10k to invest. New to industry. Want to try wpf. What to buy, will it work?

[Tom101]

Total newbie, I want to be self employed, I have 10k to invest in wpf, Is this really a viable business or is it a saturated market? excuse the pun

I'm willing to learn, dexterous and active enough to handle it, I'd need a van, all equipment and would be starting from scratch, any advise on what to learn and the best systems available would be great.

I'd have to build a round too, I'm in Oxford where we have lots of luxury properties and lots of affluent people.

I'd love to be my own boss and stop making other people money but i'm in need of guidance and advise.

Hope to hear from some of you who have recently started up,

Many thanks

 

[BenjiRixon]

Before spending a penny. See if you could help someone on their round for a week and see if it's for you. Ask lots of questions and learn a bit about the setup/pricing/routine etc at the same time. I personally love it. But can't say it's for everyone. Like any thing in life you get out what you put in.

Good luck on your journey

 

[boarcity]

its tough , do you like getting wet ? if so crack on with no delay before doubts creep in .

 

[abs]

I'd say buy a van now , put everything into it if your commited they is loads of work out there if you commit yourself , think of a name and create a website and a Facebook page any business it's what you make it it will take a year possibly to be on £250 a week

 

[SPCleaning]

I think you should buy a squeegee, bucket and a ladder. Learn the job, learn about customers, learn about pricing and then spend your money when you are sure. Lots of people come and invest in wfp, then find it is not for them.

 

[Dave B]

I'd say buy a van now , put everything into it if your commited they is loads of work out there if you commit yourself , think of a name and create a website and a Facebook page any business it's what you make it it will take a year possibly to be on £250 a week

I have been back on the glass for myself since last june and am nearly.at 2k a month so hard work pays off but i agree i would go trad for a while to build up a customer base and see how you get on

You may find you enjoy it and get a cheap backpack for tops and stay tradding bottoms

Then you would have £9500 still in your pocket

 

[abs]

I have been back on the glass for myself since last june and am nearly.at 2k a month so hard work pays off but i agree i would go trad for a while to build up a customer base and see how you get onYou may find you enjoy it and get a cheap backpack for tops and stay tradding bottoms

Then you would have £9500 still in your pocket

Never thought of it like that lol the £9500 in the bank seems very apealing /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Dave B]

If it works and you like it you can always spend out on a van mount while the money is already rolling in

 

[Bingo]

Yup....I agree with Benji, SPC and Daveyboy.....£10,000 is a hell of a lot of money to invest in something you nothing about.

 

[Tom101]

I'm not saying I intend to spend it all, that's a few k less that I have to potentially start a business. Window cleaning seemed a reasonable choice as the start up costs are fairly low as there is no premises involved keeping costs down. I thought I'd come on here and get some industry advice. Everyone has to start learning somewhere when a new skill set is needed. What are the timescales involved in learning the trade well enough to be able to operate at a professional level? Are there any accredited training paths? All advice much appreciated, many thanks

 

[TolishAPurd]

If I had 10k to invest in a business it wouldnt be one that brings me in dribs and drabs like this trade does in the early days.

IMO, Invest £500 going trad for a while, then when you have built up a customer base, its time to speed things up by going WFP. Going WFP before you even have your first customer is a bad move as you will be surprised how slow the work come in in the early days. If you know of a good round to buy then thats a foot in the door,but make sure you do your homework on it.

 

[Tom101]

What would you invest in?

 

[TolishAPurd]

What would you invest in?

If I knew that then I would be on a different forum instead of talking to these muppetts every night.

/emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Dave B]

What would you invest in?

Drugs and hookers

Sell my drugs to my hookers

Self contained business where i can't lose l

Unless i get arrested

 

[TolishAPurd]

Whatever business you go for wants to bring you a solid return almost immediatly compared to the amount you put in. So you put in 10 000, you would want at least a couple of grand coming in in the fist month, and more month on month. Whereas the reality is that you'll spend a lot of time running around doing first cleans and lucky to scrape minimum wage on your first month. Most trades need just a handful of jobs a month to stay afloat, whereas in this trade you need maybe 200 or more custommers just to make a livable wage. Itsworth dipping your toe in the water first with trad, even if you still decide to go WFP inthe future as most do, at least you'll have basic trad skills and a small box of tools for when those skills are needed.

 

[peter rogers]

Tom there is bound to be someone on here whod let u work with them to see wat its like im from Belfast bit far for ya to travel. But i don't think u need 10 g for wfp like wat didbu haave in mind ? For pricing etc u cud pick u a second hand wfp van for 4 g. But its alot tl be out if u haven been doin it before wat do u work at now

 

[boarcity]

theres very good money in secondhand trainers. i havnt the time but i wish i had

youd need to get a contact in one of the charity warehouses to get a supply going , grease somebodys palm

 

[Tom101]

That's a joke right?

 

[boarcity]

That's a joke right?

straight up. iv sold a few shoes ,im talkin partimer , about 20 pairs a year,small fry. but theres a real market worldwide .

im jus thinkin id have liked to do it on a bigger scale but i wont as iv not the time now. i was jus thinkin that 1k would probably buy the guys cooperation in the charity warehouse , i dont want to derail the thread so

back onto the window cleaning game

 

[cheapncheerful]

hi and welcome to the fun forum tom101

so many make the mistake of throwing wads of money on kit and then realising there isnt initially enough work to warrant it or get your money back

start small and work your way up and keep your money safe for when you need to invest because your workload has grown.

initially, in any area starting new you will get loads of jobs and think this is easy till you find out...

your getting every other windies problem custys...or problem cleans or cant get the money jobs...

if you want to invest the best way is to get a round usually off ebay or gumtree and then you havent lost your money as at any time if your careful you can sell it back and have your investment back a win win situation.

if your even luckier you may find someone completely selling up with good books and a fully fitted kitted out van all ready to go..

if your lucky that is..

any way good luck in your future and keep us informed./emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Smurf]

I'm sure @Solar Steve would be more than happy to relieve you of that 10k burning a hole in yer pocket.