$1500 Starting Out

Newbie Corner
41

Just my $0.02, but Just because they don’t know how to price their service doesn’t mean you should follow suite. They’ve capped their earning potential with low prices in a high demand market because they haven’t figured out supply and demand. When demand goes up so should prices. Many of those customers are probably willing to pay a premium for more immediate attention.

Charge more and see where it goes. You might surprise yourself. Imagine in a year if you’re cutting into the major player’s market. They’ll likely lower their prices further, which is worse for their business and even better for yours. In the meantime, go listen to Josh Latimer’s Automate, Grow, Sell podcast. Priceless material.

42

I know this is from April, but if you are still poking about - Many seniors are on fixed income…Window Cleaning is often a luxury service as is house cleaning. Seldom a real “need” as lawn maintenance or pool maintenance. So, seniors won’t be your best target market, but do not count them out. Target homes with good curb appeal. Those are the ones who desire and can afford home maintenance services.
Also, many people “want window cleaning services” as the folks in your class jumped about, but not nearly as many will pay what it is worth. So, just some food for thought.

43

Agreed.I started with cheapo stuff from Lowes and home depot cheap squeegee,mop,20ft pole,bucket and soap

44

Experience is key. It will take time to get good at this trade. $35 per hour is great pay. That is $70k per year. Keep it affordable. Your customers will call you back.

45

$35 an hour is no where near 70k a year with all your financial obligations as a business owner and the seasonality of this industry.

3 Likes
46

You would struggle at that rate to maintain a successful business. You can’t bring employees on at that price, do marketing, vehicle maintenance, etc. Yes that’s nice pay if you go and work for someone else, but not as a business owner. We do have a targeted hourly rate, but it’s much higher. To cover taxes, insurance, workmans compensation, advertising, website, and so on.

2 Likes
47

$70k per year would be dandy if it were a salary.

But when that $70k has to pay for all the associated expenses of running a business like gas, corporation tax, insurance and workman’s comp, tools, and marketing to keep that work coming then it starts to look less good.

It’s even worse when you figure all the unbillable hours you spend running estimates, filing paperwork, making phone calls to schedule clients, and other miscellaneous stuff that’s just part of working for yourself.

Basically if your goal is to gross $35/hour for 40 hours of BILLABLE work each week all year as a self-employed person, then you may as well wait tables and take home $20/hour CASH and save yourself the hassle of running a business.

1 Like
48

Samuel, Part of being a startup small business owner is putting together a book of work. Go to Senior Citizen Centers, Chamber of Commerce, IFMA, BOMA. meetings church groups and janitorial companies. Door to door sales had the best response for me. You will find customers and future workers. Have a $100 minimum and a trip charge. Traveling is not free. If you are one of the best $50 per hour is not out of the question. Tips can be hundreds of dollars a week. I have trained many window cleaners and most of them are going strong for 3 to 4 decades. The money is there but it is hardwork. You can call me if you like 480-304-1054 God Bless You, Jim McCormick480-304-1054
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 at 10:32 AM

From: Samuel <[email protected]>

To: [email protected]

Subject: [Window Cleaning Resource] [Newbie Corner] $1500 Starting Out SamuelRegular

May 3


Beebee649:

$35 per hour is great pay. That is $70k per year.

$70k per year would be dandy if it were a salary.

But when that $70k has to pay for all the associated expenses of running a business like gas, corporation tax, insurance and workman's comp, tools, and marketing to keep that work coming then it starts to look less good.

It's even worse when you figure all the unbillable hours you spend running estimates, filing paperwork, making phone calls to schedule clients, and other miscellaneous stuff that's just part of working for yourself.

Basically if your goal is to gross $35/hour for 40 hours of BILLABLE work each week all year as a self-employed person, then you may as well wait tables and take home $20/hour CASH and save yourself the hassle of running a business.

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In Reply To

Beebee649New Member

May 3Experience is key. It will take time to get good at this trade. $35 per hour is great pay. That is $70k per year. Keep it affordable. Your customers will call you back.

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