Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: mark blundell on November 10, 2010, 05:01:44 pm
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Hi Guys,
I am new to all this and haven't started up yet but have been spending lots of time on here (probably to much time) learning loads from you lot.
i have been looking around to buy a complete set up i have bid on a few on ebay as my area is hard water i am looking for r/o system stil not to sure weather to go down the route of di only in the van and ro set up in the garage or just go ro in van?
i won this one on ebay at the weekend but obviously didn't make enough money as the seller wont answer phone lame excuses via email ect. >:(
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=250721798873&si=tI%252B7kK62VVpiZTjz96Y8G9hJyKI%253D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_1972wt_1139
i am watching this one but not to sure van looks to big tank bang smack in the middle I just really don't know what to get i have a budget of £5000 tops but really only wanted to go to about £4000 £4500 as i wanted to keep some back for printing website ect
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180574921987&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_850wt_1139
any advise I would be greatfull cheers guys :-[
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so you dont have a window cleaning round yet? or much work?
if so i wouldnt spend a penny on a wfp system until i had the work to use...
can you clean windows trad? i feel all window cleaners should be able to do this!
wfp is not a magic wond and is not for everyone! used right its a great tool for getting the job done to a high standard and make you some good money week in week out...
maybe you could just spend say £300 on a pole and backpack for now? with the backpack you dont really wear it, just carry it. Good backpack - john hewitts site: esr16 around £130 inc vat n del.
and then if you get on with wfp then the backpack just becomes a very handy spare tool along side your van mount in the future. Dont like a backpack then a trolley and some 25ltr barrels will get you started out but just costs a bit more...
pole wise i feel gardiners are def the best! clx is a good starter pole and slx is a great pole to - just costs you more tho.
if i was you: i would see if any guys on here trade in your area, spend a day or two with them and listen n learn - may even get some work from them ....
too many guys get the nice van, full system and then try and find the work - def the wrong order mate.
Regards flyers i would def say give gaz a email at printmarket uk - i was put in touch with him by franky and franky wasnt wrong! top bloke,top service and great price - ill pm my flyer to you, what your email ...
hope that all helps
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OP - take the advice from WC Solutions - he's spot on DO NOT SPEND that sort of cash until you have at least
some work and know you like it.
If you don't want to do ladders target bungalows until you get into the swing of it.
You can put together a decent system yourself and get a small van like a combo and save yourself a couple of grand.
if WFP is a must then defo do DIY or a trolley
Darran
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Most people on here who are wfp started out as trad wcs so like the posters above I would suggest that you get some custies first then try doing them trad then if you feel ok with it get somemore work and buy your wfp.
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suppliers i use:
resin - Daqua - best service by far: get all your water treatment kit from here. Doug will help you out with it.
Poles - Gardiners
Small bits for wfp - John hewiit (including backpack)
trad kit - window cleaning centre or cleaningspot
im not saying other suppliers are rubbish, its just the best places for me regards service,price and quality ...
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I can see what you are all saying but i really wanted to start wfp and use it to my advantage with the marketing of it.
up intill about 6 months ago i had never heard of wfp and most people i have told about it have not heard of it either.
i haven't started going out getting customers yet as i have been waiting to get the van then photos of the pole going over porch ect then getting them into my flyers.
i know you guys all know what your talking about but i am going to have to buy a van anyway so im thinking if i got a van with system already in i wouldn't have to bother doing it all myself at a later date.
im selling my car to fund this and if i don't spend the money on the full system i will probably just squander it and then when i come to get a complete system not have the money.
if i decide that window cleaning is not for me i still have something to sell????
really confused now.
as for flyers i would love to have a look if you don't mind but i will be getting my wife to do mine for me.
mark.blundell@hotmail.co.uk
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well this is my opinion
go straight for the wfp kit,including ro machine,dont get side tracked by trad cleaning.
go for a smaller van,partner,expert size,the partner as a payload of 800/900 kg so a 500 lt tank is more than enough
get two poles,one for everyday use a second probably longer for the awkward ones over the connys etc
you can probably get all that for £2000-£3000
glossy leaflets then go door knocking or/and get some one to canvass as well
the other last bit of advice would be put your customers on a 6 week cycle(subject for debate on this forum)
good luck bob
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I'm in a similar situation like you BUT I already have some custies from my current business. For all that money you are planning to spend you would need a lot of work to get it all back.
Good luck.
Sorry for the OT but I've noticed on the ebay pages that both vans have the external hose fittings - does anyone know how can you fit something like that?
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I would get out there and get canvassing-door knocking and leaflets,test the water first.I would try and contact a local window cleaner who WFP in your area and see if he will take you out for a couple days,learn how the system works and go down the trolley route for upstairs windows and trad bottoms
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I reckon you are lucky you didn`t end up with that van, at that mileage you need to budget another £2k to keep it on the road another 12mths,for example,new gearbox(recon),dual mass flywheel,clutch asssembly etc.etc,,high mileage vans slowly need every bit replacing bit by bit,i am talking through experience.
