Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stoots on February 13, 2015, 07:47:12 am
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Hi, im using a diy water fed trolley and a crappy harris pole
Trolley is doing my head constantly running out of water humping etc
I need a van mount asap
However i feel im taking too long on the windows now, the first clean and the next couple ive taken my time to get them right, i now need to be more slap dash
any tip for increasing speed?
i tend to do the frames, next window, then go back and do the glass, if its one of those window with a top opener i tend to do the frames, next window, top opener, top opener, then back to glass
i feel like im cleaning the house twice
is there any need? do you guys do one window then next until finished and it is ok the rinse from the top frame and glass in one rather than doing frames first?
Im taking far too long now i hear people saying they can do 3 3 beds and hour, i can do maybe two if they were very cloase together but im rushing my arse of to achieve that with this techniqe/system
cheers
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Quickest way to fail with WFP
Don't worry about what people are doing per hour or cleaning per hour.
Experience will come with time.
WFP is all about confidence and spotting (no pun intended) potential issues BEFORE the remaining water dries.
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Quickest way to fail with WFP
Don't worry about what people are doing per hour or cleaning per hour.
Experience will come with time.
WFP is all about confidence and spotting (no pun intended) potential issues BEFORE the remaining water dries.
+1
Give it time mate. Over time you'll gain more confidence, and therefore speed up
And dont worry too much what others are doing yet, half are on £70p/h, 5 days a week but need to buy second hand pumps...
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i too started with a trolley.cant you leave it in the van and plug into 100m microbore for now?
experience will result in increased speed.
best things (for me anyway)for faster working/easier day:
van mount(biggest tank you can fit in your van)500L for me.
100m microbore,extreme poles and brushes
backpack(for the odd awkward access job)
leave the reel in the van when reeling in/out
when your poling day in/day out,year in/year out YOU GET GOOD AT IT!! ;D
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All good advise above, its better to be slow and do a decent job than quick and ruin your reputation from
the start.
Why not trad the bottoms until you can afford a better system where you don't need to worry about water.
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Where are you based Adam?
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Hi, im using a diy water fed trolley and a crappy harris pole
Trolley is doing my head constantly running out of water humping etc
I need a van mount asap
However i feel im taking too long on the windows now, the first clean and the next couple ive taken my time to get them right, i now need to be more slap dash
any tip for increasing speed?
i tend to do the frames, next window, then go back and do the glass, if its one of those window with a top opener i tend to do the frames, next window, top opener, top opener, then back to glass
i feel like im cleaning the house twice
is there any need? do you guys do one window then next until finished and it is ok the rinse from the top frame and glass in one rather than doing frames first?
Im taking far too long now i hear people saying they can do 3 3 beds and hour, i can do maybe two if they were very cloase together but im rushing my arse of to achieve that with this techniqe/system
cheers
I bet you are still faster and safer that doing each window off a ladder.
First thing I would do is change the pole to a decent C/F one with a nice brush.
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i too started with a trolley.cant you leave it in the van and plug into 100m microbore for now?
experience will result in increased speed.
best things (for me anyway)for faster working/easier day:
van mount(biggest tank you can fit in your van)500L for me.
100m microbore,extreme poles and brushes
backpack(for the odd awkward access job)
leave the reel in the van when reeling in/out
when your poling day in/day out,year in/year out YOU GET GOOD AT IT!! ;D
I would second what Daz is saying. If the rest is unaffordable for now, at the very least get the trolley strapped into the van and work from a reel - i.e. use the trolley as a mini van mount which can be replenished from or with loose containers. I don't do everything exactly as Daz does but his logic is sound.
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I used a pure freedom trolley for about a year and it's hard work. Then I just kept it in the van and connected it to a hose reel and it was so much easier. For me anyway. As for speed don't worry about it yet, concentrate on quality. Look at your technique in cleaning a window and analyse it, see if you can make it better. Try and do some cleaning with another windie (not in your area) you'll learn loads.
