Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MaxT on September 19, 2011, 09:40:38 pm
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Hi,
Thinking about starting up as a window cleaner.
I know -- probably all my questions are answered somewhere in the forum, I'll have a better look tomorrow.
Just wondering, is this a bad time of year to start up?
Not much money to invest to be honest. So, best to begin traditional or WFP?
Rough total cost of startup equipment?
Do I need a van? (have an estate car).
How many months on average to build up a decent round? Based in Buckinghamshire.
Will prob get some training and start sending out some leaflets if this is going to be worth it.
Cheers everyone. Sorry if these are obvious questions.
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I started up a few months ago but bought a round so can't help you with building the round. I would start trad if money is an issue you can always go wfp later. I also think being able to trad makes you a more rounded window cleaner.
As far as equipment goes:
Ladders: go to ladders online http://www.ladders-online.com/ cheaper than the rest, good ladders next day delivery.
I have 3m double extension trade ladders. I got this size purely because i know it covers everything i do. You may want longer such as 3.5m to cover more jobs cost around $90 Excuse the dolar signs its means pound but my laptop is from Australia :)
BOAB: Bucket on a belt, essential piece of kit to hold your TBar applicator and squeegee cost bout a tenner
Squeegee: i use 12 inch fairly cheap.
T BAR: Same as squeegee doesn't cost much.
A few scrims. I use one or 2 per day you will use a lot more when your first starting up so say 6 or 8.
Glass Scraper: only a few quid.
Sill Cloths: Make from old towels.
Soap: Fairy liquid
Bucket: Square one for window cleaners, cheap.
Pouches for belts. I use 2 one for scrim one for sill cloth.
Roof Rack, Mine cost about $100
Ladder rack: $20
Can't think of anything else off hand your start up should cost around $300.
You can get all this online.
Best thing i did was spend a few hours with my local window cleaner. He increased my speed no end by teaching me the correct technique, i can't reccommend this enough.
Good luck :)
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Thanks D G. I appreciate the reply.
So starting close to winter isn't such a bad thing?
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Thanks D G. I appreciate the reply.
So starting close to winter isn't such a bad thing?
Have you got any money behind you? Have you got a job at the mo'? How motivated/determined are you?
Answer those three questions and we can help you better.
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No worries, glad to help. Can't tell you about winter not done one yet.
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combining leaflet drops and door knocking it should take no more than 3 months to build a decent round.
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Another couple of things I forgot to mention. Go to vistaprint to have some cards made up to let custies know you've been. I use a ladder mat to level up ladders and to use on slippy surfaces. Be very careful on decking
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Hi Max,
We currently have some funded workshops available which would help you start up!
The courses run over 4 days (1 day a month) and are totally funded as long as you do all four!
Workshop 1 - Hazard & risk assessments. The law, learn the easy way. Templates provided.
Workshop 2 - Development, communication & company branding. What makes you stand out? Setting up works controls.
Workshop 3 - Working at height solutions. Theory ladder selection, inspection and safe use. The law behind flat roof access.
Workshop 4 - Water Fed Pole Training, Ladder Practical, Safety Harness & Setting up your work area. Practical Assessments.
If you want, you can give Gary in the office a call, on 01205 364333 and he can talk dates with you!
:)
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Not everyone may agree here but the answer would depend on your round for me. I'd say feel your way in by going trad then if you have the customers then least you can switch at a later date. Starting out in the winters no problem you will always get work anytime of year.
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Have you got any money behind you? Have you got a job at the mo'? How motivated/determined are you?
Answer those three questions and we can help you better.
Have you got any money behind you? No. (Could borrow if necessary).
Have you got a job at the mo'? No.
How motivated/determined are you? Very.
Torn between this or cleaning. W/c looks easier to get started with.
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Hi Max,
We currently have some funded workshops available which would help you start up!
The courses run over 4 days (1 day a month) and are totally funded as long as you do all four!
Workshop 1 - Hazard & risk assessments. The law, learn the easy way. Templates provided.
Workshop 2 - Development, communication & company branding. What makes you stand out? Setting up works controls.
Workshop 3 - Working at height solutions. Theory ladder selection, inspection and safe use. The law behind flat roof access.
Workshop 4 - Water Fed Pole Training, Ladder Practical, Safety Harness & Setting up your work area. Practical Assessments.
If you want, you can give Gary in the office a call, on 01205 364333 and he can talk dates with you!
:)
Thanks Tom, but Lincolnshire is about 3 hours drive for me...
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Something else - is there a reason for the turnover in this industry? There always seems to be more than a few rounds for sale, most of which haven't been built up too much.
I take it a lot of people give up early before they've built up a decent round. Do they get bored or something?
Yeah, I know, go do a days work with the local w/c. I'll see about that. Only, why would he be happy with that if I'm going to potentially set up next door?
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Hi Max,
We currently have some funded workshops available which would help you start up!
The courses run over 4 days (1 day a month) and are totally funded as long as you do all four!
Workshop 1 - Hazard & risk assessments. The law, learn the easy way. Templates provided.
Workshop 2 - Development, communication & company branding. What makes you stand out? Setting up works controls.
Workshop 3 - Working at height solutions. Theory ladder selection, inspection and safe use. The law behind flat roof access.
Workshop 4 - Water Fed Pole Training, Ladder Practical, Safety Harness & Setting up your work area. Practical Assessments.
