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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Bellend on 20 March 2012, 19:26
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Looks like my work might possibly be even shutting down. Been dead all year and barely ticking over. One boss is way too old and way too greedy and we've literally lost so many customers it's unreal.
So been told I might be getting the tin-tack soon as the place could go under.
A mate was wanting to do window cleaning and has gathered a big round but just can't do it all on his own, insurance is rediculous for him etc and I've now been doing everything I can for a few quid so have a fair bit saved.
Still going to be doing the car sales and they are great but it's a sideline. As is all the private work I do at the moment. I'll be pushing out cleaning and odd jobs to help with saving for some decent tools because I've been earning £25 for two years and in the last year £30 a day at where I work and purely been holding out because I'm getting the qualifications and tbf the experiance at this place has deffo been worth it. Not just the mechanical or bodywork but just general experience. Since I've basically been running half the firm on and off where certain partners weren't pulling their work due to personal reasons, even though I all along felt it was down right rediculous only being paid what I was the experiance has helped.
So wanting to get set up doing mobile servicing and window cleaning for a bit. :smiley:
Who's got any experiance they want to share?
Have been told, get this I can't leave yet but if it stays the way it is I might have to. :laugh: I asked why I couldn't leave and was told I was needed. :huh: Like they can keep me there. So ATM I'm just saving to get set up and waiting to see if we pick up at the garage and apparently peak time is in a couple of months so I'll be announcing I'm leaving (if I haven't been made redundant) then to see if they want to give me a GOOD payrise as I will be fully qualified by then anyway.
I know they 100% will want to keep me if it picks up but I just think they still will want to pay absolutely nothing as they're extremely tight.
So any tips for starting on your own and expecially window cleaning?
Thanks. :smiley:
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http://windowcleaningcoach.com
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may i suggest a trip to money saving expert .com or similar sites.
:smiley:
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
smashing work i heard!
I heard it can be a cracking job
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
smashing work i heard!
After a while of success, your eyes can become a little glazed over.
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
smashing work i heard!
After a while of success, your eyes can become a little glazed over.
Out of ideas
*insert window joke*
Something about through the looking glass?
Think I might take that window of opportunity ;)
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http://www.pilkingtonselfcleaningglass.co.uk/
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
smashing work i heard!
After a while of success, your eyes can become a little glazed over.
Out of ideas
*insert window joke*
Something about through the looking glass?
Think I might take that window of opportunity ;)
grass is always greener on the other side... of the window
don't judge
Yes, always worth putting such thoughts into the frame.
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Cleaning windas can be a bit of a pane, though.
smashing work i heard!
I heard it can be a cracking job
(http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr182/the_flying_elvi/confessions_of_window_cleaner_poster_01.jpg)
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfmAeijj5cM
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If it wasn't for the heights I'd be doing windows too.. Had one come round yesterday.. Did three houses in about thirty minutes and pocketed £30.. Yes please thank you very much.
But he's a real grafter.. And goes like the clappers and does a brilliant job..
And it ain't all it's cracked up to be.. Freezing weather, wind and rain can stop play easily. Also.. Keeping customers is just as hard as getting them in the first place!
When it's busy it's great.. When it's quiet it's soul destroying.
It's a wickedly steep learning curve but worth it if you can make it pay.
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My advice... if a golden opportunity arises to get out of the Motor trade, take it! and never look back! for most people its a dead end job, that pays little, but makes you graft like no other... unless you like being told by people that earn 2 or 3 times more than you do, that you charge too much :huh:
Set your sights higher :smiley:
Thom
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These are good systems http://www.carpet-cleaning-equipment.co.uk/streamline-stream-box-streambox-trolley-system-complete-waterfed-pole-window-cleaning-system-p-741.html
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My advice... if a golden opportunity arises to get out of the Motor trade, take it! and never look back! for most people its a dead end job, that pays little, but makes you graft like no other... unless you like being told by people that earn 2 or 3 times more than you do, that you charge too much :huh:
Set your sights higher :smiley:
Thom
Well someone posted on here that they were spanking a fortune in the motor trade, adding in the private jobs ( not declared I bet ) so I am surprised they havent retired by now :huh:
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OK cheers for the thoughts guys.
Thom, funny enough you aren't the first to tell me that.
But as I've said before I was on a 6 month run of averaging £2K in every month at one point, now I'm down to 6. :undecided:
But it was hard work, I'm talking 11PM Monday-Wednesday and working Saturdays and Sundays at points. I'm moving which is taking all my time and all my tools are packed up.
That did include selling them on etc.
But yeah you aren't the first to say and I am seriously thinking about going to college for something else. Thinking electrical as well as I have done a fair bit of it on and off couple of years back.
Am thinking of roofing as well as my older brother has hit it off BIG time doing roofing but like all, he's rammed this week but last two weeks not much. :huh:
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My advice... if a golden opportunity arises to get out of the Motor trade, take it! and never look back! for most people its a dead end job, that pays little, but makes you graft like no other... unless you like being told by people that earn 2 or 3 times more than you do, that you charge too much :huh:
Set your sights higher :smiley:
Thom
Depends on what part of the motor trade you are in.
Spannering - certainly correct.
The more technical stuff - plenty of cash to be had.
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Wondering what sort of courses and how much time I'm gonna have to throw in and what part of the technical stuff I'll have to do?
I find people will quite happily have mobile services done while at work etc.
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Dont worry about lean periods, it's par for the course when your self employed you just learn to stash it away like a squirrel rather than wazz it as soon as its in the bank.
I learnt that the hard way, some months I'd be like 'f**k me I've got £5k to spend!' then when the. Ext month was quiet I'd be skintio!
So set yourself 'wages' an try an stick to it
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Also don't bother with going Limited until you absolutely have too.
Natwest have some good new business banking offers
Get an accountant straight away, they're their to safe you money
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Get an accountant and start as a sole trader.
Also research career paths, some of them are not all they appear to be, like you said training as a sparky. Brilliant if you can get work all the time, but usually you are jumping from agency to agency to get any work.
If your handy with a spanner look into a trade account with trade parts specialist, usually all they require is company details and register you straight away in store. Get some business cards made and start off with a mobile service for servicing, quick and easy money. Sell any assets to maybe get a small diesel with 3dr's or a small van to store tools. Also with the business you can diverse, look at expanding the insurance and maybe have two business cards, one for servicing, another for mobile valet service?
Just a few idea's
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My mates a mobile mechanic, when he started off he was doing lots of sh!t jobs, now he basically scans codes and does services..Hes making a killing. He started out with a small Fiat Van and a good selection of tools he had built up from years of tinkering.. Now he has a fully fledged T5... Its AMAZING..
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397857_187136481382002_100002569549262_334038_2107731706_n.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/269488_10150236151088149_588178148_7536901_2511359_n.jpg)