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Two man set up...or not?

Welcome, a bit of basic research in your area should quickly determine if there is. Spend a few weeks knocking on doors asking if they want their windows cleaning. If the vast majority say they already have a window cleaner then you might struggle. If you get a positive response then you should be OK. All I would say is if you're both currently employed then either both go part time or just one packs in to start the build up. 

 
Welcome, a bit of basic research in your area should quickly determine if there is. Spend a few weeks knocking on doors asking if they want their windows cleaning. If the vast majority say they already have a window cleaner then you might struggle. If you get a positive response then you should be OK. All I would say is if you're both currently employed then either both go part time or just one packs in to start the build up. 
Thanks for the reply. We live in a busy area and have spoken to another fella who recently set up who thinks there’s plenty of business out there. But I like your idea of knocking some doors [emoji1303]
How long would you say it should take to get to a decent customer base?
Also, our ‘master plan’ is to build the round enough so we can get another van and work separately under the same business name...but a wider area. Does this sound logical or am I way off?



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I wouldn't start as a partnership, this is where your friendship will be stretched. Also, hopefully, in the future you will have to cross the VAT threshold bridge. As 2 separate sole traders you will struggle to get anywhere near that figure. As for time scale all I will say is that depends on how hard you work and how good of a job you do. 

 
You say mate, it would have to be your absolutely best mate as to people can have 2 very different mindsets to business.

Or the same which could be a downfall also as I know 2 lads who spent far too much time in the bookies and one left the business with nothing and got a job no doubt his wife was the catalyst once she realised after years that they should have had more money.

County Durham Lad

 
You say mate, it would have to be your absolutely best mate as to people can have 2 very different mindsets to business.

Or the same which could be a downfall also as I know 2 lads who spent far too much time in the bookies and one left the business with nothing and got a job no doubt his wife was the catalyst once she realised after years that they should have had more money.

County Durham Lad
Well hopefully that won’t happen!
In fact, I’ll have a tenner on it that it won’t! ?
Thanks for the advice though mate. All helps [emoji1303]


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Whereabouts in Norfolk are you? Myself and my wife have just set up in the Norfolk area ourselves, though we are still getting things off the ground at the moment, so can't be too helpful regarding where windys are needed etc

 
@Norfolk NewbieWe're just south of Norwich. Got a couple of jobs in the city but for us its easier to be out in the sticks a bit more as that's where we are located. It's going a bit slow at the moment, though that's mainly down to my brother-in-law falling off his ladder whilst cleaning trad, fractured his elbow so we are currently covering his work in Suffolk as hes the sole earner and has a little'un. But each time we've been out canvassing we have at least 1 new customer, so its coming together.

 
[mention=7066]Norfolk Newbie[/mention]We're just south of Norwich. Got a couple of jobs in the city but for us its easier to be out in the sticks a bit more as that's where we are located. It's going a bit slow at the moment, though that's mainly down to my brother-in-law falling off his ladder whilst cleaning trad, fractured his elbow so we are currently covering his work in Suffolk as hes the sole earner and has a little'un. But each time we've been out canvassing we have at least 1 new customer, so its coming together.
I’m glad to hear you’re finding customers. Hopefully they keep coming [emoji1303]


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Im based in norfolk too, if you need any help give me a shout

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That’s a fantastic offer, thank you so much!
We’ll probably be bombarding you with questions very soon [emoji1303]


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Well hopefully that won’t happen!
In fact, I’ll have a tenner on it that it won’t! ?
Thanks for the advice though mate. All helps
emoji1303.png



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The point I was trying to make is that 2 mates together can be the downfall of a business they skipped work far too much and would drop days instead of working, I appreciate that set up costs will be halved between the two of you so this would make it easy initially but you have to really consider if it will work  ?

 
Whereabouts in Norfolk are you? Myself and my wife have just set up in the Norfolk area ourselves, though we are still getting things off the ground at the moment, so can't be too helpful regarding where windys are needed etc
Hi again,
How’s business going? Hopefully all is good!
Quick question...how are you finding the filtering of water being in the hard water Norwich area? Do you need to change filters very often?


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Hi again,
How’s business going? Hopefully all is good!
Quick question...how are you finding the filtering of water being in the hard water Norwich area? Do you need to change filters very often?


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Hi mate all is well thanks, im mainly trad so i buy my pure at the moment. I know the guy i get it from does struggle from time to time what's your tds where you are i think its 350 here in watton

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If it were me, I'd highly caution against the 'Friends with (business) benefits) route. Take this from someone who has worked with friends / family in small businesses before. It's always lead to nothing but trouble. Though, to be fair, your mileage my vary! Best of luck with it all!

 
Never work with friends or family.  Just my personal advice.  

As for is there enough business?? Easily.  The wifes lead gen company is flat out from Glasgow to Isle of Wight and Manchester to Newcastle.   People cry out about competition but we are so far off of anywhere being saturated yet that there's more than enough to go round.     

 
Never work with friends or family.  Just my personal advice.  
 
As for is there enough business?? Easily.  The wifes lead gen company is flat out from Glasgow to Isle of Wight and Manchester to Newcastle.   People cry out about competition but we are so far off of anywhere being saturated yet that there's more than enough to go round.     
I had my older brother work for me once, and after a few months thought he new everything and tried to tell me how to run the show.
Needless to say I had to let him go and he has been rather cold towards me ever since.

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Deffo true, I started off on my own as a business partner with a good friend that didn’t end very well. I currently have an employee which is an old friend and all seems well as we both know where we stand authority wise. Also for people who don’t work with friends if you employ your obviously going to socialise at some point out of work and at what point do you class them as a friend and when you do is that time to get rid?


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Worked with my father and my uncle for for the last 20 odd years and never any hassle, very different people but try to look after each other. We are all sole traders but help each out. An extra body is an extra body, the goal is the same, be smart and make money. Have been arguments along the way but nothing major. They are both in the 70's and still cracking on with work. Been my safety blanket for a long time now and vice versa but they won't be doing it for much longer. I will get a shed load of work when they pack it in, so that is something that I will have to plan for, extra bodies will be needed.

I do get why people say never work with friends though, can ruin a relationship.

 
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