In short: Gus Barillaro moved from 35 years in fruit market retail into a Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchise in Sydney. After a $120 first job in Beverly Hills, he built a 10-year business around proper service, repeat work, pressure cleaning systems, and customer trust.
In a Jim’s Podcast episode, Gus Barillaro shares how a former fruit market retail manager became a Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchisee in Sydney, using proper pressure machines and chlorine-based concrete cleaning to remove dark mould from driveways, paths, and house exteriors.
A Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchise can suit someone who wants local service work, practical systems and direct control over their week. Gus Barillaro has spent 10 years in Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning after leaving about 35 years in retail. This article covers his career change, technical cleaning methods, customer service lessons, and what future franchisees can learn from his story.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
Why Did Gus Barillaro Leave Retail For A Jim’s Window Cleaning Franchise?
Gus Barillaro started as a sheet metal worker after school and earned about 350 a week in the early 80s. He later moved into fruit markets after his father-in-law offered him $100 a day.
The money looked good at the time, but the hours were heavy. Gus says he was doing 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week.
After about 35 years in fruit market retail, the cost became personal. He was leaving early, coming home late, and felt he had missed seeing his kids grow up.
At around 50, Gus decided he did not want to keep doing the same thing until he died. He resigned without another job lined up, which was unusual for him because he had never been unemployed.
His brother-in-law John had been with Jim’s Mowing for maybe 25 years and invited him to try mowing. Gus did not want to pull weeds or mow lawns, but the conversation pushed him to look at other Jim’s divisions.
Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning caught his attention because pressure cleaning appealed to him. When franchisor Steve told him the work also involved window cleaning, Gus was honest. He had never cleaned windows before.
Steve suggested he go out with one of the operators for a week or so. Once Gus tried the work with the right equipment, he says he never looked back.
For anyone looking at owning a Jim’s franchise, that first trial matters. It shows the work before the commitment, not after.
How Did Gus Learn Window And Pressure Cleaning From Scratch?
Gus still remembers his first job. It was a cafe in Beverly Hills, and the job paid $120.
It took him about three hours. On the drive home, he wondered whether the business was really for him.
He kept going because he had already invested in the business. Over time, the hard parts became easier.
A double-storey house once took him all day, mainly because removing and replacing fly screens took practice. Now Gus says he can complete a double-storey in about four and a half to five hours.
The lesson was patience. His franchisor told him to remember how he took things off and put them back in reverse order.
That simple advice helped him improve. After 10 years, the work became second nature.
This is where Jim’s franchisee training matters. New franchisees still need to practise, but training and field support help shorten the learning curve.
What Pressure Cleaning Method Removes Dark Mould From Concrete?
Gus uses proper pressure machines and the right chemical for the right surface. For dark mould on concrete driveways, he says he uses chlorine.
The science is simple. Chlorine-based cleaning solutions oxidise organic growth such as mould and algae. That helps break down the dark staining before pressure cleaning removes the loosened material.
This matters in Australian conditions because many driveways, paths and exterior surfaces sit in heat, rain, shade and humidity. Those conditions can encourage mould and algae growth, especially on concrete and old clad houses.
Gus says chlorine on concrete makes the mould come off “like butter”. Before using the right chemical, he had to go over driveways again and again.
Using the correct method also helps protect time. A driveway that once took ages can become a cleaner, more controlled job when the surface, chemical and pressure are matched properly.
Gus also washes older clad houses. Some customers call because they think the house needs painting, but after Gus removes surface mould, they sometimes realise painting is not needed.
Pro Tips From Gus’s Method
- Match the chemical to the surface. Concrete, cladding, bricks and fences do not all need the same approach.
- Do not rely on pressure alone. If mould has taken hold, the right pre-treatment can reduce repeated passes.
- Inspect before promising results. If a stain cannot be removed, tell the customer before they find it themselves.
Customers looking for exterior cleaning can start with Jim’s Cleaning services and request a local operator for window, pressure and exterior cleaning needs.
Why Did Gus Prefer The Jim’s Flat Fee Franchise Model?
Gus looked at other franchises before joining Jim’s. He says they wanted percentages, while Jim’s offered a flat fee model plus leads.
That mattered to him because he knew what he had to pay. Many people think Jim’s takes a percentage of revenue, but it uses a flat fee model.
For Gus, lead fees became less worrying over time. Early on, he worried that more leads meant more cost.
Then he realised more leads also meant more work. His view changed to: if he had a lot of leads, he had a lot of work, and the work covered the bill.
The wider business structure also helped. Gus mentions franchisors calling once a month, meetings, support and advice across the division.
That structure is different from a risky independent setup where the operator may need to build the brand, systems, lead flow, training and customer trust alone.
Future franchisees can read more about how Jim’s franchising fees work and how much you can earn with a Jim’s franchise. Gus’s story shows why understanding fees, seasonality and lead flow matters before buying any service business.
Why Does Local Sydney Experience Matter In Window And Pressure Cleaning?
Gus works in Sydney, where he says Jim’s is well-known and trusted. His first job was a cafe in Beverly Hills, and he also talks about a friend in Penrith who runs a Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning business.
The local work mix matters. Gus estimates his business is about 70% domestic and 30% commercial.
