Upto 50 customers

[HWCS]

Well done, just shows what hard work can do.

And what can be achieved with priceless help from an awesome forum, im also a member of 'window cleaning page uk' on facebook and although theres a few good lads on there most are just there to berate and kick you in the b*ll*cks, i stay on there because the odd bargain pops up but considering the size of the group its nowhere near as helpful as here.

 

[steve garwood]

Time for an update i think.

Yesterday i got my van delivery system all fitted, took me about 6hrs total, as i made an error and as soon as it was pointed out i corrected it (pictures below)

How lifes changed

APRIL 2019:

Windows evenings and weekends trad style while working 50/60hrs for minwage before tax

my car with homebase equipment

1/2 dozen customers.

JUNE 2019: 

Vivaro van, 650ltr delivery system, 

2 brand new poles, 8 brushes

2 backpacks (1 for tfr 1 for awks properties)

250-260 (customers comercial & domestic)

Personal number plate (purely for ego lol)

Working avg 35hrs a week for a very very healthy income.

View attachment 20700

View attachment 20701

Well done. Just a bit of advice though. Move that battery from under the pump. One little leak......?

 

[Pjj]

Time for an update i think.

Yesterday i got my van delivery system all fitted, took me about 6hrs total, as i made an error and as soon as it was pointed out i corrected it (pictures below)

How lifes changed

APRIL 2019:

Windows evenings and weekends trad style while working 50/60hrs for minwage before tax

my car with homebase equipment

1/2 dozen customers.

JUNE 2019: 

Vivaro van, 650ltr delivery system, 

2 brand new poles, 8 brushes

2 backpacks (1 for tfr 1 for awks properties)

250-260 (customers comercial & domestic)

Personal number plate (purely for ego lol)

Working avg 35hrs a week for a very very healthy income.

View attachment 20700

View attachment 20701

Well done keep up the good work it’s surprising what can be accomplished with a bit of effort ?

 

[Iron Giant]

@HWCS very well done ?

 

[HWCS]

Well done. Just a bit of advice though. Move that battery from under the pump. One little leak......?

Yeah the pump above battery was 1st effort, i moved it to below the battery shelf now.

Bought my 2 new poles today got an SLX18 for everyday use and an SLX30 for those hard to reach places ?

 

[Elite Aqua Cleaning]

Off the current topic, but had a good read through the posts on here and slightly fits in..... What are people's thoughts on picking up customers in the same village as a competitor. I've had this a few times before covid hit because I blanket canvas, so litterally knock on every door in an area (takes ages), treat it as a numbers game. But yeah, knock on a potential customers door, they then say "we have a window cleaner, he does the village" when in reality they do 5 out of the 100 odd houses. So in my option hardly qualifies as "does the village", just a small part of it. Would any of you then hesitate to knock on any of the other doors in the village and potentially miss out on 95 other opportunities just because that one potential customers door you knocked on is under the impression that their cleaner does the entire village? Inevitably you going to knock on more of that cleaners customers doors because you don't know who their customers are until they answer the door....?? Of course, I don't actively poach customers, undercut and try to wind competitors up, but how the heck are you meant to know if that house has a window cleaner or not.... if you don't knock, you don't know. But I think it's mad to stop canvassing an area because a competitor cleans say 5% of a village, who's doing the other 95%? 

 

[Part Timer]

Off the current topic, but had a good read through the posts on here and slightly fits in..... What are people's thoughts on picking up customers in the same village as a competitor. I've had this a few times before covid hit because I blanket canvas, so litterally knock on every door in an area (takes ages), treat it as a numbers game. But yeah, knock on a potential customers door, they then say "we have a window cleaner, he does the village" when in reality they do 5 out of the 100 odd houses. So in my option hardly qualifies as "does the village", just a small part of it. Would any of you then hesitate to knock on any of the other doors in the village and potentially miss out on 95 other opportunities just because that one potential customers door you knocked on is under the impression that their cleaner does the entire village? Inevitably you going to knock on more of that cleaners customers doors because you don't know who their customers are until they answer the door....?? Of course, I don't actively poach customers, undercut and try to wind competitors up, but how the heck are you meant to know if that house has a window cleaner or not.... if you don't knock, you don't know. But I think it's mad to stop canvassing an area because a competitor cleans say 5% of a village, who's doing the other 95%? 

