TL;DR
In short: Skagen Fielding joined a Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning franchise with Jim’s Group on the Gold Coast at 21 and did $30,000 revenue in month one. He later built a team of eight and hit just under $90,000 in a month by delegating early, using tight software systems, and applying filtered water window cleaning.
In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Skagen Fielding, a Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning franchisee on the Gold Coast, Queensland, shares how he walked away from a law degree and Army Reserve service to build his business, now running ServiceM8 integrated with Xero to streamline quoting, payroll, and customer communication, cutting admin and scaling output while his team focuses on delivering the work.
A Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning franchise can work if you treat it like a business from day one, not just a job on the tools. Skagen walked into hundreds of unserviced leads every month, worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week in month one, and still said it burned him out. This article covers what he changed to keep growing without breaking himself.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Would A Law Student Choose Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning?
Skagen Fielding was finishing a law degree and hit the part where most people apply for law jobs. He did not want it.
He joined the Army Reserve and went to Kapooka to avoid locking himself into a corporate path. He wanted an outdoor job and started searching for outdoor businesses to run.
That search led him into the Jim’s funnel, where he spoke with Mustafa and decided to take the leap.
He started at 21. He is now 23.
His mum’s advice pushed him over the line. She told him that buying a business and getting real-world experience costs the same as doing a degree. “You’re paying 50 grand either way,” so choose the one that gives real experience.
The first month was proof that the demand existed. He worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for the first month and did 30 grand in that first month.
That pace burnt him out. It also forced him to build systems early, including getting clear on how franchise costs actually work and what the earning potential can look like over time.
How Does Filtered Water Window Cleaning Actually Work?
Skagen described a “special way” they clean windows using filtered water.
Here is what he said happens on the truck-mounted setup:
- One hose fills up the filtration tanks
- One hose spits out the filtered water
This method matters because it changes what stays behind on the glass.
When you clean external windows with filtered water, you remove the minerals that cause marks when water dries. That is why Skagen says it “keeps the windows cleaner for much longer.”
It also changes how you work at height. He described using a pole for external windows, including two or three storeys. Filtered water supports that workflow because the cleaning and rinsing happen in one system.
Pro tips from Skagen’s operation
- Build the setup for efficiency, not ego. He said 15 to 20,000 is the sweet spot for a “really nice setup” that stays efficient.
- Keep it truck-mounted for tight access. He said they do not love trailers because they need to fit into “odd parking spaces.”
- Treat the system as repeatable, not customised. He described predictable outcomes and said “most jobs are one-day jobs,” which lets you plan labour and timing.
What Do You Get That Independents Do Not?
Skagen’s story is a case study in what happens when a young operator plugs into training, leads, and brand trust.
Training
He described the first week as “drinking from a fire hose.” He took notes and said it took him six months to fully understand why parts of the training mattered.
Training continued on the road. He described:
- Two-day Jim’s business training
- Five days on the road for basics
- Ongoing training when advanced jobs appear, like soft washing, roof cleaning, and height work
If you want a clearer view of what that training looks like across divisions, Jim’s lays out the structure here.
Systems and delegation
He built admin systems because the workload forced it. He came home at seven o’clock at night with quotes and invoices still to send, while needing to get up at six o’clock tomorrow.
So he delegated early:
- Bookkeeping and accounting in the first two weeks
- Software doing customer comms and tracking
He named the stack:
- ServiceM8
- Xero integrated with ServiceMate
- MailChimp for marketing
He described ServiceM8 as a system that “automatically messages our customers,” keeps them updated, reminds them of bookings, and helps manage payroll and tracking.
Branding and trust
He said he could email schools across Queensland in week one and get replies because the Jim’s logo created trust.
He also spoke about the misconception around franchise fees. In one month, he said Jim’s took $1,600. He estimated that as “one and a half, 2%.” Joel Kleber, host of the Jim’s Group Podcast, referenced that Jim’s quotes 6%. For a straight explanation of what you actually pay for and why, see this.
