Needed some household cleaning products, at the end of the isle was 2 guys looking over the window cleaning equipment.
I over heard talk like this.
For $50.00 we can buy enough equipment to start a window cleaning business.
$20.00 for some flyers.
The other guys asked about ladders. The other replied, I bet we can use the homeowners ladders.
One guy replied, I don’t know $50.oo is a lot of money right now. The other eagerly interjected… WE CAN MAKE IT BACK ON OUR 1st HOUSE OR 2.
I have been surprised at the number of new customers who have offered up the use of their own ladders, I always politely decline citing the safety gadgets I have on my own, but that does give me the impression that there have been previous “washers” borrowing ladders?
One of my regulars even told me he had to move the ladder for some young kids that had been dropped off by the “professional” to do the work:eek:
I can laugh at this scenario now but this is exactly how I started. I went to Home Depot and bought a 16" squeegee, 10" scrubber, Home Depot bucket, some terry towels and a bottle of Palmolive. Next I put a flyer up at my apartment building in the laundry room advertising that I’d clean the insides of their windows for $40, $50 or $60 depending on the size of apt. Within 3 months I quit my full time job and dove into business ownership, and haven’t looked back.
BTW, I would never use a customers ladder. I always tell them that my insurance company only covers me for using my own equipment.
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Hey Mark,[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]It brings back memories for me too. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]It takes more than some window washing equipment to make it in this business. I’m thinking about a good work ethic, commitment, honesty and all that intangible stuff the guys who make it have. Lots of guys come and go![/FONT][/COLOR]
I got my first set of tools at H depot to… Around the same price.
I used to go back to h depot every once in a while and stick my biz cards into the piece of card board that folds around the tools. My hopes were homeowners would buy these tools… get frustrated with how hard it is then have my card. I don’t recall if I ever scored any jobs from it.
That’s hilarious, I still do that business cards at Lowe’s routine! I don’t know if I ever get any job either, but it’s fun nevertheless.
I got all my startup equipment at Lowes when they carried Ettore. It was decent stuff. The Internet wasn’t what it is now and I had to search for Ettore and you know who (JR&C) to have them send me paper catalogs. I owned a maroon Volvo station wagon and had a 24’ ladder on the luggage rack and all my tools in the back. Fun times…
I met another window cleaner while doing an account one day and we started talking. We exchanged cards and a week later I called him up. In the conversation, he told me his main business is commercial but when he prices a residential job, he estimates how long it will takes and prices it at 15$ and hour :-0
Upon talking to another window cleaner, I learned that this guy swallowed up a lot of accounts by lowballing. He seemed satisfied and even proud of how much $ he made and how much business he had.
In my arrogant moments I’d probably laugh at these guys at the Home Depot but, if I’m being honest I started windows the same way. I had my own ladder though. Bought some Ettore squeegees and soap from Menards and did some windows for a customer for $65. Thought I was doing great. Of course I didn’t have access to forums like this to get educated. Wish I knew then what I know now!:o
Good for them. It’s takes guts to start that way. Having your own ladders is a must but a week of cold calling storefronts without one would clear that up.
I started working for a mid-size company in Vancouver they had all the gear once I got my own truck I worked for percentage. Sweet deal if you can get it. Did that for 8 years but they finally realized they were paying me too much money. They offered me $25 an hour to stay and I said “Great, I was putting off starting my own company anyways. Bye!”
[/FONT][/COLOR]
