Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Johnny B on November 29, 2015, 08:43:31 pm
-
After all the high winds and rain, and all they threw at the windows these last 2-3 weeks, I finally returned to doing my residentials this week.
I am trad, and near OCD with it. I have nearly driven myself insane this week in trying to get the windows perfect. I've had no problems with the main glass, but when detailing the edges, they have been a royal nightmare to get right! The squeegee blade was new, and the cloths were clean, yet there has been a greasy line around the edges which I was finding almost impossible to completely eradicate by wiping.
I always take my time, but this week has been ridiculous. It's been taking at least twice as long, and even then I have not been happy with the results. I have not had a single complaint, but I do take extreme pride in doing a good job, and so I am very anxious that it stays that way. I am not too far from the sea (Atlantic Ocean) so it's likely to be the salt getting into the beading, as I don't have this problem under normal weather conditions.
I spent some time this weekend re-training myself on my own windows, and have been telling myself over and over to not touch what looks clean, and only to spot-detail where it is needed!
I'm now looking forward to tomorrow with renewed energy and enthusiasm!
Best wishes all,
John.
-
Best of luck to you, i admire you for still being traditional, its almost a dying trade now, i loved it but gout and tendanites in my feet stopped me( nothing in last three years since climbing ladders) so obviously i enjoy wfp now.
-
Would never go back to trad cleaning, if that was the only way to do it I would rather do something else
-
I have a freind who is traditional 100% still works from his car etc and about 4/5 years ago gave up trying to convince him to ditch the ladders and go WFP but there's no convincing him ,he has some really good work that should only be done WFP and I don't know how he gets away with doing it trad by law TBH. If you are a really fussy or ocd window cleaner IMO your in the wrong job,I've been doing the job long enough to know people's expectations and it's not 100% perfection it's clean windows frames and sills yes but it's not like they have just been fitted every clean. Around 10-12 years ago the pole was laugh at and people used to say it won't last the ladder and bucket window cleaner is here forever but when you look to the future in say another 10-12 years what would you say now. The reality IMO is that if your not WFP in years to come you'll struggle coz people these days don't want they expect roof velux and other Windows to be cleaned everytime,don't forget as time moves on you'll be cleaning windows of mostly a new generation and turning up and doing half the Windows won't be good enough. In truth when I speak to customers who have had me over the trad cleaner always say they only kept him on coz they felt sorry for him and thought he was a nice bloke we didn't used to mind him missing the 3rd story stuff but the house over the road always got all the Windows cleaned on there house so we thought we'd have a change.
-
After all the high winds and rain, and all they threw at the windows these last 2-3 weeks, I finally returned to doing my residentials this week.
I am trad, and near OCD with it. I have nearly driven myself insane this week in trying to get the windows perfect. I've had no problems with the main glass, but when detailing the edges, they have been a royal nightmare to get right! The squeegee blade was new, and the cloths were clean, yet there has been a greasy line around the edges which I was finding almost impossible to completely eradicate by wiping.
I always take my time, but this week has been ridiculous. It's been taking at least twice as long, and even then I have not been happy with the results. I have not had a single complaint, but I do take extreme pride in doing a good job, and so I am very anxious that it stays that way. I am not too far from the sea (Atlantic Ocean) so it's likely to be the salt getting into the beading, as I don't have this problem under normal weather conditions.
I spent some time this weekend re-training myself on my own windows, and have been telling myself over and over to not touch what looks clean, and only to spot-detail where it is needed!
I'm now looking forward to tomorrow with renewed energy and enthusiasm!
Best wishes all,
John.
Don't wish to put downer on your renewed energy and enthusiasm for tomorrow but the weather will only get worse over the next 4 months. Being trad only and near OCD is a bad combination if you ask me.
-
Would never go back to trad cleaning, if that was the only way to do it I would rather do something else
I feel the same way, only trad internal office windows now. Would prefer to get away from outdoor related work all together and work PAYE in a trade again.
