Cleaning trad from a car. Unprofessional?

[Taxlossloz]

Yes @Alien Human that sounds a good plan

What sort of wall and what are you removing ?

 

[CHWS]

In my opinion some customers don't like to see the likes of a window cleaner earning more than them if you get me, I cleaned from a car for years until I got a van for wfp. I couldn't keep the same car , went from a corsa to a punto to a grand vitara to a Passat to an octavia vrs to a Berlingo to a vivaro. Some customers said what's next a Ferrari lol. I think a half decent car is the answer for traditional imo. You just look like your average Joe and no1 knows what you are earning.

 

[Alien Human]

Yes @Alien Human that sounds a good planWhat sort of wall and what are you removing ?

It's a white garden wall mate with algae, moss on it. Don't have pictures I'm afraid but although it's solid there are some small cracks on it.

 

[boarcity]

View attachment 8340 iv recently seen a newbie wanging around locally in a landie discovery / he stands out to me cos it seems a ridiculous choice for trad. but what do i know.

 

[Tuffers]

I'm going to get shot down here but window cleaning out of a car seems small time to me. Yes, I did it out of a car and felt inferior when I turned up at posh houses in my banger. It felt like I should tug my forelock sometimes. I can't stand seeing a car load of tradders chaved up in trackie bottoms. IMO if you're driving a decent van you can ask for top dollar for jobs, car full of chavs? Definitely not!

Look at it this way, you want some plumbing or electrical work doing and ask for quotes. Will you choose the one who turns up in a car or the one who turns up in a van? Which one would you think is more professional? The one in the van? Would the one who turns up in a car come across as more established? No!

 

[CHWS]

I'm going to get shot down here but window cleaning out of a car seems small time to me. Yes, I did it out of a car and felt inferior when I turned up at posh houses in my banger. It felt like I should tug my forelock sometimes. I can't stand seeing a car load of tradders chaved up in trackie bottoms. IMO if you're driving a decent van you can ask for top dollar for jobs, car full of chavs? Definitely not!
Look at it this way, you want some plumbing or electrical work doing and ask for quotes. Will you choose the one who turns up in a car or the one who turns up in a van? Which one would you think is more professional? The one in the van? Would the one who turns up in a car come across as more established? No!

The one that's going to be cheaper /emoticons/smile.png))/emoticons/smile.png)

 

[Tuffers]

The one that's going to be cheaper /emoticons/smile.png))/emoticons/smile.png)

Ahh, but will he know what he's doing? /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[CHWS]

Lol as long as he gets the job done and is easiest on my pocket /emoticons/tongue.png

 

[Pigeon]

you cant compare apples and oranges, being a electrician you have a long education (my country atleast) and you are a whole lot more responsible, if you **** up you can potentialy set a house on fire therefore a pro look is to go for, but as a windowcleaner we dont hold that same responsibilty, the worst that can happen is we splash some water not burn down the house. Plus customers is easiest to catch in eyeheight so to speak.

 

[Williams Jet Wash]

I'm going to get shot down here but window cleaning out of a car seems small time to me. Yes, I did it out of a car and felt inferior when I turned up at posh houses in my banger. It felt like I should tug my forelock sometimes. I can't stand seeing a car load of tradders chaved up in trackie bottoms. IMO if you're driving a decent van you can ask for top dollar for jobs, car full of chavs? Definitely not!
Look at it this way, you want some plumbing or electrical work doing and ask for quotes. Will you choose the one who turns up in a car or the one who turns up in a van? Which one would you think is more professional? The one in the van? Would the one who turns up in a car come across as more established? No!

I friend of mine is wealthy owns building firm employs many boys has new fleet of van when quoting jobs he always keeps a shed in his fleet to quote job makes him seem reasonable and ready for work and not expensive as opposed to turning up in the Porsche

 

[Clisty1989]

First car i worked out of was a battered 206. Since then ive used a mazda 323, and only recentlu using an 11 plate 308, i am upgrading to a small van soon, mainly because im fed up with humping stuff in and out before and after work

 

[Markyboy 50]

I think a van looks more professional IMO. I saw 2 lads this week in their 51 reg fiesta car. Looked like chavs on the dole!