If you want, you can give Gary in the office a call, on 01205 364333 and he can talk dates with you!
:)
Thanks Tom, but Lincolnshire is about 3 hours drive for me...
We have dates all over the country Max!
Birmingham - 24/10/2011
Bristol - 25/10/2011
Crawley - 01/11/2011
Gillingham - 02/11/2011
Ipswich - 03/11/2011
Leeds - 14/10/2011
Liverpool - 15/11/2011
London - 31/10/2011
Manchester - 16/11/2011
Middlesbrough - 13/10/2011
Milton Keynes - 05/10/2011
Nottingham - 09/11/2011
Peterborough - 06/10/2011
Sheffield - 08/11/2011
Let me know what you think! :)
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Max - you've nothing to lose - get stuck in. Don't waste the little money you have on courses to start with - ask us and get stuck in.
Did I say get stuck in?
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hi tom - is this open to anyone??
im based in grantham and might be interested
thanks :)
Hi Max,
We currently have some funded workshops available which would help you start up!
The courses run over 4 days (1 day a month) and are totally funded as long as you do all four!
Workshop 1 - Hazard & risk assessments. The law, learn the easy way. Templates provided.
Workshop 2 - Development, communication & company branding. What makes you stand out? Setting up works controls.
Workshop 3 - Working at height solutions. Theory ladder selection, inspection and safe use. The law behind flat roof access.
Workshop 4 - Water Fed Pole Training, Ladder Practical, Safety Harness & Setting up your work area. Practical Assessments.
If you want, you can give Gary in the office a call, on 01205 364333 and he can talk dates with you!
:)
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Best tip i can give is don't be TOO CHEAP, if you are. You will regret it in the long run ;)
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Have you got any money behind you? No. (Could borrow if necessary).
Have you got a job at the mo'? No.
How motivated/determined are you? Very.
3 extremely good reasons to just go for it, without thinking too deeply about things.
Have a go, you'll never know if you don't try!!!
;D ;D
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seems to me if your not already in a well paid
steady safe job
you have nothing to lose :)
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combining leaflet drops and door knocking it should take no more than 3 months to build a decent round.
Anyone else agree with this, does this sound about right?
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hi tom - is this open to anyone??
im based in grantham and might be interested
The course is open to anyone as long as you meet certain criteria!
1. 19 or over.
2. Lived in the UK or EU for the last 3 years or more.
3. No other Level 2 NVQ or equivalent.
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Max - you've nothing to lose - get stuck in. Don't waste the little money you have on courses to start with - ask us and get stuck in.
Did I say get stuck in?
Can't waste money on fully funded training :)
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sounds like i meet the criteria!
ill give the office a ring tomorrow :)
hi tom - is this open to anyone??
im based in grantham and might be interested
The course is open to anyone as long as you meet certain criteria!
1. 19 or over.
2. Lived in the UK or EU for the last 3 years or more.
3. No other Level 2 NVQ or equivalent.
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Ok,
So -- the best thing to do is invest in some trad equipment, and get stuck in.
Don't suppose there's such a thing as a low cost wfp setup?
Thanks again.
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Yep, go for it
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Something like this no good to start wfp low budget?
http://www.omnipole.com/omnitrolley.htm
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The trolley is only part of it. On top of that you need a pole with brush which for a half decent one will be the same again. Then you need to buy the reverse osmosis system with di possibly with boost pump depending on your mains water pressure, you need a tank which you could get from B&Q to filter the water into and finally 25L containers to carry the water in your car. It will be more than double what it costs to start trad. Also you haven't got any windows to clean yet so not as if working quicker is an issue.
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Something else - is there a reason for the turnover in this industry? There always seems to be more than a few rounds for sale, most of which haven't been built up too much.
The honest answer to this is that the job just doesn't suit everyone, but of course there is only one way to find out... ;D
Why doesn't it suit everyone?
It can get cold, very cold - wear several thin layers
It can be boring - an mp3 player helps
Some consider it low status work - who cares? let them work for someone else if they want.
It can get lonely - but not if you're an anti-social old git like me, I love working on my own.
You have to be self motivating, or you'll end up doing almost nothing
DONT WORK CHEAPLY, you'll fill your time, but not your pockets.
Buy some basic kit and practice on your own windows for an hour or two..
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Something else - is there a reason for the turnover in this industry? There always seems to be more than a few rounds for sale, most of which haven't been built up too much.
The honest answer to this is that the job just doesn't suit everyone, but of course there is only one way to find out... ;D
Why doesn't it suit everyone?
It can get cold, very cold - wear several thin layers
It can be boring - an mp3 player helps
Some consider it low status work - who cares? let them work for someone else if they want.
It can get lonely - but not if you're an anti-social old git like me, I love working on my own.
You have to be self motivating, or you'll end up doing almost nothing
DONT WORK CHEAPLY, you'll fill your time, but not your pockets.
Buy some basic kit and practice on your own windows for an hour or two..
Very true.......
try doing your own for 6 hours a day 5 days a week, then you'll have a good idea if you will like it or not........after a certain amount of time one pane of glass looks very much like the last one you did, even if on a different property.
We sold up, why?
to make money out of it which we did ;D
because we had lost "the enjoyment" factor even when taking on high class, high earners.
started to hate doing it, which meant that eventually the standard would have dropped.
do we regret selling............ not a jot ;D
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What do you do now Helen?