Starting up working from car with wfp

[Hyzer373]

Hi everyone I’ve just registered on here as I am looking to start my own window cleaning business and I am looking for some advice or tips.

a bit about myself and my situation, I am 32, I have had a very bad 4-5 years in life with depression which made me unable to work, I am now coming out of that, fighting the depression and I want to get back into work, I’ve always dreamed of being my own boss and from research window cleaning doesn’t cost too much to set up, I am a hard worker and want to make this work.

I have a car, my cousin wants to do the business with me so I have a co worker, I have about £500 budget. I am only receiving £75 a week so my aim is to be earning at least £100 a week.

I don’t know much about the water fed long poles etc so I’m looking at doing it the traditional way to start off with as I only have a car anyway, So I’m looking at getting some roof racks, ladders, squidgy etc.

A few questions if I may, exactly what items would I need?

im thinking x2 chamois leather cloths, bucket, x2 squidgy, x2 microfibre clothes to dry.

Also as I don’t have a van would a water system like this be what I could use if I wanted to in future Window Cleaning Water Fed Poles Telescopic Extendable Washing Brush & Backpack 5055986102083 | eBay

What is the best way to get customers?

im thinking canvassing and leaflets?

how long did it take you to get a good customer base and make some ok money?

Is being self employed complicated? Never done it before is it easy to do your own tax returns etc?

any other tips or advice are more than welcome many thanks.

 

[Hyzer373]

Anyone? 

 

[Part Timer]

Anyone? 

This subject has been covered countless times so you won't get much help unfortunately. You can however find all the info required by using the search bar or scrolling through the relevant section. As for being self employed a phone call to HMRC will let you know what you need to do, they are very helpful.

 

[Hyzer373]

Yeah I understand that some of what I’ve asked has probably been covered in the past but some things I’ve asked may have not and I was just looking for a bit of advice people don’t have to answer every question at length, any help/tips/advice is welcome.

 

[Rowan]

Hi mate , have a look at the Window clean centre in Ipswich for all your trad equipment , i'm sure they do a starter kit ; watch as much youtube as you can on window cleaning. It will be a very slow start , in my experience you'll be about 2 years before you make a decent living from it . That depends on your area and your drive to find work . Good luck.

 

[Clearview Lee]

This is the best time to start up and get the ball rolling with leaflets. 

Leaflet, leaflet, and keep leafleting consistently. 

Best advice: Little and often. Most go in the bin unnoticed by people who may even be looking for a window cleaner. Some need that second or third reminder you’re about. 

Personally, I wouldn’t go into it with anyone else. I can see it getting messy.  I can remember hearing sound advice years ago that said the only ship that sinks is a partnership. I’d go solo, but help each other out. 

 

[Iron Giant]

If you know someone with a ladder I recommend asking to borrow their ladder and doing your own windows first as if you haven't worked off a ladder at height it's totally different once you are at the top of a ladder, I know of lads in the past who wanted to start window cleaning and after going up a ladder sacked it off.

 

[Skxawng]

Personally, I wouldn’t go into it with anyone else. I can see it getting messy.  I can remember hearing sound advice years ago that said the only ship that sinks is a partnership. I’d go solo, but help each other out. 

That is true. 1 person is more efficient and can usually earn more on their own. Also people will inevitably have differences of opinion on occasion and can lead to friction if one person doesn't pull their weight.

On the other hand, many costs are divided like van purchase, fitting out and maintenance. 

Also the most important benefit about a partnership is motivation. Many windys who start off alone struggle to motivate themselves to get out when they should especially if they've had problems with depression. A friend of mine packed in window cleaning on his own but managed to get back into it with a 50/50 partnership.

 

[Clearview Lee]

That is true. 1 person is more efficient and can usually earn more on their own. Also people will inevitably have differences of opinion on occasion and can lead to friction if one person doesn't pull their weight.

On the other hand, many costs are divided like van purchase, fitting out and maintenance. 

Also the most important benefit about a partnership is motivation. Many windys who start off alone struggle to motivate themselves to get out when they should especially if they've had problems with depression. A friend of mine packed in window cleaning on his own but managed to get back into it with a 50/50 partnership.

Yeah, I can totally get that. I have in the past had peeps help me out, and those days have been fun, but in the long run, not for me. When I first started out, it was for a couple of fellas who were best mates. We were in a busy period, and it was one of the dudes Wifes birthday, and he said he was having that day off to take his misses out. That almost ended in fisticuffs!! I think its a good way to fall out with people you ordinarily like.

 

[Hyzer373]

Thanks for the advice guys I appreciate it, the person I am going to be working with is my cousin who I’ve lived with for over ten years, we get on very well, he knows it’s my business and he has agreed to work for 25% cut of what work we will do, he is the kind who will do what his told and be no hassle.

