Level 100 window cleaning

[Damo]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. I still don't know what the point is to the thread yet.

I think i need a diary to write this stuff in, instead of blabbing it on a forum lol /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[matt]

Well I am probably at about 15 as this will be my first proper winter, love your posts Damo, both here and when you were more active on fb. Also saw your van at the show in Devon, great set up. I love this job and am only a year in. What I like about you is your level of professionalism, this industry needed a lift out of the old knackered car and ladders on the roof to a professional level with good pricing for a very good service. Shitting it about winter though. And still got a fair few messers, learning to just bin them now as it keeps on picking up..

 

[Damo]

Awww cheers matt! Nice to hear. I left all the FB groups as there are too many "1 year professionals" A supplier has started a campaign to get me back into the groups hahah.

The van has had quite a bit more done to it. I am not happy with the van at all though, made too many mistakes. In the flesh it looks great but storage is a real problem. However i am working on that! Even pole racks had to be made for it as i couldnt use soil pipes like normal people. lol.

What bit are you worried about winter bud? Are you trad or wfp ? If you ever need a chat just send me a text or email or whatever /emoticons/smile.png I am open 24hrs. I find talking to as many different cleaners helps me. I take little bits of info from them and work into my setup/business.

I know i shouldnt talk money, but i am hooked on the whole profit vs turnover thing now. next year is going to see a massive push in earning more money for less work. I have a few ideas /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

I think i need a diary to write this stuff in

Bridget Damos Diary? I think that may border intellectual property rights.

this industry needed a lift out of the old knackered car and ladders on the roof to a professional level with good pricing for a very good service.

Remember Matt, many of the lads on here started with knackered old cars and a ladder on the roof, personally I couldn't afford a car when I started this round, actually walked to all my jobs with a ladder on my shoulder but we all start somewhere. Although cr@p pricing does need stamping out.

 

[Dave B]

Yes the industry needs to be a bit more professional but some of us have to use cars

Well I am probably at about 15 as this will be my first proper winter, love your posts Damo, both here and when you were more active on fb. Also saw your van at the show in Devon, great set up. I love this job and am only a year in. What I like about you is your level of professionalism, this industry needed a lift out of the old knackered car and ladders on the roof to a professional level with good pricing for a very good service. Shitting it about winter though. And still got a fair few messers, learning to just bin them now as it keeps on picking up..

I get my van in january but i am no less professional now as i have done this 26 years to a very good standard trad but now wfp

 

[Jake]

Yes the industry needs to be a bit more professional but some of us have to use cars
I get my van in january but i am no less professional now as i have done this 26 years to a very good standard trad but now wfp

You've been window cleaning since 14 years old Dave?

Thought you were a Lorry driver, in the army etc etc...

 

[TolishAPurd]

I've got just over 2 years in the trade, nothing compared to most in this thread. But without offending anyone, this is just about the easiest trade going. If there is an easier one, then I cannot think of it. That's not a negative, in fact its a positive. Just watch the apprentice- the easiest ideas usually win over the big complicated elaborate ones. I honestly feel that if you haven't got your $hit together and figured this trade out in 6 months, then you're better off in maccyDs. From there its just a case of building it up exponentially year on year to the point you are saturated with work. From there either employ, or improve the tools you use so you can improve productivity. Get your prices right from the start- no need to go in cheap to get jobs. Most importantly, have an exit strategy. Simple stuff really.

 

[Damo]

Nothing wrong with cars I think Matt meant the typical beer money cleaner you see out.

My friend used a beer window cleaner. He'd only clean in rain. As when it was sunny he was in pub lol.

I am 34 next year. So now I am thinking of what todo about retirement plans. Pensions etc. What money I have spare doesn't always go back into WC though.

 

[TolishAPurd]

I am 34 next year. So now I am thinking of what todo about retirement plans. Pensions etc. What money I have spare doesn't always go back into WC though.

A guy round here lives in spain while he rents his round out to 2 full time lads. Nice income every year for very little work.

 

[Damo]

Yeah sounds nice /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Alex87]

I'm anything between 1 and 10 if that exists. Almost completed my 1st month. Picked up 35 customers whilst still doing part time job.

My pricing is terrible at the moment but I know it will get better.

But I'm enjoying it and making money.

Not had any bad feedback or complaints which is a good start.

The advice and help on here is great. If it wasn't for this site I would still be full time in a call centre.

Thanks all

 

[Duncs]

A guy round here lives in spain while he rents his round out to 2 full time lads. Nice income every year for very little work.

like the sound of that

 

[Duncs]

I'm anything between 1 and 10 if that exists. Almost completed my 1st month. Picked up 35 customers whilst still doing part time job.My pricing is terrible at the moment but I know it will get better.

