Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dan100 on August 13, 2010, 10:16:38 pm

Title: Hi all
Post by: Dan100 on August 13, 2010, 10:16:38 pm
Hi all,
I recently joined the forum,

I have been busy reading information on here and reading the banter that goes with it...
I am looking to start up a window cleaning business spring next year  I will be traditional as i feel this will be the cheaper option for me.

I have done a little window cleaning before work experience at School years ago  lol,
was also a car valeter for 8 years.
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: gavin pedley on August 13, 2010, 10:26:39 pm
Welcome to the forum bud, its a great forum and everyone is very helpful
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: the bfg on August 13, 2010, 10:32:39 pm
gday Dano
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: mci services on August 13, 2010, 10:42:44 pm
welcome dan100
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Smudger on August 14, 2010, 08:05:04 am
Welcome Dan - good luck in this new venture

Darran
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: leights on August 14, 2010, 09:29:48 am
hello and welcome, im new to mate, yes lots of delboys on here, so watch out and if you cant spell be parpared to get digged by the english teacher BFG...

Apart from that gd luck with the new business and trad is best at first in my opinion cheap startup kit around 35 40 pounds
all the best
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: AuRavelling79 on August 14, 2010, 09:39:12 am
Hello Dan. Tell us about your plans.
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: the bfg on August 14, 2010, 09:43:53 am
hello and welcome, im new to mate, yes lots of delboys on here, so watch out and if you cant spell be parpared to get digged by the english teacher BFG..














Danish actually,


Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Dan100 on August 14, 2010, 11:02:03 am
Thank you all for the comments.

I really do think this is a good forum I've been so busy reading discussions and the Trad vs Wfp war lol....

Ive got so many questions to ask but please forgive me for the newbie type questions.

I will try my best with my grammar....

Regards
Dan


Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: dazmond on August 14, 2010, 11:14:42 am
hi dan itll cost you more than £30-£40 to get your basic set up!

first you need a van/car then a roof rack/trad gear(squeegee/mop/scrim/b.o.a.b/pouches).3.5m trade ladder/note book and pen to start off.

if you ve already got a car/van and roof rack then for £200 you should be able to get the basic kit then after a while business cards/leaflets/uniform/window cleaning software/signage and wfp!!

i would recommend a ladderstopper/mitts as well if your starting off trad


regards

dazmond
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Dan100 on August 14, 2010, 11:29:14 am
Ok here goes :

I have purchased 3.5 trade ladder with mitts.
B.o.a.b
14" Squeegee
10" squeegee
14" Applicator
Backflip 10" Domestics
Pole 3.7
Bucket
Scrim These seem massive (Do you cut them down and hem them)
Micro fibre cloths
What solution do you use?
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: dazmond on August 14, 2010, 12:01:52 pm
hi dan that set up seems fine!dont cuts the scrim up!boil wash them and use them as sill cloths a few times til you "break them in".after a while theyll be great for polishing and detailing!they also shrink after a few washes.

i use gg3 now as its far superior finish than fairy IMO!but fairy will do for now but dont use to much in ya bucket!! ;) ;D ;D

practice,practice,practise with the extension pole.you can get an adequate finish for the odd difficult window but it takes time.ive got a clamp as well that fits on the end of my pole for holding scrim for detailing.(unger fixiclamp from the windowcleancentre)

BEST WISHES DAN!

dazmond
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Dan100 on August 14, 2010, 12:14:25 pm
Dazmond your a star cheers for all your comments i really appreciate them.

Ill check the clamp out as i am using a rubber band to hold detailing cloth on, i was thinking or sewing Velcro on the cloth then wrap around my angle adapter.

Regards

Dan
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Smudgeoff Cleaning Services on August 14, 2010, 12:23:37 pm
welcome Dan......Hope all goes well mate,  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: TonyD on August 14, 2010, 01:10:32 pm
Welcome Dan. I still have a car valeting business running after being in that business for over 15 years - here. (http://cherishedcarcare.co.uk) I tried out window cleaning towards the end of last year as a form of reliable regular income when the recession was at it's worst here and very few where spending on valeting.  I was suprised how easy (well, fairly easy) I built up a small round by canvassing door to door and even though the valeting has picked up slightly I now run both businesses with my sights set on moving into wfp window cleaning full time when possible. 
The reliable regular income is far easier to build in window cleaning that valeting. 

