Is there any need for an extension ladder these days?

Everest Window Cleaning · Wednesday at 3:58 AM

I'm a long time lurker who's worked as an employed window cleaner in the past. I want to start my own round off by knocking on doors in my local area. I'll be working out of my car. I'm just going through what equipment I'd need to get started and I'm definitely gonna be doing anything above ground floor using a Gardner backpack and pole. I'll be doing ground floor mostly traditional and so will need a stepladder for some higher windows etc. If I avoid houses where I have to go over the garage to get to the back then I won't need an extension ladder at all will I ? Or am I missing something?

Part Timer · Wednesday at 5:55 AM

Depends if you're going to offer gutter cleaning.

Everest Window Cleaning · Wednesday at 5:24 PM

Part Timer said:
Depends if you're going to offer gutter cleaning.

Not to begin with but possibly in the future.

dazmond · Wednesday at 5:47 PM

I find I do use my ladders but only a few times a month to get over a locked gate for example. I've binned off any jobs that require flat roof access with ladders....

You will never need ladders if you don't offer gutter clearing and are prepared to just clean fronts if a customer forgets to unlock their gate.

spruce · Thursday at 8:10 AM

Personally, an extension ladder should be part of your window cleaning kit.

When you first start off, you need all the jobs you can get. Beggars can't be choosers and from our initial experience, you will probably pick up jobs other cleaners have dropped. You will pick up the jobs Dazmond has dropped, so you will need to climb on the flat roof of those houses.

I still have ladders on my van. They haven't been used since last summer, but I know we have a job coming up where we will need them to clear out one section of guttering.

We do use an A frame (similar to a 4 rung Little Giant) step ladder nearly every day to get over locked gates and access windows above a large extension.

Working with a backpack out from the back of your car isn't the best start in my opinion. You need to carry plenty of drums of water, which can be challenging using a car.

I believe you need to show a professional image when you start window cleaning to attract customers. This means being properly kitted out.
I'm not saying you won't do a good job working from your car, but imo it's not the right image.

In the days before wfp it was acceptable and the norm for window cleaners to use the family car with their ladders on the roof. I did. But times have changed, thankfully.

Once you become established, then you can pick and chose the jobs you want to do.

Iron Giant · Thursday at 8:14 AM

Nope, let some other people take on the awkward jobs because as soon as someone sees a ladder on your car, they'll either expect you to go up a ladder and do trad or chew on going over garages and be pishing about with bolted gates, there are too many people that expect you to jump through the hoops they have.

spruce · Thursday at 8:18 AM

Iron Giant said:
Nope, let some other people take on the awkward jobs because as soon as someone sees a ladder on your car, they'll either expect you to go up a ladder and do trad or chew on going over garages and be pishing about with bolted gates, there are too many people that expect you to jump through the hoops they have.

I agree. We have a full round so we can pick and chose. He is starting off so he will need everything he can get, which includes the jobs we have dropped.

Teaboy · Thursday at 10:34 AM

Get a set to keep in your van not on top.

Multitude of reasons but thank me in 5 years time!

If they are on the top your asking for trouble, all you will ever hear is 'cant you just/it'll only take 5 minutes'

Sunrise · Thursday at 1:10 PM

Everest Window Cleaning said:
I'm a long time lurker who's worked as an employed window cleaner in the past. I want to start my own round off by knocking on doors in my local area. I'll be working out of my car. I'm just going through what equipment I'd need to get started and I'm definitely gonna be doing anything above ground floor using a Gardner backpack and pole. I'll be doing ground floor mostly traditional and so will need a stepladder for some higher windows etc. If I avoid houses where I have to go over the garage to get to the back then I won't need an extension ladder at all will I ? Or am I missing something?

A bit like you I'm starting up my own round and I was thinking of just getting a A frame type step ladder that also folds out to become a smallish straight ladder to get extra hight in some situations, Or access to a flat roof that kind of thing. I dont intend to be cleaning windows off a ladder though.

