Starting a window cleaning company

[David K]

Yes I just do roofs as an add onAnd only for the right customer

Not the fussy tight arsed ones

Just use very stiff Vikan brush on old pole, shurflo back pack , hypo , ubik , and a little karcher with extending lance

Really enjoy it but Windows feeds my family of 7

Oh I see ! I actually always have thought about cleaning roofs that way good idea mate :thumbsup: , never tried Ubik though. Heard you all talking about it , kinda curious about , don't think we can buy it in Denmark.

 

[ChrisJ]

Hi Nick, welcome to the forum - this is actually my first post! I felt compelled to reply as I was in pretty well the same position as you 6 months ago.

A short background - I got burned out working in IT in London (Canary Wharf, financial services sector). I was also commuting 4 hours a day and hardly getting to see my 2 youngsters, so I wanted a complete change of career after 20+ years in the world of corporate IT. I decided to give window cleaning a go after several discussions with a friend who'd also gone into window cleaning after a similarly stressful sales job, and after 6 years he has never regretted the move.

For me, I knew I to go the whole hog and do it properly from the word go. I gave myself no plan B or backup option so, with a family to support, I HAD to make it work. I basically copied my friend's set up on the adage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' - got a brand new VW Caddy van (on a finance lease from Low Cost Vans), IBC tank for the garage, RO unit + DI, Gardiner pole etc and set it all up. Also, having a fellow window cleaner friend providing much needed help and advice was invaluable, it really helped me hit the ground running.

I got a company logo designed (5 squid.com), got the van sign-written, had t-shirts and caps printed with the logo and company name. I got flyers printed and basically just started canvassing, going from door to door, trying to speak with as many people as possible. It's the best way of getting customers fast as has been said in an earlier post. Basically, just canvass, canvass, canvass! Start locally too, you'd be amazed how many in your own street don't have a (reliable) window cleaner. I now have a basic website and Facebook page, but they are all secondary to canvassing and talking to people face to face.

It took me 2 months to set everything up and get it all working, practicing on my own house, doing the canvassing etc. I started trading in September 2015 and just over 5 months later I have over 130 customers. In November I started offering gutter clearing services after investing in a SkyVac and camera system and that's really taking off too. I love the work and being outside and I'm really glad I made the move from IT - I'm much happier for it. Being your own boss is brilliant - it gives you complete control over how and when you want to work. You, and only you, are in charge of how much you earn. Obviously you have to be very self disciplined and determined, but I love the fact that I can choose to take my boys to school in the morning, or pick them up in the afternoon. When I was leaving the house at 6 am and returning at 7 pm in my old IT job, that wasn't an option.

Anyway, just wanted to share my approach to starting a window cleaning business. It won't work for everyone - it's already been said in this thread that you can start off with little equipment and build up as you go along - but that approach wouldn't work for me, as I need to fully commit to something in order to see it to fruition. I've tried to start off being as professional as possible and so far, it seems to have paid off.

Wish you all the best with your venture!

 

[Taxlossloz]

@ChrisJ nice post glad it's going well . I drop my boys at school when I can too - especially in winter as it warms up after 9 !

 

[Duncs]

I was joking mate !

no you wasint:thumbsup:

 

[Taxlossloz]

no you wasint:thumbsup:

Not heard of this ' in-sure- ence' either is it good for cleaning stuff ?

 

[Duncs]

correct never heard of that either folk are saying you can get it for your house too

dont know about that

 

[Duncs]

Hi Nick, welcome to the forum - this is actually my first post! I felt compelled to reply as I was in pretty well the same position as you 6 months ago.
A short background - I got burned out working in IT in London (Canary Wharf, financial services sector). I was also commuting 4 hours a day and hardly getting to see my 2 youngsters, so I wanted a complete change of career after 20+ years in the world of corporate IT. I decided to give window cleaning a go after several discussions with a friend who'd also gone into window cleaning after a similarly stressful sales job, and after 6 years he has never regretted the move.

For me, I knew I to go the whole hog and do it properly from the word go. I gave myself no plan B or backup option so, with a family to support, I HAD to make it work. I basically copied my friend's set up on the adage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' - got a brand new VW Caddy van (on a finance lease from Low Cost Vans), IBC tank for the garage, RO unit + DI, Gardiner pole etc and set it all up. Also, having a fellow window cleaner friend providing much needed help and advice was invaluable, it really helped me hit the ground running.

I got a company logo designed (5 squid.com), got the van sign-written, had t-shirts and caps printed with the logo and company name. I got flyers printed and basically just started canvassing, going from door to door, trying to speak with as many people as possible. It's the best way of getting customers fast as has been said in an earlier post. Basically, just canvass, canvass, canvass! Start locally too, you'd be amazed how many in your own street don't have a (reliable) window cleaner. I now have a basic website and Facebook page, but they are all secondary to canvassing and talking to people face to face.

