If money wasn't an issue ..........

[William R]

Hi guys i would greatly appreciate guidance on start up equipment...Money is always an issue but i'm willing to spend money on good window cleaning equipment from the beginning.

I've always lived by the saying "a cheap man always buys twice" that statement is true. I'm also a man who likes good deals so i'm not stupid either. I am setting up a window cleaning and gutter cleaning business but also i will have add on's like chimney cleaning/cctv inspection, power washing etc. In regards window/gutter cleaning there is mountains of differing advice on WFP ,fittings,hoses,brushes,connections and all other small details. I would like to keep it as simple as possible but also have everything i need . I will need an RO/DI system also. There is so much information i feel a bit bogged down trying to decide on making a list of everything i need. Any advice would be so much appreciated and i thank you in advance for your patience with me.

 

[dave1]

Gvs for gutter vac, x line for window kit.

 

[Part Timer]

Gardiner SLX for your pole and ring Daqua, https://www.daqua.co.uk/ and tell Doug what you want to produce and he'll supply you something that will do the job

 

[ched999uk]

While it does seem a very steep learning curve to work everything out all the info is within the forum.

Before I started I read virtually every post on here and made notes, categorising them eg poles, brushes, fittings, hoses, Ro/Di etc. You will get different opinions but by reading lots you will gain a much better understanding than you would from the odd person who takes the time to respond to your question.

Running your own business is a lot more than just the right kit and techniques, you are responsible for everything from spares, time management, problem solving, marketing, accounting, graphic design to name but a few aspects.

My best advice is read as much as you can and watch as many UK youtubers - I think the old stuff from Squeeky Clean Dave, AE Mac, Trad man etc is better than the new stuff for learning.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on with your research.

Almost forgot, before you buy any kit it might be worth posting a thread with what you are thinking of buying just to check peoples opinion.

 

[P4dstar]

Before I started I read virtually every post on here and made notes, categorising them eg poles, brushes, fittings, hoses, Ro/Di etc. You will get different opinions but by reading lots you will gain a much better understanding than you would from the odd person who takes the time to respond to your question.

I asked the questions again on here. Didn't use the search function and the kind people helped me. Nowadays people jump straight to telling people to use the search function. Kind of feel the forum is dying as a result to be honest. I know newbies are repetitive but that's what keeps the place alive.

My best advice is read as much as you can and watch as many UK youtubers - I think the old stuff from Squeeky Clean Dave, AE Mac, Trad man etc is better than the new stuff for learning.

I haven't seen a post from Trad Man in ages. AE Macintosh & Squeeky clean Dave are top fellas though. I emailed AE Mac for some info on his streamline system and he responded. I remember another window cleaning YouTube star who wasn't quite as humble.

 

[P4dstar]

Hi guys i would greatly appreciate guidance on start up equipment...Money is always an issue but i'm willing to spend money on good window cleaning equipment from the beginning.

I've always lived by the saying "a cheap man always buys twice" that statement is true. I'm also a man who likes good deals so i'm not stupid either. I am setting up a window cleaning and gutter cleaning business but also i will have add on's like chimney cleaning/cctv inspection, power washing etc. In regards window/gutter cleaning there is mountains of differing advice on WFP ,fittings,hoses,brushes,connections and all other small details. I would like to keep it as simple as possible but also have everything i need . I will need an RO/DI system also. There is so much information i feel a bit bogged down trying to decide on making a list of everything i need. Any advice would be so much appreciated and i thank you in advance for your patience with me.

For what it's worth I'll share my experience. I started by spending my life savings on a van and some equipment. I didn't understand what I was doing or how to do it. Like yourself I wanted to offer a bunch of add ons. Even ventured into wheelie bin cleaning. Loads of the equipment I bought had to be upgraded relatively quickly. Loads more was wasted.

You won't know what you need until you start cleaning necessarily. If you have a budget of £2k expect to spend another £2k relatively quickly. If you have a budget of £15k expect to spend another £4-5k relatively quickly. Best advice IMO would be to go to either ionics or Streamline. Buy a good crash tested system and pay for one of their training courses.

 

[Pjj]

I asked the questions again on here. Didn't use the search function and the kind people helped me. Nowadays people jump straight to telling people to use the search function. Kind of feel the forum is dying as a result to be honest. I know newbies are repetitive but that's what keeps the place alive.


I haven't seen a post from Trad Man in ages. AE Macintosh & Squeeky clean Dave are top fellas though. I emailed AE Mac for some info on his streamline system and he responded. I remember another window cleaning YouTube star who wasn't quite as humble.

Let me guess a colour and an expert

 

[ched999uk]

I asked the questions again on here. Didn't use the search function and the kind people helped me. Nowadays people jump straight to telling people to use the search function. Kind of feel the forum is dying as a result to be honest. I know newbies are repetitive but that's what keeps the place alive.


