New to waterfed poles

[DDs]

Hi

I'm having a career change just now and looking at a few options of starting my own business, Window cleaning is one I'm doing research on and the only thing I was wary about was going up ladders (bad experience decorating /emoticons/biggrin.png) I know the basics of starting up a business and ive read about marketing etc on here but I need help on what equipment i will need. I'm unsure whether to start with a backpack and work up or just get the trolly unit. What would be best to start with? I don't want to go out and spend a few thousand and not use most of it. Any help would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Taxlossloz]

Hello mate

You would prob be best reading through previous threads as it's been asked many times .. Then if you need be more specific

 

[Marko067]

Hi DD

If you are going to work from a car or small van then I would make sure you can fit at least eight 25ltr barrels of water in it along with your trolley. I can vouch for the Pure Freedom trolley (there are other similar ones) as it's the one I use and I believe it to be the most compact when it folds down. It's also easy to maintain. I opted for the trolley from day one as I felt it looked more professional than a backpack strapped to a sack barrow. However, the latter is a much cheaper option (less than a quarter of the cost of a trolley in most cases) as a starting point and there are many on these forums who swear by them and use them all the time. I was loaned a backpack to get me started and once I saw how good the WFP method was I went straight out and bought a purpose built trolley and never regretted it.

Whatever option you go with though, don't skimp on your Pole. Buy the best you can afford. I can thoroughly recommend Gardiners Poles especially the SL-X range. The latest bit of kit to revolutionise the way we work is the Uni-valve and tubeless pole kit from ex-ceed that you may have read about on this and other forums. This is used to switch your water flow on and off and save you having masses of hose at your feet.

You will also need to decide whether you can or want to buy your pure water locally or produce it yourself. If you want to produce it yourself I suggest starting another thread or reading through some older ones to get an idea of what you will need. You will need to know what your local water quality is before you start. You will need a TDS meter. They're cheap to buy.

There's a start! :thumbsup:

 

[albootyerbaws]

check this video great help. [media]

[/media]

 

[tlwcs]

check this video great help. [media]

Your so naughty albootyerbaws

 

[albootyerbaws]

Your so naughty albootyerbaws

:laugh::laugh:

 

[spruce]

Hi
I'm having a career change just now and looking at a few options of starting my own business, Window cleaning is one I'm doing research on and the only thing I was wary about was going up ladders (bad experience decorating /emoticons/biggrin.png) I know the basics of starting up a business and ive read about marketing etc on here but I need help on what equipment i will need. I'm unsure whether to start with a backpack and work up or just get the trolly unit. What would be best to start with? I don't want to go out and spend a few thousand and not use most of it. Any help would be great.

Thanks.

What other things were you thinking of doing apart from window cleaning, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[DDs]

What other things were you thinking of doing apart from window cleaning, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm a barber so opening my own shop. Cost wise it's about 5-6k for a basic shop so much more expensive and earnings can be £500-800 per week so a decent return but I hate being indoors. I was then thinking cleaning houses and ovens but again indoors and boring. I've looked into a food van doing fresh pizza and a selection of world foods just something different from the usual burger and bacon roll but I dunno if it would work and I see more burger vans than window cleaners here. I enjoy working outdoors and know how to work hard so window cleaning might suit me.

 

[Taxlossloz]

So how will you fit in both as the shop will need full attention surely ?

 

[DDs]

So how will you fit in both as the shop will need full attention surely ?

I'm not doing both it's 1 or the other. I'm willing to put hours in but I like a day off every so often /emoticons/biggrin.png. I'm not rushing into anything yet just looking at what I need and going to go around my area see if there's any potential customers. I live in a well off area and I'm hoping if 1 neighbour has a window cleaner others might want to keep up with the Jones's. I've never seen a window cleaner round my area so either there isn't a need or they just don't exist here.

 

[spruce]

I'm a barber so opening my own shop. Cost wise it's about 5-6k for a basic shop so much more expensive and earnings can be £500-800 per week so a decent return but I hate being indoors. I was then thinking cleaning houses and ovens but again indoors and boring. I've looked into a food van doing fresh pizza and a selection of world foods just something different from the usual burger and bacon roll but I dunno if it would work and I see more burger vans than window cleaners here. I enjoy working outdoors and know how to work hard so window cleaning might suit me.

I'm afraid to say that window cleaning can also be boring and demotivating. My son says I'm the only one he has ever seen who can slip into a coma and remain standing upright. I sometimes reclean a window to be sure as I have to recollection of cleaning it, even although its wet. Window cleaning also sucks when the weather is bad, the wind blowing and freezing cold.

Some people need to be employed in a structured environment as they don't have the self discipline to manage their own working times. But few will admit to it though. My son in law, who used to work as a window cleaner as well prefers a warm office to the cold and wet of outdoors winter.

