Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: IanWalker1981 on August 04, 2012, 03:08:26 pm
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Hello
I think this is my first post? Been a member a little while but tend to read all the information.
Ive been cleaning traditionally for around 6 years on and off. I never made enough money to support my family so always ended up back in a crappy PAYE job. I finally decided to go at it full time this year start of the year as the missus took a job because of my depression and i feel so much better being out working for myself. The pressure is off to earn big money so I can start building on my round.
Ive always wanted to go the wfp pole route but cant afford any off the kits ive seen. I have seen some trolley systems for around £250 which i could strive to save for but are they any good? I was thinking of building a van mount system myself and buy all the parts gradually over time so that in the new year i could construct something?
Any tips on how to start and what to start with very much appreciated as I do not want to end up in crappy PAYE again and I have had to turn work down due to access to windows with a ladder etc.
Thank you very much
Ian
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Trawl through ebay, & like you say, just buy a bit at a time.
Defo worth building your own van mount, this way you know how to fix things, when they go wrong
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Ive built my own van mount system... you can save yourself hundreds.
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Im looking on ebay now. Found some water tanks, pumps, hoses etc. Been looking at how to purify my water too as im in hard water area in east anglia. Im guessing this is where costs mount up?
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Thank you for your replys. Puts me in a positive mood knowing i can do it. It may take me time but i can buy parts each month and hopefully be running wfp next year. Can you recommend any certain parts/brands. Which is when paying more is best? Ive read that its your brushes you need a really good one.
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Gardiner poles & brushes, dont bother with anything else
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Ian email me my email is on my profile. Was in same position as you so can offer some advice
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Thank you
Just looked at your profile Tony your email is hidden?
Ive been out canvassing today with leaflets, not picked any new customers up yet.
When i get WFPing im going to hopefully try and get the customers I couldnt get due to access issues back on board.
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Gardiner poles & brushes, dont bother with anything else
Yes Gardiners are top of the range, and are arguably the best money can buy, but if on a budget then ANY wfp will do untill funds allow to upgrade. That goes for EVERY piece of equipment in your setup. But if you can afford to get the best, then do it straight away.
The pole we use is the same one since day one, and weighs about the same as a scaffold pole... but its bringing in the pound notes.
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Thank you
Just looked at your profile Tony your email is hidden?
Ive been out canvassing today with leaflets, not picked any new customers up yet.
When i get WFPing im going to hopefully try and get the customers I couldnt get due to access issues back on board.
It's: images121@live.co.uk
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pump off ebay £38
harris pole £15
brush and bits £60 of £3 from asda
battery £15
25l drums free if you look
di £30 off ebay
stack truck £15
£50 for bits and bobs
JUST GET OFF THEM LADDERS ;D
all the info you need is on youtube and on here if you look.
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Gardiner poles & brushes, dont bother with anything else
Don't agree. Harris pole £14 and vikan brush £18ish are more than enough
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My opinion is that I would get my ladders out and use them while trying to get started.
Door knock and talk to people. Posting leaflets doesn't work to build a round quickly. When You get a clean, do them all the following day or ASAP.
I have a few friends who suffer from depression. You may feel better today with a little encouragement from others, but you will need drive and determination to develop a good round quickly.
IMHO I would prove that I can achieve a good start before spending money going WFP that I haven't got.
Work doesn't fall into our laps the same way it did a before the credit crunch; it takes hard graft to do it - well it does in the North East anyway.
I would also try to develop the skill of using a wagtail on the end of an Unger pole. There is a few videos of them being used if ladder work is out of the question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66hd5UKjeIA
Search mywagga on youtube.
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when you say harris pole and vikan brush are you on about a video i see on you tube on how to make your own water fed pole? does this really work? Ive also had a look at the wagtail videos thank you very much for all your help.
It is hard getting customers. I missed a call today while i was out canvassing. When i rang her back she had got someone else, gutted!
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The harris pole does work, or you could use a trad window cleaning pole.
But i would defo get a Gardiners brush
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+1 for the Harris pole from B&Q, I've used one from day one, still use them now. You may need to replace it in a year or so (the clamps wear) but at £15 you can't go wrong. Get a £10 swivel gooseneck from Gardiners and a superlite brush if you can afford it. If not, still get the gooseneck along with a pair of jets and make your own brush up from a Tesco/Asda Bentley brush.(but you'll be replacing it in four months so stick with a Gardiner brush is my opinion!! They're expensive but worth it..)
A whole system can be made on an uberbudget, just to get yourself started, then you can replace parts for better ones eventually and keep the originals for spares.
(red hat diving do small pumps that work well, half the price of a shurflo..)
email if you need any help setting up matey, although I'm not very knowledgeable on the water production side of things.. jason at fanthorpecleaning dot co dot uk
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Hi mate if funds are tight and you have trad gear, then pick up a backpack and cheap pole to start, some 25 litre drums from the local car wash if they have any spare,an ibc tank £30-£40 off eBay, a cheap ro system if your water pressure is 50 psi or above you won't need a pump and a di vessel and some resin you will never have to turn a job away again. I have a van mount and a pure freedom trolley system both as good as each other,if u decide to make a Harris pole I have a spare new vikan brush head you can have if u need any advice call or text me
Graham