Pest Control

[scottish cleaning service]

One of my customers has squirrels in her attic. She has got out pest control and the price is amazing, £300. I have to fill in the eves once they have been evicted. I have bought my first trap for a score on Amazon to see how it works. Will likely add this service to my cleaning business and am now looking to go on a course. It seems to be getting bigger up here after the councils paid off most of the Environmental service employees. Bought a few rat traps last week and will be looking at getting more. ?

 

[Yogi1872]

Why would you need a course on how to trap a squirrel?.

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

Sounds like a lot of effort, make that window cleaning

 

[steve garwood]

Thought this was a window cleaning forum? ?

 

[Pjj]

One of my customers has squirrels in her attic. She has got out pest control and the price is amazing, £300. I have to fill in the eves once they have been evicted. I have bought my first trap for a score on Amazon to see how it works. Will likely add this service to my cleaning business and am now looking to go on a course. It seems to be getting bigger up here after the councils paid off most of the Environmental service employees. Bought a few rat traps last week and will be looking at getting more. ?

Lol Scottish you are going to be Davey crocket as well now !,,,,,,?????

 

[Cghwindowcleaning]

All I keep reading on these WINDOW CLEANING sites is people looking at other avenues for so called easy money.

I don’t get it personally.I understand window cleaning is about as interesting as watching paint dry but the earning potential is limit less.

The idea your going to throw a couple of traps down or stick a pain of glass in a frame and start making hundreds and hundreds a day is crazy.

if you concentrate On one thing you don’t end up spreading yourself to thin.

You can earn serious money window cleaning but most skilled driven and dedicated people can earn serious money in any trade or industry they focus on.

 

[Pjj]

All I keep reading on these WINDOW CLEANING sites is people looking at other avenues for so called easy money.

I don’t get it personally.I understand window cleaning is about as interesting as watching paint dry but the earning potential is limit less.

The idea your going to throw a couple of traps down or stick a pain of glass in a frame and start making hundreds and hundreds a day is crazy.

if you concentrate On one thing you don’t end up spreading yourself to thin.

You can earn serious money window cleaning but most skilled driven and dedicated people can earn serious money in any trade or industry they focus on.

Totally agree with this

 

[K in Kent]

 

[Chris34]

Totally agree with this

So why do you do gutter clearing?

 

[Pjj]

So why do you do gutter clearing?

We offer a complete external cleaning service to all our customers if they want it , many only want to deal with one company rather than having to find several for all their needs. We don't offer any maintenance only cleaning services , this works well for the customer and also for us giving a very good revenue stream from our customers

 

[Chris34]

We offer a complete external cleaning service to all our customers if they want it , many only want to deal with one company rather than having to find several for all their needs. We don't offer any maintenance only cleaning services , this works well for the customer and also for us giving a very good revenue stream from our customers

but you say you're really busy, so I take it you have plenty enough window cleaning and could completely fill your diary window cleaning, so why offer the other services?

Don't say it's to please the customer as we all get asked to do all sorts of jobs by the customer, but we don't do them, so why do you not opt just to do window cleaning if window cleaning is all you need to make good money?

 

[Pjj]

but you say you're really busy, so I take it you have plenty enough window cleaning and could completely fill your diary window cleaning, so why offer the other services?

Don't say it's to please the customer as we all get asked to do all sorts of jobs by the customer, but we don't do them, so why do you not opt just to do window cleaning if window cleaning is all you need to make good money?

Ok thought I had explained this in the previous post but obviously not , I’ll try again ??
yes we have enough window cleaning to keep us going full time without any add on jobs but after 24 years it becomes a bit monotonous so the add ons are a change from the normal work to help keep our sanity .
I dont intend to post hourly rates and if I did ones wouldn’t believe them anyway but our rate per man for window cleaning per hour is very high and ime more than happy with it , but with softwashing, gutter vaccing, pressure washing etc our hourly rate is at least double our domestic hourly window cleaning rate and sometimes 3 times it , so from a financial point of view it is a no brainier to do it . We don’t need the work so it’s priced very high and surprisingly get 90+ % of the jobs we quote as the customers know and trust us .
we also have a lot of very well off clients that want to deal with one company for all there cleaning needs not a number of different people as they already know us, they know the job will be done to a high standard , and on time , paperwork trail is already in place , for quotes , risk assessments , and payment , we also have keys and codes to get into the properties or estates . From my point of view the more revenue streams from each customer the more we earn as a company . Also down here it’s very difficult to get anyone to turn up and do a job on time to a decent standard so quality workers are in high demand si we do our best ti fill it . We don't do any repairs only cleaning there are many firms around the country operating just like us and demand is high si why not take advantage ti offer the customer what they want , this is one of the main reasons we are doing so well , that’s not boasting it’s just stating a fact and supply and demand Hope this answers you question