Just keep knocking, he won't do the whole village and even if he does 80% that still leaves 20%. Only rules as far as I'm concerned is don't ask what he charges so you can undercut him. Apart from that all's fair in love and war 

 

[Elite Aqua Cleaning]

Just keep knocking, he won't do the whole village and even if he does 80% that still leaves 20%. Only rules as far as I'm concerned is don't ask what he charges so you can undercut him. Apart from that all's fair in love and war 

Absolutely agree with you! Not only that but If a customer decides to switch cleaner you can only assume they are not happy with the current one for whatever reason. But would never ask pricing. Would just quote what I think it's worth. I would typically walk away if they have a cleaner unless they are absolutely gagging for a quote, then the ball is in their court. 

 

[Pjj]

Off the current topic, but had a good read through the posts on here and slightly fits in..... What are people's thoughts on picking up customers in the same village as a competitor. I've had this a few times before covid hit because I blanket canvas, so litterally knock on every door in an area (takes ages), treat it as a numbers game. But yeah, knock on a potential customers door, they then say "we have a window cleaner, he does the village" when in reality they do 5 out of the 100 odd houses. So in my option hardly qualifies as "does the village", just a small part of it. Would any of you then hesitate to knock on any of the other doors in the village and potentially miss out on 95 other opportunities just because that one potential customers door you knocked on is under the impression that their cleaner does the entire village? Inevitably you going to knock on more of that cleaners customers doors because you don't know who their customers are until they answer the door....?? Of course, I don't actively poach customers, undercut and try to wind competitors up, but how the heck are you meant to know if that house has a window cleaner or not.... if you don't knock, you don't know. But I think it's mad to stop canvassing an area because a competitor cleans say 5% of a village, who's doing the other 95%? 

Get out there knocking doors it’s a free country the customer decided who they want working for them 

 

[HWCS]

Off the current topic, but had a good read through the posts on here and slightly fits in..... What are people's thoughts on picking up customers in the same village as a competitor. I've had this a few times before covid hit because I blanket canvas, so litterally knock on every door in an area (takes ages), treat it as a numbers game. But yeah, knock on a potential customers door, they then say "we have a window cleaner, he does the village" when in reality they do 5 out of the 100 odd houses. So in my option hardly qualifies as "does the village", just a small part of it. Would any of you then hesitate to knock on any of the other doors in the village and potentially miss out on 95 other opportunities just because that one potential customers door you knocked on is under the impression that their cleaner does the entire village? Inevitably you going to knock on more of that cleaners customers doors because you don't know who their customers are until they answer the door....?? Of course, I don't actively poach customers, undercut and try to wind competitors up, but how the heck are you meant to know if that house has a window cleaner or not.... if you don't knock, you don't know. But I think it's mad to stop canvassing an area because a competitor cleans say 5% of a village, who's doing the other 95%? 

No such thing as 'my patch' 'my village' but  as long as your honorable and like you say dont actively poach or go after another windys customers  then fair play. You cant avoid a whole village because somebody said we have a windy!

I do a cpl of houses in a tiny village of about 30 houses and in one of them houses lives a windy, we get on have a chat if cleaning close to each other.

On one day last year there was 3 of us all cleaning 3 houses all next to each other, laughing n joking bit of banter.

 

[Pjj]

Just keep knocking, he won't do the whole village and even if he does 80% that still leaves 20%. Only rules as far as I'm concerned is don't ask what he charges so you can undercut him. Apart from that all's fair in love and war 

I would ask what he is charging , then when they tell you say we would be and add a few pounds more to the price , and hand them a card saying Ime not trying to poach anyone’s work but if you arnt happy with what he’s doing or he stops coming give me a call  , we have had a lot like this over the years where the customer isn’t happy with the current cleaner., unreliable or does  a poor job , 

 

[Elite Aqua Cleaning]

Get out there knocking doors it’s a free country the customer decided who they want working for them 

Haven't been out knocking for a good few months though... what are people's opinions on canvassing at the moment? Could you be seen as reckless? Could receive complaints, bad reviews etc? Not sure, but need to get back out asap but don't want to get a bad rep or destroy opportunites I might well been able to secure post lockdown as people may think knocking on doors at the moment for a non essential business is irresponsible? It's a tricky one to gauge 

 

[HWCS]

Im really lucky i think.

Nothing to 250/260 customers in just on a year and never knocked on a door, i dont think id like it, i did a few months sales repping during my 11yrs in Hydraulics & Pneumatics and hated it.

Im definately a people person but not in as far as id like door knocking.

 

[Pjj]

Haven't been out knocking for a good few months though... what are people's opinions on canvassing at the moment? Could you be seen as reckless? Could receive complaints, bad reviews etc? Not sure, but need to get back out asap but don't want to get a bad rep or destroy opportunites I might well been able to secure post lockdown as people may think knocking on doors at the moment for a non essential business is irresponsible? It's a tricky one to gauge 

That’s a difficult one to answer some would be happy with you doing it some wouldn’t , I personally wouldn’t do it at the moment but Ime lucky and well established and don’t  need anymore work so it’s easy for me to say that , in your shoes I might feel different, if you do  go out I would acknowledge the virus situation and ask are they happy to speak  to you about ,,,,,,,,, if they are friendly ,carry on if not leave .

