| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
slav
New Member - Welcome Me!
Joined: 30 Aug 2009
Posts: 2
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 3:13 am Post subject: FISH employee not happy... |
 |
|
hi, i am currently a FISH employee. I enjoy what i do. i am good at what i do. but i dont think i get what i deserve $$. i have been working about a year. i have done just about everything well (except hi-rises); residential, commercial, construction clean up, powerwashing, awnings, sign cleaning, gutters, even the purified water machine (i forget the name of that thing, we just call it the "machine") i am comfortable with ladders. i have been told that i am very good and fast, but i dont have much to compare to since im the best they have. trying to decide if i should become self employed. i am poor  and have no desire to be, $1500/month full time is not cutting it...anyway i can clean but sales is uncharted territory. i know fish pricing, but i dont think i can get those prices. ive heard $4 a window residential. but i have also heard just charge $30/hr??? i want to be legit, insurance, taxes, etc. but how do i get my name out there...how do i even begin? should i specialize in residential or commercial or do both. is it a good idea in this economy? is it even possible for the little guy to make it right now? id like to do this full time. whats a reasonable/average monthly net income for someone self employed doing this? im in nj if that makes any difference. i know you guys get stuff like this daily but any help would be greatly appreciated. hope to hear from you soon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Chris
Regular Member
Joined: 27 Sep 2006
Posts: 720
Location: JERSEY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SServices
Regular Member
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 496
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 12:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
Income and rates to charge are very touchy as this forum has input from so many areas with cost variations. You can easily make very good money with little investment.
It comes down to the determination of the individual, establishing any business is tough for a period until a customer base is built. You need to determine for yourself possibly through trial and error to see if residential and commercial works best for you and your business area. I have found to tap into each allows a longer season without the need of add on services because when residential slows often commercial is still going and it balances each other out to a point. Residential pays immediately and helps when cash flow is limited, while commercial in many times is invoiced then paid with 30+ days.
Economy has not been much of a factor as posted by many and in most cases people are doing great when other industries are hurting.
If you figure an average residential is about $300 in/out you could clean 4-5 a month and be close to what you make now. Likely you could land more than 1-2 residentials a week so with insurance and being legit you come can be doing well and building for your future.
Although starting a business has compromises compared to being an employee and is not for all.
With such a small investment you cant go wrong giving it a try. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
slav
New Member - Welcome Me!
Joined: 30 Aug 2009
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Im in bergen county. thank you for your feedback. im probobly gonna go get some cards made in the following weeks and test the waters. if i get some good responses... time will tell i guess. if anyone has any sales advice for a start up i would appreciate it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chris
Regular Member
Joined: 27 Sep 2006
Posts: 720
Location: JERSEY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wall 2 Wall
New Member - Welcome Me!
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Location: St. Charles, MO
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just started my cleaning business last week part time. I already have 4 commercial accounts and did a residential cleaning 2 days ago. It's really not that hard. According to Quickbooks, I spent $539 on window cleaning supplies. I still need a 24 ft ext ladder for $200 and a ladder stabalizer for approx $50. I'm going to try to do as many resi jobs without a ladder as possible. I have an 8 ft, 16 ft and 30 ft extention pole to allow me to clean high windows without a ladder. I only have a car at this point so I don't really have a vehicle to allow me to carry the ladder. If any of you have any input on this let me know.
_________________
Kurt
Owner
Wall 2 Wall Cleaning Service
St. Charles Window Cleaning, Window Washing |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
theadamsapproach
New Member - Welcome Me!
Joined: 26 Nov 2009
Posts: 1
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:38 am Post subject: Fish Windows??!!? |
|
|
darn they are everywhere?!?! Fish Windows?!?! They are out here in Portland Oregon, too. My of my clients hate them, they believe they charge high prices for shi.. I mean not that tight of work.
My wife and I started our business full-time just 2 years ago. I know different areas but the economy is bad everywhere, we started when it started to get bad but is making it.
You are half way there with the experience, just find friends or people that can really help you put your name out there, business cards is a good start and so is a website. But think about community or local papers some really inexpensive.
Good Luck, man
_________________
The Adams Approach
www.theadamsapproach.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
