Is 70years old , too old.

[vincent]

Is 70 years old too old to become a window cleaner.

 

[mattybondi]

not a bit. start asap,,, before you get cold feet,

 

[P4dstar]

Is 70 years old too old to become a window cleaner.

Had a fella come and work for me a couple of years back. He was 68 and until 10 years ago he ran his own window cleaning business. He lasted 3 days.

It’s a hard job. But then every person is different. That chap was knackered getting in and out the van all day. He was decent at cleaning windows but it just zapped all his energy. My daughter’s driving instructor is 73. We found him as he is very good friends with my Brother in law. They went cycling round France last year. He would likely have no trouble being a window cleaner.

In short, it depends what type of 70 year old you are. I’m sure you know your body better than anyone.

 

[Jaygti]

5 full days? Yes you’re too old.
Part time? No problem

 

[robmorgan]

If you can be president at 82 you can be a window cleaner at 70 - you're still a spring chicken lad, get on with it

In all seriousness though, maybe look at it more in terms of building a round (recurring income), a good reputation in your area and hiring as soon as you can? Get good systems and processes in place in so you can grow smoothly!

Then you can still get on the tools sometimes if you fancy it (sun is out ) but you don't have to grind 5 days/week.

Easier said than done, but I definitely know guys who set up later on and it's looked after them with the right setup.

 

[spruce]

If you can be president at 82 you can be a window cleaner at 70 - you're still a spring chicken lad, get on with it

In all seriousness though, maybe look at it more in terms of building a round (recurring income), a good reputation in your area and hiring as soon as you can? Get good systems and processes in place in so you can grow smoothly!

Then you can still get on the tools sometimes if you fancy it (sun is out ) but you don't have to grind 5 days/week.

Easier said than done, but I definitely know guys who set up later on and it's looked after them with the right setup.

From my experience, it doesn't get any easier the older you get. My SLX40 pole gets heavier every time I use it.

 

[vincent]

I was thinking in terms of part time.
Maybe 20 hours a week.
Just to supplement my pension and give a reason to get out of the house.

 

[Iron Giant]

From my experience, it doesn't get any easier the older you get. My SLX40 pole gets heavier every time I use it.

Your son or son in law need be using the 40ft pole and you a 22-25ft your the boss

I'm 49 years old and don't use a 40ft pole anymore and dropped all the jobs that needed one, as you are 23 years older than me I think, you might be fitter than me

 

[robmorgan]

I was thinking in terms of part time.
Maybe 20 hours a week.
Just to supplement my pension and give a reason to get out of the house.

Sounds like you've got a plan then - just go for it

Heading into spring as well - good excuse to get out in the

 

[ched999uk]

I was thinking in terms of part time.
Maybe 20 hours a week.
Just to supplement my pension and give a reason to get out of the house.

As others have said, depends on how fit you are. You can pick and choose the jobs you take on - so maybe stick to stuff that you can reach with an 18 ft pole. You might find that the effort involved in starting up is a lot, one of the difficulties is gaining customers. You will have to go out and leaflet/canvass and it will take a long time to build up to 20 hrs work a week - maybe a couple of years.
I assume you are going water fed pole not trad? Learning to work from ladders might not be the best idea no matter what age you are.

 

[dazmond]

Is 70 years old too old to become a window cleaner.

What is your fitness like?

Are you very active?

Only you know whether your fit enough for window cleaning.

If your starting from scratch the good thing is you can build up your fitness as you gain more work.

Forget ladders. Wfp is the only way to clean upper windows these days.

I do know a window cleaner who started at 18 years old and he's still working at 80 years of age albeit 10-12 hours a week. He looks fantastic for his age and he has no plans to fully retire yet.

 

[Will you make it]

From my experience, it doesn't get any easier the older you get. My SLX40 pole gets heavier every time I use it.

How old are you Spruce??

 

[spruce]

How old are you Spruce??

73

 

[spruce]

Your son or son in law need be using the 40ft pole and you a 22-25ft your the boss

I'm 49 years old and don't use a 40ft pole anymore and dropped all the jobs that needed one, as you are 23 years older than me I think, you might be fitter than me

We still have a few cleans that require this length. I replaced my SLX22 with an SLX27 about 4 years ago, which reduced the number of times a month I needed to get the 40' pole out.

 

[theo]

74! Beat you Spruce!
Still doing full week,
Circumstances dictate.
70 is not too old.
It’s still fun running your own business, keeps the parts moving and provides an income.

 

[spruce]

74! Beat you Spruce!
Still doing full week,
Circumstances dictate.
70 is not too old.
It’s still fun running your own business, keeps the parts moving and provides an income.

Good for you. I agree, it definitely keeps the parts moving and does provide a little more income. It's good to see people keeping active into old age.

 

[sleepyfolk]

Robin Knox Johnson sailed round the world at 68 and trans Atlantic at 75 so window cleaning part time should be a breeze! I like to remind myself of that when my 54 year old carcass is groaning

 

[mattybondi]

Robin Knox Johnson sailed round the world at 68 and trans Atlantic at 75 so window cleaning part time should be a breeze! I like to remind myself of that when my 54 year old carcass is groaning

heard he isnt very kind

 

[Iron Giant]

We still have a few cleans that require this length. I replaced my SLX22 with an SLX27 about 4 years ago, which reduced the number of times a month I needed to get the 40' pole out.

You most likely do more higher older buildings than me, I'm thankful that at a guess more than 95% of my jobs I can manage with a 22ft pole, I have to admit that up until a few months ago I was using my 27ft pole on jobs that only needed the 22ft, I'm wondering if I'm making work too easy for myself and that's why it's sometimes challenging using the 27ft

 

[Will you make it]

You most likely do more higher older buildings than me, I'm thankful that at a guess more than 95% of my jobs I can manage with a 22ft pole, I have to admit that up until a few months ago I was using my 27ft pole on jobs that only needed the 22ft, I'm wondering if I'm making work too easy for myself and that's why it's sometimes challenging using the 27ft

After the week I’ve had I feel 70+ years old! I’m 52
Interesting Iron - I’ve made life easier for myself too past 5 years… Extreme 18 makes life very easy - was with out for one day and used SLX 25 with extension on and felt like I’d had a full days work out by evening.
If I make it into my 70’s I’m planning to still be (prob have to) be working

 

[Iron Giant]

After the week I’ve had I feel 70+ years old! I’m 52
Interesting Iron - I’ve made life easier for myself too past 5 years… Extreme 18 makes life very easy - was with out for one day and used SLX 25 with extension on and felt like I’d had a full days work out by evening.
If I make it into my 70’s I’m planning to still be (prob have to) be working

I'm 49 and feel 10 years old sometimes

Currently, I have no desire to make it into my 70's, my father-in-law says I shouldn't wish my life away, but as we have no kids I have no desire for a long life if I'm neither physically nor mentally capable