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Just some advice starting up

Keith66

New member
Messages
7
Location
Surrey
Hi guys 

just turned 54 and I am thinking of starting up again. ?

Started shining at 18 for a company, went on to run the window cleaning and communal cleaning side of the business ( just blocks of flats) used to trad everything up to four storey on a ladder then I started on my own doing blocks of flats then switched to the very first WFP systems but just couldn’t get on with it and ended up selling the business, and went and trained to be a sparky but absolutely hate the game I’ve worked for a major diy store for the last 10 years doing their electrical work Just going through the motions and we are being made redundant in August and are being paid off, any of you guys think it’s just too competitive to get back into.

I still have a couple of office cleaning contracts I still do so I keep my hand in and I clean the windows at them quarterly.

many thanks

keith

 
Ive just started with about 60 customers now. And I really thought there would be a turf war, I was ready for a scrap ?. But it's been totally the opposite experience. Everyone really helpful and I've even been offered to try new gear they have and I don't etc etc. I guess there's enough windows in the world for us all to share ??

 
Ive just started with about 60 customers now. And I really thought there would be a turf war, I was ready for a scrap ?. But it's been totally the opposite experience. Everyone really helpful and I've even been offered to try new gear they have and I don't etc etc. I guess there's enough windows in the world for us all to share ??
To a certain point, but im sure in some areas its a bit cut throat. I remember a mate some years back had to jack in his decorating business because the rates had dropped so low, which aint no good for any tradesman. it was maybe 15 years or something ago, and he couldn't even get £12 an hour ( or the rate was down to £12 an hour) because there was a glut of decorators and people were shopping around for cheapest quotes. It really will vary a lot from area to area.

 
To a certain point, but im sure in some areas its a bit cut throat. I remember a mate some years back had to jack in his decorating business because the rates had dropped so low, which aint no good for any tradesman. it was maybe 15 years or something ago, and he couldn't even get £12 an hour ( or the rate was down to £12 an hour) because there was a glut of decorators and people were shopping around for cheapest quotes. It really will vary a lot from area to area.
A pal of mine in Newmarket "employs" 4 self employed painter and decorators and pays them £15 an hour. He reckons that's £3 above the going rate.

 
I still have a couple of office cleaning contracts I still do so I keep my hand in and I clean the windows at them quarterly.

many thanks
Well you have a starting point and the equipment today is a lot cheaper, and better, then it was when you first started using WFP's. If you still have commercial contacts then the little bit I know about London, I currently do 4 sites down there, the money is really good. Hopefully the redundancy package will more then cover the initial outlay and give you some breathing space financially to re establish yourself. 

The only downside I see is you tried it before and didn't like it, what makes you feel you can handle it this time. Doing something you don't like isn't really a good idea.  

 
A pal of mine in Newmarket "employs" 4 self employed painter and decorators and pays them £15 an hour. He reckons that's £3 above the going rate.
Yeh not too good really. I got a few mates who do it. Guess its quite an easy business to start up but wouldn't like to do those high up externals. I cringe when i see them up the top of ladder in the high street and some drunk wandering past nearly knocking into it, or boy racers careering past. 

 
Thanks for your replies guys I already have an 08 lwb vito, so I’m thinking of doing a diy wfp setup,got a TDS meter through yesterday and it read 248ppm any advice on what to system to go for, when I had my first WFP I used to sub off a guy so used to buy my water off him.

thanks in advance fellas

 
Ive just started with about 60 customers now. And I really thought there would be a turf war, I was ready for a scrap ?. But it's been totally the opposite experience. Everyone really helpful and I've even been offered to try new gear they have and I don't etc etc. I guess there's enough windows in the world for us all to share ??
Wow you've done well there mate, most areas round here have a lot of window cleaners I find.

And in response to the actual topic, I would definitely say it's competitive but I reckon lots of the new cleaners will be gone by the end of winter. The add ons for me have been brilliant recently, conservatories being a good one, and fascia and soffit cleaning is such easy money so I would recommend getting those two ad ons set up straight away.

 
Wow you've done well there mate, most areas round here have a lot of window cleaners I find.

And in response to the actual topic, I would definitely say it's competitive but I reckon lots of the new cleaners will be gone by the end of winter. The add ons for me have been brilliant recently, conservatories being a good one, and fascia and soffit cleaning is such easy money so I would recommend getting those two ad ons set up straight away.
For the fascia and soffits do you use any particular brush? 

 
For the fascia and soffits do you use any particular brush? 
Just an old one, there's a good group on Facebook for Leeds window cleaners, you can get loads of second hand stuff for really cheap, might be worth having a look at.

Could do with a good winter to sort the men from the boys and send some of them packing ?
Too right, I started in November when I was 18, wasn't the nicest but just had to get on with it I guess. 

 
Ive just started with about 60 customers now. And I really thought there would be a turf war, I was ready for a scrap ?. But it's been totally the opposite experience. Everyone really helpful and I've even been offered to try new gear they have and I don't etc etc. I guess there's enough windows in the world for us all to share ??
You'll need a lot more than 60 customers to make a good living in this game....it takes years to get a decent solid customer base.....

 
Just an old one, there's a good group on Facebook for Leeds window cleaners, you can get loads of second hand stuff for really cheap, might be worth having a look at.

Too right, I started in November when I was 18, wasn't the nicest but just had to get on with it I guess. 
I'm 56 and still have to get on with it, unfortunately it goes with the territory

 
You'll need a lot more than 60 customers to make a good living in this game....it takes years to get a decent solid customer base.....
He’s only just started 60  customers In a short time is very good Ime  sure he will continue to pick up more as time goes by , we all have to start somewhere . 

 
Just Specialise in Trad you can make more than WFP as lost of people don't want it ! ?
Traditional would not get much work round here. Had one customer ask if I could traditional the full house. Said I could trad the bottoms but will always WFP tops. She said thank you but never got back. But alot of houses round here are 3 and 4 storey new builds so WFP is the only real way to go in my town. 

 
Trad is too dangerous, probably illegal under H&S, too slow, doesn't clean frames nor pvc doors, in the end it has nothing going for it, Most times in life one has no choice but to move on or one just stays and their business enters a slow death. We have seen that on the high street yet across the road on the internet they are thriving. If you can't beat them then you have no choice but to join them. I have noticed this all my life. We joiners used to hammer in 4" nails and it would take 10 seconds and much effort, now a nail-gun does it in under a second. If you refused to use it then you would get flung off a building site or not make any money. We have all been to the circus but that doesn't mean we have to hang about with clowns. ? 

 
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