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Hi all - ready to take the plunge

Alex87

Active member
Messages
245
Location
Newport
Hello all.

I have been looking around the forum now for the past few weeks and some great advice and information on here which has made me really determined to go for it. Also been watching a lot on YouTube and how it's done.

I am new to window cleaning (done a little help for someone few years back on wfp system but nothing to write home about). I have thought about doing this in the past but never had the balls to go for it and pack in my job.

This time around I am determined to do it and make it work. I have no negative thoughts about what I am doing only positive which I guess is a good thing ?

I currently work full time and tomorrow I will be going into work to ask for part time so I can start up my business. If they say no then I am going to go for it anyway and hand in my notice.

At the end of the month I want to have purchased a van. I am looking at this one on ebay and If somebody could give me some feedback as to whether or not this is okay would be great.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-combo-Window-cleaning-van/141789556071?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D928632c6bb8c4d6198bee0a6e49a7509%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D141787170713

Also looking at this one but not keen on the mileage compared to the first one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/Ford-transit-connect-van-Window-cleaning-van/141787170713?hlpht=true&ops=true&viphx=1&_trksid=p5197.c100068.m2280&_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211130857%26meid%3De4d9481f706146c685196145e120d2b2%26pid%3D100068%26clkid%3D550118358711286119&_qi=RTM2063723

My aim is on the 2nd of november to be ready to go out cleaning windows.

What I'm thinking is a week tomorrow start my advertising on gumtree, Facebook, Twitter, yell and all sites possible. Going out canvassing every day and hopefully drum up some business.

My aim within the first month is to earn at least £500, is this something that can be achieved aslong as I put the hard work in ?

Any advice and tips would be great.

 
Good luck Alex. Like any new venture, when you start its tough. But once you have settled into this lark, there aren't many jobs that can top it.

 
Hi

Do you know your water TDS? If not get a TDS meter first, you might not need RO or that kind of set up.

Do you have a driveway/garage/out side space and storage?

Part time I think it extremely unlikely to make £500 in the first month unless you set up a list with current contacts and friends and family.

Personally, I'd buy the kit new, get the van separate and build my own van system

 
Best of luck Alex

I'm in the same situation but the positiveness and advice on here is great.

So far it's going fine just need more customers but it's the reward for my hard work that appeals to me!

 
start traditional to begin with,less out lay.dont jump before you can walk.also winters on the way.butter your employers up so you can work part time.this will enable you to go at it steady.

 
HiDo you know your water TDS? If not get a TDS meter first, you might not need RO or that kind of set up.

I have a big garden for storage (what would I need this for)?

Thanks for your reply and help

Do you have a driveway/garage/out side space and storage?

Part time I think it extremely unlikely to make £500 in the first month unless you set up a list with current contacts and friends and family.

Personally, I'd buy the kit new, get the van separate and build my own van system
In regards to the water I'm pretty sure only need the Di system as window cleaner up the road has told me Di will be ok. But main reason I was looking at this van as it's all ready to go. Would it work out a lot cheaper if I was to do myself ?

The £500 be based on doing it full time to be honest.

 
whats the tds of your water?do you know?
I don't. I will get a meter and find out tomorrow.

In respect to setting my own system up in the van is it easy enough ( i am pretty handy ) or would it be best to get somebody else to install it all ?

 
those vauxhall engines dont last well. ebay often has loads for sale where the 1.3 has gone bang.

 
yes its a job that can be achieved by yourself.tank needs to be bolted,strapped down etc.another cheap option if not going trad route is a decent back pack with barrels.always try to learn to use trad techniques.it amazes me the amount of windies starting around me carnt even use a blade.what a joke.

 
those vauxhall engines dont last well. ebay often has loads for sale where the 1.3 has gone bang.
Ah right. Would the 2nd option be a better one to go for over the combo even though it has more miles ?

 
yes its a job that can be achieved by yourself.tank needs to be bolted,strapped down etc.another cheap option if not going trad route is a decent back pack with barrels.always try to learn to use trad techniques.it amazes me the amount of windies starting around me carnt even use a blade.what a joke.
What I was planning on doing whilst I get up an running is to wfp the top and trad the bottom.

 
Ah right. Would the 2nd option be a better one to go for over the combo even though it has more miles ?
id be wary of the seller. i read in the ad of some tosh about his phone being broken AND going away on holiday. DODGEYYY with a capital D . either of those vans are worth 1k tops [without the wfp] So that means youre paying 2k + +++ for the gear, its all overpriced

now im not wfp but if i was id buy an empty van locally where i could test drive it and fit it out theres always wfp gear for sale on ebay under a grand - youd be quids in . those quids you could spend on marketing ,paying someone to do flyers several weeks walkin the streets now thatd get you a toehold and so on

 
id be wary of the seller. i read in the ad of some tosh about his phone being broken AND going away on holiday. DODGEYYY with a capital D . either of those vans are worth 1k tops [without the wfp] So that means youre paying 2k + +++ for the gear, its all overpriced
now im not wfp but if i was id buy an empty van locally where i could test drive it and fit it out theres always wfp gear for sale on ebay under a grand - youd be quids in . those quids you could spend on marketing ,paying someone to do flyers several weeks walkin the streets now thatd get you a toehold and so on
Seems to make sense what your saying.

The only thing I'm concerned about is securing the tank. Can you but a tank that's already secured in a cage so it would be case of securing cage to floor of van ?

 
on ebay right now are about 6 0r 7 different secondhand complete systems the cheapest 500 and most under a grand . id find a local welder/mechanic who could make up a frame to match whatever tank and then let him drill the van floor and bolt the tank down .

 
on ebay right now are about 6 0r 7 different secondhand complete systems the cheapest 500 and most under a grand . id find a local welder/mechanic who could make up a frame to match whatever tank and then let him drill the van floor and bolt the tank down .
I better get my **** into gear then.

Which vans would you suggest best to go for. As I don't want anything unreliable.

 
I got my berlingo new shape 53 plate for £100. Head gasket was gone. Needed a bit of tidying, trim replaced, proper mop polish, etc etc.

Had the head completely rebuilt and new cambelt, water pump, oil seals etc for £500.

All water fed gear including 2 carbon gardiner poles, tank, gardiner trolley/backpack, roof rack, ladders, trad gear, hose etc around £1100

So all brand spanking new equipment, van that's got a new engine and sounds like new and very tidy looking set me back around £1700 - £1800.

Look around pal.

 
well iv always favoured peugeot partners/ citroen berlingo as theyv the very best diesel engine [when it comes to vans over a certain age] ,but im trad only so it might be better for you to ask the wfp lads on here who can tell you which one carries the weight the best.

 
transit connect all day long.ive got a 600ltr tank in mine.bullet proof."remember budgies only go cheap"

 

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