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Where to start - wfp/trad

Ryan_1984

New member
Messages
9
Location
Essex
Hi all, I have been browsing this forum for some time now. And been toying with the idea to start up own window cleaning round for a while.. Brilliant site, Good reading and good advise.

I am self employed (cab driver) at the moment but completely fed up with long hours for no returns, and been looking for a change of career for some time now.. I have been watching videos (wagga) and practising on my windows and reading this site..

I have around £1.5k to spend on start up costs etc.. Ideally I'd like to go down the WFP route, but I know it's very costly..(thinking of a backpack to start) Want to spend money as wisely as possible.

At the moment I don't have no van/setup. So just a bit of advice if possible..what would be the first point of call?...Where can I get flyers printed (for a reasonable cost)? Should I buy a van now? Or just canvass round where I live (walking distance) I live in suburbs of London.

 
What area?

I would start trad for a couple hundred quid and then save towards wfp if you want to go that route

 
london eh-you will cream up with all those houses if you go trad. i cant comment on WFP as iv never used it.

Dont delay,you want to be doorknockin tomorrow . get a roof bar set for the taxi and a ladder etc .

dont delay cos this is summertime now and its as good as it gets

 
As someone who works with wfp all the time, my advice would be to buy some trad tools and start building a round.

WFP can and in my opinion should come later after you are established. Window cleaning is not for everyone. I have seen people start and pack it in again within months. Better to have some unused trad tools than WFP kit.

As for flyers, look at vistaprint or print your own on A4 and cut them down. This can be very effective.

Good luck.

 
Aah

Not sure what it's like for work now round there

North and west is my stomping ground

Some areas i reckon would be good but wouldn't want to be working round east ham and beckton area

 
My neck of the woods, I'm in Romford. Already too many window cleaners here, I reckon you should move /emoticons/tongue.png

I'm 6 years in to this now, trad and wfp, started on a shoe string and made all the mistakes. I could give you some detailed information that will really help. Have you got a van or a car? how you planing on getting around? Is your £1500 budget on top of money aside for a vehicle?

 
There must be work round that way

All the plastic orange oompah loompas round there must want clean windows

 
ryan, iv just realized you posted summat similar back in FEB , u got the same advice

and now its nearly June. whats holdin you back to startin on the windows ? dont give any sh/t excuses,the lads on this form wont bleve any sh/t.

 
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get your flyers and business cards from instaprint cheaper than vista print and quicker delivery.they informed me that leaflets are generally zero rated vat,hmrc vat notice 701/10,so payed no vat with instaprint, vista print charge vat as standard as they are based in the Netherlands so take up to 2 weeks delivery(unless you pay extra delivery charges) .instaprint prices are cheaper,price advertised on the site is the price you pay,delivery cheaper and ordered on Tuesday 1pm delivered 3.30pm Thursday.

 
ryan, iv just realized you posted summat similar back in FEB , u got the same advice
and now its nearly June. whats holdin you back to startin on the windows ? dont give any sh/t excuses,the lads on this forum wont bleve sh/t .
No excuses mate, dont need excuses for no one. personal reasons.. That I don't need to disclose on forums. But thanks for advise anyway. and well spotted

 
Hey Ryan. I'd say the marketing side is crucial, having basically failed On that myself. If you can build up while you work, fill a day a week, then build on that. Maybe get that day then half your taxi work, build up again then drop to one day, if practicable.

Keep practicing trad on your house and friends, looking at problems with access and issues you meet like reaching high windows, build your kit on what you need. Keep safety first. With that in mind, invest most in safety tools like the stand off, trade ladders, and stabiliser.

I wouldn't like getting ladders off regularly so I invested in WFP, but in retrospect, although I wouldn't have actually won the few jobs I've done, I would have been better with an estate, ladder or two, and trad tools gutter and window to get a foot into the industry first.

 
Start trad, don't even think about wfp till you know you enjoy the work, trad is so cheap, so is the best way for a new starter, get canvassing, practice using the ladders on your own house, and you'll then be on your way...

 
Ryan good luck with your new adventure keep us informed on how well your doing it will also keep you motivated and get out there door knocking as much as possible and get some cheap flyers printed to get you started.

My round has been built on 1000 leaflets and tons of door knocking trust me it's the best way to get work quickly.

 
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