Business structure and lead mix
He runs multiple lead channels. He said they have 10 different lead sources including Jim’s, Facebook ads, word of mouth, and flyers.
He also tracks lead source in software:
- About 40% come from Jim’s leads
- 20% from other places
- 40% from repeat recurring referral
That last 40% did not happen by accident. It came from the process.
What Is It Like Running Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning On The Gold Coast?
Skagen started when he was the only franchisee for window and pressure cleaning in the Gold Coast and Brisbane region. He described “hundreds of unserviced leads every month.”
That demand shaped the way he built the business.
Range and travel
He said they mainly work between Tweed and Coomera. For a big enough job, they will go as far as Byron to Brisbane.
Customer mix
He said about 85% of their work is residential through Jim’s leads, with 15% commercial.
That range includes:
- Smaller residential jobs like windows and driveways
- Large commercial clean-ups, including a $40,000 job
- Bunnings leads, including $5,000 window cleans
Scaling in a service region
He built up to eight people, using a mix of contractors and staff. He also said he does not micromanage. He prefers trusting the team as long as the customer is happy and the work is done correctly.
He also described that every worker has their own vehicle and is responsible for equipment and consumables, including going to Bunnings to stock up.
That structure matters in a spread-out region. It removes bottlenecks.
If you are weighing up this division as a path to business ownership, read this.
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Lead flow | Often relies on one channel | 10 lead sources plus Jim’s leads at 17 bucks each |
| Admin workload | The owner does quotes, invoicing, and follow-up | ServiceM8 + Xero integration reduces admin load |
| Trust factor | Must build a brand from zero | Jim’s logo creates instant trust for schools and commercial work |
| Scaling | Hiring is often ad hoc | Delegation from week two, tracked payroll weekly, structured roles |
| Referral system | Often passive | $50 referral vouchers, door hangers, tracked lead source outcomes |
“Skagen Fielding, Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning franchisee in Gold Coast: ‘Our most important metric, more so than how clean is the window or how clean is the driveway, was whether the customer was happy’“
FAQ: Jim’s Window & Pressure Cleaning Gold Coast
Skagen said about 85% is residential through Jim’s leads and about 15% is commercial. He also gave examples from small residential jobs to $40,000 commercial clean-ups.
Skagen said he pays 17 bucks for a lead from Jim’s. He also said Jim’s leads convert best compared to other lead sources they use.
Skagen said a starter pack starts at about 12,000 to get fully kitted out with professional gear. He also said 15 to 20,000 is the sweet spot for an efficient setup, and you could spend 100,000 if you wanted to.
Skagen described a two-day business training plus five days of on-the-road training for basics. He also said training continues for at least the first year as new job types come up.
Skagen said there is not a lot of heavy lifting, but you are on your feet all day. He also said external window work can involve an extended pole for two or three storeys.
Skagen said he delegated bookkeeping in the first two weeks and implemented ServiceM8 with Xero integration. He did that because the workload was not sustainable if he kept doing “three hours doing computer work” at night.
Skagen described an example operator who works three or four days a week, six hours a day, and makes three grand a week. He said the division can suit people who want to stay solo or scale.
Key takeaways
- Skagen did 30 grand in month one by working 12 hours a day, seven days a week, then changed the system to avoid burnout.
- He delegated bookkeeping in the first two weeks and used ServiceM8 + Xero to cut admin.
- He built a referral engine using real $50 vouchers and door hangers, leading to 40% repeat recurring referral work.
- He tracks lead sources and runs 10 lead sources, with Jim’s leads as the strongest converter.
- He built for eight people and kept jobs predictable by treating most work as one-day projects.
Take The Next Step
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Explore Franchise Ownership With Jim’s Group
Skagen walked away from a law career at 21 and built systems, a team, and a repeatable referral engine in just over two years. If you’re looking for a service business where training, leads, and ongoing support reduce the risk of going it alone, this is it.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.