Business Idea

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

I am woundering if I could get some information from the community out there. Since I have been unemployed for some time, I was thinking of setting up my own business. It is just something that will give me some income until I find a job that matches my skillset. I have been thinking about window and gutter cleaning. As I have a car I can travel, until I build up a proper client base I do not mind about profit, once I break even and cover my costs I will be fine. If all I get out of this is some experience then so be it. This is my first step, posting here.

I will ring my local enterprise board soon and see if they have any information. I will also ring FAS to see if they can give me any guidance too. What I am stuck on is the following:

1) Where would one source materials for this work, detergents, overalls, boots and squigees? In the short term I can get a loan of a ladder.

2) What kind of prices would one charge?

3) Do I have to register as a LTD company or what's the story there?

4) What exactly does one need to set up a small business? What kind of support is out there for entrepreneurs?

5) I have thought of creating business cards, or leaflets. I know how annoying junk mail is. The amount of business I think I would recieve from posting leaflets in postboxes would not be great. What would be a good, and not too expensive way, to advertise?

I think I will start with my family, friends and their families, see how it goes and is it worth my while.

I would like to enter the market by competing with prices and targeting rural areas. I cannot think too much how I could differenciate from other window cleaning companies. I have thought of a few things, but not sure how difficult it may be to impliment my ideas.

My income is very limited and I do not have a lot of money to spend. Any support, however small it may be, would be great.

As you can see, I have lots of work to do in order to start of my little business. But with the right information I could get going.

Although I am being somewhat negative by saying that it would be temporary, I am not expecting a lot of business taking the current economic situation into account, but I would be estactic if I got 3-4 solid days work out of it.

I have a few people (close friends) who started their own business who I will talk to for some basic advice. Any advice that any of ye can give would be great.

(I don't have a target market as such, but I would be limited to 2 story buildings, I have thought of elderly and busy professionals)

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

I am woundering if I could get some information from the community out there. Since I have been unemployed for some time, I was thinking of setting up my own business. It is just something that will give me some income until I find a job that matches my skillset. I have been thinking about window and gutter cleaning. As I have a car I can travel, until I build up a proper client base I do not mind about profit, once I break even and cover my costs I will be fine. If all I get out of this is some experience then so be it. This is my first step, posting here.

I will ring my local enterprise board soon and see if they have any information. I will also ring FAS to see if they can give me any guidance too. What I am stuck on is the following:

1) Where would one source materials for this work, detergents, overalls, boots and squigees? In the short term I can get a loan of a ladder.

2) What kind of prices would one charge?

3) Do I have to register as a LTD company or what's the story there?

4) What exactly does one need to set up a small business? What kind of support is out there for entrepreneurs?

5) I have thought of creating business cards, or leaflets. I know how annoying junk mail is. The amount of business I think I would recieve from posting leaflets in postboxes would not be great. What would be a good, and not too expensive way, to advertise?

I think I will start with my family, friends and their families, see how it goes and is it worth my while.

I would like to enter the market by competing with prices and targeting rural areas. I cannot think too much how I could differenciate from other window cleaning companies. I have thought of a few things, but not sure how difficult it may be to impliment my ideas.

My income is very limited and I do not have a lot of money to spend. Any support, however small it may be, would be great.

As you can see, I have lots of work to do in order to start of my little business. But with the right information I could get going.

Although I am being somewhat negative by saying that it would be temporary, I am not expecting a lot of business taking the current economic situation into account, but I would be estactic if I got 3-4 solid days work out of it.

I have a few people (close friends) who started their own business who I will talk to for some basic advice. Any advice that any of ye can give would be great.

(I don't have a target market as such, but I would be limited to 2 story buildings, I have thought of elderly and busy professionals)

Where to start here OP....

OK, everything below is just my humble advice, but first of all, I'd forget this...

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

I have been thinking about window and gutter cleaning.

Only because when you ask someone do they want their gutters cleaned, they will usually think you are a conman or a dodgy operator, because people who get into gutter cleaning in this country tend to be the same folks who turn up at your door and offer to take your old sofa away for 20 Euro, only to take in up the nearest laneway in the back of their Hiace and dump it there for someone else to take away. This will make getting sales much more difficult for you.

I'd also revisit this statement:

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

It is just something that will give me some income until I find a job that matches my skillset.

There is so much opportunity out there at the moment, it is literally hard to know what to go at first... If you want to start up a business and work for yourself, it is the most rewarding thing you can do. But if you spend some time getting the business activity right, you will never look back at PAYE employment again. Working for yourself is hard work, it is a full-time activity and it will usually end up being something that can't be just set aside if you come into a PAYE job again, once you start trading and making money...

