Newbie ,looking at getting started

[Ian Docksey]

I said I'd have a few questions.  Well here's the 1st or 2nd ??, should I go for the water fed pole course at the BWCA. Its£195. Have any of you been on the course or know anyone who has?

 

[AW Services]

I said I'd have a few questions.  Well here's the 1st or 2nd ??, should I go for the water fed pole course at the BWCA. Its£195. Have any of you been on the course or know anyone who has?

Personally if I was starting out I wouldn't. Get some work experience on the tools hands on either paid or unpaid with a local window cleaner.

For £195 you'd expect a qualification not blisters 

Also there are plenty of well produced informative videos on YouTube showing tried and test techniques 

Also get the basics and work out whats best for you, considering fitness, fatigue and no house is the same 

A E Mackintosh 

Christopher Dawber aka Wagga 

Squeaky clean Dave 

Green pro clean

 

[Ian Docksey]

Personally if I was starting out I wouldn't. Get some work experience on the tools hands on either paid or unpaid with a local window cleaner.

For £195 you'd expect a qualification not blisters 

Also there are plenty of well produced informative videos on YouTube showing tried and test techniques 

Also get the basics and work out whats best for you, considering fitness, fatigue and no house is the same 

A E Mackintosh 

Christopher Dawber aka Wagga 

Squeaky clean Dave 

Green pro clean

Thanks.  I'll see if a local wfp window cleaner, will let me go round with them for a while. Any on here from Horsham ,west Sussex. 

Thanks.  I'll see if a local wfp window cleaner, will let me go round with them for a while. Any on here from Horsham ,west Sussex. 

Well anywhere in west sussex really!??

 

[AW Services]

Thanks.  I'll see if a local wfp window cleaner, will let me go round with them for a while. Any on here from Horsham ,west Sussex. 

Well anywhere in west sussex really!??

This free booklet is also worth getting and a good read 

http://bwca.co.uk/become-a-window-cleaner/

 

[Ian Docksey]

This free booklet is also worth getting and a good read 

http://bwca.co.uk/become-a-window-cleaner/

Thanks again. Have filled in and requested.  

 

[NewGuy]

I spent last year working with an established window cleaner before taking the steps to set up on my own.  It was very valuable and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

 

[Pjj]

I said I'd have a few questions.  Well here's the 1st or 2nd ??, should I go for the water fed pole course at the BWCA. Its£195. Have any of you been on the course or know anyone who has?

I did it as a free course when they were fitting my first system about 18 years ago , it will give you the basics of how to clean windows but I would spend an evening on YouTube and save your money for something more worth while .

 

[Ian Docksey]

I did it as a free course when they were fitting my first system about 18 years ago , it will give you the basics of how to clean windows but I would spend an evening on YouTube and save your money for something more worth while .

I'm spending every minute I can on YouTube.  Thanks to people like Squeaky Dave and Green pro clean my list of what I thought I needed has gone right down. But I'll probably still get stuff i dont really need. But lessons learned. 

 

[AW Services]

I'm spending every minute I can on YouTube.  Thanks to people like Squeaky Dave and Green pro clean my list of what I thought I needed has gone right down. But I'll probably still get stuff i dont really need. But lessons learned. 

Send me a list of everything you think you need and I'll help you sort through it in priority 

 

[AW Services]

I'm spending every minute I can on YouTube.  Thanks to people like Squeaky Dave and Green pro clean my list of what I thought I needed has gone right down. But I'll probably still get stuff i dont really need. But lessons learned. 

A genuine HM tds meter is a must. I'd always recommend buying 2

1 to you the other as spare especially if your new van install doesn't have a fitting in-line tds meter 

https://windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/products/handheld-tds-meter?_pos=1&_sid=5ca5f79a5&_ss=r

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

A genuine HM tds meter is a must. I'd always recommend buying 2

1 to you the other as spare especially if your new van install doesn't have a fitting in-line tds meter 

https://windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/products/handheld-tds-meter?_pos=1&_sid=5ca5f79a5&_ss=r

But if you can get a inline TDS meter fitted cause they make it so simple!

 

[AW Services]

But if you can get a inline TDS meter fitted cause they make it so simple!

Very true and easy DIY install in 10 mins 

 

[Ian Docksey]

Very true and easy DIY install in 10 mins 

Thanks both of you.  I have 1 on my list. But will check out an inline 1.

 

[AW Services]

Thanks both of you.  I have 1 on my list. But will check out an inline 1.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HM-Digital-Monitor-Readout-Accuracy/dp/B001EHAZGW

 

[Part Timer]

Thanks both of you.  I have 1 on my list. But will check out an inline 1.

I have 2 inline ones, one from R/O and one out of Di, and use a hand held to check they're working correctly.

 

[Ian Docksey]

21 minutes ago, Apw1210 said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HM-Digital-Monitor-Readout-Accuracy/dp/B001EHAZGW

Thanks Apw1210. Added to my list.

 

[Ian Docksey]

Thanks Apw1210. Added to my list.

Now my next question ???

Payment , do you use careless payment DD.  I am thinking of using this. Yes I realise some customers wont go for it. But I'd prefer this in these Covid times and tbh I think serious customers would also.

 

[Part Timer]

Now my next question ???

Payment , do you use careless payment DD.  I am thinking of using this. Yes I realise some customers wont go for it. But I'd prefer this in these Covid times and tbh I think serious customers would also.

Suck it and see, I think you'll struggle if you accept careless payment though ?

 

[AW Services]

I have 2 inline ones, one from R/O and one out of Di, and use a hand held to check they're working correctly.

Always good to cross reference readings. They are very well made and the only ones I've ever seen with calibration documentation 

 

[AW Services]

Now my next question ???

Payment , do you use careless payment DD.  I am thinking of using this. Yes I realise some customers wont go for it. But I'd prefer this in these Covid times and tbh I think serious customers would also.

Cardless is good but I personally think starting out you'll need to keep your overheads down. I've seen inflation on certain PDQ suppliers and surcharges

Also ensure you have a new fresh bank account for business use. Just a standard current account in your name. Nothing fancy.

I really only ever use BACS direct bank transfer and the customers cough up on time.

I made some pretty basic business cards with Your windows were cleaned today on them with a footer message reading if you have any issues please call me immediately 

 

[Ian Docksey]

Cardless is good but I personally think starting out you'll need to keep your overheads down. I've seen inflation on certain PDQ suppliers and surcharges

Also ensure you have a new fresh bank account for business use. Just a standard current account in your name. Nothing fancy.

I really only ever use BACS direct bank transfer and the customers cough up on time.

I made some pretty basic business cards with Your windows were cleaned today on them with a footer message reading if you have any issues please call me immediately 

Yes am opening a new bank account for the business.  Will make some cards as you suggest. And get a card reader machine also then.