[Thecleanerservice]

I've had a few old small vans over the years for my round.  Had an illness that put me sick for 6 months a couple of years ago, so cut back to one car which I am wrecking as I'm sure many of you appreciate.
I'm not ready for WFP work yet, but feel it's time to get another vehicle just for windowcleaning.  Apart from a convertible Hearse!!! What do you think guys?
I think a small van, but value the experience we have to share.  I could part with about £1000.  Do I go for something worth that or use it as a deposit for something better?  Any advise humorous or serious appreciated.  I hate the motor business, they are such greedy sharks.
Pj

[H h20]

I`ve always had escort estates,but iv`e got myself a citroen berlingo(not van) iv`e started using wfp and find it really good and spacious when the seats are folded,i`ve still got an escort estate as its my pride and joy,spent loads on it,it far from standard,but yes the berlingo is a really usefull vehicle 

[matt]

personallly i like a estate car, i have a Passat estate and its a great little motor

you will get more estate car for your money than you will a small van (which will no doubt be a ex builders van and a shed)

[Ray Pickering]

Hi PJ.

I also agree my choice would be an estate car.

It's obviously a duel purpose vehicle to use for your job with an added bit of luxury to take the missus & kids out in comfort. (if you've got any)

If as you say your working trad: you've got plenty of room.

At present i've got a Mondeo car but theres ample room for my needs, having said that my cars a bit thirsty being a 2 litre so a smaller engine estate would be a better option.

Ray.

[AuRavelling79]

Estate car here too! 1991 Honda Accord Estate 2.2i (It's a bit unusual but a little bigger than an Escort and a little smaller than a Mondeo) Had a Volvo 240 Estate before that.

OK for trad or low end pole work as I carry up to 250litres in 25 litre barrels.

My next step (next 6 - 12 months or so) will probably be a trailer to increase water capacity as I am getting a bit more commercial stuff now.

When I change the car (When it blow ups or fails MOT big time - so anytime between now and five years!) I'll go for another estate but certainly a Diesel as my 2.2i petrol auto is a bit thirsty round town. (Luv the aircon in summer tho')

I use the estate soley for window cleaning except for one long trip to France a couple of years ago and occasional camping trip.

(Missus Malc G has a Rover 200 Diesel for her work, school run, shops etc)

[Thecleanerservice]

Thanks guys, well worth asking.  I must admit I thought you'd say van is best, but you've made me think again.  that's what this forum is all about.  Thanks again, I'll let you know how I get on. 
Pj

[brett walker]

Hi everyone

ive just changed from a small car to a new vectra estate, this suits the purpose for my family and work.

It saves running 2 vehicles which can work out costly

I think having an estate works out better than having a small van youve got the same amount of room with the seats down and extra seats when you do not need the room which you do not have in a van.

Idealy i would like one of those big transit vans with my name on a wfp set up the full works but wouldnt we all, but when youve got a big family you have to run what you can afford. ive seen some great pics of the sign written vans on this forum i live in envy,  for now i am very happy with my estate

regards

brett

[Paul Coleman]

I've had a few old small vans over the years for my round.  Had an illness that put me sick for 6 months a couple of years ago, so cut back to one car which I am wrecking as I'm sure many of you appreciate.
I'm not ready for WFP work yet, but feel it's time to get another vehicle just for windowcleaning.  Apart from a convertible Hearse!!! What do you think guys?
I think a small van, but value the experience we have to share.  I could part with about £1000.  Do I go for something worth that or use it as a deposit for something better?  Any advise humorous or serious appreciated.  I hate the motor business, they are such greedy sharks.
Pj

I use an Escort van and it's fine for me as my only vehicle.  I do live on my own though.  If I ever start in earnest with WFP, I would be looking for something with a much larger payload though.  I used to have a Nissan Sunny van which was fine except for the hatchback style rear.  It used to catch the ladder when I needed something from the back of the van.  I imagine that the same could apply to an estate.  The Escort is an OK height to get ladders on and off too - though a shortish person might struggle (I'm 6' 1").
It's hard to give advice as I don't know your full situation.  Personally, if affordable, I would rather get a newer van and borrow part of the cost.  Remember, you get tax relief on the interest (or proportionately if you use the van partly for personal use).  Lots of cheap credit card cheques around these days too.

