Newbie seeking advice

[JT88]

Hi all



Long time lurker here, first time poster. I guess in the grand scheme of things I’m just starting out - been doing WFP work for 6 months now, got a transit van last year, some Jerry cans and a gardiner back pack, doing around 5-10 houses a weekend and business is steadily building. Doing it alongside my 9-5 mon-Fri desk job currently. Taken around 6 months to get to this point. Been knocking on doors, advertising in the local magazine, all while juggling marriage and being a dad to an 18 month old - wouldn’t change anything. What I love most is the satisfaction of earning the extra cash solely through one’s own enterprise. Eventually I’d like to do this full time.



I wanted to ask a few questions to the more experienced lads now I’ve got some experience under my belt and understand the job a bit more.

1. How more efficient does moving to a tank make you? Ie, can you quantify the time it takes to do 10 jobs with Jerry cans vs a tank, hose, pump set up?
2. It’s currently taking me 45 mins to do your average 4 bedroom detached house. It usually takes me at least 30/35l of pure water meaning a trip to the van to unload a can and pour into the backpack, plus mucking around with hose, untangling etc. any tips to reduce this time without impacting the quality of the job?
3. I’m struggling to get customers to commit to more frequent than 8 weeks. Any tips to drive those repeat customers?
4. I have a few customers with lead windows. I use a flocked brush for those. It’s glides nicely but takes more time. Any other options to speed this up?

Thanks in advance.



J

 

[Power Clean External Serv]

Hi all



Long time lurker here, first time poster. I guess in the grand scheme of things I’m just starting out - been doing WFP work for 6 months now, got a transit van last year, some Jerry cans and a gardiner back pack, doing around 5-10 houses a weekend and business is steadily building. Doing it alongside my 9-5 mon-Fri desk job currently. Taken around 6 months to get to this point. Been knocking on doors, advertising in the local magazine, all while juggling marriage and being a dad to an 18 month old - wouldn’t change anything. What I love most is the satisfaction of earning the extra cash solely through one’s own enterprise. Eventually I’d like to do this full time.



I wanted to ask a few questions to the more experienced lads now I’ve got some experience under my belt and understand the job a bit more.

1. How more efficient does moving to a tank make you? Ie, can you quantify the time it takes to do 10 jobs with Jerry cans vs a tank, hose, pump set up?
2. It’s currently taking me 45 mins to do your average 4 bedroom detached house. It usually takes me at least 30/35l of pure water meaning a trip to the van to unload a can and pour into the backpack, plus mucking around with hose, untangling etc. any tips to reduce this time without impacting the quality of the job?
3. I’m struggling to get customers to commit to more frequent than 8 weeks. Any tips to drive those repeat customers?
4. I have a few customers with lead windows. I use a flocked brush for those. It’s glides nicely but takes more time. Any other options to speed this up?

Thanks in advance.



J

Hi JT
1/ in my opinion if you can get a 350l tank in your van,do it. It's a game changer. I started with a back pack and it's fine,does the job but having a tank,pump,controller has made life much easier
2/nothing much you can do about hose getting tangled up. If there is any where a hose can get shared,I'll find it

3/I have 4 weeks,6 weeks 8 weeks and a few 12 weeks. I find as soon as you start dictating terms they could bin you off. I work around it and it works for me. I think it also depends on how much you need earn as well.

4/I used flocked as well for leaded,best to take longer thank risk damaging lead in my opinion

 

[WindyinNorfolk]

1.How more efficient does moving to a tank make you? Ie, can you quantify the time it takes to do 10 jobs with Jerry cans vs a tank, hose, pump set up?
You would be best to work this out for yourself - time how long it takes to do the ten but record every time you stop and for how long - whatever this time comes to will be how much quicker a van mount will be ( about 50% I would guess )

2. It’s currently taking me 45 mins to do your average 4 bedroom detached house. It usually takes me at least 30/35l of pure water meaning a trip to the van to unload a can and pour into the backpack, plus mucking around with hose, untangling etc. any tips to reduce this time without impacting the quality of the job?
Again time it thats time your losing - and this means losing earning power - the more you do the better your technic will improve - esp. confidence hopefully these when you first started took you something like 55 mins

3.I’m struggling to get customers to commit to more frequent than 8 weeks. Any tips to drive those repeat customers?
What's wrong with 8 wky - charge more for those wanting 8 weeks over those having 4

4.I have a few customers with lead windows. I use a flocked brush for those. It’s glides nicely but takes more time. Any other options to speed this up?
Don't speed up - quality comes first - charge more for this type of window