-
I have a freind who is traditional 100% still works from his car etc and about 4/5 years ago gave up trying to convince him to ditch the ladders and go WFP but there's no convincing him ,he has some really good work that should only be done WFP and I don't know how he gets away with doing it trad by law TBH. If you are a really fussy or ocd window cleaner IMO your in the wrong job,I've been doing the job long enough to know people's expectations and it's not 100% perfection it's clean windows frames and sills yes but it's not like they have just been fitted every clean. Around 10-12 years ago the pole was laugh at and people used to say it won't last the ladder and bucket window cleaner is here forever but when you look to the future in say another 10-12 years what would you say now. The reality IMO is that if your not WFP in years to come you'll struggle coz people these days don't want they expect roof velux and other Windows to be cleaned everytime,don't forget as time moves on you'll be cleaning windows of mostly a new generation and turning up and doing half the Windows won't be good enough. In truth when I speak to customers who have had me over the trad cleaner always say they only kept him on coz they felt sorry for him and thought he was a nice bloke we didn't used to mind him missing the 3rd story stuff but the house over the road always got all the Windows cleaned on there house so we thought we'd have a change.
I think your comment is very unfair, who are you to tell someone how to do there job which he says he does very well, its a personal choice for customers. The fact he has a business suggests to me his customers are happy with the service he provides. I am wfp and would never go back but is so unfair on you to make judgements against this mans professionalism because he has stayed traditional!
-
I have a freind who is traditional 100% still works from his car etc and about 4/5 years ago gave up trying to convince him to ditch the ladders and go WFP but there's no convincing him ,he has some really good work that should only be done WFP and I don't know how he gets away with doing it trad by law TBH. If you are a really fussy or ocd window cleaner IMO your in the wrong job,I've been doing the job long enough to know people's expectations and it's not 100% perfection it's clean windows frames and sills yes but it's not like they have just been fitted every clean. Around 10-12 years ago the pole was laugh at and people used to say it won't last the ladder and bucket window cleaner is here forever but when you look to the future in say another 10-12 years what would you say now. The reality IMO is that if your not WFP in years to come you'll struggle coz people these days don't want they expect roof velux and other Windows to be cleaned everytime,don't forget as time moves on you'll be cleaning windows of mostly a new generation and turning up and doing half the Windows won't be good enough. In truth when I speak to customers who have had me over the trad cleaner always say they only kept him on coz they felt sorry for him and thought he was a nice bloke we didn't used to mind him missing the 3rd story stuff but the house over the road always got all the Windows cleaned on there house so we thought we'd have a change.
I think your comment is very unfair, who are you to tell someone how to do there job which he says he does very well, its a personal choice for customers. The fact he has a business suggests to me his customers are happy with the service he provides. I am wfp and would never go back but is so unfair on you to make judgements against this mans professionalism because he has stayed traditional!
I think NWH had some valid comments in his post myself.
-
How? for a start i have to get ladders out to clean most velux as they are on too sharp an angle!
-
On second thoughts after reading that it's mostly b.....C&S and drivel.
-
H&s, how could he possibly know what he does ! For all we know he could clean bungalows or pontins chalets, I still have public liability on ladders to 45 feet( not that I use it) but may for awkward gutter blockages.
-
How? for a start i have to get ladders out to clean most velux as they are on too sharp an angle!
H&s, how could he possibly know what he does ! For all we know he could clean bungalows or pontins chalets, I still have public liability on ladders to 45 feet( not that I use it) but may for awkward gutter blockages.
Like trad method be it by ladders or trad pole are just tools for the job. It's down to the individual how they want to work and what tools they use as we are responsible for our own safety formost. However at the end of the day having a ladder minimisation policy in place helps reduces the risk of a fall especially if you employe staff.
Most trad windy's also recognised adding wfp method can increase profitability and open up a whole new revenue stream. That’s why most would say they would never go back to trad method only.
