We have been having the hardest time finding good help! I know this can be a common problem in this industry, and any industry for that matter. How have you guys found good help?
Craiglist and a ton of patience. If you call 10 people in for an interview you might get 3 show up. But even if you hire someone keep looking keep interviewing.
And cut them loose fast. If they can’t get the basic concept in a couple weeks they probably won’t get it. They don’t need to master it they just need to show they can learn. Let them go because you’re not doing them a favor trying to drag them along.
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We’ve actually been using a employment agency to help with hiring new guys. They do the background checks, drug test, etc. and so far they’ve helped us fine two guys that we’ve been using so far this summer.
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That’s a really good tip! Thanks. We will have to look into that
You know the ol saying “you wanna job done right you gotta DIY” totally true. I helped train a few people at a window cleaning company and it was a nightmare. Couldn’t trust them to do a good job unfortunately, trying to find people that care about quality is very very hard. Its like hunting for a gold nugget in a mountain of rocks lol. The downside is if you want a bigger company you gotta have employees. Personally I’m keeping it a family business, just me and Trad-Girl, possibly one or both of the kids when they are older but only if they want to. Dont think i fancy the headaches of employees
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I have the joy of operating a family business. My son works FT with me and 2 of my daughters work PT. I pay them well and teach them the values and work ethic that my dad taught me. Not everyone has resources like that but I am blessed. They may not stay in the business with me but they know what a days work for a days pay is. With window cleaning skills and some experience you can go anywhere in the free world and make $15-20 an hour cleaning windows.
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That’s awesome! Setting up franchise there 
. We still currently looking. Hopefully we will be able to hold a few interviews this week and find a good fit for our business.
I’m at that stage where I’m turning work down as I cannot fit anyone else in - or look to hire someone to help grow the business. Been thinking about it for a couple of months now but have such a good reputation that I dont want to lose it by hiring someone who wont maintain my standards. Plus its now my busiest three months so I wont have time to have a newby by my side. Maybe the new year I’ll look seriously at this and go from there. Or not. We have fairly strict laws on hiring and firing employess here in New Zealand so I’m really wavering between taking someone on or staying solo.
Anyone wanna migrate here and help out??
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You must be busy! Totally understand about being too busy to train. Thats the problem we are in now. Its a little easier having two of us tho. We are looking to hire hopefully come dec or jan. Let me know how things turn out for you .
I’m a great window cleaner, my business is slow because I just started. In the meantime, I need more money to provide for my family, but I can’t work for any other window cleaners because they don’t like it when you build your own business. Its a dog eat dog world for the motivated guys who would like to stay in the trade, but their employer looks at you as competition. Now I’m forced to work at a job not related to window cleaning, and build my business. Right now I’m working for myself only, and giving myself 2 months dedicated to building everyday. If it doesn’t add up, I’m going back to part time until my time comes.