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[Part Timer]

Always put this type of thing in a text or email, that covers you as long as he replies. Not much point doing it verbally as it's your word against his. Just tell him the state of his windows, and that they'll get worse, and just ask him if he wants you to carry on. It's in writing then so no comebacks.

from a height of 6ft

But to be fair that's over 10' for people of average size ? Joking aside it's a dangerous job and glad you survived it.

 

[Cleanco]

I'm not saying you should not use ladders. It's a personal choice.

My choice is not to use them to clean windows. When I fell I was 54. I'm now 70 and for me it's even more reason to have my feet planted firmly on the ground. When you get old, its amazing how often we can trip over fresh air. ? If a customer insists I clean them traditionally, I will walk away from the job. But that's my decision and I'm not imposing my decision on anyone else. Each of us has to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own choices.

That guy who fell from his ladders was taking a risk and it went badly. He was cleaning a 4 bedroom detached house for £6. Was the job worth £6? To someone starving and being able to buy a loaf of bread then maybe, but to end up paralysed for life, not in my books.

Another windie locally was asked to quote to clean his customer's fascias and gutters. He was told his price was too high. The customer decided to clean them himself off ladders. He fell and is now in a wheelchair.

All these examples do for me is to make my resolve stronger to not offer a ladder cleaning service.

That’s cool, I wasn’t aiming my post at you as I know you have valid experience using ladders as most who post regardless giving false information don’t. All cleans I deemed unsafe were converted over a long time ago and all ladder work now is only done because it is the only option. Some will choose to pass it on which gives me the perfect opportunity to charge accordingly as most window cleaning work used to be before the more safer options arrived. We used to get really good prices for higher level stuff as it was more like danger money. Now there are easier options them days have gone and it’s turned into a rat race hence one of the reasons why alot of commercial stuff is less lucrative than domestic. 

 

[Cleanco]

I had a bad one about 20 years ago. Id never had so much as a near miss previous to that. In my view I'd done nothing wrong or different. Proper angle etc, but the bottom of the ladder just pulled away as if someone had pulled it back really fast. Ended up in hospital for a week, had to have a permanent steel implant in my wrist, concussed myself too but lucky have a thick skull. It was the slimy mossy damp patio, and I didnt go up a ladder for years after. I do for a few now, but very careful/wary of the surface etc. Also Im planning on dropping even those few that require ladder. just dont need it anymore. Oh yes, in hospital I remember one of the doctors saying that window cleaners were the highest proportion of deaths ( because mostly still all ladders then) I reckon the water fed pole has saved 1000s of lives, no kidding.

Was you using ladder spikes as they are a life saver? I wouldn’t be caught dead using a ladder with out them or at least someone footing it. It sounds like you was being complacent relying on what you had done previously which is where most accidents come from. 
 

 

[spruce]

Was you using ladder spikes as they are a life saver? I wouldn’t be caught dead using a ladder with out them or at least someone footing it. It sounds like you was being complacent relying on what you had done previously which is where most accidents come from. 
 

There are just so many different options when it came to ladder work. Some 25 years ago we employed a window cleaner. He used ladders and would sink his ladders into the front grass lawn. In the end those holes were so deep that his ladders sunk to the first step. He would then take his muddy ladders and dump mud onto the back concrete paving, which I would have to wash off. I hated those holes and one day filled them up with soil. Boy, did he give me a mouthful. He stopped coming shortly after that.

He had a rather volatile manner. ? The wife missed him; I didn't.

 

[Part Timer]

He had a rather volatile manner. ? The wife missed him; I didn't

Was it a straight left or a right hook