Another thing is I have done some window cleaning in the past for a company when I was about 18, I worked for them for like 6 months and I done all the upstairs windows so was on ladders all the time I have no fear of going up ladders.

any more replies are very welcome.

 

[Rowan]

Practice first as said on yours , friends relatives etc , just to help get your confidence up when you deal with the wonderful general public.

 

[Joshyouare]

I would say do a bit of practice but don't get caught up on it, neither method is difficult. 

Whoever said it will take 2 years to create a decent living for yourself - not sure where they've got that from, and don't let that demotivate you as people have proved countless times before that it can be done an awful lot quicker.

I spent ages on traditional, it was just a lot of hassle. Very recently got my WFP stuff, it's so much quicker and easier. By the time you've outgrown a backpack and 6 barrels then you should be able to afford a van. I probably wouldn't buy that kit on eBay. For me it was just a DI Vessel set up so altogether think I've spent 270-300 on WFP equipment, if you make 30 pound an hour then 10 hours of work to afford it all? Very much worth it. 

In terms of canvassing, I guess i've done a decent amount in the past few months, leaflets for me have actually been very good. I don't know the conversion rate but it's definitely a lot better for me than some guys have said on here. Think my method will be leafleting from now on - definitely not scared of knocking on doors, but leafleting is just easier for me, and I guess as some say, you don't put them on the spot.

Get yourself on GoCardless straight away - non payers are annoying. Read the post pinned in General Chats I think 7 Month Starting Story - great post.

 

[Hyzer373]

Get yourself on GoCardless straight away - non payers are annoying.

Whats this gocardless method, is it setting up a direct debit with customers?

how do you guys go about this, would they need my bank details to set it up? Don’t really like the sound of giving bank details to people I don’t really know. 

 

[Joshyouare]

Whats this gocardless method, is it setting up a direct debit with customers?

how do you guys go about this, would they need my bank details to set it up? Don’t really like the sound of giving bank details to people I don’t really know. 

Basically, you'd have a link on a website and/or send them the link, which will take them to a simple direct debit instruction. Once you've gone and cleaned the windows you can create a payment and take money from your customer. People use it because it saves them going to have to collect cash, and it gives you control.

 

[Hyzer373]

Basically, you'd have a link on a website and/or send them the link, which will take them to a simple direct debit instruction. Once you've gone and cleaned the windows you can create a payment and take money from your customer. People use it because it saves them going to have to collect cash, and it gives you control.

Sounds good but I’m not looking at doing a website anytime soon, do a lot of window cleaners collect this way now or most still collect the money in person?

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I prefer to collect in person but my customers are near me and I have less than 100. Collecting is good for forming a bond with the customer but talking means less work. If I had over 100 customers then I would be going cashless by getting them to pay through my website which is another way to communicate with the customer. When they visit the website they can see what add-ons one does. I'm fully booked till April now.

 

[Hyzer373]

Does anyone know a really cheap printing companies for leaflets or business cards?

looking to get a large amount done for canvassing, like 2-3 thousand at a good price.

 

[Joshyouare]

Sounds good but I’m not looking at doing a website anytime soon, do a lot of window cleaners collect this way now or most still collect the money in person?

Most modern ones do, I'm not too sure about the older generation of window cleaners - I still see some of them with wooden ladders so I would guess not in some cases

For leaflets, I used instantprint, really good service, quality and price - one of the cheapest I could find anyway

One thing with leaflets is to post them yourself, I think a few members have had people pay to drop them and their returns have been very very low.

I prefer to collect in person but my customers are near me and I have less than 100. Collecting is good for forming a bond with the customer but talking means less work. If I had over 100 customers then I would be going cashless by getting them to pay through my website which is another way to communicate with the customer. When they visit the website they can see what add-ons one does. I'm fully booked till April now.

I see what you mean but not sure I entirely agree - showing up to their door asking for money means they have to have it there and then, might be a bit of a nuisance if anything for them? Most of my customers say they think it's a good idea and would work for them better.

 

[Hyzer373]

Most modern ones do, I'm not too sure about the older generation of window cleaners - I still see some of them with wooden ladders so I would guess not in some cases

For leaflets, I used instantprint, really good service, quality and price - one of the cheapest I could find anyway

One thing with leaflets is to post them yourself, I think a few members have had people pay to drop them and their returns have been very low.

Cheers mate. I for sure will be doing the canvassing and leaflet drops myself, I’m going to knock doors to ask directly and if no answer post a leaflet.

 

[Joshyouare]

Cheers mate. I for sure will be doing the canvassing and leaflet drops myself, I’m going to knock doors to ask directly and if no answer post a leaflet.

No worries, and that's what I do, when I actually do it, it works quickly - best of luck

 

[HBM]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

As for marketing, most of us usually have to find out by trial and error what works in our market area.

I think doing physical work such as WC would be good for depression. Best of luck!