 

[CHWS]

I would say a van is more professional, but a car isn't unprofessional. I think a longer car looks alot better than a fiesta size with the ladders hanging well out the back lol

 

[Damo]

I def think a big shiny van can look expensive to potential customerThat's why I'd never employ Damo

You also attract customers who wouldn't use a car held together with sellotape /emoticons/wink.png

 

[1393jason]

Psychological I would have thought but I've done the same as you by parking away from houses I clean. I think if customers see you progressing and improving in business and success they somehow feel part of it. perhaps it contributes to customer loyalty in the long run. I don't hide my car now (was a nisan micra now a people carrier). I'll have a nice van some day and when it happens Ill be sure to tell my loyal customers they helped me get there.

Bigfoot, how did you find getting all your gear in the nissan micra? old or new shape?

 

[boarcity]

altho iv got a nice signwritten van now,i find it actually helps if you Dont look professional. if youre doing grass roots type of properties you turn up in a smart outfit youll get booted out the back as flash harry.

exploit your weaknesses and it gets you further . "coarse but with a heart of gold"/ hole in arrse of joggers" is my policy. this reminds me,last yr i employed a lad calld Harry who dressed rather on the smart side -still in joggers but in matchin outfits -what let him down tho he had a long brown stain on the arrse of his new joggers. tother lads always laffed whether customers did i dunno. he tried to wash it out ,but it jus got bigger. every week.

by the time hed left my employ [which wasnt long,lad inherited a small fortune and messed me about ,wanted a sub ! off me so didnt dip into his inheritance ] the original stain was now a real sh//t stain, its ironic isnt it, a warning sign of sorts

 

[Markyboy 50]

In the good ole days of escort vans I always bought whites ones that were un sign written. I could change up to a newer one without the customers noticing that I had enough money to get a newer one. How could I afford it on my low wages??

 

[Fönster putsning Bergdahl]

Think of this: you drive to the customer with RR last model and coute the job 800£ a days work and you can start today.

Or you drive there with old Fiat and say it is a big job and it is 800 minimum. And say you might get it in your work calendar in two weeks notice.

Who would you hire for the job?

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[BigFoot]

Bigfoot, how did you find getting all your gear in the nissan micra? old or new shape?

I was and still am using a trolly setup. I would fold the back seats down fit in about 5 filled 25ltr barrels colaps handles on trolly and cary poll diagonally from front to back and would just about fit it all in. Had just enough space to drive. because of the lip into the boot it was tough lifting on the back. no kidding it was hard work but had to be done! old shape Nisan Micra, still have it but not for cleaning, no doubt most reliable car I've ever had! Seven years and only done maintenance plugs, oil, pads, tyiers. paid £1200 secondhand 28000 on clock then near 100000 now boom proof but probably the worst suited vehicle for WFP ever!

 

[1393jason]

I was and still am using a trolly setup. I would fold the back seats down fit in about 5 filled 25ltr barrels colaps handles on trolly and cary poll diagonally from front to back and would just about fit it all in. Had just enough space to drive. because of the lip into the boot it was tough lifting on the back. no kidding it was hard work but had to be done! old shape Nisan Micra, still have it but not for cleaning, no doubt most reliable car I've ever had! Seven years and only done maintenance plugs, oil, pads, tyiers. paid £1200 secondhand 28000 on clock then near 100000 now boom proof but probably the worst suited vehicle for WFP ever!

I have a 2002 nissan micra I only bought it for £600 to last a couple of weeks in between new cars. I am now planning on sticking with it and only buying used from now on!

I decided to start trad after some advice on this forum and worried about storage of water etc. Turns out I am having a few problems getting some roof racks to fit my ladders on haha.

 

[boarcity]

I have a 2002 nissan micra I only bought it for £600 to last a couple of weeks in between new cars. I am now planning on sticking with it and only buying used from now on!
I decided to start trad after some advice on this forum and worried about storage of water etc. Turns out I am having a few problems getting some roof racks to fit my ladders on haha.

iv seen at least 2 micras with ladders on,so dont give up ,roof bars do exist somewhere.