The Competition- Friends or Foes?

Are There Window Cleaning 'Turf Wars' in Scranton, PA

Losing Accounts Happens

Very few people involved in a service or sales business enjoy the luxury of having no competition.

For those who may have cruised through the years with very little competition, they'll likely find out over time that someone is catching enough attention from their target market to make them take notice as well. Yes, all of us who are professional window cleaners, or professional anything for that matter, can get protective of what currently belongs to us. I'm not aware of any turf wars in Scranton, at least not in the service field! For sure, it's never pleasant to find out you lost an account to another company. Does that make the window cleaners who are now servicing what you had 'thieves'? Did they steal your account? Some may see it that way, but since we likely don't have a legal right to the account, we either lost it because of a real or perceived deficiency from the standpoint of the business manager or because our competition convinced the manager to make the switch. So does that make this company a foe?

Knowing Your Competition Is Not a Bad Thing

How does one deal with the potential of losing market share or having to work harder to maintain the desired customer base? 
There are many different ways business owners react to competition. They range from hatred and outright hostility to striking up a conversation, talking shop, passing along leads, and networking. It all comes down to how you view others who offer the same or similar goods/services as you. Do they pose a true threat to your livelihood or just to your ego? Or are they potential peers that you can coexist with and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with? I've been the recipient of treatment toward both ends of the spectrum. I've found that worrying and stewing over ill-treatment or someone 'invading your turf' (as if anyone owns the 'turf') is a waste of time and energy.
Here's my take. I do agree that there is plenty of work to go around for everyone. In my main service offering, which is window cleaning in Carbondale, Scranton, and surrounding towns, there are different types of customers. I'd like good ones of course, but I realize that I need to focus on how good I am or how good I present myself to those that I'd like to have as customers. Oft-quoted Jim Rohn said "Don't wish it were easier. Wish you were better." I try not to worry about who has what account and how much he's charging. I endeavor to move forward and stay ahead of the curve. I like to be real good at a few things: window cleaning, power washing, and roof cleaning,  and leverage my time in one location by offering multiple services. And as long as I believe that other companies are running things legally and offer a good level of customer service and also don't want to cut me down, I'm fine with being friends and networking where it is plausible. 

At Dan Wagner Window Cleaning, we keep on keeping on. And we get along with just about all of our colleagues! 

Call or text us at 5706300326  You'll like what you see!

Best Window Cleaners in Scranton PA

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What's Included in Window Cleaning Prices

What goes into residential window cleaning pricing?

Some may assume that the price of a service, the end product brought to their door, simply includes parts and labor, so to speak.
While that is part of the story, there is a whole lot more involved in the prices that professional cleaning companies- window cleaning included- quote a homeowner or business owner. Here are some factors beyond simply performing the function of window cleaning that make up professional pricing:

  Quality results call for quality tools. Someone with enough time and determination can do a great job with a store-bought cleaning spray and paper towels, but more appropriate tools save time and energy.
 Vehicles, whether modest or flashy need to get a contractor who provides all necessary equipment where he needs to be on a consistent basis. This requires maintenance and good 'ol fuel and oil.
 Is the assurance that you will have the owner or well-trained employees at your property important to you? It costs money to operate a business legally and conscientiously. Insurance to protect your property from damage caused by accidents, taxes, and expenses associated with operating 'above-table', advertising, pleasant attire for those who are working in public or your precious home- these all incur an expense, month after month, year after year.
Also included is enough profit for the business owner to continue providing good service and retaining a good staff, and also having reason to stay in the window cleaning business!

So, when you are looking for a window cleaner near Honesdale, Scranton, Carbondale, Lake Ariel, or the like please remember that peace of mind and a superb choice carry some cost, but the experience is worth it.

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning brings you the complete package!  Call or text us at 5706300326                                                              
                                               Project from September 2013- Honesdale, PA

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What's Included in Window Cleaning?