I haven't seen a post from Trad Man in ages. AE Macintosh & Squeeky clean Dave are top fellas though. I emailed AE Mac for some info on his streamline system and he responded. I remember another window cleaning YouTube star who wasn't quite as humble.

It's a bit of a double edged sword. I will always do my best to answer peoples questions if I can but I do feel that by doing lots of reading helps in the long run as you learn so much for everyone's contributions over the years. I still read almost every post as I find I learn lots of stuff that might be useful.
I think that putting some effort in to find the basics out shows they may be willing to do what is necessary to start and run a business.

Using the search is only so good as you need to know what to search for to find the answer.

Ionics and Streamline are both great suppliers but they are top end price wise. I have a Streamline fitted system and while it's good there are things wrong with it, like no tank isolation valve so you can't clean the filter out unless the tank is empty!

 

[spruce]

Hi guys i would greatly appreciate guidance on start up equipment...Money is always an issue but i'm willing to spend money on good window cleaning equipment from the beginning.

I've always lived by the saying "a cheap man always buys twice" that statement is true. I'm also a man who likes good deals so i'm not stupid either. I am setting up a window cleaning and gutter cleaning business but also i will have add on's like chimney cleaning/cctv inspection, power washing etc. In regards window/gutter cleaning there is mountains of differing advice on WFP ,fittings,hoses,brushes,connections and all other small details. I would like to keep it as simple as possible but also have everything i need . I will need an RO/DI system also. There is so much information i feel a bit bogged down trying to decide on making a list of everything i need. Any advice would be so much appreciated and i thank you in advance for your patience with me.

My personal opinion is that you should focus on what you believe your core business should be and develop that.

If your due diligence indicates there is work available for window cleaning in your area, then concentrate on that and forget everything else. In time, some of these other services can become add-ons, such as gutter cleaning.

 

[Iron Giant]

My personal opinion is that you should focus on what you believe your core business should be and develop that.

If your due diligence indicates there is work available for window cleaning in your area, then concentrate on that and forget everything else. In time, some of these other services can become add-ons, such as gutter cleaning.

Every Tom, D-ick and Harriet along with half of their relatives are jumping in on add ons these days in my neck of the woods the Facebook pages are littered with them offering the cheapest prices etc.

I'm pleased I started focusing solely on windows years ago, some aren't as fortunate when add ons have been previously lucrative and good chunk of their income.

 

[THL4KEL]

Just buy all your window cleaning poles from Gardiners. Your water tank and pump from Pure Freedom, your gutter vac from Spinaclean, your pressure washing equipment from Jetmac. Stick with those companies and as the years pass by you will build up spare parts and won't need to spend as much. No idea about chimney sweeping.

 

[Beeejayteee]

I'm not going to contradict anything that everyone has I'll just give the benefit of my limited experience with WFP but my extensive experience of running my own window cleaning business for 45 years but at the end of the day you'll plow your own furrow.
I built my own trolley system at a fraction of the cost, it works really well and makes the money. I got my 25ltr barrels from IMO car wash free, they were glad to off load them. I've used Unger, Tulsion and Ionics and by a country mile Ionics has been the best resin for me and it's cheaper than the rest. I have the Gardiner SLX 25 pole with a longer goose neck. I've used Soap National for years, they are a lot cheaper than others and are good quality.
I wish you all the best in your endeavour.
Brian

 

[Gadgetfox]

Only thing I would add is that if you have a Spotless Water station near by it can be worth not having the hassle of filtering water. 0.0 TDS every time.

 

[spruce]

For what it's worth I'll share my experience. I started by spending my life savings on a van and some equipment. I didn't understand what I was doing or how to do it. Like yourself I wanted to offer a bunch of add ons. Even ventured into wheelie bin cleaning. Loads of the equipment I bought had to be upgraded relatively quickly. Loads more was wasted.

You won't know what you need until you start cleaning necessarily. If you have a budget of £2k expect to spend another £2k relatively quickly. If you have a budget of £15k expect to spend another £4-5k relatively quickly. Best advice IMO would be to go to either ionics or Streamline. Buy a good crash tested system and pay for one of their training courses.

We knew a gardener who needed extra work during the winter months. He decided that he would also do window cleaning. It didn't work for him, as he ended up being torn between gardening and window cleaning in summer.

How many on here can honestly say that they run a successful window and carpet cleaning business together as a sole trader?
If someone has multiple vans on the road, then he could have a van and staff member dedicated to carpet cleaning; another to pressure washing, etc., but I can't see a sole trader being able to offer all those services off one van.

The O/P is in Ireland. Many of us can offer advice about how we do business in England. I'm sure the basics will apply, but sourcing equipment will have issues we don't know about. I seem to remember Gardiners only supply poles through a supplier in Ireland; I could be wrong.