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any tip for increasing speed?
i tend to do the frames, next window, then go back and do the glass, if its one of those window with a top opener i tend to do the frames, next window, top opener, top opener, then back to glass
i feel like im cleaning the house twice
Usually I'll just clean the window, avoiding the frames on regular cleans (unless they look like they need a wash).
Do glass only, one window at a time. I do wash any frames that are between panes of glass.
You really don't want to spend more than 15 to 20 seconds on any standard window like this:
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1423830531_Tosh1.jpg)
I'll usually lay my hose out first and start from around the furthest point of the property. It's easier than trying to pull more hose out when you're half way around a job.
I keep my pole hose short; it just means no (or less) bending down to pick up the reel hose to move.
I don't worry about drips; I try to clean everything without doing too much moving. Drips don't seem to affect the finish.
A good - well maintained - pole is essential too.
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You live near me if you want I'll be happy to show you what I do.
I'm not saying I'm the quickest but I'm a fair bit faster than you at the moment.
Also its coming up to 2 years since ive had a wfp complaint.
I'll do about 5 or more 3 bedders per hour.
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I have my pole hose long this allows you to not have to go the whole way round properties with the main hose micro-minibore,knowing where to go with the hose and where to start etc is the key to being really quick
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any tip for increasing speed?
i tend to do the frames, next window, then go back and do the glass, if its one of those window with a top opener i tend to do the frames, next window, top opener, top opener, then back to glass
i feel like im cleaning the house twice
Usually I'll just clean the window, avoiding the frames on regular cleans (unless they look like they need a wash).
Do glass only, one window at a time. I do wash any frames that are between panes of glass.
You really don't want to spend more than 15 to 20 seconds on any standard window like this:
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1423830531_Tosh1.jpg)
I'll usually lay my hose out first and start from around the furthest point of the property. It's easier than trying to pull more hose out when you're half way around a job.
I keep my pole hose short; it just means no (or less) bending down to pick up the reel hose to move.
I don't worry about drips; I try to clean everything without doing too much moving. Drips don't seem to affect the finish.
A good - well maintained - pole is essential too.
And this guys a mod ::)roll
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What's the problem with that, Chris?
It's unlike Tosh, but he's spot on from what I know.
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Im in Wakefield west Yorkshire.
I will have to experiment a bit with regards wash method.
Tried the trolley in van it strained by chinese pump too much with a long hose but I will have another look at it.
Thanks guys
But 5 3 beds an hour? 30secs a window ? If thats possible im taking way too much caution.
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What's the problem with that, Chris?
It's unlike Tosh, but he's spot on from what I know.
Avoids the frames on regular cleans...cowboy
15-20 seconds a window...cowboy
Drips don't affect finish... error yes they do cowboy, not on every window but on certain windows drips cause terrible spotting.
Of course if he's spending only 15 secs a window he probably never even bothers checking his work.
Apart from those things, the rest is sound advice tosh!
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What's the problem with that, Chris?
It's unlike Tosh, but he's spot on from what I know.
Avoids the frames on regular cleans...cowboy
15-20 seconds a window...cowboy
Drips don't affect finish... error yes they do cowboy, not on every window but on certain windows drips cause terrible spotting.
Of course if he's spending only 15 secs a window he probably never even bothers checking his work.
Apart from those things, the rest is sound advice tosh!
Look, instead of criticising me, why don't you be helpful to the original poster and give him your version of how to clean a window quickly?
Include technique and time spent per window; using the one I posted as a gauge.
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i too started with a trolley.cant you leave it in the van and plug into 100m microbore for now?
experience will result in increased speed.
best things (for me anyway)for faster working/easier day:
van mount(biggest tank you can fit in your van)500L for me.
100m microbore,extreme poles and brushes
backpack(for the odd awkward access job)
leave the reel in the van when reeling in/out
when your poling day in/day out,year in/year out YOU GET GOOD AT IT!! ;D
Dazmond, you don't have an email address? I was wondering if I could ask you a question regarding the back packs?
