Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 08:53:31 am

Title: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 08:53:31 am
I've looked back at the old posts,I want to buy one off a
Company as a complete package do I need to spend over a
Grand? I had a fall off a ladder doing gutters on tues broke
3 bones,I'm never going up ladders again
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: R W C™ on March 28, 2014, 10:38:22 am
My mates just bought the sky vac, £888 and looks like a good piece of kit, comes with carbon poles
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 11:33:07 am
I thought they were more than that,will have a look
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 11:38:45 am
Cheapest on there site is £1000 plus vat
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: CF Facilities on March 28, 2014, 12:41:07 pm
3000w from Guttercleaningsystemsltd £500.00 Norwich.

Ally poles though. good enough for me.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: ben M on March 28, 2014, 12:51:51 pm
3000w from Guttercleaningsystemsltd £500.00 Norwich.

Ally poles though. good enough for me.
bit heavy poles.
i have this package from grippa tank,great poles:
http://www.grippatank.co.uk/vacuum/high-level-vacuum-poles-kits-spares/complete-package-kits/1838/grippavac-outdoor-domestic-24ft-pro-kit-detail.html
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: concept on March 28, 2014, 01:30:23 pm
The Grippa pole kit is superb. So light, makes it a breeze!
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 01:51:34 pm
It's a lot more money to have carbon poles is it worth it.
Mind it beats breaking bones
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: ben M on March 28, 2014, 01:59:34 pm
It's a lot more money to have carbon poles is it worth it.
Mind it beats breaking bones
you have the answer above from concept  ;)
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Spruce on March 28, 2014, 04:18:42 pm
The Grippa pole kit is superb. So light, makes it a breeze!

I asked the question on this thread regarding a video camera and SAJ replied with his choices

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=183856.20

The Grippa pole kit is a little cheaper and the vacuum cleaner is 13 amp whereas the vacuum that SAJ draws a little more current than that - but then it has more suck and is bigger.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Spruce on March 28, 2014, 04:32:23 pm
Is it important to also have a generator to run this stuff from? Are customers happy for you to use their electric and will they 'post' an extention through the letter box for you to use if they aren't in.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: concept on March 28, 2014, 04:41:59 pm
Is it important to also have a generator to run this stuff from? Are customers happy for you to use their electric and will they 'post' an extention through the letter box for you to use if they aren't in.

We started off doing this, and customers didnt mind, however, it did become a bit of a PITA, so just bought a genny.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Dave Willis on March 28, 2014, 06:48:20 pm
I've done the opposite - started out with a generator and now only use the customers electric.

Do tell how you fell off the ladder.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: ben M on March 28, 2014, 06:53:16 pm
just tell them that i don't use a generator because is too noisy so i use the customers electricity,never had any prob.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 07:13:10 pm
Doing inside gutters,bottom of ladder kicked out.3 bones
Broke in foot out of action for 2 months.i was lucky and
Would say to anyone never ever go up a ladder,even the trad
Guys
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Dave Willis on March 28, 2014, 07:19:25 pm
ouch!
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 28, 2014, 07:35:21 pm
Yes ouch
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: concept on March 28, 2014, 08:08:06 pm
just tell them that i don't use a generator because is too noisy so i use the customers electricity,never had any prob.

Doing the numbers we do, it was proving a logistical nightmare, so decided to take control rather than people forgetting, or wanting to be in when we visit.

Suits us great.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 28, 2014, 08:19:04 pm
I went in at entry level

I bought a Clarke 30 from guttervac systems about 18 months ago - they are less than £300 and have a 1600 watt motor. (They now do a 3kw) They came with a mirror to clip to the pole but we got a camera for about £90 which works and is cheaper than Clarkes £225.

I got a 2kw generator from aldi or lidle for £179 last time they were on offer and I was good to go.

It's cheap, cheerful and does the job - did a suck and clean on a medium sized 30's semi today for £160 (inc cleaning the outsides and soffits with wfp) which took 2 and a half hours for two of us. (DtM has to set up, clean and clear away all the gear on top)

I use it as a bonus for DtM and he got £70 and is happy as can be; I basically say to him that if he gets a job and does it himself as overtime he can have 50% after my costs so on the above job I took £20 for diesel and wear and tear and then split the job 50/50.


I wouldn't do it all day but it's a nice summer add on and a bonus for the lad.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Plankton on March 28, 2014, 08:25:21 pm
How are you pricing the gutters with the vac, I'm currently charging around £3-4 per meter so £1000 outlay would take a long time to turn a profit.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 28, 2014, 08:44:56 pm
How are you pricing the gutters with the vac, I'm currently charging around £3-4 per meter so £1000 outlay would take a long time to turn a profit.

Imagine a 3 bed ex council semi.

If access is ok I would charge £60 to suck 'em out; £90 to clean the outsides with soffits. Add £10 to clean the windows.

£150 for the lot. Would include a free window clean.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Spruce on March 28, 2014, 08:58:07 pm
Thanks guys for the replies.

Another question - how and where do you clean the vac out? Where do you dump the stuff that comes out of the vacuum cleaner?

We now empty the gutters in Morrison carrier bags - the are strong than Asda ones - and leave them next to the customer's household waste wheelie bin.
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: ben M on March 28, 2014, 10:38:12 pm
just tell them that i don't use a generator because is too noisy so i use the customers electricity,never had any prob.

Doing the numbers we do, it was proving a logistical nightmare, so decided to take control rather than people forgetting, or wanting to be in when we visit.

Suits us great.
fair enough, i only do about 2 gutters cleaning a month
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Colin h on March 29, 2014, 12:26:59 pm
Gutter vac ordered thanks ian for the info
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: robert mitchell on March 29, 2014, 03:36:08 pm
Thanks guys for the replies.

Another question - how and where do you clean the vac out? Where do you dump the stuff that comes out of the vacuum cleaner?

We now empty the gutters in Morrison carrier bags - the are strong than Asda ones - and leave them next to the customer's household waste wheelie bin.

I use it as compost on my flower beds or put into customers compost heap if they have one .
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: 8weekly on March 29, 2014, 04:08:31 pm
just tell them that i don't use a generator because is too noisy so i use the customers electricity,never had any prob.

Doing the numbers we do, it was proving a logistical nightmare, so decided to take control rather than people forgetting, or wanting to be in when we visit.

Suits us great.
fair enough, i only do about 2 gutters cleaning a month
I would have thought not worth £1,300 outlay for one or two a month?
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: Blue Giraffe on March 29, 2014, 04:18:15 pm
I have the gutter cleaning systems vac which has served me well, but Ally poles on anything other than a standard house is killing me!

Is there a way I can connect to the grippa poles ?, I'm not sure on all the connection/sizes etc...
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 31, 2014, 04:04:59 pm
I have the gutter cleaning systems vac which has served me well, but Ally poles on anything other than a standard house is killing me!

Is there a way I can connect to the grippa poles ?, I'm not sure on all the connection/sizes etc...

Just use gaffer tape!
Title: Re: Gutter vacs again
Post by: tom20001 on March 31, 2014, 05:20:44 pm
Hi granville


Where did u get the 90 pound camera for mate? Im looking for cam nd monitor for gutter pole