As far as being ocd that’s not a bad thing up to a point as we all like to do the best job we can for the reward but when it starts making you ill or effecting how much you earn then you need to sit down and have a good think of your options.
-
Hi guys, thanks for all your replies, I really do appreciate them all, and I would agree that they are positive and helpful.
My situation is this: I've been in this game nearly 19 years, I will be 54 next year and in excellent physical health. You could say I am set in my ways, as I have looked into going the waterfed pole route on numerous occasions, only to conclude that it's not for me as I would prefer to keep things very simple. It just looks too complicated to me and I still enjoy tradding. As I said in my initial post, I take my time, which means as well as taking time on the glass, I also take great care to ensure that I am safe on the ladders. I use a trad pole on velux windows where necessary, and only avoid windows that are inaccessible (I always inform and agree this with the customer before proceeding).
My ethos is that I expect my standards to exceed that of customers. This maybe puts some pressure on myself to perform above and beyond their expectations, but I would personally prefer this over doing a substandard job, and receiving complaints. On the other hand, it's nice to get commendation, which often leads to recommendation!
I was beginning to worry that I was losing the ability to to an excellent job, and so decided to 're-train' myself, both in physically cleaning, and in my mental approach to it. I am confident that I have now sorted these issues, and look forward to being in top form tomorrow!
John
-
Hi guys, thanks for all your replies, I really do appreciate them all, and I would agree that they are positive and helpful.
My situation is this: I've been in this game nearly 19 years, I will be 54 next year and in excellent physical health. You could say I am set in my ways, as I have looked into going the waterfed pole route on numerous occasions, only to conclude that it's not for me as I would prefer to keep things very simple. It just looks too complicated to me and I still enjoy tradding. As I said in my initial post, I take my time, which means as well as taking time on the glass, I also take great care to ensure that I am safe on the ladders. I use a trad pole on velux windows where necessary, and only avoid windows that are inaccessible (I always inform and agree this with the customer before proceeding).
My ethos is that I expect my standards to exceed that of customers. This maybe puts some pressure on myself to perform above and beyond their expectations, but I would personally prefer this over doing a substandard job, and receiving complaints. On the other hand, it's nice to get commendation, which often leads to recommendation!
I was beginning to worry that I was losing the ability to to an excellent job, and so decided to 're-train' myself, both in physically cleaning, and in my mental approach to it. I am confident that I have now sorted these issues, and look forward to being in top form tomorrow!
John
Good for you bud as is easy to get a bit down once in a while in this game ;)
-
After all the high winds and rain, and all they threw at the windows these last 2-3 weeks, I finally returned to doing my residentials this week.
I am trad, and near OCD with it. I have nearly driven myself insane this week in trying to get the windows perfect. I've had no problems with the main glass, but when detailing the edges, they have been a royal nightmare to get right! The squeegee blade was new, and the cloths were clean, yet there has been a greasy line around the edges which I was finding almost impossible to completely eradicate by wiping.
I always take my time, but this week has been ridiculous. It's been taking at least twice as long, and even then I have not been happy with the results. I have not had a single complaint, but I do take extreme pride in doing a good job, and so I am very anxious that it stays that way. I am not too far from the sea (Atlantic Ocean) so it's likely to be the salt getting into the beading, as I don't have this problem under normal weather conditions.
I spent some time this weekend re-training myself on my own windows, and have been telling myself over and over to not touch what looks clean, and only to spot-detail where it is needed!
I'm now looking forward to tomorrow with renewed energy and enthusiasm!
Best wishes all,
John.
There's no easy way round it, Johnny; just hard work.
On jobs like that you have to break down what's on the glass, especially in the corners. Do them by hand, first, with a microfiber, then trad as normal.
But I prefer to use an old applicator sleeve (just the sleeve) folded up in half and blitz them with that before mopping and blading. A wet 10" sleeve is best, I find. It can seem time consuming but it really does work.
Just putting a 14" applicator on a window doesn't do it on dirty windows. You need to give them a good scrub.
