Decisions Decisions

Hi guys my first post and basically I need some advice on the wfp system. I am old school and prefer traditional window cleaning but I have been offered a job on a monthly basis. I need to get a system and an 80ft pole to do the job [emoji15] the job consists of about 25 windows outside. Any ideas where I can go from here? Cheers

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Presumably you are up and running doing traditional as were many others who are now wfp. 

You are faced with the question of not just doing this job, but whether you are going to invest and transition from ladders and squeegee, mops and buckets.

The cost of setting up just for this one job would not make sense.  The pole itself would cost mega bucks that's even before you've got pure water to pump up to the top of the brush.

However, if you did decide to go wfp, I'm sure you could make it work for the rest of your business as well.

It means a big change in mindset and an appreciation it will cost ££££

Really not woth buying all the kit for one job especially not with an 80ft pole not sure they even make them that long. That will be a specialised job and with no previous wfp experience id walk away. Not as easy as it looks at them heights.

I have used the wfp at height before when working for other people but I am out on my own now and the job pays well and would pay for the system and pole within 5 months and also means I could take on other jobs. Was just looking for some advice from you guys who know there stuff

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Ronnie said:

I have used the wfp at height before when working for other people but I am out on my own now and the job pays well and would pay for the system and pole within 5 months and also means I could take on other jobs. Was just looking for some advice from you guys who know there stuff

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http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/telescopic-poles/ultimate-high-reach-pole/gardiner-ultimatetm-high-reach-pole-coming-soon-1496.html

Not many of us have experience and 80'. At one time a Welsh cleaner by the name of Jeff brimble managed a height of 88' using a mixture of poles.

http://robinson-solutions.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/q-with-electric-window-cleaner-jeff.html

Not many of us have experience and 80'. At one time a Welsh cleaner by the name of Jeff brimble managed a height of 88' using a mixture of poles.

http://robinson-solutions.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/q-with-electric-window-cleaner-jeff.html

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Poles.  The Gardiner Ultimate™ High-Reach Pole 74'  Price: £3,040.00 + Vat


RO system £200- £12,000 +vat

Pumps, controllers £200-300?  You may get away with a backpack but it may not be up to pumping 80' high.

Van.  The choice is many and varied and up to you.  Checkout Autotrader.

I would suggest it's a much bigger decision than going for a monthly high-rise job. 

Sometimes the answer is no.  That's OK too.

im puzzled as to how you can actuality clean to a high standard(no pun intended ) at 80ft or anything above 3rd floor come to think of it,how can you possibly see whats happening on the glass? get enough pressure to scrub? and so on....

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The pole alone is going to set you back about £3000 - £3500 alone

Redditch windy said:

im puzzled as to how you can actuality clean to a high standard(no pun intended ) at 80ft or anything above 3rd floor come to think of it,how can you possibly see whats happening on the glass? get enough pressure to scrub? and so on....

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I know mate bit they want it to any kind of standard personally I would get a cheery picker and get it done the right way but then that will cost them so yeah I think I need to weigh it up although I still would like some advice as I do want to go with the system [emoji16]

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Derrick wills said:

The pole alone is going to set you back about £3000 - £3500 alone

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I can get one for half of that and it's 56ft and add 2 sections on takes me to the 80ft I need to get to[emoji53] but yeah it's a lot of expense for 1 job although does it not mean I could potentially take on other wfp jobs by having it?

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You could use it for other jobs, but how practical would a 80ft pole be using on everyday houses? 

Can you dismantle them down to a more workable 20 - 30ft? 

Following this one as it is quite interesting. 

Craigmac said:

You could use it for other jobs, but how practical would a 80ft pole be using on everyday houses? 
Can you dismantle them down to a more workable 20 - 30ft? 
Following this one as it is quite interesting. 

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Yeah well I would only use it for jobs I need or if asked ,means I always have it was an option but yeah it carbon fibre lightweight so I think it could work for houses etc. The job in question takes a day to do and would pay for the pole and system fitted to my van in 5 months

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A friend gave me this also and a hose reel and pump but that's what why I am asking for advice because I dunno where to start what's best ? Use his old equipment or buy new? 1524851641972

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Ronnie said:

I can get one for half of that and it's 56ft and add 2 sections on takes me to the 80ft I need to get to[emoji53] but yeah it's a lot of expense for 1 job although does it not mean I could potentially take on other wfp jobs by having it?