 

[Chris34]

Ok thought I had explained this in the previous post but obviously not , I’ll try again ??
yes we have enough window cleaning to keep us going full time without any add on jobs but after 24 years it becomes a bit monotonous so the add ons are a change from the normal work to help keep our sanity .
I dont intend to post hourly rates and if I did ones wouldn’t believe them anyway but our rate per man for window cleaning per hour is very high and ime more than happy with it , but with softwashing, gutter vaccing, pressure washing etc our hourly rate is at least double our domestic hourly window cleaning rate and sometimes 3 times it , so from a financial point of view it is a no brainier to do it . We don’t need the work so it’s priced very high and surprisingly get 90+ % of the jobs we quote as the customers know and trust us .
we also have a lot of very well off clients that want to deal with one company for all there cleaning needs not a number of different people as they already know us, they know the job will be done to a high standard , and on time , paperwork trail is already in place , for quotes , risk assessments , and payment , we also have keys and codes to get into the properties or estates . From my point of view the more revenue streams from each customer the more we earn as a company . Also down here it’s very difficult to get anyone to turn up and do a job on time to a decent standard so quality workers are in high demand si we do our best ti fill it . We don't do any repairs only cleaning there are many firms around the country operating just like us and demand is high si why not take advantage ti offer the customer what they want , this is one of the main reasons we are doing so well , that’s not boasting it’s just stating a fact and supply and demand Hope this answers you question

Thank you for clarifying what you mean. Not wishing to pick holes or create an argument but you said you fully agree with CGH that window cleaning is enough and you don't need anything else, which is what I didn't understand as it seemed to be at opposite to what you yourself do.

So as it stands window cleaning is great pay and you can have a nice comfortable living just cleaning windows. However, the way I see it is if you branch out a bit then you can add nice little bonus jobs to the window cleaning which is what Scottish does but on a bigger scale, in my opinion too bigger scale but if it works for him then let it be.

But the point is that to earn more money than window cleaning it seems necessary to have the add ons, whatever add ons you choose doesn't really matter, but you need add ons to make higher money. Yes you wouldn't make the same money without the window cleaning, the window cleaning is like a base line, bread and butter, whatever you want to call it, but the add ons bring in the nice extra bonus.

I just see it as a business. I'm not a window cleaner that has to just clean windows. I'd sell horse **** if it made me extra money and was worth it. For me it's about maximising the income.

Window cleaning is probably one of the most bullet proof businesses that I've looked into, but branching out stops all the eggs going in the same basket. No one knows what the future holds and being a one trick pony is not a good idea imo as it leaves you vulnerable to a sudden change in the market or personal circumstances (robots, cheap labour, water bans, broken leg... unlikely things but still all possible).

So trying your hand at different things makes good business sense, for one it brings in more money and secondly, if you pick the correct add on it protects you if the window cleaning goes tits up for whatever reason (as unlikely as it is). It's also as you say, stops life being so mundane and boring, it's good to keep your brain ticking.

 

[Pjj]

Thank you for clarifying what you mean. Not wishing to pick holes or create an argument but you said you fully agree with CGH that window cleaning is enough and you don't need anything else, which is what I didn't understand as it seemed to be at opposite to what you yourself do.

So as it stands window cleaning is great pay and you can have a nice comfortable living just cleaning windows. However, the way I see it is if you branch out a bit then you can add nice little bonus jobs to the window cleaning which is what Scottish does but on a bigger scale, in my opinion too bigger scale but if it works for him then let it be.

But the point is that to earn more money than window cleaning it seems necessary to have the add ons, whatever add ons you choose doesn't really matter, but you need add ons to make higher money. Yes you wouldn't make the same money without the window cleaning, the window cleaning is like a base line, bread and butter, whatever you want to call it, but the add ons bring in the nice extra bonus.

I just see it as a business. I'm not a window cleaner that has to just clean windows. I'd sell horse **** if it made me extra money and was worth it. For me it's about maximising the income.

Window cleaning is probably one of the most bullet proof businesses that I've looked into, but branching out stops all the eggs going in the same basket. No one knows what the future holds and being a one trick pony is not a good idea imo as it leaves you vulnerable to a sudden change in the market or personal circumstances (robots, cheap labour, water bans, broken leg... unlikely things but still all possible).

So trying your hand at different things makes good business sense, for one it brings in more money and secondly, if you pick the correct add on it protects you if the window cleaning goes tits up for whatever reason (as unlikely as it is). It's also as you say, stops life being so mundane and boring, it's good to keep your brain ticking.

