How to start a domestic window cleaning business

[Mofchelt]

I'm thinking of starting a domestic window cleaning business. What is people's thoughts on starting such a business this time of year and under the current climate?

 

[mhall]

You don't need others thoughts - just do it, what have you got to lose?

 

[Charles Accountancy]

You can also offer other services especially gutter clearing, which is needed this time of year.

Customers are always looking for reliable, regular window cleaners, but obviously some areas are saturated with window cleaners, whereas other areas, large parts of London, have relatively few domestic.

 

[LeanneDonaldson]

I agree with the other comments.
It really depends on where abouts in the country you are going to start up.
I did have any that I knew of a few months ago, recently I have 3 guys all knock on the door.

All the best

Leanne

 

[Mofchelt]

I intend on starting small along side my existing job, which I could reduce hours over time.

Any suggestions on where I can get a reach and wash system from? That doesn't break the bank, lol

 

[mhall]

Cheaper and more reliable to buy a ladder

 

[businessfunding]

I agree with the ladder comment. Jo Public is still a little suspicious of long reach systems.

Be reliable - be good and you will be successful.

Try not to start on someone else's patch - Lots of rubbish spoken about 'window cleanerw wars' but there is no point setting out on the wrong foot.

Make friends with other opertaors - it will work in your favour in the long term (you might be surprised at the work they are giving away).

 

[Mofchelt]

Ok then here's another question then, to purchase Reach & Wash or not?

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Not too sure where you are?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Window-Cl...omeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item4ab1b7bf1a

 

[businessfunding]

For residential I would say not, unless there are unusual circumstances.

They are not as effective as a good hand and do not create the 'personal service' image you want.

 

[Gaskell]

Cheaper and more reliable to buy a ladder

Isn't it illegal to work from a ladder over a certain height?

 

[td2011]

I think you should go for it. I can't imagine setting up the service will be costly.

 

[businessfunding]

Isn't it illegal to work from a ladder over a certain height?

No, it's all about rask assessment and necessity.

You might find that you need a buddy / ladder holder.

You should also get public liability cover.

 

[123Simples]

If you just thinking of starting up then advice would be:

1. Start off professionally - in other words get some decent flyers done up, a proper contact number and your business name on them. People don't want some fly by night cowboy with a piece of scrap paper and a scribbled out mobile number on it
2. Get a ladder - they are probably at least £100 plus now. A reach and wash system will set you back at least 4K or 5K and then you might think I hate this job and you've just wasted that money
3. Get Public Liability Insurance - if your ladder hits a car, or falls onto someone then you're screwed
4. You would need to contact your vehicle insurers and upgrade your policy to include business use otherwise see comment 3
5. Be prepared to knock doors and be genuine. If people say they have a window cleaner then leave your leaflet and go away. Window cleaners will not like you if you say you can do their windows cheaper!
6. Price yourself accordingly. If you think that you can do a 3 bedroomed house for £4 say then get lost because window cleaners (any decent window cleaner) knows how much a job should cost
7. You need equipment - black bucket 99p, applicator mop and squeeges, decent cloths and scrim
8. Don't buy an existing round unless you really want to. You will only be buying the "good will" and that could be an expensive mistake

If that helps

 

[Mofchelt]

Cheers for the advice, this going to sound stupid but bare with me. Being realistic living in well off area and with a pop. Over 200k within 10m what kind of income could I accept? I know I have to do leg work but I have a young family to support and don't wish or afford chasing a lose.

I'm thinking of doing domestic, gutters, maybe patios etc. I really want a life work balance here.

Thanks for the heads up on the reach and wash idea.

 

[123Simples]

Hi Mofchelt

Prices will vary according to the area and the type of work you are doing so it can be hard to give you a definitive answer. For example pricing a 3 bedroomed house in the southern region (near Portsmouth) would be anywhere between £12 and £14/£15

The same house in London would be lots more!

You need to set yourself a baseline on what you would like to earn per hour, and that will help. Anything less than £15 an hour would be a waste of your time, and so look at what you are cleaning.