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Darragh29 wrote: »

Where to start here OP....

OK, everything below is just my humble advice, but first of all, I'd forget this...

For what reasons exactly? Please don't say "cuz der be a recession going on............"

Only because when you ask someone do they want their gutters cleaned, they will usually think you are a conman or a dodgy operator, because people who get into gutter cleaning in this country tend to be the same folks who turn up at your door and offer to take your old sofa away for 20 Euro, only to take in up the nearest laneway in the back of their Hiace and dump it there for someone else to take away. This will make getting sales much more difficult for you.

So only a minority in our community (the travelling community) Clean gutters? You have a lot to learn.

There is so much opportunity out there at the moment, it is literally hard to know what to go at first... If you want to start up a business and work for yourself, it is the most rewarding thing you can do. But if you spend some time getting the business activity right, you will never look back at PAYE employment again. Working for yourself is hard work, it is a full-time activity and it will usually end up being something that can't be just set aside if you come into a PAYE job again, once you start trading and making money...

I don't think I will be taking any of your advice, thanks but you haven't a clue what you are talking about. Please don't waste your time trying to tell me otherwise...


I would appretiate any advice or tips from someone who knows what they are talking about, a windowcleaner would be great

Anyone know of any outlets that sells professional windocleaning equipment? Mainly detergents and the squigee, I think I have the rest of it pretty much sorted.

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

For what reasons exactly? Please don't say "cuz der be a recession going on............"

So only a minority in our community (the travelling community) Clean gutters? You have a lot to learn.

I don't think I will be taking any of your advice, thanks but you haven't a clue what you are talking about. Please don't waste your time trying to tell me otherwise...

I would appretiate any advice or tips from someone who knows what they are talking about, a windowcleaner would be great

Anyone know of any outlets that sells professional windocleaning equipment? Mainly detergents and the squigee, I think I have the rest of it pretty much sorted.

Grand, off you go and learn the hard way! Don't ask for advice here if you are hostile to listening to the experience of others. I never made an association between travellers and window cleaners. But I've never had anyone offer to clean my gutters who wasn't a traveller, or some chancer. This is my experience and it is well known that anyone who offers to clean your gutters is usually a cowboy. If you want to spend your time in self employment avoiding reality and trying to change people's opinions, rather than making money, that is entirely your own business.

OP, this forum is for people who are engaged in Business & Entrepreneurial activity and the advice you can expect to get here, you will find is fairly consistent with title of the forum you are in. If you want a part time job or need something to tide you over, you're posting in the wrong forum, there is a Work & Jobs Forum here for that...

sneakerfreak

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

I am woundering if I could get some information from the community out there. Since I have been unemployed for some time, I was thinking of setting up my own business. It is just something that will give me some income until I find a job that matches my skillset. I have been thinking about window and gutter cleaning. As I have a car I can travel, until I build up a proper client base I do not mind about profit, once I break even and cover my costs I will be fine. If all I get out of this is some experience then so be it. This is my first step, posting here.

I will ring my local enterprise board soon and see if they have any information. I will also ring FAS to see if they can give me any guidance too. What I am stuck on is the following:

1) Where would one source materials for this work, detergents, overalls, boots and squigees? In the short term I can get a loan of a ladder.

2) What kind of prices would one charge?

3) Do I have to register as a LTD company or what's the story there?

4) What exactly does one need to set up a small business? What kind of support is out there for entrepreneurs?

5) I have thought of creating business cards, or leaflets. I know how annoying junk mail is. The amount of business I think I would recieve from posting leaflets in postboxes would not be great. What would be a good, and not too expensive way, to advertise?

I think I will start with my family, friends and their families, see how it goes and is it worth my while.

I would like to enter the market by competing with prices and targeting rural areas. I cannot think too much how I could differenciate from other window cleaning companies. I have thought of a few things, but not sure how difficult it may be to impliment my ideas.

My income is very limited and I do not have a lot of money to spend. Any support, however small it may be, would be great.

As you can see, I have lots of work to do in order to start of my little business. But with the right information I could get going.

Although I am being somewhat negative by saying that it would be temporary, I am not expecting a lot of business taking the current economic situation into account, but I would be estactic if I got 3-4 solid days work out of it.

I have a few people (close friends) who started their own business who I will talk to for some basic advice. Any advice that any of ye can give would be great.

