will i need to invest in wfp

[mjd]

been thinking about w.f.p myself @mjd but money is a big consideration for mei know ya got to speculate to accumulate but it would be a big hit/ learning process so still not sure

still paying off my mbike and more

It is alot of money! im not yet totally convinced by it and like you say its a learning curve. Why was you thinking of getting a wfp?

 

[norm]

It is alot of money! im not yet totally convinced by it and like you say its a learning curve. Why was you thinking of getting a wfp?

i have houses that require ladder to be footed with small windows leaded and then larger window cant use ladderm8, ankalad type device etc so 2 men needed for these houses and i am limited in what type of houses for same reason i can clean using ladders as a lot of houses seem to have windows with sloping roofs below them.

pvc and conservatory cleans is a lot easier with w.f.p as well

 

[Smurf]

Hit the nail right on the head there @norm as trad method using ladders can be very ristrictive to what jobs you can actualy do safely.

That's one of the main reasons why so many trad guy's start using wfp aswell but some never will as they are happy doing what they are doing.

 

[Smurf]

@norm best bet for you is buy some wfp bits over a period of time when you have a bit of money say each month or two. So eventualy you will have enough kit to be able to offer a wfp service aswell. /emoticons/wink.png

Fleebay is a good place to keep an eye out too for good used bits and bobs to make a diy wfp system.

What van have you got or do you use a car for window cleaning at the mo?

 

[norm]

@norm best bet for you is buy some wfp bits over a period of time when you have a bit of money say each month or two. So eventualy you will have enough kit to be able to offer a wfp service aswell. /emoticons/wink.png
Fleebay is a good place to keep an eye out too for good used bits and bobs to make a diy wfp system.

What van have you got or do you use a car for window cleaning at the mo?

got a trafic swb @Smurf there is a 500l tank ,hose, 2reels di vessel going with 2 poles for £350 does this sound reasonable

 

[WJCN64]

thats sounds very good the tank and 2 reels would be that.. go for it!

 

[norm]

i guess lack of knowledge on my part with cash shortage has me cautious

 

[Smurf]

You have mail @norm

 

[norm]

cheers @Smurf

 

[sdrah]

believe you should be capable of both to be a success....

I wd slightly disagree here - I know a local window cleaner (family business) and he/they only do trad - sometimes when I drive nearby after 6pm I can see at least 4 cars with ladders on top and I know he s got a big round and probably a nice cash flow too

I m pretty sure he doesnt need or want to upgrade to wfp .

I do like to wfp tho but sometimes ladder is my favorite especially when I have to clean old upvc windows

 

[Smurf]

There will always be trad only ladder guys like that family concern and fair play to them but I bet you don't see what they get upto though trying to clean awkward windows so say the old school way. I do cringe we I see trad guys working sometimes and the best one recently their was a chap working on a 3 rd floor window standing ontop of the 2nd floor narrow bay window roof. He has probably worked like that for years on his own and thinks nothing of it.

 

[cheapncheerful]

I wd slightly disagree here - I know a local window cleaner (family business) and he/they only do trad - sometimes when I drive nearby after 6pm I can see at least 4 cars with ladders on top and I know he s got a big round and probably a nice cash flow tooI m pretty sure he doesnt need or want to upgrade to wfp .

I do like to wfp tho but sometimes ladder is my favorite especially when I have to clean old upvc windows

yeh have to say i havent actually tried it yet.....but .....soon....just another bit of kit to add to my car....well i have got my tds meter.....:rofl:

 

[norm]

yeh have to say i havent actually tried it yet.....but .....soon....just another bit of kit to add to my car....well i have got my tds meter.....:rofl:

thats the most important bit isnt it?

 

[Smurf]

Yep as if the water is defo 000ppm and you're still having problems then it must be your fault (said tongue in cheek) /emoticons/biggrin.png

 

[Luke Elliott]

Being able to clean the trad way is important. In my opinion. You need to have that skill set under your belt so to speak. Hell if you ask me you should even learn to do it two handed. But, overall WFP is better. For so many reasons. It IS quicker. I'll refute that argument that it isn't with anyone. And I'm pretty quick with trad methods! It's keeps windows cleaner for longer. It has far better resistance against rain dirtying windows. It cleans the frames as par for the course without having to make a conscious effort to clean the frames. It cleans the nooks and crannys of the frames far better than you ever could by hand. There is zero residue on the window. With trad methods when the low winter sun hits a window you can see the rainbow arch effect of where your squeegee went - No matter how good you are with trad methods you are still leaving a residue on the window and this is visible at the wrong times. Better access to windows that were previously dangerous or impossible. Though I have a couple of windows that have still only been possible with the advent of carbon poles. Anything else flexed too much and missed the window. Better safety all round. And ultimately, as long as it is maintained and used correctly, does a better job. When I switched over - and any window cleaner who has done the switch will tell you it's a delicate process - even the most skeptical of customers came to me and thanked me for switching. They couldn't believe it was actually better. I've had customers say they've had a bad experience with WFP. And all but one time I've managed to win them over and teach them that somehow the previous guy just wasn't doing it right. In ten years of window cleaning I have only found one house where the front alone must be done by hand because not matter what you do the glass spots. I am at a loss as to why but I still think that is a very good strike rate over so many years and customers. And even that job I am now likely to do with a dragonfly as it has an 'unsafe' roof walk involved.

WFP caught window cleaning up with the modern age. But don't forget your routes. I do a lot of indoor work so my trad skills have still come in very handy.

 

[cheapncheerful]

hi and welcome to the forum Luke Elliott