How to get commercial business

[andrewdavis]

OK so I'm starting in a few weeks once I've got my equipment iv done some research in the area there's 2 window cleaners one does a set area of a an estate the other is a wfp guy who does my house iv sacked him off now as he missed my front bloody window lol and won't get up a ladder I know I will be able to get domestic work pritty easy with canvassing but I'm stumped on the commercial side what's people approach to this?

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[The window cleaning kid]

OK so I'm starting in a few weeks once I've got my equipment iv done some research in the area there's 2 window cleaners one does a set area of a an estate the other is a wfp guy who does my house iv sacked him off now as he missed my front bloody window lol and won't get up a ladder I know I will be able to get domestic work pritty easy with canvassing but I'm stumped on the commercial side what's people approach to this?
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Wow I have missed windows before, it happens and if he is WFP then shouldn't need to get up a ladder. I take it the equipment your weighting on is trad gear!

what makes you so sure you can get domestic work so easily?

The biggest problem in this game is keeping the work I find.

Good luck:thumbsup:

 

[andrewdavis]

One he only did the front of my house 4 windows and I'm not slating him he cud av been Aving a off day I asked him to clean the ledges as the last time there was muck left on them I live on a main street with lots of traffic windows get pitted.

I am new to this but I have been an industrial cleaner for the past 8 years only due to lack of work past few years and a young family I hardly ever saw I'm giving up the contracting game to be at home I'm dedicated to making this work I know it won't be easy to get work but persistence and hard work should pay off (I hope)

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[Chris33]

@andrewdavis re commercial what I done was googled all local care homes to me...it had an email address for most.

I've wrote a email to them all and chased it up with a call. Also I cold called a lot of hotels.

I spent a few hours doing this but just got notice of one 120 quid care home yesterday...that I have the contract.

Other than that you could canvass induatrial estates. Lots of private companies there..cos your issue will be that lots of care homes especially have national contracts in place

 

[andrewdavis]

Yea I thought about that I know from cleaning service station canopies that wfp could work on building that have upvc cladding stuff on but I did this upto 500bar my wfp won't go anywhere near that I had a look for pressure washers for the back of van but really haven't put this into my budget. There's loads of care homes round near mean and sourounding villages so there going to be my first port of call how did you price for the job as I'm. New not sure of were to start on the pricing of commercial lol

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[Chris33]

@andrewdavis at a flat hourly rate I'd be happy with for repeat custom, at around 50 percent more than you'd make doing houses within the same time scale. Or what's the point?

The one I got invited to quote for; I emailed a nice professional pricing list per month,quarterly and with options of inside too. I've lost out on a big hotel a while back by going in too high, but price what you'd like for the job..and if your feeling lucky add 10%

 

[Chris33]

I think it was @Tuffers who posted the other day about sign cleaning?

If you've time,this could be dynamite in an industrial estate of size. But will be a right pain if your trad without a pole I'd think.

 

[andrewdavis]

What method do u use for the insides?

I'm looking at 7 pound for front only and 10 for full on domestics upvc doors or conservatories will be more and the larger the house the higher the price i aim to do 15 a day to start then pick up the pace what do u think?

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[Chris33]

I use same as outsides m8. Get disposable shoe protectors for a professional touch.

Squugee and a pad is all you need. I refuse to do customers insides now apart from older ppls kitchen window quicky etc

It's counter productive cos have to be there at set time,they never move what they say they will and I could have another regular house on round for same time taken on that inside.

For starting out,i done it too though yes. Every penny makes the pound!

Also..always do outsides first. So...if you notice any lines on outside (which you will get when new) when doing insides,you can go and fix at end. Vice versa is more awkward as you could imagine.

House wise...say I go out at nine tomorrow and am in one town. I'd easily do 15 standard 2/3 bed non massive houses by two the back of 2 or close enough to 20 if I went until the back of 4. If it was compact it would be more.

 

[Chris33]

What trad kit are you buying?

 

[andrewdavis]

Purchasing a package from window cleaning warehouse already got ladders any info I can get on equipment would be a help like I'm trading my car in in a few weeks for a van once it's been fixed at the min it's worth scrap after it went bang yesterday on me lol.

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[Chris33]

Okay. Personally and from experience I would buy what ya want separate.

Best squuuuges..look at moerman liquidator or the flipper and also excelator handles. I'd get a 14 and 10 inch to start with.

Small 4cm unger scraper off ebay. 2.50

Grade a scrims (pre washed) or fish scale microfibre for detailing the lines away to start with..a must.

Sill cloths.

Unger ninja bucket on a belt. 4cm scraper fits on this too.

Ladder m8...Google them. They are the safest trad purchase you'll ever make. You will need this in winter on decking etc

Unger rub off..for hard rain marks on windows.

 

[Chris33]

If you don't have a bucket already try get one with a lid..unger and ettore ones can come with a lid. You'll be thankful for that lid in the boot of a car or if using warm water in mornings..it'll stay warm that lil bit longer

 

[andrewdavis]

Cheers mate

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