What am I doing wrong?

[Redditch windy]

We do 200 - 250 a day on the glass. Our work is spread out but priced okay, typically 10 £20 houses a day.

i would say dont get overly fixated with 30/40/50 per hour! if you were in paid employment its very unlikely you would get near 15per hour,and you would still have to pay your travel costs to work etc,so if you do say 20per hour your still quids in,you run your transport but with the benefit of tax relief on the cost of it (20% less)

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[RWCleaning]

Yeh agreed with previous comment.

And Find a hourly rate you’re content with. Some people will never be happy despite how much they earn as they’ll always want more. I’m content on £25ish a hour.  

 

[Applepicker]

Yeh maybe your prices need to be adjusted, and maybe speed up slightly. I personally think I’m a little slow, but that’s just me, I am more of a slow & cautious person rather than rush etc. I’ve been going 4yrs, and my pricing is pretty good, but I only average £25-£30Max a hour. There’s window cleaners I know who started up after me that seem to do £35-£40 a hour and I don’t know how.

how long have you been going @Applepicker ?

I have done it awhile but didn't canvass aggressively.   It was a part time gig alongside other jobs.   Started wfp after going out with someone for a coupke of days I had the basics, so I can clean a window ok but I am either too slow or van and reel isn't organised or used efficiently enough or I am over rinsing or customers too spread out.  Not sure! 

 

[Part Timer]

I have done it awhile but didn't canvass aggressively.   It was a part time gig alongside other jobs.   Started wfp after going out with someone for a coupke of days I had the basics, so I can clean a window ok but I am either too slow or van and reel isn't organised or used efficiently enough or I am over rinsing or customers too spread out.  Not sure! 

Time yourself from pulling up to pulling away on a standard 3 bed semi, no conny or access issues. If you're longer than 30 minutes you need to speed up. If you're 20 minutes then it's not your speed. It's not rocket science to work out what's wrong but without information like this no one can help you. 

 

[Pjj]

i would say dont get overly fixated with 30/40/50 per hour! if you were in paid employment its very unlikely you would get near 15per hour,and you would still have to pay your travel costs to work etc,so if you do say 20per hour your still quids in,you run your transport but with the benefit of tax relief on the cost of it (20% less)

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Being self employed you cannot afford to work for a low hourly rate the bare minimum you should earn is £30 per hour , you don’t get paid holidays , no sickpay , if it’s bad weather you can’t work , all this has to be taken into account as well as vehicle expenses , poles, hose ,water, and all the other costs involved you cannot earn £20 per hour and make a living 

 

[Applepicker]

Time yourself from pulling up to pulling away on a standard 3 bed semi, no conny or access issues. If you're longer than 30 minutes you need to speed up. If you're 20 minutes then it's not your speed. It's not rocket science to work out what's wrong but without information like this no one can help you. 

If my speed is OK it would have to be pricing and distance then.  Will time myself.   Other things, I have taken on some awkward houses and can only access the side windows with extension on SLX 22.  It's all a lot of faff. Knocking on neighbours door etc. They also want window behind balcony wall  done which can only be done trad going inside.  This house takes ages. More faff   I think it might be set up - reel takes ages to pull out getting caught on things.  Takes ages to wind back in.  I pump from barrels so switching between barrels.   I think it's partly van set up.  Would love to see some efficient guy in action. Lifting reel onto ground then back into van etc is probably slowing me down 

 

[Pjj]

Anybody fancy having me come along with them?  I could work from my van for free just to get a feel for some of things I am doing wrong in comparison 

What area area are you in if near  us you are very welcome to come out for a day to see how we work if it helps 

 

[Skxawng]

   I think it might be set up - reel takes ages to pull out getting caught on things.  Takes ages to wind back in.  I pump from barrels so switching between barrels.   I think it's partly van set up.  Would love to see some efficient guy on action. Lifting reel onto ground then back into van etc. 

You will eventually streamline your setup.

I started with barrels and had a massive speed boost when I switched to a tank. Then got even faster by mounting hose reel and having it run through the floor and out the back through a hose guide so I don't have to lift the reel in and out. Just stop, grab pole and go!

Sped up switching to a Univalve instead of a tap. 

Avoiding rose bushes!

Sped up switching many customers to GoCardless so don't have to knock. 

Technique improvement and better equipment helps.

Then there's the whole other side of the business- getting lots of houses done in a day. Pricing them right for how much time they take out of your day. Ditching awkward jobs. Compacting work. Cutting down on travel time. 

Having a good hourly rate will be a combination of many little things.