It took me 2 months to set everything up and get it all working, practicing on my own house, doing the canvassing etc. I started trading in September 2015 and just over 5 months later I have over 130 customers. In November I started offering gutter clearing services after investing in a SkyVac and camera system and that's really taking off too. I love the work and being outside and I'm really glad I made the move from IT - I'm much happier for it. Being your own boss is brilliant - it gives you complete control over how and when you want to work. You, and only you, are in charge of how much you earn. Obviously you have to be very self disciplined and determined, but I love the fact that I can choose to take my boys to school in the morning, or pick them up in the afternoon. When I was leaving the house at 6 am and returning at 7 pm in my old IT job, that wasn't an option.

Anyway, just wanted to share my approach to starting a window cleaning business. It won't work for everyone - it's already been said in this thread that you can start off with little equipment and build up as you go along - but that approach wouldn't work for me, as I need to fully commit to something in order to see it to fruition. I've tried to start off being as professional as possible and so far, it seems to have paid off.

Wish you all the best with your venture!

great post there will be alot of windies with similar stories

 

[Nick bristow]

Hi Nick, welcome to the forum - this is actually my first post! I felt compelled to reply as I was in pretty well the same position as you 6 months ago.
A short background - I got burned out working in IT in London (Canary Wharf, financial services sector). I was also commuting 4 hours a day and hardly getting to see my 2 youngsters, so I wanted a complete change of career after 20+ years in the world of corporate IT. I decided to give window cleaning a go after several discussions with a friend who'd also gone into window cleaning after a similarly stressful sales job, and after 6 years he has never regretted the move.

For me, I knew I to go the whole hog and do it properly from the word go. I gave myself no plan B or backup option so, with a family to support, I HAD to make it work. I basically copied my friend's set up on the adage 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' - got a brand new VW Caddy van (on a finance lease from Low Cost Vans), IBC tank for the garage, RO unit + DI, Gardiner pole etc and set it all up. Also, having a fellow window cleaner friend providing much needed help and advice was invaluable, it really helped me hit the ground running.

I got a company logo designed (5 squid.com), got the van sign-written, had t-shirts and caps printed with the logo and company name. I got flyers printed and basically just started canvassing, going from door to door, trying to speak with as many people as possible. It's the best way of getting customers fast as has been said in an earlier post. Basically, just canvass, canvass, canvass! Start locally too, you'd be amazed how many in your own street don't have a (reliable) window cleaner. I now have a basic website and Facebook page, but they are all secondary to canvassing and talking to people face to face.

It took me 2 months to set everything up and get it all working, practicing on my own house, doing the canvassing etc. I started trading in September 2015 and just over 5 months later I have over 130 customers. In November I started offering gutter clearing services after investing in a SkyVac and camera system and that's really taking off too. I love the work and being outside and I'm really glad I made the move from IT - I'm much happier for it. Being your own boss is brilliant - it gives you complete control over how and when you want to work. You, and only you, are in charge of how much you earn. Obviously you have to be very self disciplined and determined, but I love the fact that I can choose to take my boys to school in the morning, or pick them up in the afternoon. When I was leaving the house at 6 am and returning at 7 pm in my old IT job, that wasn't an option.

Anyway, just wanted to share my approach to starting a window cleaning business. It won't work for everyone - it's already been said in this thread that you can start off with little equipment and build up as you go along - but that approach wouldn't work for me, as I need to fully commit to something in order to see it to fruition. I've tried to start off being as professional as possible and so far, it seems to have paid off.

Wish you all the best with your venture!

Thankyou for your message,it sounds real positive,I've just had enough of being cooped up in air con offices,wishing I was outside.

I've just bought me a van and will be getting it signed up.

Where did u get your flyers done?

I also want a flexible job,I want to earn and support my family,but being able to take kids to school sometimes is helpful to my wife.

I've got a wtf pole and other bits,and picking up a tank as well.

All the best to you as well.

 

[steve garwood]

I know a few bristows near me, where are you based nick?

 

[Nick bristow]

I know a few bristows near me, where are you based nick?

Glenfield,leicester

 

[ChrisJ]

Thankyou for your message,it sounds real positive,I've just had enough of being cooped up in air con offices,wishing I was outside.I've just bought me a van and will be getting it signed up.

Where did u get your flyers done?

I also want a flexible job,I want to earn and support my family,but being able to take kids to school sometimes is helpful to my wife.

I've got a wtf pole and other bits,and picking up a tank as well.

All the best to you as well.

Cheers Nick, sounds like you're in the same boat!

I designed my flyer in Word, converted it to PDF and sent it to one of these online print firms. I think I got mine done by HelloPrint, they had the best prices at the time - it was only about £25 for 1000 A5 coloured leaflets. Good service too.

Happy to drop you a copy of my flyer if it helps.

Chris