Its all about your attitude to what you do, no matter what or how humble it is that you do.

There are a lot of threads on this forum regarding what equipment you would need to start a w/c business. If you are starting from scratch wfp then there is also an outlay for equipment - its not cheap. Traditional cleaning off ladders was always viewed as an inexpensive way of getting started in window cleaning - we did that. You could get started for a small outlay of around £300 using the family car with roof racks. Canvass for customers and clean as you got customers. But that option isn't for you.

And you still have to find those customers.

Self employment sometimes isn't all its cracked up to be. Its very stressful when the bills come in and you are struggling to pay them. The reasons can be many; bad weather, illness both physical and/or mental, family issues; just to name a few.

Yes, you don't have to ask anyones permission to take time off, but each day you don't work is a day where you aren't earning.

Window cleaning as a job doesn't rate very highly on the most people's list. You are viewed on the same level as Dustmen and often you are treated with contempt. Hairdressers are much higher up the list. We often find that the window cleaner can wait for their money - buying a couple of packets of cigarettes are more important than paying the window cleaner. One person told me that they just had enough money to pay the milkman that week, so as he was more important, I would just have to wait for 2 weeks time to get paid.

 

[tlwcs]

I took a job on a little out of my way because "there was no window cleaner in the road"

The day I turned up to do it there was two others working in the same street. I gave the account to the guy working opposite.

Google window cleaners for your post code.

 

[DDs]

I'm afraid to say that window cleaning can also be boring and demotivating. My son says I'm the only one he has ever seen who can slip into a coma and remain standing upright. I sometimes reclean a window to be sure as I have to recollection of cleaning it, even although its wet. Window cleaning also sucks when the weather is bad, the wind blowing and freezing cold.
Some people need to be employed in a structured environment as they don't have the self discipline to manage their own working times. But few will admit to it though. My son in law, who used to work as a window cleaner as well prefers a warm office to the cold and wet of outdoors winter.

Its all about your attitude to what you do, no matter what or how humble it is that you do.

There are a lot of threads on this forum regarding what equipment you would need to start a w/c business. If you are starting from scratch wfp then there is also an outlay for equipment - its not cheap. Traditional cleaning off ladders was always viewed as an inexpensive way of getting started in window cleaning - we did that. You could get started for a small outlay of around £300 using the family car with roof racks. Canvass for customers and clean as you got customers. But that option isn't for you.

And you still have to find those customers.

Self employment sometimes isn't all its cracked up to be. Its very stressful when the bills come in and you are struggling to pay them. The reasons can be many; bad weather, illness both physical and/or mental, family issues; just to name a few.

Yes, you don't have to ask anyones permission to take time off, but each day you don't work is a day where you aren't earning.

Window cleaning as a job doesn't rate very highly on the most people's list. You are viewed on the same level as Dustmen and often you are treated with contempt. Hairdressers are much higher up the list. We often find that the window cleaner can wait for their money - buying a couple of packets of cigarettes are more important than paying the window cleaner. One person told me that they just had enough money to pay the milkman that week, so as he was more important, I would just have to wait for 2 weeks time to get paid.

Thanks that's good advice. The weather doesn't bother me I was a postman previously which can be **** when your wet through carrying heavy bags and people moaning about not getting something. Most jobs are **** but at least with self employment if you work hard you get the rewards. I'm tired of busting a gut for other people if I could make £350pw window cleaning I would be delighted.

 

[brianbadonde]

Hi DDS. I had these same thought's just over 2 year's ago. I spent 2 grand buying a trolley from pure freedom along with RO, deioniser, pole and a couple of brush's amongst a few other bit's and piece's. I used the family car which I quickly realised is a real pain in the ****, so I bought a van. What I did when I started out was worked weekends so I was pulling in almost a grand a month seperate to window cleaning, so it took the pressure off somewhat, although I spent every day I had either canvassing and leafleting. This is the **** part of the job. If you like to work outdoors and you're a grafter then window cleaning is great work! Once you've built a round up and weeded out the customer's that are slow to pay or mess you about it can be very satisfying.

My advice is to start out with a carbonfibre pole (trust me, fibre glass is a nightmare). A backpack or trolley, enough water drums to do a days work (a full day for me I use aeound 250-300 litres of water), a dioniser (at least a 6 litre one) and also a RO unit if youe water is hard. Also somewhere to store the water, such as an IBC tank or large water but. I would also have a small van as car's are awkward, having to put seats down etc..... Although the start up cost is relatively low, I would say to start properly you need a couple of grand spare. Fortunately, my credit card had lots of space on it so this took the brunt of my start up cost.

 

[Duncs]

if your totally dedicated, work every hour make the most of the long days a head of us you will pick up work

You have great advantage over other guys starting of, and that is this forum.

this forum will help you learn everything you need.

