That’s been my business plan up to this point mostly based off of the recommendations from this forums but as I grow I’m looking for services to keep an additional employee busy and still turn profit during slower periods. As of right now I have enough work to keep me and one guy busy but bringing on another makes me want to have more flexibility. It’s just as easy to say no to these services when too busy with the main gig which would be pressure washing. Even if it is a smaller margin, I’m considering window cleaning and deck/fence staining(only under the most ideal circumstances).
Edit: I do agree with the methodology of being the best at one thing but subsequent services shouldn’t hurt as long as the focus stays on the bread winner. Granted this is dependent upon offering them all at high quality. After typing this I’m realizing that this is the challenge. I may digress. It’s just an idea at this point.
That’s understandable and completely logical. As a one man show, I try to keep it very simple. Houses, flatwork, light commercial, some wood (see your comment on circumstances) and gutter cleaning.
I agree stay in the fields it’s best, to stay focused. I am new and can upsell a very large percentage of window customers on house and flat and roof - ahh seee!!! Next year is going to be all new once I get my SEO and new wordpress site.
Using 3% out of a 12v for a house wash mix is way too strong. That’s strong enough to clean a roof. Not sure where you saw guidelines for that but maybe you confused it with something else. Most here try and get about 1% or less hitting the house. I’ve seen someone mention as low .6%. If your windows have white streaks you’re not rinsing good enough but using a weaker mix should help that too.
Just curious, why aren’t you down streaming your house wash mix? Just for an example on how I wash houses I usually mix 2 gallons of sh and 3 gallons of water and then down stream that through a High Draw Injector. Using that mix will usually kill the algae in about 3-5 minutes.
I’ve had more and more people ask about exterior window cleaning too. I definitely plan on adding it next season. A big reason is because of @Patriotspwashing post from sometime last year where he said he can make an additional $120 for 20 minutes with of work and $2 worth of pure water. Seems like an easy and quick up sell. He had that thread for his homemade backpack window cleaner too. After a house wash all it takes is spraying some pure water on each window for a few seconds. That could really add to the profits especially for the little time it takes to do so. My hourly pressure washer rate isn’t $360 very often so seems like a no brainer for me at least.
The new Xero Timberwolf seems to be a heck of a deal. High mod carbon fiber, includes a 12’ traditional pole, and a Tucker hybrid brush for $999. Also designed with a handheld brush holder to use WFP on ground level windows. Will probably be my next purchase.
For houses generally all you will need is a 30’ pole every once in a while you may need a 40’ not so much for height, but for reach out as you go up. Like if you are trying to reach a second/third story window out over a porch roof.
I understand the idea of narrowing down services to only the most profitable, I have stopped cleaning gutters, roofs and am working on dropping interior windows. But I think exterior windows will alway be something I offer. For me it pays well and the option is a simple add on that is even different from a marketing stand point. Works for me.
The Micro is a great pole for residential. It collapses to 54", extends to 30’. You do need to add MODULAR extensions to increase length, not TELESCOPING. Something to consider.
Where in the world did you see anything about using 3% on a house unless it’s pitch black with algae? First, you have a nice washer. Downstreaming twice as fast. Get your mix down to 1% or less as @marinegrunt said and you’ll pretty much eliminate your window problems. And if you do have to use a strong mix, prewet windows, rinse them immediately and don’t even think of letting your mix start to dry on them.
I’m going to be 100% honest with you, when I was in the field everyday Windows wasn’t a bad idea.
My last window customer was actually today, we are scrapping windows until next Spring when I can hopefully hire a full time guy to do inside and outside if the numbers are there.
I think I was actually doing myself a disservice trying to up sell windows, to me I have to be $120 plus to be worth it.
After looking at quotes with windows and ones without I noticed a huge difference in conversion rates.
Customers I was trying to upsell exterior windows to went shopping and found out that for a few bucks more they can get someone that will do the inside/outside and take there screens out.
As I grow I’m cutting services and sticking to easy trainable, highly profitable services. Vinyl siding and concrete. Maybe add windows in the future again.
For now I need to focus on marketing and sales and not out scrubbing windows.
Now if it was just me out there working I’d do exterior windows in a heartbeat as it’s worth it then.
Maybe the $$ is simply in the post housewash SPOTFREE RINSE, and that’s if we can get the windows clean with the housewash. Not actual window scrubbing cleaning $, but some kind of a bump up. I’d either that, or clean windows just remains a perk.
@Racer It gets frustrating with a light mix going over the same spot and waiting and waiting. It uses my time and patience, both finite. How many passes will you need to make with a 1% mix on the shaded algae infested parts? Anyways you really think it’s causing this window streaking activity, having it too hot?
@Patriotspwashing i agree, I’m the owner of a professional power washing business. Not a window cleaner. Next year with SEO working I’ll be just there. For me, I LOVE this stuff It’s more to have that extra tool on hand to crush the job. I bid windows on the high side and really look for power washing jobs and until the SEO is up I stay grinding.
(NOW GO GET THE XERO FROM THE TRUCK SHE WANTS HER WINDOWS DONE FOR ANOTHER $220)
Even if I’m pulling straight SH on pulling about .7 with my machine. I generally soap each side twice if pretty dirty, from 2 different angles, then move to next side and soap it while waiting. Soap 2nd side and come back and rinse. A good rule of thumb is mildew should disappear in 6-7 minutes. Faster than that you’re probably too hot a mix
(NOW GO GET THE XERO FROM THE TRUCK SHE WANTS HER WINDOWS DONE FOR ANOTHER $220)