The best way is to time yourself cleaning your own windows
Next look at a method for pricing
Example £1 a window
Customer has 10 windows
Price £10
Add £2 ABFM (a bit for me)
Total £12

If they have a huge patio window then £1.50 to £2

No-one can give you a definitive price guide as it will always vary from region to region. Be likeable when you chat to potential customers and weigh them up. That does not mean rip them off, but you should get an idea if Mrs Bucket will pay or Mr Bucket is tight and thinks anything over a fiver is too much

At the end of the day it will be trial and error, but just because you live in a well to do area, it will not mean they want to pay more. That's why they live in a well to do area!

 

[Mofchelt]

So do people think that it is possible to make a living and support a young family doing this. I don't wish to risk my families comfort.

Given the current climate of the country!

 

[AmazingGiftBoxes]

Not too sure where you are?

Can not post urls yet /quote]

Have you seen blokes feedback???? Total timewaster...........!

 

[123Simples]

So do people think that it is possible to make a living and support a young family doing this. I don't wish to risk my families comfort.

Given the current climate of the country!

Yes I do - but it is much harder nowadays and you have to work hard. I think (without looking back in this thread) you had said you wanted to do this as an extra so if you can go and work for someone else then you might not want to bother.

The alternative is do nothing

 

[swiftpete]

I'm thinking of starting a domestic window cleaning business. What is people's thoughts on starting such a business this time of year and under the current climate?

Current climate? Well it's raining, so wear your coat.

 

[Mofchelt]

Very funny, it's raining it's England in December of course it's raining in the south west.

Don't get me wrong I plan to carry on working because going at 100% and having no income until I build it up is impossible. It was to run it side by side until I make money, and then make it my living

 

[tom1111]

Hi, i agree with other comments and i would say about this that this is really a very earn-able business and i congratulate you to think about this.:redface:

 

[ThePublisher]

I had a new window cleaner do my windows yesterday. He tried me at £20 which I said was too expensive so he matched my previous bloke who charged £15 (previous bloke disappeared in July). He said he works on £1 a window. I had been quoted £10 or £12 by a bloke who uses reach and wash but I don't like it, I've seen it being used and they pour loads of water across your brickwork dragging it about.

Don't worry about going onto somebody elses 'patch'. We have at least 4 different window cleaning companies do different houses in our street of 33.

If you can find a local community magazine or parish magazine to advertise in, they're a good source of customers for you. My new chap is advertising in my magazine, the previous one who disappeared had been advertising with me for about 6 years so was obviously getting good business from it.

 

[jack05j]

Hey, Your idea of starting your own business is great.

A few plus sides to your idea are:
1. Very Low Start-up Price
2. Very Low Overhead
3. Highly in demand
4. Highly Profitable
5. Unlimited Growth Potential
6. Simple and Enjoyable Work

Hope this will help you with your decision.

 

[Amazin]

My landlord runs a window cleaning business and he makes £1000 per week. Spoke to him few days ago and he told me he's now little bit stressed because he's too busy and got 5 new clients in one day.

Questions, if I can start one then I would but I can't drive

 

[Mofchelt]

This is all positive, ok do people have any idea where the best places are to purchase equipment?

 

[mhall]

My landlord runs a window cleaning business and he makes £1000 per week. Spoke to him few days ago and he told me he's now little bit stressed because he's too busy and got 5 new clients in one day.

Questions, if I can start one then I would but I can't drive

A push bike with a makeshift ladder holder, the ladder and a bucket, who needs to drive?

 

[123Simples]

This is all positive, ok do people have any idea where the best places are to purchase equipment?

For window cleaning supplies Soap National http://www.soapnational.co.uk/ and a black bucket at any Asda

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Work out the sums dont just take other's wild guesses

How long does it take you to clean say 4 front and back windows plus two doors, four windows upstairs four down just about average house, then drive there and collect money

Say 20 min then three a hour, 30 min then 2 hour

Read up on rules regarding ladder and not having long reach gear how many buildings you cannot bid for

All our cleaners use long reach and windows perfect, they use specially treated water which does not leave marks, think its called Ironised so you need long reach gear, water tank in van plus small generator

Do it cheap bike trailer, Ladder, Bucket and squeegy

No right or wrong way, Watch old film "Confessions of a window cleaner" for added attractions to the job

 

[Twim]

Its not a new idea and theres alot of other people providing this service

but I live by this philosophy

"No matter if someone else is doing it, All my efforts and focus are on doing it better than everyone else, the results will then be in my favour"

Hope that helps