Converting to WFP, trolley or van

[Mr Clean]

Just been out with a local window cleaner I saw today cleaning from a van set up and its good.  Its the fastest method 100% agree, but the gains are not massive over a good trolly set up. However its the filling etc that you cut out, thats great ?  Ok its not massive savings on time and it does not over bother me, but ease of use its very good.  Me personally I have parking issues at my home to many cars and not enough space so I am keen to look for a solution. I wish my optiosn were a little easier as would actually like a van, just the costings etc, I will have to chat to someone in the know and find out more abotu the costs and also a entry level set up in there... I would only need tank not the pure water making side as I get my water at a depot, so set up should be easier. Checking Green pro videos they are informative. Interested to lern more of what I actually need to buy etc... Still love trolly set up very good, just have a few hurdles to cross and worry how much it will cost me....Suppose its the next step.... Thanks to those whom have PM me with advice and those that I chat to on here, fantastic support and advice.

 

[Marko067]

It's whatever suits your business. For me trolley works great and I do more than most that have van system probably coz my work is closer together so better but if they weren't I probably would get van Mount... U got to decide what is best not others? 

100% agree. I’ve used a trolley since day one of moving to wfp 11 years ago and never regretted it. It suits my work and it suits me. I could not earn money easier or faster on my round with a van mount. I also have two friends with similar rounds who went down the van route to start with who now are virtually 100% trolley users because they found it too much hassle with a van mount. 

I was talking to another friend this last Saturday who works with a van system. It turns out I regularly do at least 25% more work in a day than he does, often more, and he is quite a bit younger than me.

Now I’m not daft enough to think that’s because trolley systems are better than van systems overall, but it demonstrates what has been said, that trolley setups can work better for some of us than a van mounted system.

 

[steve garwood]

Yeah, that is my worry to, when thinking of getting a van with a tank in it. I think I would still run a trolly system, I prefer to be on the property with my gear than a hose trailing across paths etc, one accident and your fooked!

Been trailing hoses across paths for around ten years without a single issue ?

 

[Den]

95% of my  round is perfect for van mounts but do have a few cottage gardens with plant pots and delicate flower bed where the  trolley works better also a couple of rear accesses Alleyways. and a handful of houseswhere I carry backpack thru houses, I could easy drop the 5% and probably be better off to be honest but the 5% is linked to other excellent customers so easier to keep everyone and profits happy. 

Horses for courses but van mount for me is the much better option as stated bu others depends on how your works is geographically situated.

 

[Mr Clean]

Yes that is totally right Den.  Im just in two minds on what to develope to but tbh I think the trolly upgrade will be my pathas saves money, constantly and not enough time saving the van provides for the extra expenditure and also the amout of cars on my drive lol.  I still get heckled on the street that by trad cleaners saying they are faster and WFP is not as good....each to their own. If you are happy thats what the aim is. Love this job its the best! wfp is a life saver!!!!

 

[Iron Giant]

Yes I still get heckled on the street that by trad cleaners saying they are faster and WFP is not as good...





1

They are only faster because they do half a job ? they slate wfp for 2 reasons they don't want to part with a decent amount of cash and they are frightened that clients will turn them away. There are some lads I see on a regular basis that still do a load of trad work even though they have a trolley I can only assume clients have dictated what they want, but they do a shoddy job anyway ?

 

[dmw]

They are only faster because they do half a job ? they slate wfp for 2 reasons they don't want to part with a decent amount of cash and they are frightened that clients will turn them away. There are some lads I see on a regular basis that still do a load of trad work even though they have a trolley I can only assume clients have dictated what they want, but they do a shoddy job anyway ?

I know a guy with a van mount facelift system bolted in but his lads hardly use it prefering to trad, all I can think is they are not using it properly and the customers are telling them that.
Personally I even wfp bungalow's now and very seldom get a complaint.

I had this 72year old retired Windie telling me "wfp does not work I tradded 30 years blah blah blah". I knew I couldn't get my point over so just nodded like the Churchill dog.

Sent using the http://Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[Iron Giant]

I know a guy with a van mount facelift system bolted in but his lads hardly use it prefering to trad, all I can think is they are not using it properly and the customers are telling them that.
Personally I even wfp bungalow's now and very seldom get a complaint.

I had this 72year old retired Windie telling me "wfp does not work I tradded 30 years blah blah blah". I knew I couldn't get my point over so just nodded like the Churchill dog.

Sent using the http://Window Cleaning Forums mobile app
 

I think once some realise the cost and that it can take 2-3 times longer to a first clean which means a big sacrifice on time and money if converting a decent sized round then some that do make the switch try to get away with doing the bare minimum and get by, following on from what I said in my other post they don't velux's on garden rooms and don't do windows above conservatories, this just bewilders me 

 

[dmw]

I think once some realise the cost and that it can take 2-3 times longer to a first clean which means a big sacrifice on time and money if converting a decent sized round then some that do make the switch try to get away with doing the bare minimum and get by, following on from what I said in my other post they don't velux's on garden rooms and don't do windows above conservatories, this just bewilders me 

When I converted in one hit 18 months ago it was a little longer at first, but now it saves me 2 hours a day compared to tradding and I can charge for all those inaccessible windows and the customer's like this.
Regarding Van Mount versus Backpack
I bought both when I set up and never used My Gardiner Backpack, so I sold it.

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile applancashire