What is included in window cleaning? This is a question that may have as many answers as respondents.
And I've found, as a professional window cleaner in the Scranton area since 1986, that what my customers expect varies to the point where I am wise to explain beforehand what my standard service includes.
Among residential window cleaning contractors, I find from speaking and connecting online with them, that some focus mainly on the glass itself, and a good cleaning of frames, sills, and screens demands an extra charge. This can be a good customer option for the budget-conscious or downright confusing and disappointing to others. Again, it all depends on what each customer wants or expects. Other companies include more of the window area as standard service and charge extra for screen cleaning, or just include screens along with everything else.

Pros and Cons of Selected Services                                                                                                            It is a smart strategy to compare the advantage of saving money with an 'a la carte' window cleaning order with saving time and potential frustration by getting the whole spectrum of luxury window cleaning. You may potentially cut your costs considerably by getting glass cleaning only. This would be where you pay extra for sills, frames, and screens to be cleaned. Still, these 'upcharges' as some companies define them, may be quite reasonable in the big picture. Something to think about is how you will feel if you know the glass is perfectly cleaned,  but the screens are dirty enough that you still are not getting the clear view you had hoped for. Or what about when you open your windows and there are spiders, grime, and dirt in the openings? If this is something you don't mind handling yourself, you've saved yourself some money! If you know you won't or really can't take the time to do it, the 'full service' is probably the best option.                                                                                                         My company decision, after many years of cleaning windows for residential clients, is to provide all features listed above as my standard offering. I feel that I want a lasting reputation for homeowners and their visitors to be a contractor who leaves things looking amazing automatically.

If you'd like all-in-one pricing for window cleaning in Honesdale, Hawley, Carbondale, Scranton, or anywhere nearby call or text us!     570-630-0326

Hawley, PA

Does Personal Appearance Really Matter?

The times are changing

We are now well into the 21st century and there is greater diversity in personal appearance almost everywhere every year. So when I ask the question "does personal appearance really matter?" I know I need to be specific: does it matter period? Does it matter to me? Does it matter to the people I clean windows and provide other services for?

Of course, I have my personal opinions. However, in this installation, I am most concerned with both the deepest impressions that are left upon my customers and the way I or any employees that I may have fit into the 'culture' I endeavor to bring to residential and storefront doors. 

Business owners need to care about their team's appearance

I really liked this post from a thread in a forum I often visit- Window Cleaning Resource "The customer sets the bar for acceptable appearance....." That really represents something I take seriously. And while I admittedly operate partly on assumptions of what my customers care about, I truly do believe that my target market appreciates neat, clean-cut, and conservative. Short of conducting a survey after the service, I think the true perceptions of my clients are reflected in their readiness to have me back again to walk from room to room in their homes to get to their windows, and their willingness to refer me to their friends. This is providing that the quality was top-notch. I guarantee quality and become very concerned when it comes into question.

So, I'll reveal this: I don't really think that neatly-groomed, uniformed service persons without tattoos and body piercings are necessarily more capable of providing quality results than those with less conservative appearances. However, I choose to present myself and my crew on the conservative side. I think over time it gives me a bit of an edge, even if it can't be put into words, over service companies with a more 'relaxed' approach.

If you appreciate traditional-looking workers on your property along with superior quality, check us out- Window Cleaning in Honesdale, Scranton, and Carbondale

You call or text us at 5706300326

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What Is More Important?

I have come to realize there is a regular need to remind myself, as I'm servicing people's homes, of what is more important. To be more specific, is what my customer expects from me, what I want out of my job, or what I think the customer needs the most important issue requiring my thoughts and energies. 

From a completely practical standpoint a service business owner should want prospects to seek him out. Generally speaking, one seeks out a luxury service, such as residential window cleaning or power washing, either for pleasure and pride or to alleviate the hassle or pressure of doing it oneself.  

So back to the question- "what is more important?"- it is what my customer wants from me and additionally how I can take care of that. After 27 years, I realize that adequately providing for my family is the main goal on my side of the coin and that merely deriving enjoyment or some self-fulfillment is secondary. Still, it goes right along with my personality to love making people happy. In this case, it's 'icing on the cake'. 

                                         Want to be happy?

               Residential Window Cleaning in Honesdale and Scranton

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