[Ray Pickering]

Yes Shiner!!

That's a consideration when comparing vans to cars.

I too with my hatchback struggle at times getting stuff out the boot when the ladders are on top.

But like Brett it's a better option than running 2 cars when you have a family.

Ray.

[matt]

you dont need a BIG payload to do WFP though, i carry 6 25L of water in my estate and use 4 or 5  of them each day

2 in the passenger front  footwell
2 in each of the rear footwells

then my cart/trolley in the rear with a bucket

loads of space, the car isnt overloaded at all

its the same as 3 youths in the car with me (judgeing a youth would weigh 50 KG)

its not a issue, stick some magmetic signs on the side and the jobs a good un

[Thecleanerservice]

Thanks Shiner for mentioning the finance issue, worth considering.
Vehicles....such a waste of money, but so necessary.  A van gives a good professional image.  I have quite a few commercial customers
Pj

[The Bear]

though a shortish person might struggle (I'm 6' 1").

Show off

[gaza]

Ive a long wheeled base tranny van and still carnt get all my equipment in it {neatly}must be the scruffiest w/c in the country,my Mrs wont ride in it [reconds we look like a gypsy family in it]

Preferes the old merc{ but forgets it runs on petrol} GAZAS TAXI

GLAD I WENT FOR THE TRANNY FIRST THOUGH AS IVE EXPANDED ITS BEEN A RELIEABLE TOOL.
 BRETT IF YOUR READING THIS ITS A WASTE OF TIME KNICKING MY TRANNY NOW TOOK THE MONEY OF THE DASH
 GAZA

[brett walker]

  dam

i like the merc

[Paul Coleman]

though a shortish person might struggle (I'm 6' 1").

Show off

And my body is even taller 

[Ian_Giles]

If you are going to spend a grand on a vehicle you know you aren't going to get an all singing all dancing car or van.
It'll be several years old.
If it lasts you say, 2 years before you feel its had its day, then your 2 years of motoring will have cost you 500 quid a year (not counting running costs). Though perhaps you'll go 3 years or even more.

A car IS restrictive for work compared to a van, but for a grand you could probably pick up a reasonable, clean van, and if you can afford to get some basic sign writing done then you'll look more professional.

I currently use a Toyota Corolla hatchback. I cope fine, but I'm WFP and I'm ruining the car and it always smells damp

For about £250 a month I can lease something the size of a Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Traffic and the Nissan version of the same van.
Hoping to go this route in the Autumn.

Better for me with WFP, the speed with which you can take out your trolley when needed, or the amount of water you can carry, the storing of all your equipment, professional appearance...and the car goes back to being the family motor!

If you are intending to stay as a trad window cleaner and can only afford to run 1 vehicle then get a car; an estate will certainly give you more room, but a bucket of water, squeegee's & scrims do not exactly take up a lot of space, everything else goes on your ladder rack.
So providing you don't get a hatchback (tailgate a problem cos of ladders) a car is fine.
The only problem with an estate is the tailgate and the ladder

If your intention is to expand into WFP then try for a van, providing you can afford to run 2 vehicles that is.
You can certainly cope with a car and use WFP, I've done so for over 18 months now, but a van is the ideal.

As for what van; Well I don't like the escort van, not much headroom, too cramped. The boxier vans are better, the Peugeot Partner or Citroen Dispatch maybe, or the Ford one that is between the transit and the Escort (forgotten the name )
The Escort size vans also have quite a small load rating, so if your intent was to go WFP then you would be pretty restricted.

The bigger vans are better for WFP, but for trad work, getting the ladders on and off would be a pain.

But Van or car? If you are buying a vehicle just for work then it has to be a van, whether you are spending £1000 or £12,000.

Regards,

Ian

[matt]

isnt the midi size ford van called the Transit connect or something like that

though ford used to do the Courier, the same size as a astra max van, same floor space as the escort vav, but more headroom, not sure they do the same van now, think it might be the connect now

[Mikey Y]

I use my volvo 850 estate, great car all mod cons and plenty of room for long poles as well, I think I have about over 2.5 metres inside lengh. with a large space at the back.