(I don't have a target market as such, but I would be limited to 2 story buildings, I have thought of elderly and busy professionals)

2. €10 for a small shopfront,€20 and up for larger shopfronts,big name stores are allways willing to pay more than small businesses.Small businesses appreciate a cheap rate,I always did anyway.

3. Dont register anything til someone forces you to.You can make up to €35,000 as far as Im aware without having to pay tax.

4. Try your local Credit Union is my advice mate.

5. Asking door to door mate,thats how its done,you dont need anything fancy,as long as your clean shaven,dont swear and are reasonably clean and wearing some form of work gear/hi-viz vest you wont be told to f--k off outright by anyone.

When it comes to washing gwindows and gutters of peoples homes i dont know much.But this is what I know of washing storefronts.

(oh yeah and also clean up after yoursefl especially in cold weather,soaking pavements leads to accidents and dickheads falling on purpose and trying to claim.).

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Darragh29 wrote: »

Grand, off you go and learn the hard way! Don't ask for advice here if you are hostile to listening to the experience of others. I never made an association between travellers and window cleaners. But I've never had anyone offer to clean my gutters who wasn't a traveller, or some chancer. This is my experience and it is well known that anyone who offers to clean your gutters is usually a cowboy. If you want to spend your time in self employment avoiding reality and trying to change people's opinions, rather than making money, that is entirely your own business.

OP, this forum is for people who are engaged in Business & Entrepreneurial activity and the advice you can expect to get here, you will find is fairly consistent with title of the forum you are in. If you want a part time job or need something to tide you over, you're posting in the wrong forum, there is a Work & Jobs Forum here for that...

What you posted wasn't advice. "People who clean gutters are cowboys or members of the travelling community" WTF is that? Rubbish... that's what.

I came here for advice, read my post, reread it and if you have any advice on it then post, otherwise I rather you didn't. I know you might mean well, but it doesn't come accross as that.


Right now my main concerns are getting the equipment. I have priced some materials and I have made quite a few phonecalls. My next step (hopefully tomorrow) will be to create some card templates, draw up some rough plans. Run them by some people and see what they think. Still have to source some equipment and the price list seems to be very "all over the place". The price varies so much. I know every house is differant, but it's crazy. I can do a little market research to find how much people are willing to spend. Don't want to be robbing people. Ya know?

shoutman

Xavier, he really does have a point. It's very much a common (mis)conception that the vast majority of people who advertise door to door gutter cleaning are cowboys of some sort.
You can't blame people for not being completely trusting when it goes for letting strangers in and around your house. I think therefor its probably best to, as you said you were going to, start off with friends and family and hope that word of mouth helps you along the way. Also do getyourself a nice business card and hand it out to everyone you get talking to, down the pub, next time you talk to some randomer on the bus etc. Might feel stupid but its the best way to do it. I'd imagine that trust counts for an awful lot in this business.
Also as far as equipment go, I reckon most DIY shops would sell the equipment you are looking for, try woodies or if you are in town try Decwells on Georges St.

beertons

^ what he said, great advice.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

sneakerfreak wrote: »

2. €10 for a small shopfront,€20 and up for larger shopfronts,big name stores are allways willing to pay more than small businesses.Small businesses appreciate a cheap rate,I always did anyway.

3. Dont register anything til someone forces you to.You can make up to €35,000 as far as Im aware without having to pay tax.

4. Try your local Credit Union is my advice mate.

5. Asking door to door mate,thats how its done,you dont need anything fancy,as long as your clean shaven,dont swear and are reasonably clean and wearing some form of work gear/hi-viz vest you wont be told to f--k off outright by anyone.

When it comes to washing gwindows and gutters of peoples homes i dont know much.But this is what I know of washing storefronts.

(oh yeah and also clean up after yoursefl especially in cold weather,soaking pavements leads to accidents and dickheads falling on purpose and trying to claim.).

Nice one, thanks for that. I don't think there is much differance between shop fronts and houses. As far as doing the same kind of work. Gutters can be dirty and quite messy. Anything I know is from working at home and on some other properties. Not a lot of experience in it. I have offered to practice on some houses, family mainly. In return they will spread the word about my service. That is where I hope my clientel will branch from. Friends of the family. I could go door to door too, but I haven't thought about it that thorough.

Carrying a mop and some rags wouldn't be a bad idea. Last thing you want when starting a business is a civil case against you for a fall.

At the moment I am paying off a college loan in the credit union, I couldn't afford to get any more money. It would break me. I have a few bob that will get me the basics.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you source your materials? I want to invest in some good equipment, something that will last and that will serve it's purpose well. I could wash windows with water, a rag and some newspaper, but it doesn't look too good

Nice pair of waterproof non slip boots and some overalls should do the trick.