-
With you on ocd bit I would hate to leave a job knowing I didn't do my best and most of my recommendations come from the quality of my work . Do wfp mostly as knee's are knackered but still get ladder out for odd job nice to have a nose about from up high .
-
As usual turns into a "Ditch trad go wfp"
OP what rubbers are you using? I have never been that good at trad, well good but slow!!!!! Off an on 15 years now. However! I since bought these.....
http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/facelift-razrblade-red-rubber.html
Pretty much turned me into a pro over night. Detailing is not existent for me now. Suits my style more.
Not saying it will help your issue, but manufactures change stuff. Chemicals,soaps,rubber etc. So maybe look at your setup :)
-
As usual turns into a "Ditch trad go wfp"
OP what rubbers are you using? I have never been that good at trad, well good but slow!!!!! Off an on 15 years now. However! I since bought these.....
http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/facelift-razrblade-red-rubber.html
Pretty much turned me into a pro over night. Detailing is not existent for me now. Suits my style more.
Not saying it will help your issue, but manufactures change stuff. Chemicals,soaps,rubber etc. So maybe look at your setup :)
Think il try these as well, my unger rubbers are a bit used now
-
Some more good points guys. G. Griffin, I did start to wipe the edges first with a damp microfiber, and was dismayed that this didn't actually work in my case! I've no idea why, and it alone pushed my sanity level closer to the level!
Number 23, I have been using Pulex soft, which I actually find wear out very quickly, and went back to Unger hard.Thanks for posting the link for the razrblade red rubbers, I will order some of these and see how I get on.
I have also experimented with how much of the blade I left proud of the channel edge. At present I leave about a millimetre per side, and have changed my fanning technique slightly to minimise detailing,
John
-
Instead of helping him what I could of said to him is get a WFP you mug what are you doing going out each day earning peanuts to what you could be,wake up and smell the coffee m8 do you think we are all using a pole for fun and spending sheds loads more to run a window cleaning business. Maybe I should have said that yeah,maybe he would appreciated it better,all the trad cleaners I know are lazy numptys home by 12-30 1-00 saying they've got to pick the kids up from school and all that poope,get a grip boys.
-
Maybe he's happy yeah I'd expect he would be if I told him I'd done his weeks wages by Tuesday afternoon lol.
-
Trad and wfp both use the same principles. Break down what's on the glass and then remove it. Trad, you wash the glass, break the dirt down and then blade it away. Wfp, you scrub with the brush to break the dirt down and then rinse it away.
It's that simple.
But in practice it's not because we all want to get on to the next window. If there's no dirt left on the window and all your gear is sound then you should have no problems, generally.
In Johnny's case and the problems most tradders have, in my experience, is in the soaping up and not the blading, I reckon.
They don't do enough and end up with lines, kicks and smears as the dirt left is squeegeed around. If a window is dirty, keep washing it until you think all the dirt is gone. Then wash it again another 2 or 3 times! ;D
John, microfibre the window BEFORE soaping up. As an experiment, target areas of six square inches, say, and wipe and wipe and wipe. Then soap up- with enough water- and and there should be no problems.
It's the same with wfp.
But I'm not as good at wfp :-\
-
Maybe he's happy yeah I'd expect he would be if I told him I'd done his weeks wages by Tuesday afternoon lol.
Yawn ::)roll
-
Salt is a right sod to clean off using trad.
Living and working in a coastal town I used to find that when I was 100% trad, after a storm touching the glass with a cloth would produce smears.
I used to wipe over the frames first and then mop and squeegee the glass very carefully and not detail the edges. It went against the grain for me not to detail the edges but most customers were fine with it and most understood that the edges of the glass might not be 100% perfect.
Sometimes if a customer had a hose pipe in the garden and they were out, I'd hose down the glass first.