But I'm enjoying it and making money.

Not had any bad feedback or complaints which is a good start.

The advice and help on here is great. If it wasn't for this site I would still be full time in a call centre.

Thanks all

alex this is a great site , some gd guys on here who know there stuff and willing to help everyone out

 

[Dave B]

You've been window cleaning since 14 years old Dave?
Thought you were a Lorry driver, in the army etc etc...

I have had a few jobs mate but always had some window customers whatever else i have been doing

Moral of the story is the grass is never greener and being a windie is the best job ever hence i am now back full time at it for myself

 

[Dave B]

14 years old no but since i was 15 doing it on Saturdays and school holidays for mates dad so must be 25 years

 

[Gavin]

Morning
it's the only way i can describe how i am feeling or dealing with work.

Level 1

You start off window cleaning, not knowing anything at all. You are so green and essentially just a walking messer magnet.

Level 10

You have a few customers and you have big dreams of multiple vans and workers.

Level 20

You reach your first milestone of X amount of customers, probably completed your first winter.

Level 15

You loose a few customers, have a bad week window cleaning and want to quit.

Level 25

You go on a forum, chill out a bit and up your game. A new £40 customer every 4 weeks reminds you why you wanted to be your own boss.

Level 40

You take on your first big job. You worry the night before, you get no sleep and picture what could go wrong in your head. First clean takes 4 hours and you just know its under priced. The next clean takes 2 hours and there is still more time to shave off.

Level 50

You start to work out your spiel on new customers, you can spot the messers and work out whats what. You have a decent round and you have got 2/3 years under your belt.

Level 60

You no longer put up with dog mess, you drop rubbish payers and decide on how you want to improve your income.

Level 70

You start to look at every job and realise where you messed up on pricing. Every new job is worked out. Will i loose time here, will i need that, will i need this. You still get the odd job wrong but hey more times than not its priced correctly.

Level 80

Time wasting. That old lady who wants you to turn up at 2.45pm on a Thursday and have two kitchen windows cleaned for 50p is long gone. You have a steady reliable income and its good. You take on new customers where you can and streamline.

Level 90

Building that cream round. You start to think you can push your prices beyond anything reasonable. £25 for a semi, yeah why not. You want it doing every 12 weeks madam? No problem that will be £80. You get a few good houses and you start to look back at where you was.

Level 100

You are topped out as one man operation. You can spot a late payer before they are even a customer. Your window cleaner just stopped coming? One look and there's a black lab who could eat the customer out of house and home. Key pad locked gate, which is impossible to climb over. The customer is ALWAYS in though she tells you. Your spidey senses are off the chart. You quote, get the job, then back out.

You have your set up just how you want it. Customer details are all filled in, you even have a spring in your step between windows.

Just needed to get this out of my head lol. This year has been a massive turning point for me i must say. Once i became instantly full, it's like you are on some form of drug. You can spot messers, late payers etc. You charge properly and you don't even consider rubbish jobs. Like Mr Jones who wants just his top windows done every 7.4 weeks.

I don't even know the point to this thread. I am close to a 100 i guess in my world.

The best bit of window cleaning is being full and saying no. I have only had this happen to me this year. I know one thing tho. People take on help far to quickly i think.

Great thread @Damo can we have a level 0 for me /emoticons/unsure.png

 

[Gavin]

great post, I do love how motivated you damo as well as your van

It's great to have a bit of motivation once in a while. We all have those days when we just think why are we doing this. Well I did when I was cleaning. A bit of motivation and your back on your way. Just reading this makes me feel motivated although not cleaning /emoticons/sad.png

 

[Jake]

How many red bulls you drinking a day @Damo ?

 

[Damo]

How many red bulls you drinking a day @Damo ?

Max of one lol. It's my main vice and food /emoticons/sad.png gave up smoking and couldn't kick the sugar. I have sugar free ones. Still bad for you /emoticons/sad.png

 

[Damo]

I'm anything between 1 and 10 if that exists. Almost completed my 1st month. Picked up 35 customers whilst still doing part time job.My pricing is terrible at the moment but I know it will get better.

But I'm enjoying it and making money.

Not had any bad feedback or complaints which is a good start.

The advice and help on here is great. If it wasn't for this site I would still be full time in a call centre.

Thanks all

How spooky. I quit my job as a call centre agent in 2010. When I told them why. Most just laughed. Well FWD 5 years and I deffo had the last laugh /emoticons/smile.png I started back window cleaning full time. Just as we went back into recession. Never used wfp before and just quit my job lol. 2010 saw -5 temps and -10 temps days. So I should have really given up then. If I ever have a bad day. I think back to call centre days lol

 

[Dave B]

Did you start trad or straight away wfp?