Mike

[Paul Coleman]

A car IS restrictive for work compared to a van, but for a grand you could probably pick up a reasonable, clean van, and if you can afford to get some basic sign writing done then you'll look more professional.

I currently use a Toyota Corolla hatchback. I cope fine, but I'm WFP and I'm ruining the car and it always smells damp

For about £250 a month I can lease something the size of a Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Traffic and the Nissan version of the same van.
Hoping to go this route in the Autumn.

Better for me with WFP, the speed with which you can take out your trolley when needed, or the amount of water you can carry, the storing of all your equipment, professional appearance...and the car goes back to being the family motor!

If you are intending to stay as a trad window cleaner and can only afford to run 1 vehicle then get a car; an estate will certainly give you more room, but a bucket of water, squeegee's & scrims do not exactly take up a lot of space, everything else goes on your ladder rack.
So providing you don't get a hatchback (tailgate a problem cos of ladders) a car is fine.
The only problem with an estate is the tailgate and the ladder

If your intention is to expand into WFP then try for a van, providing you can afford to run 2 vehicles that is.
You can certainly cope with a car and use WFP, I've done so for over 18 months now, but a van is the ideal.

As for what van; Well I don't like the escort van, not much headroom, too cramped. The boxier vans are better, the Peugeot Partner or Citroen Dispatch maybe, or the Ford one that is between the transit and the Escort (forgotten the name )
The Escort size vans also have quite a small load rating, so if your intent was to go WFP then you would be pretty restricted.

The bigger vans are better for WFP, but for trad work, getting the ladders on and off would be a pain.

But Van or car? If you are buying a vehicle just for work then it has to be a van, whether you are spending £1000 or £12,000.

Regards,

Ian

Like you Ian, I intend to upgrade when it becomes affordable for me.  I find my Escort van is OK for trad style window cleaning - though my unger (non WFP) extension pole needs to be loaded diagonally.  However, I would want something much larger for WFP.  Not just larger in wheelbase but also a much larger payload.  My reason is that if I'm going to go for WFP in the next year or two, I want to do it properly.  I may end up with backpack and trolley for a while first though with my Escort to see how I get along with WFP.  I would buy my pure water (I live in a flat so have water transportation issues) and only use it on the more difficult windows in order to conserve it.  I will only do this when I feel I am within 6 months of making the leap into WFP.  Backpack and trolley are items that would be kept even in a van upgrade so it won't be wasted money.  I've already looked into the cost of leasing or buying a largish van (Nissan Primastar) and the cost is currently a bit too much for me.  I've calculated that the repayments on a van, and a decent van mount (leasing) would set me back 300 a month.  That is if I use my Escort van as a (partial?) deposit and agree to pay a balloon payment after several years (3 years available I think).  The balloon payment is not a problem so long as someone is creditworthy, as it is borrowable (not against the van though and possibly not against the business).  However, personal loans, credit card cheques are in abundance and there are some good deals to be had.  Added to that 300 a month, there are poles, resin etc to be bought and don't forget that vehicle insurance should be a lot higher.  It would also be advisable to insure tools/equipment against damage in a crash (and possibly theft too).  I don't currently bother with that because, apart from the ladders, there's not anything worth insuring.
Anyway, I reckon the extra outlay should be covered by £500 a month.  That's a lot of extra income needed while going through a learning curve that will slow me down initially.

Also, regarding getting the ladders on and off occasionally, I wonder if this one would be worth considering this:-

http://www.telescopicladders.co.uk/products.asp?ID=1

The page says that it's to European safety standards.  There would be no issues about getting it off a high van as it could be kept inside.  Extra advantage would be less likely to be stolen.  I realise it could be a bit of hassle setting it up but, using WFP, it hopefully would not be needed very much anyway.
Has anyone on here any experience of these ladders?

You see, I have thought this through.  Only my current debt levels are holding me back. I would also need to rent a tap (and drainage) somewhere which would add to my costs if I couldn't find a suitable freebie.
Anyway, It's Sunday and I'm off to work now.  I sounded my customers out ages ago and very few of them are bothered about me coming around on a Sunday so long as I start after 10 AM.  I do try to save the little bits of commercial work for Sundays but don't have enough of it to fill all of them.