-
what cloths are you using?i find microfibre cloths pretty useless in cold damp conditions.a nice dry scrim is much better/absorbent.
on really dirty windows cleaned trad id mop the window a few times with a fairly wet/dripping applicator and scrub the corners/edges of the window where the rubber meets the frames with the edge of the applicator then wipe the edges with a dry scrim BEFORE squeegeeing the window.this should result in a clean window.
-
Salt is a right sod to clean off using trad.
Living and working in a coastal town I used to find that when I was 100% trad, after a storm touching the glass with a cloth would produce smears.
I used to wipe over the frames first and then mop and squeegee the glass very carefully and not detail the edges. It went against the grain for me not to detail the edges but most customers were fine with it and most understood that the edges of the glass might not be 100% perfect.
Sometimes if a customer had a hose pipe in the garden and they were out, I'd hose down the glass first.
That's because you hadn't got rid of all the salt.
But that's easy for me to say ;D. I'd probably get fed up and do the same.
I like Dazmond's technique, too. But I find applicator T-bars' are not the best design. Maybe something like a plasterers trowel design would be better on dirty windows.
But then you'd need a new BoaB ::)roll.
-
That's because you hadn't got rid of all the salt.
But that's easy for me to say ;D. I'd probably get fed up and do the same.
I like Dazmond's technique, too. But I find applicator T-bars' are not the best design. Maybe something like a plasterers trowel design would be better on dirty windows.
But then you'd need a new BoaB ::)roll.
I've tried every method with salt covered windows and to get the glass 100% perfect, no hope. For someone who's a bit OCD cleaning windows trad it must be hellish.
Cleaning windows with a trowel...... how did you ever make any money?
-
I would say not all well established domestic compact trad rounds are best suited to wfp especially the likes of terraced backs with bad access, certain type of frames and parking issues for instance. It's a case of using the most appropriate method for the job I suppose or if using wfp only pick and choose what types of properties you want on your round that is less hassle to do. Yes wfp is great for awkward jobs too that ladders can't safely reach and add-on work but the added cost etc at the end of the day it's not for everyone as many are set in their ways and like trad work.
Not so long ago I remember a chap starting up again and building a trad only round. He has been cleaning windows 25 years so had no problem building a domestic round again quickly. Soon after getting back into it even though he was highly skilled including trad pole work wanted to try wfp to see what all the fuss was about so bought a backpack & pole etc. Within a very short time the penny dropped what he had been missing out on over the years so is now using a van mount on his round.
That's much the same story for most trad cleaners over the years that give wfp a go as they soon catch on wfp method when being the most appropriate tool for the job is a potential game changer.
I think in this day and age to be a competitive window cleaner (sole trader or firm) to be able to offer the services that clients request especially higher residential & commercial exterior work etc where H&S plays a big part in gaining work you need both skill sets at your disposal to remain at the top of your game not just one or the other. Likewise wfp don't work very well on internal jobs unless you happen to be cleaning a swimming pool I suppose. ;D
-
That's because you hadn't got rid of all the salt.
But that's easy for me to say ;D. I'd probably get fed up and do the same.
I like Dazmond's technique, too. But I find applicator T-bars' are not the best design. Maybe something like a plasterers trowel design would be better on dirty windows.
But then you'd need a new BoaB ::)roll.
I've tried every method with salt covered windows and to get the glass 100% perfect, no hope. For someone who's a bit OCD cleaning windows trad it must be hellish.
Cleaning windows with a trowel...... how did you ever make any money?
I didn't and still don't.
But my walls are immaculate. I plastered them using a 14" monsoon.
T-bar angles are wrong, Salty Dog. Wfp brushes are at angle, aren't they?
Tradding's like buttering bread. You wouldn't plaster a wall with a butter knife, would you?
Come on; keep up.
-
I cleaned windows on the coast for years and the salt is a killer. Use the absolute bare minimum of any kind of soap or detergent.
Detergents , Washing up liquid, Liquid soap, Shampoo etc. all manufacturers use SALT to alter the thickness (viscosity) of these products, less salt the more liquid the product is, more salt the thicker and less free running it becomes.
