I had 5 employees last year and what a mess… I did not have the right training system in place. I hired “experienced” window cleaners that sucked arse. I think I will send them to Chris to get them trained in properly
I am at a one man place right now… but once I get everything organized, I am hiring again
I’m a one man show and this is my first spring season. It’s been overwhelming at times adjusting to the pace after a dead winter but still I think I’d like to keep it a one man operation for as long as I can. I’m not interested in building any kind of window cleaning empire (not that there’s anything wrong with that). For me, good income at a comfortable pace (my pace) is what I must keep intact.
One big downside to being a one man show is when bidding on larger commercial. Even if the bid is acceptable, the time to complete the job may not be. I’ve found that I have to pass on some jobs. For me it’s better to pass on those jobs and concentrate on scooping up several houses than to waste precious time collecting the people/resources to get one larger gig taken care of.
I have employee’s,it all comes down to not being able to keep up with the demand! I ran with 1 truck for 2 + years (myself & another cleaner) since moving here to my current location.
Got sick & tired of trying to cram 5 or 6 gigs a day,best move i ever made. Of course “proper training” is the key! I make it a point they do every job exactly the same EVERYTIME with quality being the end result.
I’ve been complimented on several occasions by both clients and other window cleaners on my guys professionalism & abilities.
It also free’s me up on the lighter days (when im not rolling doing jobs) to handle estimates and other tasks associated with the business,or…if i just dont feel like working:D im still making money!
I would imagine there are pros and cons to either being a solo act or an ensemble. I prefer to be a one man show at this point and I really don’t have aspirations to build a large multi-employee company.
I love working by myself. I don’t really have to take on more work than I can do. I do hate having to do all of the paperwork myself though!!! I guess that’s one of the cons of being a one man show.
I think having employees is the only way that you can truly grow your business. I have 12 full time employees with 3 crews most of the year and do 99% residential. I have been very fortunate and have 2 crew leaders that have been with me for a long time. One 16 yrs and one 24 years. Also follow up with the customers on all of the jobs insures that a quality job is being done. Also you can still make money whlile you are relaxing on vacation!!
I think having employees is the only way that you can truly grow your business. I have 12 full time employees with 3 crews most of the year and do 99% residential. I have been very fortunate and have 2 crew leaders that have been with me for a long time. One 16 yrs and one 24 years. Also follow up with the customers on all of the jobs insures that a quality job is being done. Also you can still make money whlile you are relaxing on vacation!!
I have 12 employees and could use about 3 more. Its hard to be a crew leader an owner, salesmen and HR department among all the other thing I do all at the same time. My problem is the company is growing faster then I can work. (not that I am complaining)
I stay fairly small with 10 or fewer employees at any given time. I do have some large properties we clean. I know most of the window cleaners in the area and can get help for a big job. I will also jump in and help another with a job if I can and didn’t have something else planned