Green Pro Clean Ltd
Well-known member
- Messages
- 8,103
- Location
- Nottingham & Derbyshire
When I started out (second time round) as a window cleaner, I was so broke that I borrowed a ladder from my next door neighbor and got an applicator and squeegee and some scrims 'lent' to me by a friend that is a window cleaner at a large facilities firm.
As you can imagine the first few months every single penny I spent was done so with extreme care as there was not a penny to spare.
Now a couple of years down the road the money is not really an issue anymore as I have a very healthy round but I (as I am sure most of you are) am always tempted by new gadgets, vans, toys etc. But are they really needed or not? If what you have is working why update it? why upgrade it? why waste money if not needed?
I have gone from surviving on borrowed ladder and tools to having a tidy little van and a decent WFP set up that works perfectly.
I have decided that instead of looking to buy a new WFP setup because I can I am going to develop the modest setup I now have and also stop looking at new vans and simply tune, service, and scrub up my second hand van I currently have.
I plan to post a month by month progress on this thread that will hopefully show those new to WFP that you don't need a million pounds to get set up.
Whilst what I have done so far was not cheap it was far from as expensive as it could have been in the world of WFP set ups.
I will keep a running tally of set up costs here so you can see how it develops over the next year or so.
When starting out I was driving a clapped out VW Bora on which I couldn't afford to replace the snapped N/S suspension coil.
Now I have a 57 plate SWB Renault Trafic (the more reliable 6 speed) with 160'000 on the clock and running like a dream. Body has a few marks here and there but nothing that can't be tidied up easily enough. Cost £2200
Traditional tools including extension ladder on the roof about £220
WFP Currently consists of twin 250ltr Brodex tanks (Joined to make 500ltr) braced and bolted to the chassis. 11ltr DI and 20 inch RO, pump and controller, 100 meters of 8mm microbore hoses.
This originally came with some heavey Brodex aluminum poles that were horrid, but did me ok for a couple of months. -- Total cost second hand - £1700 (also came with a Brodex Trolley System)
I have added a Water Works hose reel winder at a cost of £250 (a luxury item but when doing 20-30 houses per day it really does save the arm on the winder)
The Brodex poles have been replaced with Gardiner SLX poles 18ft and 25ft (and my god by comparison they are pure heaven) Cost just about £500
Split charge relay £17
Just a few more upgrades and I plan to run this system till the wheels fall off or until the van hits 500'000 miles whichever comes first. (and no I don't think with a good maintenance regime that 500'000 miles is unattainable)
Next job to be taken care of before the end of the month is to remove the entire system, dry out and reline the back of the van as it's current ply floor is sodden and has to go before it rots the bed.
Total so far £2687 (excluding the van of course)
As you can imagine the first few months every single penny I spent was done so with extreme care as there was not a penny to spare.
Now a couple of years down the road the money is not really an issue anymore as I have a very healthy round but I (as I am sure most of you are) am always tempted by new gadgets, vans, toys etc. But are they really needed or not? If what you have is working why update it? why upgrade it? why waste money if not needed?
I have gone from surviving on borrowed ladder and tools to having a tidy little van and a decent WFP set up that works perfectly.
I have decided that instead of looking to buy a new WFP setup because I can I am going to develop the modest setup I now have and also stop looking at new vans and simply tune, service, and scrub up my second hand van I currently have.
I plan to post a month by month progress on this thread that will hopefully show those new to WFP that you don't need a million pounds to get set up.
Whilst what I have done so far was not cheap it was far from as expensive as it could have been in the world of WFP set ups.
I will keep a running tally of set up costs here so you can see how it develops over the next year or so.
When starting out I was driving a clapped out VW Bora on which I couldn't afford to replace the snapped N/S suspension coil.
Now I have a 57 plate SWB Renault Trafic (the more reliable 6 speed) with 160'000 on the clock and running like a dream. Body has a few marks here and there but nothing that can't be tidied up easily enough. Cost £2200
Traditional tools including extension ladder on the roof about £220
WFP Currently consists of twin 250ltr Brodex tanks (Joined to make 500ltr) braced and bolted to the chassis. 11ltr DI and 20 inch RO, pump and controller, 100 meters of 8mm microbore hoses.
This originally came with some heavey Brodex aluminum poles that were horrid, but did me ok for a couple of months. -- Total cost second hand - £1700 (also came with a Brodex Trolley System)
I have added a Water Works hose reel winder at a cost of £250 (a luxury item but when doing 20-30 houses per day it really does save the arm on the winder)
The Brodex poles have been replaced with Gardiner SLX poles 18ft and 25ft (and my god by comparison they are pure heaven) Cost just about £500
Split charge relay £17
Just a few more upgrades and I plan to run this system till the wheels fall off or until the van hits 500'000 miles whichever comes first. (and no I don't think with a good maintenance regime that 500'000 miles is unattainable)
Next job to be taken care of before the end of the month is to remove the entire system, dry out and reline the back of the van as it's current ply floor is sodden and has to go before it rots the bed.
Total so far £2687 (excluding the van of course)