 

[Applepicker]

Off to show

 

[Robt100]

@Applepicker here a youtube video from our very own forum member@Green Pro Clean Ltd  see how it compares to how long a house of this size takes you. Also compare the technique. Everybody does it differently to some degree, but at least it should give you some pointers Video Here

 

[Mcsandlaly]

It is hard starting from scratch. I am in my fourth year and still refining things. Sometimes a tank and auto reel works an investment but saves time on big easy to access jobs, sometimes the back pack round the back of an awkward house. I find I price at a set amount per hour plus a bit and if I get it great and if I dont then I can afford to drop alittle if they quibble. But wont go below my set hourly price, just walk away. If they see you as a good honest, turned out clean looking, insured, reliable and fairly local they will trust you and off you go. Having an early start always helps me to get going early in the day, week and month and then if weary or the weather comes in you can still go home with work invoiced or cash in hand. Ive got most on BACS now which helps speed things up. 

You will get there just keep listening to this lot on here...............they talk a lot of sense.

 

[Applepicker]

I timed myself

Last week-

£10. 10 Mins 

£15.20mins

£12 20 mins

Did five customers that day and earned £75.

Another day maybe my best day ever - 

£12. 35 mins

£28.  1 hr 10 Mins. (lots of faffing trying to access a dangerous slippy flat rood to clean conservatory windows on roof) 

£45.   1.5hrs

£20.  35mins

£24  40mins

Left house 9 45 back 5 15.  Total earned £150

Today in rain. 

£24 45mins

£20.    30 mins

£24.   1 hr. (  not in so had to get ladder and fiddle with gate and put extension on and off pole for high windows.) 

 

[Part Timer]

I timed myself

Last week-

£10. 10 Mins 

£15.20mins

£12 20 mins

Did five customers that day and earned £75.

Another day maybe my best day ever - 

£12. 35 mins

£28.  1 hr 10 Mins. (lots of faffing trying to access a dangerous slippy flat rood to clean conservatory windows on roof) 

£45.   1.5hrs

£20.  35mins

£24  40mins

Left house 9 45 back 5 15.  Total earned £150

Today in rain. 

£24 45mins

£20.    30 mins

£24.   1 hr. (  not in so had to get ladder and fiddle with gate and put extension on and off pole for high windows.) 

Your best day has some gaps but  you are out of your house for seven and a half hours and working four and a half. If you are traveling for nearly half the time you are out then you will always struggle to earn good money. 

 

[Chris Finley]

As long as u earn enough to pay your bills with a bit to spare it's fine m8. Forget what everyone else does or says they do. They don't pay your bills. More speed eventually comes, just enjoy your work.

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[fatwallet]

What am I doing wrong !

Question is, are you wanting to build a successful business or create a source of income. 2 different mindsets depending on which one you have chosen.

£20 / £30 an hour, that's a source of income ( enough to pay the bills )

£40 / £60 an hour, that's a business ( a decent wage, invest in equipment, viechles,  advertising etc. Holidays and money in the bank for tax and rainy days )

For all those that have suggested £20ph  or £100pd and i'm happy. As long as the bills get paid etc etc. Then you know what category your in.  

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I would say you are ultimately reaching for £40 an hour. That's when it all comes together and you are running it like a business.

 

[Applepicker]

Your best day has some gaps but  you are out of your house for seven and a half hours and working four and a half. If you are traveling for nearly half the time you are out then you will always struggle to earn good money. 

I think on my best day I did another two houses which I forgot to time.  Probably one hr 40 mins  but not sure. 

I want to get quicker, or get rid of **** customers or whatever I need to do. Use hose more efficiently etc not over rinse.  Not be messed around.  Know who to get rid etc.  Get quite a few - can we leave it til Monday types orcsn u come back in a month.  Faffing with access like gates etc

 

[Part Timer]

I think on my best day I did another two houses which I forgot to time.  Probably one hr 40 mins  but not sure. 

I want to get quicker, or get rid of **** customers or whatever I need to do. Use hose more efficiently etc not over rinse.  Not be messed around.  Know who to get rid etc.  Get quite a few - can we leave it til Monday types orcsn u come back in a month.  Faffing with access like gates etc

Keep working at it mate, you'll get there. 

 

[Applepicker]

Are some houses the problem?  For example ones with balconies (the windows can't be done from ground , or ones which have difficult to access windows etc so I have to get extension out to take it up to 35 foot.

When canvassing what to look for for houses to avoid? 

With customers, I got some who must be in and that's not convenient for me to be there at a certain fixed time etc. Ones who say can we leave it this time etc