Put detergent on a salty window and it thickens the detergent to a gel.
The best way is the most difficult, blading with next to no soap or detergent, when the blade is squeaking and the slightest "snap" on the blade means starting again!
Oh, lovely days do miss them? Do I hell! ;D
-
i think if i was window cleaning on the coast id be using hot pure water and virosol on every job by the sounds of it! ;D
-
With you on ocd bit I would hate to leave a job knowing I didn't do my best and most of my recommendations come from the quality of my work . Do wfp mostly as knee's are knackered but still get ladder out for odd job nice to have a nose about from up high .
It's got to be tough being an OCD window cleaner. I'm slacker than a slack thing. I rub the windows with my brush, quick rinse, and move on to rub and splash the next window.
I can't remember the last time I had a complaint though, and if I did, I'd just go and sort it out. If the same customer complained, I'd drop 'em.
I never stress over it, I just rub, splash and move on.
No-one dies if we don't do a perfect job, you know.
-
With you on ocd bit I would hate to leave a job knowing I didn't do my best and most of my recommendations come from the quality of my work . Do wfp mostly as knee's are knackered but still get ladder out for odd job nice to have a nose about from up high .
It's got to be tough being an OCD window cleaner. I'm slacker than a slack thing. I rub the windows with my brush, quick rinse, and move on to rub and splash the next window.
I can't remember the last time I had a complaint though, and if I did, I'd just go and sort it out. If the same customer complained, I'd drop 'em.
I never stress over it, I just rub, splash and move on.
No-one dies if we don't do a perfect job, you know.
lol spot on there m8,the thing is people want clean windows they are not expecting an absolute perfect job like you say they want reliability,I have certain jobs that require a lot more care but it would would be an impossibility to think that every window I cleaned was perfect anytime of the year.
-
With you on ocd bit I would hate to leave a job knowing I didn't do my best and most of my recommendations come from the quality of my work . Do wfp mostly as knee's are knackered but still get ladder out for odd job nice to have a nose about from up high .
It's got to be tough being an OCD window cleaner. I'm slacker than a slack thing. I rub the windows with my brush, quick rinse, and move on to rub and splash the next window.
I can't remember the last time I had a complaint though, and if I did, I'd just go and sort it out. If the same customer complained, I'd drop 'em.
I never stress over it, I just rub, splash and move on.
No-one dies if we don't do a perfect job, you know.
lol spot on there m8,the thing is people want clean windows they are not expecting an absolute perfect job like you say they want reliability,I have certain jobs that require a lot more care but it would would be an impossibility to think that every window I cleaned was perfect anytime of the year.
I don't think you've ever tried cleaning sea salt of glass using trad. Obviously, it depends on many factors such as how bad the salt is, distance from coast, etc.
Sometimes it's a case of afterwards when you look at what you done, you see white lines from the edges of the squeegee all over the glass and really bad smears. If it's a valued customer, and coastal work is your only option, as it is mine, then you cannot just leave it.
Thank god I use wfp. It earns me more money simply because it washes off all the salt so effectively but the op was asking about trad and that's how he wishes to clean windows.
A few spots from wfp is one thing, salt when cleaning trad is something else.
-
Instead of helping him what I could of said to him is get a WFP you mug what are you doing going out each day earning peanuts to what you could be,wake up and smell the coffee m8 do you think we are all using a pole for fun and spending sheds loads more to run a window cleaning business. Maybe I should have said that yeah,maybe he would appreciated it better,all the trad cleaners I know are lazy numptys home by 12-30 1-00 saying they've got to pick the kids up from school and all that poope,get a grip boys.
You really are a numpty who generalises, i worked trad for 15 years and had a very profitable business, as i do now wfp, people come on here for advise, not to be put down!
-
Maybe he's happy yeah I'd expect he would be if I told him I'd done his weeks wages by Tuesday afternoon lol.