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As has been mentioned, speed comes with experience. If he's new to this then the last thing he should be thinking about is speed.
Quality should be his priority for now, people teaching him to clean a window in 15 seconds and don't clean the frames are just setting him up to be a poor quality window cleaner who will gain a bad reputation.
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Im in Wakefield west Yorkshire.
I will have to experiment a bit with regards wash method.
Tried the trolley in van it strained by chinese pump too much with a long hose but I will have another look at it.
Thanks guys
But 5 3 beds an hour? 30secs a window ? If thats possible im taking way too much caution.
I live in Barnsley near j36 M1
I'm happy to show you what I do if you want to nip round.
If they're together 5 isn't a problem
it's just about having confidence in what you do.
For some reason after I'd been wfp a couple of years I got much quicker.
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As has been mentioned, speed comes with experience. If he's new to this then the last thing he should be thinking about is speed.
Quality should be his priority for now, people teaching him to clean a window in 15 seconds and don't clean the frames are just setting him up to be a poor quality window cleaner who will gain a bad reputation.
Yes, it's rocket science isn't it?
You still haven't given your technique for cleaning windows.
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Whilst on this thread (with experienced windy's) I was wondering if I could pose a question, only been WFP for 6 months and think I'm doing a good job but there are two places I do, that every time I've finished and gone back to them later (I do insides too) there are a few runs and a bit of spotting? They are both on Georgian sash windows with wooden surrounds? I've turned the flow up...down...rinsed twice and still doing it, these particular windows can't be done trad either, it's frustrating!
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
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15 seconds is right turn your water up
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15 seconds is right turn your water up
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15 seconds is right turn your water up
me thinks you need to speed up that to slow
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Ok adam here goes...
Some of tosh' advice was sound. Pull your hose to the furthest window and work back on yourself, that way you have plenty of slack.
Now as for your equipment, if you can afford to buy a pole from gardiner, do it yesterday. You can get an 18 foot clx for less then a days wages. You'll never get quicker using a Harris pole day In day out.
As for cleaning the windows, you don't need to clean them twice. Clean the top of the window frame first, always. Then run your brush round the rest of the window frame.
After that move onto the glass, start with an up down motion, from the top of the glass to the bottom, going left to right then back across the glass right to left. Basically you want to 'sweep' the glass twice.
Then run your brush across the bottom of the glass where it meets the frame, move your brush to the top of the glass and this last bit is important, and takes practice...
Push the bristles of the brush into the top corner of the glass, so the bristles go right up against the frame, and slide the brush across from one side to the other, just once. Doing this will 'catch' any water drips from the top of the frame which is the number 1 cause of spotting.
Now if the water sheets down the window, you can rinse very quickly, from the top of the glass going across in zig zag motion working your way down.
If the water doesn't sheet the glass, then when rinsing start from slightly below the top of the glass, about an inch down, with brush as close as possible to the glass without touching it. Then again go across in a zig zag motion working your way down.
This may sound like alot of effort but in time it becomes instinctive. You'll soon know within seconds what type of glass your cleaning and the best way to clean it.
You"ll get more confident in your cleaning which will lead to an increase in your speed.
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What's the problem with that, Chris?
It's unlike Tosh, but he's spot on from what I know.
Avoids the frames on regular cleans...cowboy
15-20 seconds a window...cowboy
Drips don't affect finish... error yes they do cowboy, not on every window but on certain windows drips cause terrible spotting.
Of course if he's spending only 15 secs a window he probably never even bothers checking his work.
Apart from those things, the rest is sound advice tosh!
Have you ever cleaned in this manner?
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
Didn't you post recently that most of your work would be quicker trad, David?
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We all have different techniques.
i don't treat windows any differently whether they sheet or not.
One agitation of the glass up and down doing the upright frames as I move across the window.
Then one agitation side to side from top to bottom starting with the top frame.