I know things don't happen over night, and it may be months before anything really happens... but it's better than sitting on me arse.

heggie

that info about tax is very, very wrong.

duncanb

I was going to start a retail window cleaning business a few weeks ago but was discouraged when i saw the guys out there washing windows at the moment...i would imagine that if you set up and got alot of business by undercutting these guys they wouldnt be too happy and i imagine would make sure you never cleaned windows again.

My question to the board: Would it be safe in starting such a business?

sneakerfreak

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

Nice one, thanks for that. I don't think there is much differance between shop fronts and houses. As far as doing the same kind of work. Gutters can be dirty and quite messy. Anything I know is from working at home and on some other properties. Not a lot of experience in it. I have offered to practice on some houses, family mainly. In return they will spread the word about my service. That is where I hope my clientel will branch from. Friends of the family. I could go door to door too, but I haven't thought about it that thorough.

Carrying a mop and some rags wouldn't be a bad idea. Last thing you want when starting a business is a civil case against you for a fall.

At the moment I am paying off a college loan in the credit union, I couldn't afford to get any more money. It would break me. I have a few bob that will get me the basics.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you source your materials? I want to invest in some good equipment, something that will last and that will serve it's purpose well. I could wash windows with water, a rag and some newspaper, but it doesn't look too good

Nice pair of waterproof non slip boots and some overalls should do the trick.

I know things don't happen over night, and it may be months before anything really happens... but it's better than sitting on me arse.

if its just some extra cash you need then i would go for it,there is no major outlay

someone said i was wrong on the tax i think there

yes i could very well be mate but tbh washing windows and gutters by yourself is not goin to bring in huge money

and i stand by just doing what you need to do until someone tells you otherwise,thats how i got to where i am.

i ran a number of shops in city center and in another county close to dublin over the years and i still have my own shop in town too and thats where i know any info i have from

there is businesses everywhere needing their frontage spick and span,i really dont know how the immigrants have affected things though,there may quite a few foreigners workin in this business now

sneakerfreak

duncanb wrote: »

I was going to start a retail window cleaning business a few weeks ago but was discouraged when i saw the guys out there washing windows at the moment...i would imagine that if you set up and got alot of business by undercutting these guys they wouldnt be too happy and i imagine would make sure you never cleaned windows again.

My question to the board: Would it be safe in starting such a business?

my advice as allways is to do it until someone says otherwise

if you feel the lads looked like heavies and fear for your safety then maybe think again,fair enough

also are these lads VAT registered?would shops rather deal with a VAT registered cleaner so they can cliam it off their taxes?

small shops will rather pay cash,larger shops might rather get a registered cleaner to do it.

hard to tell

in most areas its probably an oldschool crew who do it,father to son etc who live locally and are known.

duncanb

Ye well i was thinking of doing it in grafton street and surrounds.

I wouldnt quite say heavies, but ye these guys look like they have been around the block alright, wheras i am just a student.

Anyone else know if this would be safe or if there is such a thing as "window cleaning turf wars".???

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

What you posted wasn't advice. "People who clean gutters are cowboys or members of the travelling community" WTF is that? Rubbish... that's what.

I came here for advice, read my post, reread it and if you have any advice on it then post, otherwise I rather you didn't. I know you might mean well, but it doesn't come accross as that.


Right now my main concerns are getting the equipment. I have priced some materials and I have made quite a few phonecalls. My next step (hopefully tomorrow) will be to create some card templates, draw up some rough plans. Run them by some people and see what they think. Still have to source some equipment and the price list seems to be very "all over the place". The price varies so much. I know every house is differant, but it's crazy. I can do a little market research to find how much people are willing to spend. Don't want to be robbing people. Ya know?

Well as retarded as you seem to think my contribution here is, I notice that since my post, you seem to have gone completely off the idea of cleaning gutters and have decided to go exclusively with the window cleaning idea. If you don't accept what I'm saying with regard to the gutter cleaning service, maybe it's time you did some market research.

The cheapest way for you to research this idea would be for you to throw on a hi-viz vest and go out your front door tonight and walk up the street and knock on ten doors and ask ten people who answer, would they like to have their gutters cleaned and see what every single person will tell you. Then try the same approach again with another ten houses on another street. I can guarantee you twenty people will tell you they don't need their gutters cleaned, thank you very much. Come back to us when you have done that and we'll see how viable this particular element of your business idea is...