It’s easier to just do window cleaning , less kit needed so smaller van would do , but it does get mind numbing 8 hours a day 5 days a week for 24 years ,we all enjoy doing the add ons but again I wouldn’t want to do softwashing or pressure washing full time either but jobs hear and there it’s great . And the instant results gives good job satisfaction and the customers are also amazed at the change you don't get that with regular Window cleaning . Personally speaking if you are going to do add ons from window cleaning it makes sense to offer other forms of cleaning not catching squirrels, or replacing misted up units there is no similarity between these jobs ime not having a go at anyone either but it just doesn’t follow on from window cleaning , pest control and glazing contractors are a specialist job .

 

[scottish cleaning service]

Why would you need a course on how to trap a squirrel?.

The word Humane that all the public are interested in. Level 2 course is £500 and it gives a bit of credibility.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

All I keep reading on these WINDOW CLEANING sites is people looking at other avenues for so called easy money.

I don’t get it personally.I understand window cleaning is about as interesting as watching paint dry but the earning potential is limit less.

The idea your going to throw a couple of traps down or stick a pain of glass in a frame and start making hundreds and hundreds a day is crazy.

if you concentrate On one thing you don’t end up spreading yourself to thin.

You can earn serious money window cleaning but most skilled driven and dedicated people can earn serious money in any trade or industry they focus on.

You are correct but hell of a boring and would drive one to drink cleaning windows all the time. I was up in the countryside today cleaning PVC and Conny roofs. Took all day and made £300 so made a change from cleaning windows. Varity is the spice of life and its not just about money. I am building a big fence at my place and I get pleasure standing back and looking at it taking shape. Another customer wants me to paint her gutters in a posh house because she can't get a Painter. You would not believe how difficult it is to get tradespeople up here that are reliable. I'm reliable so folk like me to do the work and I need a new van so I'm taking full advantage at the moment.

 

[Yogi1872]

but you say you're really busy, so I take it you have plenty enough window cleaning and could completely fill your diary window cleaning, so why offer the other services?

Don't say it's to please the customer as we all get asked to do all sorts of jobs by the customer, but we don't do them, so why do you not opt just to do window cleaning if window cleaning is all you need to make good money?

I could be wrong but I think he has 4 or 5 guys who work for him plus him, hel be making over a grand a day easily, quite comfortably past that most days I'd imagine too. Unless your playing in the epl or something then that's very good money to anyone .

 

[Chris34]

It’s easier to just do window cleaning , less kit needed so smaller van would do , but it does get mind numbing 8 hours a day 5 days a week for 24 years ,we all enjoy doing the add ons but again I wouldn’t want to do softwashing or pressure washing full time either but jobs hear and there it’s great . And the instant results gives good job satisfaction and the customers are also amazed at the change you don't get that with regular Window cleaning . Personally speaking if you are going to do add ons from window cleaning it makes sense to offer other forms of cleaning not catching squirrels, or replacing misted up units there is no similarity between these jobs ime not having a go at anyone either but it just doesn’t follow on from window cleaning , pest control and glazing contractors are a specialist job .

The fact that there is no similarity in the add ons you mention is actually better imo, that means it can be classed as a different business if need be to avoid registering for vat, I don't think that soft washing and pressure washing you could do that, I could be wrong but I think it's too similar.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

The best job in life is getting paid to do something you like doing. If you like cleaning windows then you have won a watch. I actually prefer first cleans because you can feel great after its done and so does the customer. I have two weeks full time window cleaning and that's all I want so I have time for oddjobs. This suits me fine but couldn't do it without the hot water system so probably the best investment I have made.

 

[steve garwood]

The best job in life is getting paid to do something you like doing. If you like cleaning windows then you have won a watch. I actually prefer first cleans because you can feel great after its done and so does the customer. I have two weeks full time window cleaning and that's all I want so I have time for oddjobs. This suits me fine but couldn't do it without the hot water system so probably the best investment I have made.

What, you have hot water? Why don’t you ever mention it? Are you saying first cleans can’t be done without hot water? No idea what certain others on here do on first cleans without hot? ?

I have hot by the way. Just don’t feel the need to boast about it every post ?

 

[Pjj]

The fact that there is no similarity in the add ons you mention is actually better imo, that means it can be classed as a different business if need be to avoid registering for vat, I don't think that soft washing and pressure washing you could do that, I could be wrong but I think it's too similar.

To run it as separate business from HMRC point of view you have to use different vehicles and a host of other things it’s very difficult to separate them