Best advice I think I think I could give (being pretty much a window cleaning newbie) is - safety first.  I came close to a fall one day and it scared the life outa me.  If you're worried about a particular climb position, trust your instinct and don't do it. 
And good luck with the business.
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: mikeyfaerosyth on August 14, 2010, 07:24:33 pm
why not try using a sqeegee handle as a clamp for scrims?
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: rg1 on August 14, 2010, 07:28:40 pm
Good luck in your new venture. You made a wise decision starting in the spring when hopefully the weather will be better ;)
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Ian101 on August 14, 2010, 07:32:44 pm
hi dan itll cost you more than £30-£40 to get your basic set up!

first you need a van/car then a roof rack/trad gear(squeegee/mop/scrim/b.o.a.b/pouches).3.5m trade ladder/note book and pen to start off.

if you ve already got a car/van and roof rack then for £200 you should be able to get the basic kit then after a while business cards/leaflets/uniform/window cleaning software/signage and wfp!!

i would recommend a ladderstopper/mitts as well if your starting off trad


regards

dazmond

Dont forget to tell your insurance company of change of use for your private car if you go that way ... the buzzies can do you for no insurance and as all traffic police are lying bar stools and all magistrates beleive what the lying filth tell them then you will get done (you may have guessed Ive just had the pleaseure of Mold Magistrates courts ... not for insurance but for speeding which I wasnt £1065 fine and 6 points)
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Ian101 on August 14, 2010, 07:34:43 pm
Good luck in your new venture. You made a wise decision starting in the spring when hopefully the weather will be better ;)

go for it now as will be easier in the spring and you will be well used to it and what our crappy climate can throw at you  ;D
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: bobby p on August 14, 2010, 07:38:16 pm
you will get done (you may have guessed Ive just had the pleaseure of Mold Magistrates courts ... not for insurance but for speeding which I wasnt £1065 fine and 6 points)


whats the story behind that big fine IAN ?
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on August 14, 2010, 08:17:46 pm
you will get done (you may have guessed Ive just had the pleaseure of Mold Magistrates courts ... not for insurance but for speeding which I wasnt £1065 fine and 6 points)


whats the story behind that big fine IAN ?
SHUDA BELLED ME WEN U WERE THERE LOL ;)
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Ian101 on August 15, 2010, 08:08:06 am
Story is copper does me with a radar gun in dark November night travelling away from her pulls me and says I was doing 51 in a 30 which I wasnt (I know they all say that) no way says me as I looked at my speedo when I went past her and was about 25 ish ... offers me a fixed pen so told her to go ######### herself.

Went to court Thursday with Chesters version of Nick Freeman (fella called Mike Gray from Oliver and Co Chester) he did a brilliant job took the filthy lying copper apart in the box piece by piece got her to admit the check she did before going on duty of the pro laser is flawed plus loads of other dodgy evidence.

Basically magistrates wont go against the police so I was spanked for basically calling the lying filthy policewoman a liar £300 fine ... 6 points £750 costs and £15 surcharge total £1065 so next time I see a copper in trouble just going to keep on driving (another story)
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Ian101 on August 15, 2010, 08:09:28 am
Sorry for hijacking post Dan just happens that way sometimes .... best leave it here cos the mods will move it to other non windie section.
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: the bfg on August 15, 2010, 08:21:54 am
Story is copper does me with a radar gun in dark November night travelling away from her pulls me and says I was doing 51 in a 30 which I wasnt (I know they all say that) no way says me as I looked at my speedo when I went past her and was about 25 ish ... offers me a fixed pen so told her to go ######### herself.

Went to court Thursday with Chesters version of Nick Freeman (fella called Mike Gray from Oliver and Co Chester) he did a brilliant job took the filthy lying copper apart in the box piece by piece got her to admit the check she did before going on duty of the pro laser is flawed plus loads of other dodgy evidence.

Basically magistrates wont go against the police so I was spanked for basically calling the lying filthy policewoman a liar £300 fine ... 6 points £750 costs and £15 surcharge total £1065 so next time I see a copper in trouble just going to keep on driving (another story)















wow you certainly showed them  :D :D      remiind me NEVER to use your brief if I get nicked cos if thats what you call a brilliant job I would rather plead guilty  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: john tomkins on August 15, 2010, 09:00:44 am
wow you certainly showed them  :D :D      remeind  me NEVER to use your brief if I get nicked cos if thats what you call a brilliant job I would rather plead guilty  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Well that didn't take long did it :o
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: the bfg on August 15, 2010, 09:26:25 am
I don't know what your talking about chief  :D
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Ian101 on August 15, 2010, 09:53:10 am


Basically magistrates wont go against the police so I was spanked for basically calling the lying filthy policewoman a liar








wow you certainly showed them  :D :D      remiind me NEVER to use your brief if I get nicked cos if thats what you call a brilliant job I would rather plead guilty  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
[/quot


stop it or Im sure the mods will nick us  ;D
Title: Re: Hi all
Post by: Dan100 on August 15, 2010, 09:57:07 am
I will be getting my insurance changed  definitely, and also get public liability.

I would love to start now but i feel it would be to much of a risk just to jack my job and hope for the best, i have spent a few weeks on this forum just reading trying to gain as much info as i can.

I want this to work out so i have to do my homework.
Cleaning windows is not the problem i feel its building a good relationship with your customers and them being happy what you do.

I heard stories about Windy's attacking other windy's being on there "Patch" I have already been approached by the window cleaner in my street he is absolutely fine and wished me good luck.