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Darragh29 wrote: »

Well as retarded as you seem to think my contribution here is, I notice that since my post, you seem to have gone completely off the idea of cleaning gutters and have decided to go exclusively with the window cleaning idea. If you don't accept what I'm saying with regard to the gutter cleaning service, maybe it's time you did some market research.

The cheapest way for you to research this idea would be for you to throw on a hi-viz vest and go out your front door tonight and walk up the street and knock on ten doors and ask ten people who answer, would they like to have their gutters cleaned and see what every single person will tell you. Then try the same approach again with another ten houses on another street. I can guarantee you twenty people will tell you they don't need their gutters cleaned, thank you very much. Come back to us when you have done that and we'll see how viable this particular element of your business idea is...

Are you going to stop anytime soon???

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

Are you going to stop anytime soon???

You came on here looking for advice. Advice you have been given.

Axwell

Darragh29 wrote: »

Grand, off you go and learn the hard way! Don't ask for advice here if you are hostile to listening to the experience of others. ......
.....
OP, this forum is for people who are engaged in Business & Entrepreneurial activity and the advice you can expect to get here, you will find is fairly consistent with title of the forum you are in. If you want a part time job or need something to tide you over, you're posting in the wrong forum, there is a Work & Jobs Forum here for that...

Darragh in fairness you didnt give much advice and basically in your first sentence said give up your idea and forget about it, not very supportive or helpful to be honest. Support and offering advice being the aim of this forum and not solely for people already engaged in Business and Entrepreneurial activities as you stated, everyone has to start somewhere. The lad came on asking a few questions and for advice on a few things not to be shot down in flames for wanting to make an effort and earn a few quid - chill out a bit.

To the OP as Heggie pointed out the info someone gave you on tax is very wrong, have a read on www.revenue.ie for the basics on what you can earn and what tax you have to pay etc.

Darragh29

Axwell wrote: »

Darragh in fairness you didnt give much advice and basically in your first sentence said give up your idea and forget about it, not very supportive or helpful to be honest. Support and offering advice being the aim of this forum and not solely for people already engaged in Business and Entrepreneurial activities as you stated, everyone has to start somewhere. The lad came on asking a few questions and for advice on a few things not to be shot down in flames for wanting to make an effort and earn a few quid - chill out a bit.

To the OP as Heggie pointed out the info someone gave you on tax is very wrong, have a read on www.revenue.ie for the basics on what you can earn and what tax you have to pay etc.

I didn't shoot him down, starting up a business cleaning gutters is an absolute non-runner in my opinion. It's an activity that is associated with cowboys/rogue traders. I take this stuff seriously because I know how hard it is to start up a sucessful business, so if you're going to put the effort in, you may as well take some time to make sure you have the best possible chance of success with regard to the business activity.

If the OP wants to make money, there are lots of activities that he could engage in that would give a substantially better return than trying to get sales based on cleaning gutters, and according to himself, this is his objective, to make money. As he is clearly not open to advice, let him learn the hard way like the rest of us had to...

Axwell

Darragh29 wrote: »

I didn't shoot him down

Darragh29 wrote: »

Where to start here OP....

OK, everything below is just my humble advice, but first of all, I'd forget this...

Hardly bundling praise on the idea in fairness. He didnt come on asking was it a good idea he came on with a few questions, rather than saying your idea wont work you could have tried to answer what he asked then said in your opinion thought it would be a tough thing to make money off. In all your posts i dont see an answer to one question he asked but instead you saying forget it and that you can gaurentee if he went to 20 houses with a hi-vis on not one would want their gutters cleaned, you cant gaurentee anything like that. Ya its more than likely most would say no thanks and a lot think a person is a cowboy at those kind of jobs but cut the lad a bit of slack and ease off. He said himself he wants to make a few quid and break even and at worse case get some experience. Ya its hard working for yourself and trying to make it but hes not trying to setup a multinational over night he's trying to find out how to go about starting off small doing a bit of work doing gutters and windows having never run any sort of business before. If he was to get told to forget it everytime he decided to give something a go and took that advice he wouldnt have much chance of ever making it as an entrepreneur.

Darragh29

Axwell wrote: »

Ya its hard working for yourself and trying to make it but hes not trying to setup a multinational over night he's trying to find out how to go about starting off small doing a bit of work doing gutters and windows having never run any sort of business before. If he was to get told to forget it everytime he decided to give something a go and took that advice he wouldnt have much chance of ever making it as an entrepreneur.

It's hard enough when the idea is right and looks good on paper. It's nigh on impossible when the idea isn't something that people want. It's hard enough to get people to even open their front door to you now if they are not expecting you, because they have it in their heads now that you are either collecting for charity or trying to sell something or are out to waste their time.

