Setting up on a budget

[roast beef]

Evening guys,

So I'm getting back into the window cleaning game after 15 years!! I'm going the wfp route as I'm not quite as fit and nimble as I once was!! I'm building my system on a tight budget as I still have another business going for the time being and don't really want to spend that much until I get a good customer base when I will upgrade my gear!

Now I got a pretty good deal last week on 2 500l upright tanks, 2 Shurflo pumps and 2 diigital streamline controllers. I got all this for £103!! I've already sold one of the tanks for £150 so I've done quite well so far.

My first question to you guys is this, in regards to poles, I have found this on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAYERSAN-IMPRESSOR-GLASS-FIBRE-POLE-COMPLETE-HOSE-BRUSH-/111468205666?var=&hash=item5f917f65e2 it's made by a company called Bayersan and at £112 for a 25ft pole, hose and brush seems like a bargain compared to if I was going to go and splash the cash on Gardiner pole (which I will do in the future). Is this pole any good for the time being whilst building a customer base? Does anyone have any experience with this?

Secondly, I've also found this hose and hose reel for £104 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Compact-Metal-Hose-Reel-100m-6mm-Hose-Bracket-Window-Cleaning-Reel-/112347258493?hash=item1a286b1e7d from the same company, is this any good?

So basically I can complete my setup for less than £300 which is fantastic!!

 

[Part Timer]

Personally I wouldn't get a fibreglass pole, been there, done that. If you're going to splash a bit extra on anything then, for me, a decent pole is a must. 

 

[chelmsclean]

You can get a clx18 for similar money, Inc brush. Half carbon so probably lighter and stiffer.

Personally I'd spend the extra 100 and go for an slx full carbon.

I started out with an unger fibreglass, then switched to an slx after a few years.

Made so much difference, plus I used to get terrible splinters from the fibre glass pole

 

[Tango]

My first question to you guys is this, in regards to poles, I have found this on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAYERSAN-IMPRESSOR-GLASS-FIBRE-POLE-COMPLETE-HOSE-BRUSH-/111468205666?var=&hash=item5f917f65e2 it's made by a company called Bayersan and at £112 for a 25ft pole, hose and brush seems like a bargain compared to if I was going to go and splash the cash on Gardiner pole (which I will do in the future). 

I'm no expert but Gardiner poles are very highly recommended for a reason - they're excellent.

Your 25ft pole is 2ft short of the CLX27 that I have. The CLX range is Gardiners budget range and it is also their heaviest pole being only part carbon however it will still be lighter than the pole you're looking at which is 2ft shorter. In other words the pole you are looking at will be heavier and more awkward to work with when fully extended. Just because it has that cheap bargain price does not mean it is an actual bargain.

Obviously it is your choice, if you think you can work with it then go for it - we've no right to stop you however if you really want a bargain pole get yourself a CLX from Gardiner which will at least last you while building up your customer base and beyond. The bayersan pole will probably have a shorter lifespan if not through wear, it will be you getting fed up with it. The CLX will at least keep you sweet in both regards until you want a more expensive pole. 

 

[Iron Giant]

https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles.html is were you need to buy your pole from if you are no spring chicken then go for an SLX-22 which will reach the vast majority of all residential homes including modern townhouses and I am 5ft tall as for the hose reel https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLABER-Lightweight-Metal-Reel-with-100m-of-Microbore-6mm-hose-Aquastop/282683746799?hash=item41d143a9ef:g:bxMAAOSwc1FZ150Q this one maybe be better as it's tried and tested and I have 2 off them in the past and would recommend them and it's a good price. 

 

[Marko067]

I still have a section of one of my fibreglass poles from years back that I made a tool from and I keep meaning to lacquer it but never get round to it. I used it the other day and my hands paid for it for the rest of the day. Splinters! 

My recollection of them is that the smooth gel coat wears off real quick and once it does the only way to prevent splinters was to wear gloves all the time. So unless you're happy to wear gloves constantly I'd go with a CLX if you're really strapped for cash but better yet an SLX for the reasons already explained