General enquiries

[Slippy1]

hello guys,

Just wondering if anyone could spare some time on answering the questions for me, would be much appreciated.

What do you need to start up in terms of equipment?

How much will the start up fees be?

Do you need a Waterfed pole?

Are there any alternatives to this?

What method would you recommend using?

Will it require training?

If so can you send us any links or instructions?

How much is the general rate?

How much is the general rate for a standard 4 bedroom house?

How long does a standard 4 bedroom house take?

Best ways to market?

What local advertisement can you use?

How do you maintain your clients?

Do you offer monthly subscriptions?

 

[TolishAPurd]

Welcome to the forum mate. Not trying to be rude but you would be much better off spending a few hours going back through the pages of the forum and learning all this stuff for yourself. Every question you are asking has been asked or explained a thousand times before and a lot of folk past and present have spent a lot of time answering. for everything else, try the search bar, and if that fails because your question is too unique or random, then ask.

 

[Jacob]

Dont start with wfp start the traditional way like me and alot other, the traditional way involves a steipwasher and squeegee and a lot more but is miles cheaper than wfp, look this tread should give good advice Recommended traditional starter kit

Earning wise what wage would you be happy to earn a hour is what you should settle for, but dont set it unrealistic high and dont go way low.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Sorry to disagree Jacob but this is the age of WFP. Whilst I agree that trad skills are important if anyone starting out has the means then why even consider trying to turn them off WFP from the get go?

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Also welcome @Slippy1 where are you located?

 

[Dave B]

If it is your first venture into window cleaning @Green Pro Clean Ltd why not get some ladders and tools for cheap and see how well you do

No point buying all the gear and not being able to make this business work in your area

If you do well then get wfp after as you will always need your ladders for access with roofs etc and trad tools for insides and doors with no weather strip to stop the ingress of water etc so it isn't a waste it is tools you require anyway

 

[TolishAPurd]

It doesnt make sense to me having a van fully kitted out depreciating while you drive around canvassing. Work comes a lot slower in the early days, its the perfect time to learn trad.

 

[Posh]

When we say age of wfp I tend to disagree as when I'm out & about I see just as many trad windys as I do wfp.

 

[Jacob]

If you aint got the squeegee skill you aint gonna last long in this business, also what i.meant was to ger going for a little as pos. Not many can aford the whole from the begining.

 

[David K]

Gotta be able to do both ! As i havent yet so far been able to do insides wfp with Any good results ...

 

[Damo J]

Hi jacob, ive recently just started myself. I bought basic necessities from wintecs for £56 to get me started, dont bother with cheap kits on ebay or anything. I bought gear individually from wintecs and was still about the same price and cheaper than some kits i saw, plus its all decent stuff. And bought some ladders of a friend for £50.

 

[Jacob]

Exactly, cheap startup and it will take you zero time to earn the spended back spwcually when you are new to the game. I

 

[Damo J]

Yea ive made nearly triple what ive spent since i started just under 4 weeks ago just working on weekends. And now its started picking up ive got just shy of £100 worth of work waiting to do this saturday. Happy days.

 

[Dave B]

Well done @Damo J

Keep it up

Soon be 100 every day

 

[Damo J]

Thanks daveyboy.

Yea hopefully mate, my aim is to be fully self employed by end of the year. Gonna have to find a different job soon though that frees up a few extra hours in the day so i can book work through the week.

Just wish id started this years ago lol.

 

[norm]

a trad welcome @Slippy1 good luck theres loads of info and tips on here and helpfull windys with lots of experience

 

[Jacob]

Thanks daveyboy.
Yea hopefully mate, my aim is to be fully self employed by end of the year. Gonna have to find a different job soon though that frees up a few extra hours in the day so i can book work through the week.

Just wish id started this years ago lol.

dont find another job if you run out of space, that would be less wise. Instead jump into it you will have the momentum and some customers to start it up, work your butt of everyday and soon you will only have one job, as a self employed.

Dont think thats duable? i would doubt too, but it can be done, i give myself as an example: Started my business a year ago with no money, no customers, no income, just me, my awsome skills and a load of leaflet and built it from there. Barely made it but glad i kept at it. i now have close to 200 customers and a decent wage and live a lifestyle a lot of people dream of but only a few can do.

So dont find a new job just work your **** off :thumbsup:

 

[Damo J]

That seems pretty damn scary at min, missus is on maternity at mo so im only one bringing in a decent wage. My work drops off abit soon for the summer period so that will free up a couple of days a week. So im going to put full effort in getting new customers. Once im earning more from windows than my current job im gonna quit and take the leap of faith.

Good to hear a story like that and glad its worked out for you. Given me abit of confidence to be honest

 

[SkulBlaker]

I went knocking doors before even buying any stuff (trad) and had 15 customers within the 1st week. It all depends on what your wanting to spend on a start up. I didn't want to go WFP to start but that was my choice and there are some properties I do that would be a lot easier with it. I enjoy tradding, it's minimal costs but WFP is easier to do (although initself requires a bit of skill and knowledge) so you can get through more houses per day.

You need to ask like I said before if how much your willing to spend on a startup. Don't be put off, enjoy whatever you choose and everyone here will be willing to point you in the right direction as they have all tried and tested the kits that are being sold.

 

[Dave B]

Each to their own

I spent 25 years trad but 7 months wfp and it is starting to become a distant memory

I still trad the odd house to keep my skills sharp and it breaks up the day but i can't imagine going to work without my wfp

If it broke i would trad as long as it took but wfp is the way for me

 

[Damo J]

While we're on the subject of trad vs wfp. A few custys that have contacted me have had window cleaners before me that did there windows wfp and didnt like it. When i asked why it was always the same answer, they werent completely clean, there'd be a few marks here and there etc, one customer, my first actually said that he left them worse than what they were. I will point out they were all the older generation though, so i dont know if its just they prefer it done the good ol' fashioned way. So just wandering if this is a drawback to wfp or is it the windies round my town arent doing a good job? Most are wfp in my town, i only know of 3 other trads in my town, my uncle, his mate and this lad i see on rare occasions just walkin round with his ladder.