All I was doing was trying to point this out to him. It was open to him to go out and prove me wrong, but I suspect he know's I am right. I'd actually like to be wrong here, but there is no way there is a sustainable future in asking people do they want their gutters cleaned. Windows, yes, but gutters, no. I'd nearly go out and knock on ten doors tomorrow to make the point. I've never told anyone posting here before that their idea was fundamentally flawed, I don't make a habit of it, but I don't agree at all that there is any money to be made in cleaning gutters...

delllat

I have worked as a window cleaner in northern ireland and there is good money to be made at it especially if you are fit
dont worry,ul get quicker and develop shhortcuts with experience

i used to do 30 houses per day

Window cleaners all have their "round"

certain streets and housing estates etc that they do consider theirs and return to every 3-4 weeks

in small towns i know this for sure having once had a guy come to try and give out sh*t to me for cleaning windows in an estate which was "his"

people have loyalty and if u do a good job/keep good reputation they will have u back again and again in the small towns

id say in dublin the market would be more wide open and people would tend to accept a cheaper offer

theres competition in every marketplace and i dont see why window cleaning should be any differnt

there are no contracts or laws so id say any area is fair game especially in a big city

just because the other window cleaners might be bigger than u is not something id worry about

i71jskz5xu42pb

You might want to have a look at the new Heights Directive - puts a lot of restrictions on working on a ladder. Will probably not be a big issue if you are just going do to door for residential work but a lot of businesses will want to know that you are insured, legit, working within current legislation. In case you fall and kill yourself, like.

>What kind of support is out there for entrepreneurs?
For the kind of business you are looking at I think the City/County Enterprise boards would be the best place to start.

>I know how annoying junk mail is.
I get a lot of this, all of it goes in the bin.

But fair play for doing something for yourself, don't take too much heed of of Dr Negativo.

aidan.connolly

Hi,
I get the wndows in the house cleaned. I hate heights and never get the time to do them ( 4 bed semi detached with sunroom, a good number of windows and glass doors. ) .
He calls every six weeks without fail, and before he leaves he tells you when he will be calling again. He does not do them if you are not in , but calls back another day. Cost 20.00 Euro which I add 5.00 euro to it because he does a good job.
Check out the tax side of things and also some business may require you have insurance in case you have an accident on their premises or cause any damage.

Good luck with it.

blue4ever

Iamxavier


If you have the money to invest - go for it and fcuk the begrudges! If it works all well and good. If it doesn’t, tell you what, you will have learned a lot.

I do thing the credibility issue has to be overcome, there are, like in all trades / walks of life ‘cowboys’ and they screw it up for everybody. My suggestion would be to start locally, possibly with people you know (even vaguely). They can be used as referrals - nothing beats that, nothing. See if you can do a job of a ’pillar of the community’ if you know what I mean, cop, priest, local TD, councillor - then use that as a referral (only in conversation).

Some other points:
Pay your tax - I ‘hear’ that as the Gov are coming up short money wise they have asked the revenue to look at everybody - so seriously, pay what tax is owing.

Public Liability is an issue - if you are working on a commercial premises they should insist on seeing it

Height and health and safety is one to overcome.
If ye had the money one of these lads would really do the trick and give you the professional look:
http://www.sprayline.ie/classified/coressbrochurepowerwand.jpg

On the marketing side - I just got stuff from Vista print for the first time - we well impressed (esp with the price)

Seriously, if you decide to break into the piggy bank - go for it. And the very best of luck

Darragh29

blue4ever wrote: »

Iamxavier
If you have the money to invest - go for it and fcuk the begrudges! If it works all well and good. If it doesn’t, tell you what, you will have learned a lot.

There is no begrudgery here, only common sense. I'm usually the first on the forum to encourage someone who wants to start up, so I'm not accepting any of this begrudgery crap.

I've been down the road of having taken on a difficult business idea, something that was just too messy and I learnt a valuable lesson from the school of hard knocks, that if there is a kind of even half obvious reason why a business idea might appear on the face of it be too much hassle or the idea might have an inherent problem that will always be there, don't just set logic and sound reasoning aside and plough on with it regardless.

Of course examine the possibility of approaching the business in a way that might eliminate this problem, an example in this case would be the OP setting up a good website and using a good Google Adwords marketing campaign to drive specific traffic to his website and convert sales leads from there into sales orders. If he went at it from this angle, he would be setting himself apart from the cowboys that are operating out there providing this service and he could possibly get a van with a professional logo on it, a uniform and reinforce the message of professionalism his customers would see when he turns up for a job. He could also widen his services to include a gutter repair service. If he wanted to, he could get all this paid for online through his website before he even goes out to do a job, so he isn't dealing with time wasters and tyre tickers, hagglers and the "I've no money on me, sure I'll see ye next week brigade", but a professional online quality customer. All this logic can be applied to window cleaning.

