only until I learn to drive and buy a small van anyway).

At first until I build up some sort of customer base I'd only do weekends, so I can stay in my IT job, at least until things get busier/more stable.

Is it possible to be a full-time window cleaner on foot? Are there any other members on here that are based in Chichester?

I'm thinking of going WFP with a small trolly with a my water tank on it etc and other necessities.

Any advice or tips, or even hello's from other local window cleaners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Synthetica

 

[mark]

why window cleaning?could you not try gardening or dog walking,there are alot of people earning good money at this.it annoys me NOT YOU.weather starts getting better and everyone wants to be a window cleaner.many many years ago people who cleaned windows were looked down upon BOB A JOB MAN comes to mind.the secrets out though!!!don't tell anyone,its good money if done right

 

[adamangler]

Having your own business is great, but dont be fooled into thinking its all sunshine and roses.

If you have a well paid IT job then you might consider the following

You get 4 weeks holiday a year plus bank hols - paid

You get a guaranteed wage everymonth

Once you clock out youre done for the day - no fixing stuff that drops to bits, no canvassing/working on website, advertising, chasing payments, planning, stressing etc.

The first couple of years will be hard with all the above and ongoing - you might be on the glass 30 hours per week but overall your hours will probably be longer t least until you are established.

we all know the pluses but consider carefully before leaving a cushy job.

If you were working stacking shelves then take the leap without question, if you have a career is it really what you want to do?

Its great when the suns out and all seems well in the world, winter can come as a shock, cold, dark, miserable days will test you out.

 

[mark]

also weather!!!only YOU can deal with it,your the boss,ok!!! we haven't had a bad winter,but we haven't had many days without rain upon till now,customers moaning, moral etc.go for it though!!!! lots of good advice here,dont be fooled though its not all plain sailing

 

[Clisty1989]

Hi all,
I'm seriously thinking of setting up my own window cleaning business. I currently work in IT in an office and after the last 6 years it's slowly killing me I'm sure!

Oh, how I yearn to be outside!

So, as said I'm thinking of setting up a small window cleaning business, I'm based in Chichester, West Sussex. Currently non-driving so any customers would need to be local to me (only until I learn to drive and buy a small van anyway).

At first until I build up some sort of customer base I'd only do weekends, so I can stay in my IT job, at least until things get busier/more stable.

Is it possible to be a full-time window cleaner on foot? Are there any other members on here that are based in Chichester?

I'm thinking of going WFP with a small trolly with a my water tank on it etc and other necessities.

Any advice or tips, or even hello's from other local window cleaners would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Synthetica

I don't think that wfp and being on foot would work as you would run out of water after a couple houses. if on foot you'd be better off trad.

 

[Synthetica]

Having your own business is great, but dont be fooled into thinking its all sunshine and roses.
If you have a well paid IT job then you might consider the following

You get 4 weeks holiday a year plus bank hols - paid

You get a guaranteed wage everymonth

Once you clock out youre done for the day - no fixing stuff that drops to bits, no canvassing/working on website, advertising, chasing payments, planning, stressing etc.

The first couple of years will be hard with all the above and ongoing - you might be on the glass 30 hours per week but overall your hours will probably be longer t least until you are established.

we all know the pluses but consider carefully before leaving a cushy job.

If you were working stacking shelves then take the leap without question, if you have a career is it really what you want to do?

Its great when the suns out and all seems well in the world, winter can come as a shock, cold, dark, miserable days will test you out.

Hi adamangle,

Thanks for the advice. A bit of background might help. While I do work in 'IT' my salary is only that of minimum wage, I think my salary is £14k per year. It's not specialist IT work, mainly writing a few blogs and answering phones. We're only a small company so there is a lot of pressure on us to start early and work late when things aren't going so well.

No way would I give up my full-time job to go start something I have no experience with - at first I'm happy to only do window cleaning over the weekends until I can be guaranteed a decent income based on a sizable and reliable customer base.

I'm a very 'outdoorsy' person by nature, I spend a lot of time outside at the weekends and wet weather doesn't bother me as I'm well equipped for it.

I know it'd be a big change but I think its one I can make work.

I don't think that wfp and being on foot would work as you would run out of water after a couple houses. if on foot you'd be better off trad.

Hi Clisty,

Thanks for the advice, that's worth thinking about.

 

[adamangler]

In that case and assuming you don't wish to progress further with IT then window cleaning is a good a way to start a business as any. It's a tried and tested model that can be done by anyone prepared to work.

Interestingly I was studying an IT degree fir two years when I decided to jack it in and get into this. Just wasn't for me in a job your potential is limited by the payscale of your occupation in business the world's your oyster but there's a huge sacrifice to be made depending how successfull you want to be.