The commercial side has strong repeat potential. Gus says when he gets a commercial lead, he reckons he has about a 90% chance of going back regularly.
Sydney homes also create varied exterior cleaning needs. Gus mentions double-storey homes, fly screens, tracks, driveways, cladded houses, paths, fences and gutter cleans where access is safe.
Seasonality matters too. Gus says March to September can be quieter, even for an established operator. From September to December, he may do three or four jobs a day, six days a week.
That local rhythm affects quoting, scheduling, marketing and cash flow. Gus tells younger operators to understand that service businesses are not a fixed weekly wage.
How Did Better Customer Service Help Gus Win Repeat Work?
Gus says his strongest point is dealing with customers. He does not walk in cold and go straight for the sale.
He talks to people like he has known them for years. If a house looks good, he says so. If there is a dog, he notices it.
That rapport helps customers feel comfortable. Gus says confidence makes a big difference when converting a lead.
His service mindset changed early in the business. At first, he rushed and was not keen on cleaning tracks.
Then he realised: “This is my business.” From that point, he included tracks and fly screens in the quote and stopped watching the clock.
That change led to referrals. Customers started calling parents and friends because they noticed the difference.
Gus also believes in being honest when a result is not perfect. If he cannot reach a window or cannot remove a stain, he tells the client before they find it themselves.
That approach protects trust. It also fits the Jim’s customer promise and the Jim’s National Guarantee.
What Can Franchisees Learn From Gus’s Quiet-Season Marketing?
Gus gives direct advice for slower periods: make things happen.
In the early days, he door-knocked when he saw dirty driveways. If nobody was home, he left a card. If someone answered, he offered a quick quote because he was already in the area.
Some people said yes straight away. Some said they had been thinking about getting it done.
He also built referral relationships. He met Ian, a blind cleaner, and they started passing work to each other.
That relationship lasted about six years and created a lot of work both ways. Gus says pest controllers and other local service providers can also become useful referral partners.
Real estate agents can also help, but Gus gives a grounded view. Some promise the world and deliver nothing. He has one or two who give regular work, so he looks after them.
In one case, he cleaned a real estate contact’s single-storey house free of charge because that person had sent him plenty of work. Gus saw that three-hour job as a relationship investment.
How Does Jim’s Compare With A Standard Independent Contractor?
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Brand recognition | Starts from zero and must build local trust alone | Uses the Jim’s name, which Gus says is well-known and trusted in Sydney |
| Leads | Must find every enquiry through their own marketing | Can receive Jim’s leads, then build referrals and repeat work |
| Fees | May face unclear costs, ad spend, or percentage-based models | Gus prefers the flat fee model plus leads because he knows the structure |
| Training and support | Must learn systems alone or pay outside help | Field learning, franchisor contact and franchisee support are part of the model |
| Customer standards | Quality depends on the individual operator | Gus built his work around full quotes, tracks, fly screens and honesty |
‘Lead fees meant nothing to me. The more I got, the more work I got.’
– Gus Barillaro, Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning franchisee in Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Gus worked as a sheet metal worker after school, then spent about 35 years in fruit market retail and management. He left because the hours were long and he felt he had missed too much family time.
Gus has been with Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning for 10 years.
His first job was a cafe in Beverly Hills. It paid $120 and took about three hours, which made him question the business at first.
No. Gus estimates his business is about 70% domestic and 30% commercial. He says most of his commercial work becomes repeat work.
Gus uses proper pressure machines and chlorine on concrete when there is dark mould. He says using the right chemical for the job makes the work easier and reduces repeated passes.
Yes. Gus says the flat fee model is fantastic because he knows what he has to pay, instead of paying a percentage of revenue like other franchises he looked at.
Gus recommends more marketing. His examples include door knocking, leaving cards, building referral relationships, and looking after real estate contacts who send regular work.
Yes. Gus says he would have done it 20 years ago. He values the flexibility, the work, the fitness and the ability to control his day.
Key Takeaways
- Gus moved from about 35 years in retail into Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning in Sydney.
- His first job paid $120 and took about three hours, but he kept going and improved.
- He now completes a double-storey house in about four and a half to five hours.
- His business is about 70% domestic and 30% commercial, with strong repeat commercial work.
- He prefers the Jim’s flat fee model because he understands the cost structure.
Take The Next Step With Jim’s
Book A Local Window And Pressure Clean
If your windows, tracks, fly screens, driveway, path, fence or house exterior need attention, a local Jim’s operator can inspect the job and explain what can be cleaned.
Gus’s story shows the value of professional standards: proper equipment, the right process, clear quotes and honest communication when a stain or access issue affects the result.
Every Jim’s job is backed by the Jim’s National Guarantee, giving customers extra peace of mind when booking a local service.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning today.
Start Your Own Jim’s Franchise
Gus Barillaro did not come from window cleaning. He came from 35 years in fruit market retail, tried the work, learned the systems, and built a 10-year Jim’s Window and Pressure Cleaning business in Sydney.
His story is useful for anyone comparing employment, independent contracting and franchising. The lesson is clear: understand the work, understand the fees, prepare for seasonality, build customer trust and use the Jim’s system properly.
Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.