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What was you strike rate when starting out?

SkulBlaker

Active member
Messages
413
Location
Scotland
literally just started knocking doors yesterday for jobs. Must have only knocked on around 40 doors most not in or still sleeping and managed to get 3 houses with the potential to do 4 more, in the same street.

Going back out tomorrow in the same street to try and get the houses that weren't in. There's Windies in the estate already but made it clear to the custys that I have no intention of taking jobs off others, as a couple asked if I could beat their price.

So tomorrow onto registering with HMRC and starting work the following Monday.

 
Thats sounds fairly typical, i would say on an average st u can expect at least 10% regardless of other window cleaners.

There are roads ive done for 17 years and i can still get new ones there because of people moving house and suddenly wanting a window cleaner for some reason.

Alot of window cleaners get to a certain stage in their round building and then stop actively getting new ones in and around where they already work and rely on being asked by them when they are working the street

 
And good luck, my top tip to u is to write down the house numbers in the road u canvassed where people were not in.

I dont do that, i only write down the numbers of people who have dirty windows and are not in but its up to u if u want to ask everyone or not as sometimes even the clean houses want a window cleaner

 
first year youre bound to get more wasters than usual- but this is actually good for you,as it teaches you patience, dealing with sh/t and only the determined carry on into year 2 . id think as a new startup 1 out of every 4 jobs you get will be a waster , possibly 2 out of 4

 
Cheers guys, I was let down at the last minute by my cousin who was meant to be doing business cards for me, so felt a bit naked without them when people were asking for the cards. But had my t-shirt printed up with company name and what services on offer to look as professional as I could.

Also had a slow puncture on car so while it was being fixed I went and canvassed the houses next door to it and picked up another house, again knocked 10 doors got one.

 
Also been trying local car showrooms, Aldi and even sainsburys. Been told to stick a cost in along with CV to Aldi as they are looking to change just now, and told to drop back into car showroom to speak to site manager.

Tried the local Menzies hotel nearby which must have around 300 windows, but it's the managers pal that's got the contract (surprise) but been told to leave my card as they are always looking for quick cleans if the guests complain, which I was told is quite a lot, and I literally stay 500 yards away from it

 
You can get around 205 cards from vistaprint for free with £9 postage or so.
They will have vistaprint on the back but thats the price you pay for 'free' cards.
Yeah, I looked at Vista print but she has a printing business so thought I would throw some business her way, won't be doing it again. Plus the place that did my tshirt will do 200 for £20 same day if I have the design

 
Sorry to say this but there was a thread on here some time back from another Scots lad whom was starting out but was frustrated as he was still waiting for a licence from the council.

In fact it appears that most Scottish councils require a licence, here's a link https://www.gov.uk/window-cleaners-licence-scotland

If you already know this fair play, just don't want you getting unstuck by the government mate.

 
Sorry to say this but there was a thread on here some time back from another Scots lad whom was starting out but was frustrated as he was still waiting for a licence from the council.
In fact it appears that most Scottish councils require a licence, here's a link https://www.gov.uk/window-cleaners-licence-scotland

If you already know this fair play, just don't want you getting unstuck by the government mate.
Yeah I looked into this mate, and thanks for also mentioning it. Luckily for me North Ayrshire doesn't require it, whoop! And also South Ayrshire which I'm knocking doors at tomorrow doesn't too, seems like its yet another way to get money out of people wanting to work!

 
Vista print 500 cards 20 quid no vista written on the back..3 days it took to be delivered

 
Vista print 500 cards 20 quid no vista written on the back..3 days it took to be delivered
Cheers Davy, I'm going down to my local print shop tomorrow to see if they can actually do them that day, I'm keen to get started as soon as possible and feel that the cards would help massively to gain more customers.

 
Also can I get some advice while I'm here about which kit to buy, I know it's a big convo point but I'm now between a rock and a hard place!
Do I buy a cheaper kit just now like - http://www.windowcleancentre.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?ProductID=323&SectionID=51

Or do I spend the extra and splash out on wagtail stuff and make my own kit up?
a wagtail will speed you up no end, a real leg up . i get wagtails and other odds n ends from www.cleaningspot.co.uk this firm are very quick at delivery and good prices across the board

 
Has anyone tried the pricision glide wagtail, ive seen waggas review the other week but interested in any other review,

 
Wagtails ain't cheap but well worth getting one.12" will fit most windows fine
Sorry mate, so decided to go the wagtail route and ordering tomorrow, what equipment would I be looking at, for starting out then?

 
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