Give the sill a wipe.
Thats it zero complaints lovely clean windows ;D
Oh forgot to mention lots of flow I'm not sure this would work if I used a controller.
But then again I don't go through much water with this method.
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
Were you the person that cleans the insides for free?
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Correct.
IMO cleaning all frames with wfp every time (not just cleaning top edge of glass down over and giving the top edge of the frame a brush when you think it needs it) takes longer than trad.
We advertise that we clean ALL of your frames (not just some of the frame) and doors EVERY TIME we call (not just every other time), so that is what we do.
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Correct.
IMO cleaning all frames with wfp every time (not just cleaning top edge of glass down over and giving the top edge of the frame a brush when you think it needs it) takes longer than trad.
We advertise that we clean ALL of your frames (not just some of the frame) and doors EVERY TIME we call (not just every other time), so that is what we do.
Hmmm.
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The correct in my last post was not answering the , clean the insides for free post.
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
Were you the person that cleans the insides for free?
Indeed 8 weekly I do the odd internal for free, maybe 1 a month ;) the uproar that caused :o
What does that have to do with this post ???
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The correct in my last post was not answering the , clean the insides for free post.
What does this mean?
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
Were you the person that cleans the insides for free?
Indeed 8 weekly I do the odd internal for free, maybe 1 a month ;) the uproar that caused :o
What does that have to do with this post ???
It gives a better picture of the kind of business you're running.
It helps people make a decision on whether they want to follow your advice on the forum.
You must've missed my question, Chris. Have you ever cleaned in the manner you're so vitriolic of Tosh admitting to?
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
Were you the person that cleans the insides for free?
Indeed 8 weekly I do the odd internal for free, maybe 1 a month ;) the uproar that caused :o
What does that have to do with this post ???
It gives a better picture of the kind of business you're running.
It helps people make a decision on whether they want to follow your advice on the forum.
You must've missed my question, Chris. Have you ever cleaned in the manner you're so vitriolic of Tosh admitting to?
yes poleking theres 1 house I clean in that manner every 6 weeks or so, my own ;)
Would I clean a paying customers house that way, no.
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I answered 'correct' to your question poleking not too 8weeklys question too chris. Although we clean the odd inside window for free. Mainly kitchen windows for older people who cannot reach. A free gutter clean for an old lady led too a nice commercial contract.
I know alot on here think its mumbo jumbo 'american' nonsense, but I believe, Do more than is expected of you and you will never ever be short of work, friends and love. Seems to be working for me, although working tomorrow, valentine's day and our wedding anniversary, the love bit might be out the window lol.
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
That's the sort of advice you should listen to. ^^
Don't set yourself a target of x houses an hour, set yourself a daily target of how much you want to earn. That's how I plan my day, whether it be 15 lower priced jobs or just 6 higher priced jobs. I don't care how many houses I do an hour or a day, as long as I hit my target earnings and I do a quality job, I'm happy and customers happy.
Were you the person that cleans the insides for free?
Indeed 8 weekly I do the odd internal for free, maybe 1 a month ;) the uproar that caused :o
What does that have to do with this post ???
It gives a better picture of the kind of business you're running.
It helps people make a decision on whether they want to follow your advice on the forum.
You must've missed my question, Chris. Have you ever cleaned in the manner you're so vitriolic of Tosh admitting to?
yes poleking theres 1 house I clean in that manner every 6 weeks or so, my own ;)
Would I clean a paying customers house that way, no.
So, and this is my point, you've only cleaned one house in the manner Tosh described but cuss him out for it. You've not tested it enough to see if it's acceptable.
How do your windows come up?
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I answered 'correct' to your question poleking not too 8weeklys question too chris. Although we clean the odd inside window for free. Mainly kitchen windows for older people who cannot reach. A free gutter clean for an old lady led too a nice commercial contract.
