Advice for someone that is less than a newbie

[ConsUK]

Hi, I need some already professionals that are kind to give me some advise. I want to start this business, I don't know to much but I'm a hardworking person and I'm learning very fast. So I want to do professional window cleaning just for domestic properties. I want to do this in beginning as a part-time with chances to become as a full-time business. So I will be happy if I can have an income of at least £1000/month after taxes and expenses in first year.

I tried to have a chat with Tidal to buy a franchise from them but I can't afford and I can't take a loan right now 

I found this advert and I want some opinions if it is worth the money and if is any good to buy this van and equipment:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1068033730691349/

Thank you

 

[ched999uk]

Hi, your questions have been asked many times before. Have a look at the search box top right.

That van is very old and the tank has a couple of straps holding it in which is very unsafe. In the even of an accident there is 300-400kg of tank that's going to crush you against the steering wheel!!!

Tanks need to be in a metal frame bolted through the floor/chassis using spreader plates! 

You really need to read the majority of this forum as all the answers are there. If you are serious then you have a lot of research to do.

I'm not trying to put you off but to succeed you need to be determined, so research is a good test.

 

[Deleted member 7446]

Hi, I need some already professionals that are kind to give me some advise. I want to start this business, I don't know to much but I'm a hardworking person and I'm learning very fast. So I want to do professional window cleaning just for domestic properties. I want to do this in beginning as a part-time with chances to become as a full-time business. So I will be happy if I can have an income of at least £1000/month after taxes and expenses in first year.

I tried to have a chat with Tidal to buy a franchise from them but I can't afford and I can't take a loan right now 

I found this advert and I want some opinions if it is worth the money and if is any good to buy this van and equipment:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1068033730691349/

Thank you

If you read the forum and take notes you'll gain so much information and insight.

Also try and find a company recruiting and work for them for a year and see of you can handle the workload, weather, equipment and rounds.

Why spend tens of thousands and find out it's pants 

 

[spruce]

It's spec says it's an automatic. I would stay away from an automatic. If there is anything wrong with it, repair cost could well be much more than the van is worth. I wouldn't take the risk tbh.

Also as @ched999uk says - a very unsafe vehicle to drive.

 

[Pjj]

Sorry to be negative about this but that system is a death trap , no bulk head at all and the ratchet straps are way to small , the tank is far to close to the front seats , it’s an accident waiting to happen steer well clear would be my advice . 

 

[Skxawng]

You could maybe buy a frame for that tank that can be bolted through your chassis. As others have pointed out, although it's only 325L straps aren't strong enough (or more that the anchor points won't be). 

Stationary, it has 325KG of water, in a moderate 10g crash, it would be 3250kg of inertia (plus tank weight) that the straps would have to hold. 

In a more serious crash, say 30mph into a stationary object it would probably be 10 tons...

 

[dazmond]

Sorry to be negative about this but that system is a death trap , no bulk head at all and the ratchet straps are way to small , the tank is far to close to the front seats , it’s an accident waiting to happen steer well clear would be my advice . 

All it needs is a frame bolted through the floor and it'll be fine...I used to have a kangoo with a 350l tank and it got me started with WFP 12 years ago

 

[Deleted member 7446]

Hi, I need some already professionals that are kind to give me some advise. I want to start this business, I don't know to much but I'm a hardworking person and I'm learning very fast. So I want to do professional window cleaning just for domestic properties. I want to do this in beginning as a part-time with chances to become as a full-time business. So I will be happy if I can have an income of at least £1000/month after taxes and expenses in first year.

I tried to have a chat with Tidal to buy a franchise from them but I can't afford and I can't take a loan right now 

I found this advert and I want some opinions if it is worth the money and if is any good to buy this van and equipment:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1068033730691349/

Thank you

Just looked at the van photos. OMG expensive coffin. That van is only worth around £750. The system is a complete deathtrap bodge job 

 

[Skxawng]

A bit over priced. Not too bad mileage for its age though. Private sale parkers recons an average of around £1200 but then knock some off for speedo. Plus it'll probably need a new front shock absorber soon looking at its mot history so take off £100 for that. 

£700 worth of equipment maybe depending on the condition. 

Maybe worth 1.7k - 2k??