Teaboy · Thursday at 2:02 PM

Sunrise said:
A bit like you I'm starting up my own round and I was thinking of just getting a A frame type step ladder that also folds out to become a smallish straight ladder to get extra hight in some situations, Or access to a flat roof that kind of thing. I dont intend to be cleaning windows off a ladder though.

get them so they stay in the van,

youll quickly realise people dont value your time the same as you and these little jobs when not charged correctly are costing you money

dazmond · Thursday at 4:21 PM

I do think he should at least get some 3 step ladders which come in handy for unbolting the odd gate,etc. I have 2 sets which come in handy(one either side of a gate)

Jaygti · Thursday at 4:39 PM

I’ve got a telescopic ladder in the back of the van, all the time.
It’s not used much but does come in handy every now and then.

Teaboy · Thursday at 4:44 PM

all of our vans have
steps
a frame extension ladders

only the commercial vans have rack for big boy ladders that are used to check guttering etc upto 3 stories

Iron Giant · 2025-02-21T06:58:03+0000

spruce said:
I agree. We have a full round so we can pick and chose. He is starting off so he will need everything he can get, which includes the jobs we have dropped.

I get what you are saying, but as we know there is also a risk in using a ladder, we don't know how competent the op is and accidents do happen, I only have two jobs now that require flat roof access all the rest I dropped the rest last year and my telescopic ladder is ideal for those.

spruce · 2025-02-21T08:10:35+0000

Iron Giant said:
I get what you are saying, but as we know there is also a risk in using a ladder, we don't know how competent the op is and accidents do happen, I only have two jobs now that require flat roof access all the rest I dropped the rest last year and my telescopic ladder is ideal for those.

I appreciate what you are saying. We shouldn't recommend the use of any equipment that could result in injury when used by inexperienced people. Point taken.

ched999uk · 2025-02-21T11:37:42+0000

Iron Giant said:
my telescopic ladder is ideal for those

I have been thinking about getting one of those for the odd occasion, are they OK, are the budget ones bad and do I need to buy a decent brand or doesn't it really matter?

THL4KEL · 2025-02-21T12:04:24+0000

Buy a decent brand I bought a cheap deal of Ebay and it snapped, happened a few years back, I snapped the insulation section on an Extreme in the fall also damaged the customers fence.

Iron Giant · 2025-02-21T13:47:19+0000

ched999uk said:
I have been thinking about getting one of those for the odd occasion, are they OK, are the budget ones bad and do I need to buy a decent brand or doesn't it really matter?

I'd buy a decent brand mate, I bought mine probably 15 years ago, and they are still going strong, I think I paid around £85-100 back then.

I only use mine for roof access so they get minimal use over the course of a year.

Iron Giant · 2025-02-21T13:48:25+0000

THL4KEL said:
Buy a decent brand I bought a cheap deal of Ebay and it snapped, happened a few years back, I snapped the insulation section on an Extreme in the fall also damaged the customers fence.

That's a hat trick

Jaygti · 2025-02-21T14:18:51+0000

ched999uk said:
I have been thinking about getting one of those for the odd occasion, are they OK, are the budget ones bad and do I need to buy a decent brand or doesn't it really matter?

I got mine from screwfix last year , as my old one was looking a bit dodgy.
It’s a Werner 3.8m which I think is a big as they go. It was just over £200.00 I think. It packs up very small as well. It’s rated as commercial, and I’m very happy with it.

The smaller ones 2.8m and 3.2m are much cheaper though.

Part Timer · 2025-02-21T16:19:47+0000

Jaygti said:
I got mine from screwfix last year , as my old one was looking a bit dodgy.
It’s a Werner 3.8m which I think is a big as they go. It was just over £200.00 I think. It packs up very small as well. It’s rated as commercial, and I’m very happy with it.

The smaller ones 2.8m and 3.2m are much cheaper though.

£180, inc VAT, at Toolstation

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