You only get one chance to make a first impression, but when the worst of the winter weather is taking its toll, it’s difficult to keep exteriors looking fresh and clean.
Having decided to spread his wings and leave the family business, Andrew Browne founded A2B Exterior Cleaning to help clients ensure their premises – domestic and commercial – not only look good but are safe and in prime condition.
The company cleans patios, driveways, guttering, fascias, soffits and cladding, as well as providing general grounds maintenance. General maintenance can include ensuring that car parks and green areas are tidy, making them safer and giving the building ‘kerb appeal’, and window cleaning for conservatories and commercial buildings.
Andrew said: “First impressions count both for your home and your business premises and looking clean and tidy makes all the difference when welcoming visitors. So many companies have fantastic, modern interiors but if the first thing people see is dirty paving stones or marks on the walls where the gutters have overflowed, then that’s not a good look.
“This time of year, when it’s been so gloomy for months, places do start getting dirty. We’re all looking forward to spending more time outside within the next few months, which is why this is always one of my busiest times of year, getting rid of the effects of winter.”
Andrew was between jobs when he joined his father’s landscape gardening business as a temporary stop-gap and stayed for seven and a half years. On holiday a few years ago with his wife, Harriet, Andrew began to give some thought to what the future might hold.
“We decided to go travelling in Asia for four weeks and it was during that time I realised that I wanted to be in charge of my own life and not be reliant on the family business,” said Andrew.
“Sitting in a beach bar somewhere, talking about our five-year plan, I knew I needed to come up with something I could do for myself. Although it wasn’t a big part of our work as landscape gardeners, we had done a bit of patio and driveway cleaning and I saw that as an area I could move into.”
Once home, Andrew began his research, secured a bank loan to buy the first round of necessary equipment and set about advertising his services on social media and through networking groups. By June 2020, A2B Exterior Cleaning was working for its first clients and the business has grown steadily from there.
“I’ve been lucky,” said Andrew, “I’ve had friends who’ve recommended me and I’ve met some fantastic people through networking. And Harriet has been incredibly supportive, she’s my rock, listening to me and giving me advice when I needed it and she’s become more involved in the business as time has gone on.
“Our twin girls arrived 15 months ago, so there hasn’t been a lot of breathing space, but now that they’re a bit older and at nursery, Harriet is taking on some of the office work and she’s going to start doing a bit of networking. It’s a great set up with the girls, because it means I can plan my work to spend as much time with them as possible, and Harriet is around most of the time.”
The business has grown mainly by word of mouth and through networking and Andrew has been cautious about its steady growth, investing and upgrading equipment as and when the time was right.
Particularly in the commercial sector, providing a quality service can quickly turn into new opportunities as company owners and premises officers recommend companies to their contacts.
“One thing leads to another and if you do a good job it goes from there,” said Andrew. “My satisfaction comes from getting a message from a client, when they see the finished work, usually after I’ve already left, and tell me how happy they are with it. “All I want to do is help people and educate them as far as I can about how problems occur.
So, for instance, keeping gutters clear stops water overflowing, so the walls don’t get so dirty and marked, but what people might also not realise is the internal problems you can get from that water soaking into the brickwork.
“When I can help someone avoid bigger problems, or keep their business or home safe and looking good, that’s what makes me happy. I just want to make a difference for people.”
Find out more about A2B Exterior cleaning by calling 07714693714 or follow A2B Exterior Cleaning on Facebook