 

[Pjj]

All it needs is a frame bolted through the floor and it'll be fine...I used to have a kangoo with a 350l tank and it got me started with WFP 12 years ago

Really,  how many RTC have you been to and had to remove the remains of body parts from ??? Not many I suspect , unfortunately I have seen many deaths due to insecure loads moving and impaling , or causing crush injuries or death , just a few years ago a young window cleaner was killed in a fatal RTC which was publicised on all the forums and national news with a set up practically identical to the one in the pictures ,  it’s not a safe set up and just bolting that in isn’t going to make it safe , there is no expansion room between the seats and the tank vehicles have crumple zones and should that van be involved in an accident that tank will hit the seats . It doesn’t need to be the fault of the driver of the van either it could be some other fool that hits the van . That tank looks like it’s a 400 ltr  try googling what that tank would weigh in a 30 mph impact and then think if you would be happy sitting in it in an accident . The sooner things like this are included in mot tests the better and instant fines for ones driving vehicles like this . If you were employing ones and put them in a van like that and anything happened you would end up facing corporate manslaughter charges .    

 

[ConsUK]

To be honest I posted this as a quick help as I don't have to much time to decide and I just got to this forum trying to Google to check what are the prices for a water system.

Thank you all for wake me up regarding the danger as to be honest didn't think to that point.

Now still I think the security of the tank can be sorted, please again correct me if I'm wrong. The only concern left to me if the the system/tools that he's got in the van worth the price ( I did imagine that a fair price just for the van would be around £1k) . It may sound stupid but because of my English I'm struggling with equipment names . I do have another option to swap a Honda civic for a van and buy and fit myself a system into the van . But I need to move fast with what way to go , I don't mind to start this maybe with 1 customer worth just a bit more than the fuel for first weeks after and learn while I'm going, I'm not scared about weather: rain, water, so on or I don't know what else ( when I came in to UK I start to work on a big farm outside) . My question is will I pay for something useless or beside the van and the way that tank is fitted isn't to bad and I can make some money with it?

Or if anyone is selling something similar on price or just a full system without the van just let me know please.

Going to work for someone doing this isn't quite easy where I am and a bit complicated , I do have another job in this moment.

 

[Skxawng]

I personally think for the price you'd be better buying a van separately and buying your own equipment and fitting it yourself if you currently have a job and aren't too against the clock. 

(If you're in a hurry though, it might be worth paying a bit over the odds at first if you can to get set up faster if it means you can start earning sooner.)

If setting it up yourself on a tight budget, I would recommend buying a tank with a frame and finding a garage willing to fit it for you. Then fit everything else yourself. It's not as complicated as it seems at first and there's plenty of friendly help available on here. Plus if anything goes wrong with it, you know how it's all put together so you can fix it easier. 

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

Avoid Tidal like the plague. Charge you a fortune and offer absolutely nothing you cannot do yourself. They aren't a window cleaning business, they are in the business of selling window cleaning franchises and do not care about your success beyond that.

 

[ched999uk]

To be honest I posted this as a quick help as I don't have to much time to decide and I just got to this forum trying to Google to check what are the prices for a water system.

Thank you all for wake me up regarding the danger as to be honest didn't think to that point.

Now still I think the security of the tank can be sorted, please again correct me if I'm wrong. The only concern left to me if the the system/tools that he's got in the van worth the price ( I did imagine that a fair price just for the van would be around £1k) . It may sound stupid but because of my English I'm struggling with equipment names . I do have another option to swap a Honda civic for a van and buy and fit myself a system into the van . But I need to move fast with what way to go , I don't mind to start this maybe with 1 customer worth just a bit more than the fuel for first weeks after and learn while I'm going, I'm not scared about weather: rain, water, so on or I don't know what else ( when I came in to UK I start to work on a big farm outside) . My question is will I pay for something useless or beside the van and the way that tank is fitted isn't to bad and I can make some money with it?

Or if anyone is selling something similar on price or just a full system without the van just let me know please.

Going to work for someone doing this isn't quite easy where I am and a bit complicated , I do have another job in this moment.