Yawn Yawn, really. What you having for tea , sausage an chips washed down with bollinger ::)roll
-
Well, I've just got in, so I don't fit in with the 'finish at 12:30-1:00' types! ;D
I have taken on board all the suggestions made, and decided to go first of all with Positivity's suggestion of only using a small amount of detergent. Previously my bucket resembled 'Sud City'! So today, a tiny squirt of Fairy (anti-bacterial) and half a capful of vinegar. I did 2 large houses with minging windows inside and out and the results were excellent! Detailing was much reduced, and the shine on the glass was very pleasing! I was still slow (that isn't going to change) but I felt much more relaxed and positive.
Thanks again for all your input and encouragement guys. :)
John
-
Maybe he's happy yeah I'd expect he would be if I told him I'd done his weeks wages by Tuesday afternoon lol.
Yawn Yawn, really. What you having for tea , sausage an chips washed down with bollinger ::)roll
Boring eh. ;D
-
What you should be advising the trad cleaner to do is get off his ladder so he can earn more money and have a safer life,some seem to take pleasure in more or less telling him to carry on working hard for his crust and reminiscing about what it was like when they were a lad working there b******s off all day long. Ok it comes across as harsh but why are people still working from ladders,lightbulb moment here there is now an easier way to clean windows you don't need ladders anymore.
-
I just rub, splash and move on.
Don't you wipe? I mean all that man seed over your custards frames and glass. Can't be good for the street-cred.
-
What you should be advising the trad cleaner to do is get off his ladder so he can earn more money and have a safer life,some seem to take pleasure in more or less telling him to carry on working hard for his crust and reminiscing about what it was like when they were a lad working there b******s off all day long. Ok it comes across as harsh but why are people still working from ladders,lightbulb moment here there is now an easier way to clean windows you don't need ladders anymore.
I take what you are saying, but although I am not anti-wfp, I have looked into it numerous times, and concluded that I would have to earn more than I do now just to pay for and maintain the system/bigger van etc. I earn enough to be content and don't want to change from the simplicity that tradding affords me now.
John
-
How much do you think it costs to run a system day to day I tell you how much,compared to the amount of more work you'll be doing it will be peanuts. You need to get out of your head you don't need an ionic system that when you open the back doors of the van it looks like Carl Cox should be there mixing on the decks lol,the main thing you need to worry about is getting your water whether it be you producing it or you buying it,you can buy it somewhere locally to you for about £20 a week on average or if you make it yourself after you've bought the stuff it literally works out at a few quid a week over the course of a year. After the initial outlay which is around 1500-2000 grand for half desent gear to get you started you'll be wishing you'd done it years ago.
-
How much do you think it costs to run a system day to day I tell you how much,compared to the amount of more work you'll be doing it will be peanuts. You need to get out of your head you don't need an ionic system that when you open the back doors of the van it looks like Carl Cox should be there mixing on the decks lol,the main thing you need to worry about is getting your water whether it be you producing it or you buying it,you can buy it somewhere locally to you for about £20 a week on average or if you make it yourself after you've bought the stuff it literally works out at a few quid a week over the course of a year. After the initial outlay which is around 1500-2000 grand for half desent gear to get you started you'll be wishing you'd done it years ago.
Thanks for all the info. I am just too set in my ways though, and really happy with working the old school way!
Yes, I use ladders day in, day out, but would not climb them if I didn't feel safe, and never, ever abuse them or get complacent when using them. I am not looking to earn big bucks, so am not looking to change the way I do things if they are going to involve having to find more work to pay for the changes, and then be worried about things breaking. I'm getting too long in the tooth for that! I am not motivated by the financial rewards open to those who ditch the ladders for the pole system. I do a job that I love, and if I can make a reasonable living from it (which I do) then I am happy.
However, it seems that this thread has wandered off topic, as my original post was not about wfp v trad, but I posted my feelings that I was having about my beginning to doubt my ability to do the excellent job that my customers deserve. I've now managed (with some very helpful suggestions) to get back on track.
I doff my cap to you sir,
John