I`m tempted to offer you my set up as i would like a larger van and a larger water tank,i know what you mean about getting the kit first,its what i have done but i got everything at a decent price and its probably worth what i paid for it. However,although i am well chuffed with a 57 plate combo 1.3cdti,18k miles and brodex 250 litre tank etc(got the brodex gear unused but 2nd hand), i would like a scudo/expert/dispatch with a larger tank. So with your budget i recommend you look for a van this size that can carry a 500 or 650 litre tank,circa £3500 should get you a 56 plate in great nick with service history and sensible mileage. £550 will set up a nice HF5 RO system inc all connectors. Gardiners as mentioned for a user friendly pole,Look for a 2nd hand tank and system,you have some money now so dont skimp on the RO system,the HF5 i put together is the bit of my gear that really excels.
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the other last bit of advice would be put your customers on a 6 week cycle(subject for debate on this forum)
good luck bob
can i ask why 6 week not 4? 4 would seam easier to manage and wouldn't need as many customers there seams to be alot of different views on this subject and as I am about to start out the advice would be helpful cheers
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I would get out there and get canvassing-door knocking and leaflets,test the water first.I would try and contact a local window cleaner who WFP in your area and see if he will take you out for a couple days,learn how the system works and go down the trolley route for upstairs windows and trad bottoms
that sounds like a good idea but i want to have the kit first i dont want to get out canvassing until i can carry out the work or i could lose potential customers before i even get them
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I reckon you are lucky you didn`t end up with that van, at that mileage you need to budget another £2k to keep it on the road another 12mths,for example,new gearbox(recon),dual mass flywheel,clutch asssembly etc.etc,,high mileage vans slowly need every bit replacing bit by bit,i am talking through experience.
I`m tempted to offer you my set up as i would like a larger van and a larger water tank,i know what you mean about getting the kit first,its what i have done but i got everything at a decent price and its probably worth what i paid for it. However,although i am well chuffed with a 57 plate combo 1.3cdti,18k miles and brodex 250 litre tank etc(got the brodex gear unused but 2nd hand), i would like a scudo/expert/dispatch with a larger tank. So with your budget i recommend you look for a van this size that can carry a 500 or 650 litre tank,circa £3500 should get you a 56 plate in great nick with service history and sensible mileage. £550 will set up a nice HF5 RO system inc all connectors. Gardiners as mentioned for a user friendly pole,Look for a 2nd hand tank and system,you have some money now so dont skimp on the RO system,the HF5 i put together is the bit of my gear that really excels.
hi i have had a look on the net and hf5? there seams to be so many different ones this is 1 of the reasons i have been looking to buy the complete kit already put together any advice/internet links would be good cheers
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What happened to the motor racing Mark? ???
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Champ 4040 housing and HF5 membrane from ionics(cheapest)£367 inc vat delivered, 2x 10 inch quality pre filters drilled to take pressure gauge on top of each,2 x pressure gauge,cartridges,2 spare cartridges,brackets for champ housing and filters ,appx £117.00 inc vat from June at Gaps water,bit of ply board to mount it on and connect it up,connections,allow £30,waste restrictor £5 and thats it. Recommend Gaps as you get the advice as well,as in,dont buy 20 inch filter housings cos you dont need them, they cost more and so do the cartridges.
Bit dearer than merlin and other set ups but no comparison on performance,the extra money is worth every penny on time alone.
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What happened to the motor racing Mark? ???
iv'e only posted on this site twice and that's the second tome iv'e been asked that need to figure out how to change details on this site. lol
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Haha! Sorry mate, couldn't resist! ;D
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dont buy 20 inch filter housings cos you dont need them, they cost more and so do the cartridges.
surly the 20" being twice a big as a 10" filter would last twice as long? ???
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Mark, buy a van with a decent system already fitted, dont mess around with anything small if you are .
taking starting up seriously.
Buy the largest capacity tank you can, this saves upgrading later.
Get a system get practicing on family and friends and leafleting.
You wont look back mate IF you run it as a business not just some extra pocket money.
if it doesnt work out you can always re-sell it
:D
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dont buy 20 inch filter housings cos you dont need them, they cost more and so do the cartridges.
surly the 20" being twice a big as a 10" filter would last twice as long? ???
Yes,i would have thought that myself but on advice from Gaps went with the 10 inch.
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Save your money and get yourself one of these plus a backpack.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-6FT-WATER-FED-WINDOW-CLEANING-POLE-5-PART-/270655696617?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item3f04562ee9
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the other last bit of advice would be put your customers on a 6 week cycle(subject for debate on this forum)
good luck bob
can i ask why 6 week not 4? 4 would seam easier to manage and wouldn't need as many customers there seams to be alot of different views on this subject and as I am about to start out the advice would be helpful cheers
Others may say different but I found that if you go for 4 weekly (or monthly), there will be a lot of customers who want two or even three monthly. However, if you offer 6 weekly, you won't get many wanting 12 weekly. Since I got a fuller workload I just tell people that I aim for 6 weekly but it may sometimes take 8 when busy or in shorter Winter days. So I just say 7 cleans a year.