I have been working from a Honda Civic for the last 6 months. I have a gardiner backpack, Handy Sac trolley, gardiner slx pole and brush, I purify the water at home into water butts then transfer it to 6 barrels in the car. I wear a embroidered 'uniform' have business cards and use leaflets to gain customers, I also have public liability insurance as being new it's easy to make big mistakes so you need cover! 

So while a van will make you quicker and might look more professional it's not the only way to go.  

 

[steve garwood]

I have been working from a Honda Civic for the last 6 months. I have a gardiner backpack, Handy Sac trolley, gardiner slx pole and brush, I purify the water at home into water butts then transfer it to 6 barrels in the car. I wear a embroidered 'uniform' have business cards and use leaflets to gain customers, I also have public liability insurance as being new it's easy to make big mistakes so you need cover! 

So while a van will make you quicker and might look more professional it's not the only way to go.  

Bet you won’t be saying that in a couple of years ?

 

[ched999uk]

Bet you won’t be saying that in a couple of years ?

My van should be arriving next Thursday ?

 

[Iron Giant]

Avoid Tidal like the plague. Charge you a fortune and offer absolutely nothing you cannot do yourself. They aren't a window cleaning business, they are in the business of selling window cleaning franchises and do not care about your success beyond that.

I'd interested to know which Tidal this might be, there is a firm about 15 miles away from me called Tidal they have pink and white vans and I had a quick look and now they are offering a franchise UK wide,

I'm just outside Durham and noticed your in Grimsby

 

[James.s20]

I'd interested to know which Tidal this might be, there is a firm about 15 miles away from me called Tidal they have pink and white vans and I had a quick look and now they are offering a franchise UK wide,

I'm just outside Durham and noticed your in Grimsby

That is exactly the firm he’s referring to you will see them by there logo here https://www.tidalfranchise.co.uk

I’m also from durham and looked into taking it on as they were “guaranteeing consistent work” but decided against it in the end.

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

I'd interested to know which Tidal this might be, there is a firm about 15 miles away from me called Tidal they have pink and white vans and I had a quick look and now they are offering a franchise UK wide,

I'm just outside Durham and noticed your in Grimsby

That's the one. I believe they do quite well in Durham because that's where the franchise owner is from. He started off with his own firm which he built into a multi van operation, then he renamed it to Tidal and began selling franchises. The ones in Durham likely inherited his work. 

I believe their prices start at 16 grand and they encourage people to take out a loan to finance this (which I'll never agree with), as well as charging 500 a month in royalties the last I checked. I originally was interested when first starting out because I was none the wiser but from my experience they take on anyone and hard sell you until you sign up and take out a loan.

Also worth noting that they no longer guarantee work as they probably found out it was eating into their profits!

 

[dazmond]

Really,  how many RTC have you been to and had to remove the remains of body parts from ??? Not many I suspect , unfortunately I have seen many deaths due to insecure loads moving and impaling , or causing crush injuries or death , just a few years ago a young window cleaner was killed in a fatal RTC which was publicised on all the forums and national news with a set up practically identical to the one in the pictures ,  it’s not a safe set up and just bolting that in isn’t going to make it safe , there is no expansion room between the seats and the tank vehicles have crumple zones and should that van be involved in an accident that tank will hit the seats . It doesn’t need to be the fault of the driver of the van either it could be some other fool that hits the van . That tank looks like it’s a 400 ltr  try googling what that tank would weigh in a 30 mph impact and then think if you would be happy sitting in it in an accident . The sooner things like this are included in mot tests the better and instant fines for ones driving vehicles like this . If you were employing ones and put them in a van like that and anything happened you would end up facing corporate manslaughter charges .    

I've seen worse tank set ups mate!

 

[ConsUK]

I have been working from a Honda Civic for the last 6 months. I have a gardiner backpack, Handy Sac trolley, gardiner slx pole and brush, I purify the water at home into water butts then transfer it to 6 barrels in the car. I wear a embroidered 'uniform' have business cards and use leaflets to gain customers, I also have public liability insurance as being new it's easy to make big mistakes so you need cover! 

So while a van will make you quicker and might look more professional it's not the only way to go.  

Could you show me some pics ? Actually I have 2 cars a civic 59 plate and an insignia estate 15 plate, I was thinking first time to use the insignia but I read somewhere that using a normal car for this , will destroy the car very quick