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So your 2 sections must be 12ft each in length?

dan2016 said:

So your 2 sections must be 12ft each in length?

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Yeah mate they are [emoji15]

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dan2016 said:

So your 2 sections must be 12ft each in length?

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Not too much of an issue to solve. :1f609:

There was a supplier once who used to sell a step ladder with a platform so you had enough height to raise a pole with sections that long.

They also supplied a roller kit that screwed onto the brush head so you could raise the pole with the brush running up/supported/guided by the wall.

Would that have been Tucker in the early days? I can't remember.

The architect for a building that height must have included roof supports to clean windows via absailing.

Personally, I wouldn't get involved at this height due to the high risk factor.

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I have some work at 65 ft which is hard at 80 it would be horrible.

Like spruce has said some of the early Tucker and Ionics poles needed 2 men to put up.The pole your looking at with extra sections at 12 feet you wouldn't be able to put up on your own.

At 80 feet your best bet is to absail it.

be prepared most high level jobs 60 ft and above rarely get cleaned monthly due to the cost to the client so the last thing you want to do is fork out for a 2k pole for a job that goes to 6 monthly after the first clean.

If you don't do much work like this you may be better to sub it out.

spruce said:

 
Not too much of an issue to solve. :1f609:
 
There was a supplier once who used to sell a step ladder with a platform so you had enough height to raise a pole with sections that long.
They also supplied a roller kit that screwed onto the brush head so you could raise the pole with the brush running up/supported/guided by the wall.
 
Would that have been Tucker in the early days? I can't remember.
 
The architect for a building that height must have included roof supports to clean windows via absailing.
 
Personally, I wouldn't get involved at this height due to the high risk factor.
 
.

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I have used iconic 60ft old school poles weighted a ton took 2 men to get it up but once up it was fine but everybody is different. There is only 4 windows at this height then drops down to maybe the pole without the sections I won't know until I try it or if I try it [emoji6]

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Ronnie said:

I have used iconic 60ft old school poles weighted a ton took 2 men to get it up but once up it was fine but everybody is different. There is only 4 windows at this height then drops down to maybe the pole without the sections I won't know until I try it or if I try it

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Is it not possible to do those 4 windows from inside using tethered tools?

spruce said:

 
Is it not possible to do those 4 windows from inside using tethered tools?

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No mate they a fixtures need to be done from outside[emoji30]

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Ronnie said:

No mate they a fixtures need to be done from outside

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Ronnie said:

I have used iconic 60ft old school poles weighted a ton took 2 men to get it up but once up it was fine but everybody is different. There is only 4 windows at this height then drops down to maybe the pole without the sections I won't know until I try it or if I try it

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We have all been caught with customer promises that haven't materialised for one reason or another. There is no way I could afford to outlay £4000 for what could potentially be just one clean. Even having a written contract legally signed means nothing if the customer goes insolvent.

For me, the risk is just too high; but that's an old man speaking.

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spruce said:

 
We have all been caught with customer promises that haven't materialised for one reason or another. There is no way I could afford to outlay £4000 for what could potentially be just one clean. Even having a written contract legally signed means nothing if the customer goes insolvent.
 
For me, the risk is just too high; but that's an old man speaking.
 
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Yeah am starting to think the same way mate was just picking some advice so I don't do something stupid. I think I will go back and say to get a cherry picker and get those windows done quarterly sounds the best bet?

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Don’t want to be rude but working at 80 feet isn’t for inexperienced people we do some work at that height and trust me you need to know what you are doing if you haven’t much experience with wfp I doubt you could evan hold the pole at that height let alone be accurate moving it around a window and then move it to the next , get some experience at 30-45 feet and build up to higher stuff first 

spruce said:

Not too much of an issue to solve. :1f609:

There was a supplier once who used to sell a step ladder with a platform so you had enough height to raise a pole with sections that long.

They also supplied a roller kit that screwed onto the brush head so you could raise the pole with the brush running up/supported/guided by the wall.

Would that have been Tucker in the early days? I can't remember.

The architect for a building that height must have included roof supports to clean windows via absailing.

Personally, I wouldn't get involved at this height due to the high risk factor.

.

Click to expand...

It was was ionics I tried it but no way was it safe we now use an ultimate at that height it’s not for the faint hearted trust me ????