He hasn’t, he started pwing late last year ,if I recall. Been a window fella for maybe 24 ,I’m assuming
How’d the bank go ? You turbo nozzle your way through the vault and take all the loot and bobbles n what nots ?
We turbo nozzled a two story brick building from top to bottom lol
I think you took what @Racer said the wrong way. I’m sure what he intended was ‘better’ in the sense of more profitable clients, not that they’re better people.
I know I’m not the ideal customer for many companies that offer services I could use. I’m not spendy (but not cheap, either) and I can be fairly picky about what I pay for.
Nothing wrong with helping folks out who need it. You just need to balance that against your primary objective of building a profitable client base.
I get it, totally understandable.
I look at it this way. My friend works at Ford, making about $18/hr. He works weird shifts in a hot building, has muscle spasms from lifting tools and suspension parts for ten hours, and his take home a week is around $540 after taxes. We as window cleaners and pressure washers are completely privileged to take home that EVERY DAY if not more, so I have no problem doing a 4 hour house for $500 compared to some of the jobs I’ve had in the past.
I come from humble beginnings, it’s hard to forget that.
I LOVE dirty vynal!
Right? Much more satisfying than washing some clean house. Same goes for a nasty window.
Nothing wrong with being humble but if as business owners we can maximize our return on time, money, and training that’s a huge win!
I agree with what you’re saying. I worked in the hospitality business for almost 20 years waiting on tables. A good night for me in that time period was $150 for a shift. Worked darn hard for every dollar. Th other day I was thinking about the money I used to make as a waiter compared to the money I make washing houses/concrete and I really appreciate the craft that we do.
Racer you are my hero,I love making money as much as the next guy but at this point in my life when I can help someone in need that’s what makes the world go around,the prices some of these guys charge is sinful,keep up the good work
Yes it is,these guys with the giant rigs are not impressing me,I don’t need two 8 gal machines to go clean a small house and I don’t need to charge hundreds of dollars for a job that will take me 30 minutes
You ever compose a reply to someone, but then get distracted with another thread before you hit post? This popped up when I opened this thread. I had drafted it way back when this was an active discussion. I think it’s still relevant, I guess:
Totally hear ya. $500 is not bad at all for even a full days work.
Also, most guys here with larger machines and a more dialed-in workflow would probably have had it done in 2 hours or less. I might’ve had it done in 3. Not sure.
So no one should really tell you that $500 wasn’t enough for that house (and actually, not sure if anyone actually has said that; maybe I’m arguing with the voices in my head again)
At any rate, I try not to think about what people in the labor force bring home each week; it kind of depresses me, and makes me just a bit guilty feeling. My brother in law works the night shift in the bakery of a chain grocery store. I have made more in one hour of work than he usually takes home in a week (they won’t give him a full 40 hours because they’re too cheap).
I was talking with a friend of mine this afternoon who does missionary work in Zimbabwe. He said that hired laborers there take home between $100 and $200 a month, and they’re treated almost like slaves.
What helps me with the “guilt” (for lack of a better word), is reminding myself:
- I offer a service that to most people is an optional expense
- There are cheaper options available to them
- I am never dishonest or unethical in any part of my business dealings
- People have me back time after time and write the check with a smile on their face
- I try not to be selfish and look for ways to share my success with others
- and so on.
Exactly. I’ll also add that self employment labor doesn’t stop when we drive off, that $200/hr gets spread out over many more hours at home dealing with…stuff. For every day we provide a service there are two more dealing with CPA’s, Quickbooks, avoiding crazies on the roads, keeping vehicles and equipment up to par, doing countless searches on this site etc.
And that’s just the PW part of my business!
He means that you should focus on a different audience… It’s good advice man… If you focus on the wrong neighborhoods you’ll starve
Nah. I have too much going on with window cleaning and screen repair. PW is a ‘fill in’ service for me. I do like one house a week, if that.
Til your arms give out…
My back isn’t happy, does that count?
2 hours for every paid hour? You lost me there.
Hyperbole, I’m sure. It certainly feels like it at times, though…