But if he hasn't the back up to do this, and it appears that he doesn't, and even more importantly, he doesn't want to get into this full time, then it's back to knocking on doors offering a gutter cleaning service and I don't think that idea has any future. In fact I think that approach would ultimately cause you to become depressed, because you would just be getting told "no" from one end of the day to the other...

The thing with all of the above, is that the OP doesn't want to run a full time business, which is what the above would turn into very quickly. He wants a few quid until he gets another job.

Axwell

While a website is a good idea for most businesses and certainly wont do any harm i really dont see a lot of the customer type he is going for using the web to search for a window cleaner or someone who cleans gutters so i think you would be wasting money on google adwords. Most people grab the local rag that gets shoved in their door with ads or the business directory or the flyer that got shoved in their door if they happened to keep it for this kind of work. I agree with Darragh about a uniform and looking professional but for the type of business you are in and the fact you dont have much cash flow your options are limited and i doubt the expense of a web site, ad words or a van logo is something thats an option to you. As you say at the end this is a venture into working for himself to make some money and get some experience but not something he plans to go into the the long run.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Darragh29 wrote: »

There is no begrudgery here, only common sense. I'm usually the first on the forum to encourage someone who wants to start up, so I'm not accepting any of this begrudgery crap.

I've been down the road of having taken on a difficult business idea, something that was just too messy and I learnt a valuable lesson from the school of hard knocks, that if there is a kind of even half obvious reason why a business idea might appear on the face of it be too much hassle or the idea might have an inherent problem that will always be there, don't just set logic and sound reasoning aside and plough on with it regardless.

Of course examine the possibility of approaching the business in a way that might eliminate this problem, an example in this case would be the OP setting up a good website and using a good Google Adwords marketing campaign to drive specific traffic to his website and convert sales leads from there into sales orders. If he went at it from this angle, he would be setting himself apart from the cowboys that are operating out there providing this service and he could possibly get a van with a professional logo on it, a uniform and reinforce the message of professionalism his customers would see when he turns up for a job. He could also widen his services to include a gutter repair service. If he wanted to, he could get all this paid for online through his website before he even goes out to do a job, so he isn't dealing with time wasters and tyre tickers, hagglers and the "I've no money on me, sure I'll see ye next week brigade", but a professional online quality customer. All this logic can be applied to window cleaning.

But if he hasn't the back up to do this, and it appears that he doesn't, and even more importantly, he doesn't want to get into this full time, then it's back to knocking on doors offering a gutter cleaning service and I don't think that idea has any future. In fact I think that approach would ultimately cause you to become depressed, because you would just be getting told "no" from one end of the day to the other...

The thing with all of the above, is that the OP doesn't want to run a full time business, which is what the above would turn into very quickly. He wants a few quid until he gets another job.

Have you read anything I posted? Really? Even after I asked you to read and reread it... you still post here, you are just trolling and it's not welcome. Not one bit.

Firstly, I said I do not have the capital to invest into such luxeries as vans and printed logos, secondly, I meantioned that if it took off I wouldn't be seeking other employment. I also mentioned that I have a small client base which I hope to expand. I never said I didn't want to run a fulltime business. I would be operating longer than most businesses. A website will be way too much for a window cleaning service. If I was doing carpet cleaning, tile cleaning, and every other type, then a website would be good. Also, the website is too big to be using when I will be operating in limited areas. As for uniforms, more expenses that I do not want. I will get overalls and a high visibility jacket. I know how important looks are, but I don't have the money to splash out on all the above. Especially when the future of the company is not sure. What's the point in spending so much money?

Really, if you would please just go off to AH to troll and debate, we would apretiate it. I am not here for a debate, but advice. Thank you.

Thanks for all the other advice guys, I have looked further into prices and what not, I have an estimate on materials and it's not looking too bad, starting work on a leaflet tomorrow, expecting that to take a good chunk of the weekend, just to get a template. Got some local businesses that will allow me put some cards in their premisis for their customers to take.

BenjAii

Don't want to get in the middle of a flame war, but the whole thing about gutter cleaning intrigued me, as I didn't previously know about the cowboy association.

Maybe not when you are starting out, but it does mean there is an opportunity there.