I know alot on here think its mumbo jumbo 'american' nonsense, but I believe, Do more than is expected of you and you will never ever be short of work, friends and love. Seems to be working for me, although working tomorrow, valentine's day and our wedding anniversary, the love bit might be out the window lol.
I do the odd kitchen window for old ladies for free.
And I've done a free gutter clear for a volunteer lady.
I've no problem with the odd freebie.
Under promise and over deliver is not a bad way to run a business at all.
My only issue with your posts of late is that you're tradding quicker than WFPing.
But I won't start that row again. It's only just calmed down. ;D
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LOL poleking.
I am thinking back to when I used to trad, 24 years ago, the same size houses where done in 15 mins BUT we never cleaned frames only wiped sills. There again it was £1.50 a pop. House now cleaned for £10 takes 25 mins, we could do glass only in 5 mins but that's not what I have set up my business to do. A local company to me, 1.5 mile away has 10 vans, glass only, they clean 40 to 50 houses a day per van.
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The last time I cleaned my windows this way, there was spotting. That is the truth, the sun was out and there was spotting coming down from the top of the frames. Exactly what I expected from the amount of effort I put into the job.
They were clean enough to get the missis off my back though, no way would I expect to get paid for that sort of quality.
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The last time I cleaned my windows this way, there was spotting. That is the truth, the sun was out and there was spotting coming down from the top of the frames. Exactly what I expected from the amount of effort I put into the job.
They were clean enough to get the missis off my back though, no way would I expect to get paid for that sort of quality.
My point though, is your demographic.
One house isn't enough to call someone else out on bud.
And, there's splash & dash and taking half an hour on a 3 bedder and also a massive area between the two.
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The last time I cleaned my windows this way, there was spotting. That is the truth, the sun was out and there was spotting coming down from the top of the frames. Exactly what I expected from the amount of effort I put into the job.
They were clean enough to get the missis off my back though, no way would I expect to get paid for that sort of quality.
My point though, is your demographic.
One house isn't enough to call someone else out on bud.
And, there's splash & dash and taking half an hour on a 3 bedder and also a massive area between the two.
One house is more then enough to check on the quality of your work.
Would you suggest I go clean 20 houses this way then come back and give my opinion?
The guy has openly admitted he doesn't clean the frames unless there dirty and is advising someone that clearly is struggling for technique to aim to clean windows in 15-20 secs.
Is that good advice in your opinion poleking?
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The guy has openly admitted he doesn't clean the frames unless there dirty and is advising someone that clearly is struggling for technique to aim to clean windows in 15-20 secs.
Is that good advice in your opinion poleking?
Yes, it's good advice because that's all it needs. Any idiot can work far harder than they need to; but that's just stupid.
There's not much to wash off a regular clean; once over with a brush - glass only unless the frames look dirty (which is rare) - and a quick rinse with a fast flow.
You might be frightened of working quick, but charge a good price, work quickly - don't over egg it - there's really no need, and it's job jobbed.
I can't remember the last complaint we had.
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Yes, it's good advice because that's all it needs. Any idiot can work far harder than they need to; but that's just stupid.
There's not much to wash off a regular clean; once over with a brush - glass only unless the frames look dirty (which is rare) - and a quick rinse with a fast flow.
You might be frightened of working quick, but charge a good price, work quickly - don't over egg it - there's really no need, and it's job jobbed.
I can't remember the last complaint we had.
It depends on where you live.
Some times of the year here in Brighton, mainly summer time, I can get away with doing just that. Other times, I could not. Try cleaning salt of glass in 20 seconds, you won't do it. It's the same in many other coastal areas.
Then there's the seagull poos. Try and wash that off in 20 seconds. Sometimes one dollop can takes ages even with a scouring attachment. It can dry like concrete.
When I do the work I have in London, the glass is usually clean. It's the tops of the frames and the sills that are rank and black with pollution.
My point is that how quick you can work is not the same all over the country.
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I usually try to ensure that any horizontals on the frames have a quick brush (assuming that the seals are OK) because I've found that this is where a problem may occur. I always do sills as dirt will drop onto them. Often there is no problem anyway once I get past the first couple of cleans.