 

[DDs]

if your totally dedicated, work every hour make the most of the long days a head of us you will pick up workYou have great advantage over other guys starting of, and that is this forum.

this forum will help you learn everything you need.

This forum has been good. I'm still a bit overwhelmed by the different types of poles etc I still don't know what to go for. I seen full kits on eBay for about 6-700 that has the pump tank etc but I don't want to get something and it to be ****. I think it's strange how many of you don't work a Saturday, It's the perfect day for a half day and fire into the pub /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[spruce]

This forum has been good. I'm still a bit overwhelmed by the different types of poles etc I still don't know what to go for. I seen full kits on eBay for about 6-700 that has the pump tank etc but I don't want to get something and it to be ****. I think it's strange how many of you don't work a Saturday, It's the perfect day for a half day and fire into the pub /emoticons/biggrin.png

I worked full day last Saturday and the Saturday before.

I find the biggest issue with Saturday is parking. More two or three car families are at home and there are more cars parked in the streets. So you will spend more time trying to keep out of the way. Last Saturday I had a young man park his car over my hose so that took longer to reel it in. If you are starting off then Saturday is a good working day (it was for us anyway) because more people see you as they are at home to ask for a quote. But we found they weren't always the most suitable customers for us. (They were customers other cleaners dropped; access and payment issues. "Well you clean on a Saturday so you can clean ours on a Saturday as that's the day we are most likely to be in" syndrome.)

I also do a commercial and 3 residential cleans on a Sunday afternoon after the shops close as they are in the high street. Another customer is also on the main route the college children use (none stop children walking past all day) so I also include that on the Sunday clean as there are no children around then.

I also do a children's preschool care center and council offices over a weekend during winter. In summer I can do it on an evening after 7pm.

We have a job where we start at 6am finish at around 10 am and then finish the job off on Friday evening between 9 and 10 pm.

This is a job where flexibility counts. So when cleaners choose not to work weekends that's their perogative.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

You say £5 -£6k to set up a barbers shop and say that is cheaper than setting up in window ckeaning. My van and system are both second hand and I have over £6k invested in them. That does not even include flyers advertising etc etc. Some lads on here have 3 or 4 times that invested in equipment.

Barbers shop if you can fit four chairs then you can rent them out to other barbers no? I thought thats how it works, barbers & hair dressers rent a chair in an established set up? Am I wrong?

Then at least you have steady income and perhaps then look at adding window cleaning as a secondary business.

 

[DDs]

You say £5 -£6k to set up a barbers shop and say that is cheaper than setting up in window ckeaning. My van and system are both second hand and I have over £6k invested in them. That does not even include flyers advertising etc etc. Some lads on here have 3 or 4 times that invested in equipment.
Barbers shop if you can fit four chairs then you can rent them out to other barbers no? I thought thats how it works, barbers & hair dressers rent a chair in an established set up? Am I wrong?

Then at least you have steady income and perhaps then look at adding window cleaning as a secondary business.

Being a barber is far from a steady income the first year maybe 2. I've worked in shops that have made £30-40 a day and the guys spent 25k to open up. I'm lucky I was on a fixed rate so they paid me to work. Even a Saturday the busiest day for a barber the shop would take between £2-300 which is pretty dire for a 3chair shop charging £10 a cut but at the same time I've been in a 2chair shop charging £7.50 and getting £8-900 a week but a shop to take that a week just a few months after opening is rare. I've do enjoy the job at times but want to try something new. If I don't like window cleaning I can sell up my equipment and what ever round I have and open a barbers.

I've seen the price of van systems and I know they can cost alot more than what I'm planning on spending but you can get them on the cheap aswell and like most people I like to be cheap /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Rossyb]

Roughly how many houses can people get through in a day with a tank of 350 litres??

 

[Alex87]

Being a barber is far from a steady income the first year maybe 2. I've worked in shops that have made £30-40 a day and the guys spent 25k to open up. I'm lucky I was on a fixed rate so they paid me to work. Even a Saturday the busiest day for a barber the shop would take between £2-300 which is pretty dire for a 3chair shop charging £10 a cut but at the same time I've been in a 2chair shop charging £7.50 and getting £8-900 a week but a shop to take that a week just a few months after opening is rare. I've do enjoy the job at times but want to try something new. If I don't like window cleaning I can sell up my equipment and what ever round I have and open a barbers.
I've seen the price of van systems and I know they can cost alot more than what I'm planning on spending but you can get them on the cheap aswell and like most people I like to be cheap /emoticons/biggrin.png

I started the beginning of November from scratch. Bought second hand van but all new wfp equipment. I think I have spent a good 7k all in all. But I am finally at the point I hope of having everything I need now so no more spending for the time being other than resin.

It was hard to start with for me as I am still part time in another job and in 2 months time I will be full time on windows. Managed to build up 130 customers so far though.

As long as you work hard at it and don't give up I don't see any reason to fail.