If so many people refrain from employing gutter cleaners because they don't trust them, it stands to reason there is a surfeit of gutter cleaning opportunities.

There are numerous ways to attempt to communicate to this market & establish trust.

There's an opportunity there for somebody .....

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

I am not here for a debate, but advice. Thank you.

Obviously only advice that is consistent with your own inexperience, gud' luck to ya!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

BenjAii wrote: »

Don't want to get in the middle of a flame war, but the whole thing about gutter cleaning intrigued me, as I didn't previously know about the cowboy association.

Maybe not when you are starting out, but it does mean there is an opportunity there.

If so many people refrain from employing gutter cleaners because they don't trust them, it stands to reason there is a surfeit of gutter cleaning opportunities.

There are numerous ways to attempt to communicate to this market & establish trust.

There's an opportunity there for somebody .....

Yea so true, I think people here make things up, for what reasons I do not know. Stiring sh!t if you ask me. Trolling even?

I never heard of gutter cleaners being refered to as cowboys and chancers until I came here. I think it is utter bullcrap.

Recently I was approached by somebody who wanted to get into "property managment" business. So we sat down and talked about what we could do. He's a carpenter, so he has some skills that will benifit us greatly. Some jobs have poped up that he rather not do and vice versa. Metting again next week to sort out some smaller issues. Got one job already and some calls, haven't printed out fliers or cards yet. Word of mouth has already reached pretty far. I'm surprised and excited at the same time

Looking to advertise in the local parish notices, it's not too expensive for 3 months advertising. Have met with two other people who have recently started up businesses. Although they are completely differant, I got advice on how they built up their clientel and other bits and bobs. Looking good so far.

I will have to look at the tax side of things, which I haven't touched so far.

Is it compulsory to seek insurance?

shoutman

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

Is it compulsory to seek insurance?

AFAIK it's not but IMO you'd be an absolute fool not to take out insurance.

DubTony

Simple answer to the gutter cleaning thing.

First of all, establish yourself as a window cleaner. Develop a regular route and keep going back. One of the biggest problems we've had with window cleaners is that they do the job once and you never see them again. This is because most guys who clean windows are looking for a fast buck and want it now so they can piss it up against the wall tonight and are too wrecked next day to even get up out of bed never mind get up a ladder.

Some are disillusioned at the fact that only 6 of 100 houses wanted their windows cleaned. Believe me, when somehow shows an interest, let's you do it and appreciates the job well done, they're convinced they'll never see you again. Tell them you'll be back in a month and you'll see them then. AND THEN GO BACK. They'll tell their neighbours and soon you'll have 20 houses out of that hundred.

Offer a good service, deliver a better service and you'll find yourself, in time, cleaning windows when the people aren't home, and a couple of hours every week collecting the money, in your nice clothes

Rocket science this ain't.

At that point you won't have time to shovel crap out of peoples gutters, so it won't be an issue. If you do decide that your real desire is in cleaning gutters, you'll have built a rep as a reliable and efficient window cleaner and those same customers will be happy for you to clean the gutters. Good luck with it.

BTW, 2 years ago in Dublin we were paying a couple of bible preachers, a male and a female (mormons or witnesses or something) €15 a time for doing a 3 bed semi. They came back month after month and they never once tried to tell me about God.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

shoutman wrote: »

AFAIK it's not but IMO you'd be an absolute fool not to take out insurance.

I spoke to my friend who owns his own business and I have asked for a quote, I don't know much about insurance when it comes to businesses and trading, but if it is too much I simply won't be able to afford it. At the moment I definately wont be. I will have to save for it. I will see what the quote is first.

Tony, great advice. I was thinking mainly of window cleaning, but on the side would be gutter cleaning with some other jobs. We have to talk more thoroughly about them though before I go talking about them here. Some jobs we talked about and decided that it might be too much, if we happen to be busy then we may not do it, if we are struggling to get work then it should be doable. €12 is the cheapest I have seen for a 3 bedroom house in dublin, that is front outside only. I got other prices for inside and outside, medium sized house for 20 quid, in my opinion that was a lot of work for little money. Cleaning inside is a lot more time consuming, you also have the issue of trust and what if I break something? Wouldn't do it for everyone just yet. Start small, that's what I am going to do

Darragh29

Nola Millions Alternator wrote: »

Yea so true, I think people here make things up, for what reasons I do not know. Stiring sh!t if you ask me. Trolling even?

I never heard of gutter cleaners being refered to as cowboys and chancers until I came here. I think it is utter bullcrap.

Then your not in touch with reality.

simoniz

sorry wrong post