Recently I had to backpack everything for a full circuit as my van was in dock for weeks - they had trouble finding the fault. Due to the hassle of working that way (compared to my van mount) and not wanting to lug around loads of water, I avoided frames for one circuit except where it was obviously necessary. No harm done. All the framework every time is not needed IMO - with the possible exception of very high pollution areas.
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Good points there.
I'm in the south east, the highest polluted area in the country and it really shows on windows. There's always a layer of dust and dirt around the frames and not cleaning them would be asking for trouble.
Tosh apologies if I came across as being ignorant, I guess when it comes to my cleaning methods I am slightly ignorant in that I think my way is the best way.
There are a number of factors that determine just how quick a window can be cleaned which will vary for all of us, location, equipment used, types of windows being cleaned, the individual speed of the user and we all have our own targets In place.
I just think the best advice you can give someone learning the trade is to concentrate on becoming a quality window cleaner first, it's not good for them or there business to tell them to miss frames or clean windows in seconds. That's something they need to learn for themselves depending on the above factors.
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The last time I cleaned my windows this way, there was spotting. That is the truth, the sun was out and there was spotting coming down from the top of the frames. Exactly what I expected from the amount of effort I put into the job.
They were clean enough to get the missis off my back though, no way would I expect to get paid for that sort of quality.
My point though, is your demographic.
One house isn't enough to call someone else out on bud.
And, there's splash & dash and taking half an hour on a 3 bedder and also a massive area between the two.
One house is more then enough to check on the quality of your work.
Would you suggest I go clean 20 houses this way then come back and give my opinion?
The guy has openly admitted he doesn't clean the frames unless there dirty and is advising someone that clearly is struggling for technique to aim to clean windows in 15-20 secs.
Is that good advice in your opinion poleking?
I would say never form an opinion based solely on on house.
My opinion on whether Tosh's advice is good or not is neither here nor there.
It's an alternate opinion. The OP should listen to as many opinions as he can find and form his own based on that.
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Good points there.
I'm in the south east, the highest polluted area in the country and it really shows on windows. There's always a layer of dust and dirt around the frames and not cleaning them would be asking for trouble.
Tosh apologies if I came across as being ignorant, I guess when it comes to my cleaning methods I am slightly ignorant in that I think my way is the best way.
There are a number of factors that determine just how quick a window can be cleaned which will vary for all of us, location, equipment used, types of windows being cleaned, the individual speed of the user and we all have our own targets In place.
I just think the best advice you can give someone learning the trade is to concentrate on becoming a quality window cleaner first, it's not good for them or there business to tell them to miss frames or clean windows in seconds. That's something they need to learn for themselves depending on the above factors.
It is , mate. For you.
It may work for someone else too.
It may not.
The point is, he won't know until he tries.
Note the OP never said he has any issues with quality. Only speed.
Its trial and error. Go faster. Faster. FASTER!
Too fast, slow down a bit.
He won't know how fast he can be until he has gone too fast and come back down to the sweet spot between speed and quality.
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Scrub the top horizontal frame and where it meets the glass a couple of times thoroughly and rinse well - you've done 75% of whats required.
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Answering the original post, IMO you cannot rush your cleaning with WFP. I would keep doing what you are doing.
Decide what sort of business you want too run.
Here are your options=
Low cost splash and dash.
Or
Higher priced do more than is expected sort of job.
We went for the second option, we have a superb customer retention rate, we charge more then double than some in our area. We clean around 2.5 standard 3 bed's an hour on average. We are currently setting up our 5th full time van. (this has been achieved in 4 years)
Hope this helps.
To be honest as close to high cost splash and dash as is possible without creating complaints..just maximise profit i suppose
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Scrub the top horizontal frame and where it meets the glass a couple of times thoroughly and rinse well - you've done 75% of whats required.
That is such a good point.