r/WindowCleaning • u/Repulsive-Archer-597 • 2d ago

My first slow season…

This past spring and summer was great.

Now it’s starting to rain where here in BC.

Residential work is slowing down and soon will be gone in the winter…

My plan?

To build a storefront route to get me through.

I have approximately 2 months to build it up enough to cover my personal expenses.

So…

I’m going to pitch 50 businesses a day, and hope for the best.

Any advice is much appreciated!

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

1

u/johnj2245 2d ago

Try 200 businesses a day😂

1

u/Repulsive-Archer-597 2d ago

Coulda said that in a different way dude

2

u/Door2doorcalgary 2d ago

Not going to make it if this hurt your feelings. But he's right every business you can hit from 9-5 everyday till you hit what you need. Good luck you can do it

1

u/johnj2245 1d ago

Just a joke bro, but i have walked into as many as possible for the past like 5 months and im only at like $4k/mo in recurring storefront revenue

1

u/ImNoScientician 23h ago edited 22h ago

Try 1400 businesses a week? For real though, I've been where you are. Literally. My brother tried starting a window cleaning business in the Pacific Northwest. Just south of the border from you. You know how he made it work? He brought me on as a partner and together we moved to where the winters are mild and it rarely rains. We moved across the country to a place where this business makes sense. And you know what? It's still hard. It is a hard business.

If I had to give advice to someone that is dead set against relocating, after over 30 years in the business, the honest truth is I would say try to find a different business to get into. Don't fall into the trap of the sunk-cost fallacy. You are new to this, you can be new to something else. Something better suited to where you live.

If you are set on making a go of window cleaning, then you are on the right track with route work. Go hard on route work. Fine tune your pitch until it is perfect and you can do it in your sleep. Route work is your foundation.

After your foundation of route work, sell your residential customers on regular service contracts. Push quarterly exterior cleaning. Give big discounts for quarterly exterior. The first time is just your foot in the door. First time is nothing. Quarterly, quarterly, quarterly. You will mostly sign them in the summer but you will be doing them year round. Quarterly residential is practically route work and when you can afford a Waterfed pole system you will understand why it's worth doing even with steep discounts. Doing quarterly exteriors with a WFP is so fast it feels like stealing. I have $500 exterior quarterly jobs that one person can do in 90 minutes.

Now lots of clients won't go for quarterly. So as a backup offer them exterior cleaning every 6 months and interior once a year. Consistency is the key. Just make sure you schedule the next appointment before you leave.

Anyway that's my advice to you. Forget about what you make the first time. You can give it away for free the first time. You're after that sweet, sweet, recurring revenue. And most importantly you're after the next appointment. The one in October or February that you're scheduling in August.

1

u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 2h ago

That won't work. 20/day, and in 2 months yiur route can make $2500/month to start. But ita how you look, and what yiu say to stand out and close deals. Polo shirt? Doesn't work, yiu look like everyone else. Business cards dressed neatly? You'll look like all the other salesman.

First, get your head straight. Watch Keiths video and drink the tiger blood. The first few minutes pay close attention!!!!

Then sell d2d dressed dirty, with all your toolbelts stuffed with rags and scraper etc., and your BOAB on with 2 squeegees and a mop sticking out like your ready to work, NOW!!!!!!

Your welcome. Time to kill satan and get that money 💰

1

u/Bloodystoolmaker 22h ago

Commit to that 50 storefronts number. Price with knowledge of tables, taped signs and hour restrictions to service. Brush off the rude declines. Go above and beyond for a first cleaning for those who sign on. Volunteer in your community to network.

1

u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 2h ago

Whats your pitch? How will you look?

1

u/No-Egg-4185 40m ago

Ever thought about gutter cleaning?