I really don’t have a problem with the term ‘licensed’ used in advertising. Depending on how it is used it is not an inaccurate statement.
Example 1. [I]“Glass Masters Window Cleaning Is Licensed & Insured.”[/I] Perfectly acceptable. If I read this on anyone’s advertising I would take it they the company has a business license and they are insured.
Example 2. [I]“Glass Masters Window Cleaning uses licensed window cleaners.”[/I] Well we know that this is rubbish.
I don’t think for window cleaning it would make much of a difference to most home owners.
I’ve never been asked if I was licensed. I occasionally get asked if I’m insured and for some commercial jobs, if I’ve got WSIB.
every company i saw claiming to be licensed used example 2. “our licensed professionals…”
maybe we should create a certification/license you can take on online. with a pretty little laminated card when you pass.
have different ones for commercial, residential, wfp work, high rise etc.
i agree and have looked into it. i would be interested in it if it were readily available and you didnt have to be in los angeles or whatever city they are having it in. if it were something you could take by phone or online i would have already taken it.
It is readily available via workbooks and open book online tests. Only the final exam has to be done in person at a safety regional event or during the annual convention, which are worth attending if you’ve never been to either.
I dont know what every homeowner is thinking, no, you are right. I may be basing that on only 2 or 3 that I have spoken to where this issue has come up.
I agree that a city license gives crediblity and peace of mind…of course. That is the only way you can get the fictitious(?) name statement so you can open up a business account in your business name. We all go that extra mile to be and look as professional as humanly possible right? We all go that extra mile when we need to, to please the customer. NONE of us decieve the customers either, which is why we are on this forum to learn and get better, more professional.
Every single tradesman except us, pool guy, and the landscaper that I can think of (there are probably more) needs a contractors license. One of the examples I gave earlier in this thread was here in San Diego, where a guy even put his license number on the website. I dont know about other states, but here, you must have your license on your print material. Only contractors tho. If you are an electrician, you have to have your C10 or whatever license number on your cards, truck, website etc…
Not everyone in California knows that either, not the average homeowner. Plus, the window cleaners that I have called and spoke to, their response told me that they were trying to decieve people. If they werent why wouldnt they put Business License # blah blah…instead of license number…even if there was the slightest chance that people could mistake it for a contractors license?
Could it be that the person that does that already knows this, and thinks they could gain a job or 2 from it, and if asked about it just educates them? Licensed-bonded-insured
The last 2, are a big deal, cost alot of money, and you gotta BE somebody to have it, it makes you the real deal and legit. But licensed? It costs 15 bucks, and if you say you take checks in the name of your company then they know you have a license.
Am I wrong Steve? If I am, sorry bro. I will always take a step back to those with more experience.
Could it be tho, that I am right?
Please chalk this up to inexperience before any of you shoot me in the face but I really don’t see the big deal here. I don’t think anyone in my area would think that being licensed would mean a contractors license. Why would a window cleaner need that kind of licensing. Here in my area a business license costs about $100 and $300 if you’re out of the city limits. I would have no prob putting licensed and insured if I paid out that much for it. And I definitely don’t think that would be giving the wrong impression… but then again 95% of the window cleaners in my area have no business license or insurance to speak of so what do I know.
Like I said, chalk it up to inexperience. Look at my posts and that’s about how much experience I have compared to you guys. You’re the pro’s and I’m the “joe” so please correct me if I’m wrong.:o
guys around here are not claiming it to be a contractors license rather licensed window cleaners. there is a difference.
if your “competition” is claiming on their advertising to be “licensed window cleaners” and youre not, people WILL think there is a difference when there is NO window cleaners license.
most companies around me (not only window cleaning companies) claim to be insured when they arent.
people who find out these things out will either 1) be turned off to getting their windows cleaned in the future or 2) ask more pointed questions which is one of the things i am helping people do when i give an estimate… especially about insurance.
you might not think it makes a difference now, but when your competition is trying to get a leg up by falsely advertising you will not be happy.
I agree with Nick, although we are in the same area , so maybe it’s just here
To put it more succintly, If I claimed to be" Licensed and insured" and advertised myself as such, If what I meant was that I have a drivers license and Auto insurance, would that be considered OK or would I be trying to game the system
i will tell you pat, fish is coming down to our area and are already marketing themselves as licensed window cleaners even though they know they arent.
they arent saying they are licensed and insured bc that can be a gray area… which is what im thinking about adding to my marketing to keep up… like i said i have a few licenses although one was revoked by jwebb last night
by claiming to be licensed window cleaners they are out right lying and its wrong.
i dont believe in bad mouthing my competition to potential clients even when it is extremely difficult and things like this and not using any solution in their water comes up
We maintain storefronts and commercial buildings, helping you to achieve a polished look to give your customers a good impression. We provide cleanings ranging from weekly to annually, tailoring our services to the needs of your business. Regardless of your budget, we can put together a program for you. We’ve led the industry with a premiere safety program to ensure the protection of our customers and cleaners. We also provide the peace of mind that licensed, bonded, and insured window cleaners will be maintaining the appearance of your business. Why have we grown to be the largest window cleaning company in the world
Along with the following, Number 2 is my favorite followed closely by number 3
Fishlosophies
1.Honor God and family.
2.Honesty – You can believe what we say.
3.Integrity – We say what we mean.
4.Commitment – We do what we say.
5.Promise – We keep our promises.
6.Available – We are always available.
7.No excuses – Do it right the first time.
8.We care and we help.
9.We succeed.
10.We have fun.
i know. i have seen it and heard it from one of their guys… telling me i dont have the proper window cleaning credentials and they were thinking of reporting me… i was said who are you going to report me to? your imaginary window cleaning license giver guy?
i love how it says fish leads the industry haha yeah leads it right into the toilet.
mike used to work for another fish franchise… im surprised he hasnt jumped in on this one
this is the dirty bugga (im watching the movie “rocknrolla” so good) who is claiming to be an iwca member. i love the copy and pasted version of the iwca logo. http://www.sunnysidewindows.com/
This is a good discussion.
Going back to how I Advertise my "licensed and insured’ is like Nick and Steve said. there is a fine line there…I wont and dont put “licensed window cleaner”…becaue the assumption is there that there is a license involved to be a window cleaner(like …licensed electrician). And in my mind…the assumption is there that when I put “licensed and insured”…it is just that…I am licensed by whatever jurisdiction Im in. But in the same breath…we cant know what every person will assume. I do it to show my professionalism and hopefully show the customer between a legit business and a non-legit one.
This is where I think different states with different rules come into play. if I was on a job and a contractor asked me if I was licensed…You Damn Skippy Im going to say yes…Because I am. If he asked me do I have a license to conduct window cleaning…I will say Not per say…because there is none here.
Never heard of them, although I rarely work the south shore
The recent jobs photos are a laugh
The first one is a photo Ive seen before when googling and the name on the shirt is obviously not sunnyside
The hi-rise one is at a guess Australia, as I have never seen anyone here wearing a helmet
they dont have that much work around here. most of their stuff is in and around boston. they are actually the former residential division of cliffhangers which pat sold off almost 5 years ago and then got sold again a couple years ago. i had my hand in trying to buy it but the bidding went crazy between me and 2 other guys. as far as i know (from when i was trying to buy it) they are under a non-compete contract with cliffhangers to stay away from high rise work for at least another 3 years… i dont know why the high rise picture is on there