 

[Elite Aqua Cleaning]

Im really lucky i think.

Nothing to 250/260 customers in just on a year and never knocked on a door, i dont think id like it, i did a few months sales repping during my 11yrs in Hydraulics & Pneumatics and hated it.

Im definately a people person but not in as far as id like door knocking.

What's your secret to success if you don't mind me asking? ?

 

[HWCS]

What's your secret to success if you don't mind me asking? ?

No idea lol, right idea, right time in the right area.

My mrs is a gem and hand delivered nearly 10k leaflets in 3 months that i was building up, 2 new housing estates went up pretty quickly, local facebook groups. I always try and do that little bit more than im asked, for last 4 weeks ive given it the "thanks for your loyalty and patience during the 7weeks i couldnt work, as a thank you ibe cleaned your ******) garage, cladding on car port, summerhouse windows, etc etc

Banter the old girls and always pay attention, remember peoples pets names and make a fuss of them, always remeber if somebody says they are going away next time "hello mrs **** how was spain musta been hot your well tanned"

"Hello sweetheart, bin men were early today, ive pulled your bin up n pjt it in place for you"

People really remember littlw thinga like that.

Did pop my foot in mouth last week though, a lovely lady that i banter with every time, never met her hubby says to me "morning Jon lovely day for window cleaning"

My response "not if your fat and ginger (im 5'7" and 12.5stone and really ginger)

She ****** herself laughing, i turned roumd and her hubby was stood behind me looking like a croas between Eddie Large and Ed Sheeran ????

 

[steve garwood]

No idea lol, right idea, right time in the right area.

My mrs is a gem and hand delivered nearly 10k leaflets in 3 months that i was building up, 2 new housing estates went up pretty quickly, local facebook groups. I always try and do that little bit more than im asked, for last 4 weeks ive given it the "thanks for your loyalty and patience during the 7weeks i couldnt work, as a thank you ibe cleaned your ******) garage, cladding on car port, summerhouse windows, etc etc

Banter the old girls and always pay attention, remember peoples pets names and make a fuss of them, always remeber if somebody says they are going away next time "hello mrs **** how was spain musta been hot your well tanned"

"Hello sweetheart, bin men were early today, ive pulled your bin up n pjt it in place for you"

People really remember littlw thinga like that.

Did pop my foot in mouth last week though, a lovely lady that i banter with every time, never met her hubby says to me "morning Jon lovely day for window cleaning"

My response "not if your fat and ginger (im 5'7" and 12.5stone and really ginger)

She ****** herself laughing, i turned roumd and her hubby was stood behind me looking like a croas between Eddie Large and Ed Sheeran ????

Good to know another member of the superior race is on the forum ??‍?

 

[HWCS]

What the hell is going on!!!

7 new customers today, 3 walk ups and 4 "seen your van can you come n quote me)

Done all 7 today.

Must be 40 new customers since i went back on 11th May ??

 

[NoName]

What the hell is going on!!!

Do you notice how everyone's garden's look like a paradise? Or at least the best they've ever looked? 

Everyone's been sat at home doing jobs to make the house looks nice/while away the time - so now they notice how grimey  their house is...then they look out the window and see...is it a bird, is it a plane, no it's superwindy.

A lot of folks have been getting paid full pay but stuck at home with nothing much to spend it on - hence they want to improve their home...

It's been like this since the lockdown - I've never been as busy - every cloud has a silver lining 

 

[Pjj]

What the hell is going on!!!

7 new customers today, 3 walk ups and 4 "seen your van can you come n quote me)

Done all 7 today.

Must be 40 new customers since i went back on 11th May ??

We are exactly the same I have picked up 12 new regular 4 weekly jobs since Monday and two 4 bed detached houses for soft wash , and 6 gfs cleans and turned down a handful  of other jobs Ime not interested  in . 

 

[Iron Giant]

Only rules as far as I'm concerned is don't ask what he charges so you can undercut him. Apart from that all's fair in love and war

Not much chance of that around my area, bloke approaches me yesterday our windy has jacked in because of health issues can you give me a price, I told him £9.50 every 4 weeks double for the first clean and direct debit only, he frowns then says last lad only charged £6 and he would call back for the money, I'll speak to my wife he says in other words he will try and find someone cheaper ?