Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tom White on December 08, 2015, 02:03:22 pm
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So, Wor Lass and myself have been offered a very well paying job opportunity, often meaning we'll be working away from the area for a few weeks at a time. It's from an established company, a male dominated kind of job, and although they'll have me, what they really want is Wor Lass. They want to employ some females to show that they're a progressive company.
The work involves working at height and a degree of fitness; which is why they've asked Wor Lass (and me, but I was told it was her they really want). She runs ultra marathons, she's a real athlete, and this company (who we clean their windows) think she'd be ideal. The top earners in this profession earn £70k a year, but even half of that would be fine.
But what I don't want to do is just chuck or sell the window cleaning, just in case things don't pan out well; so I'd like to rent the round out, or employ someone to do it. I'm lucky in that if the money is as good as they say it is, I won't need to take much out of the window cleaning business; I just want it baby sat so we can go back to it, if the grass isn't really greener.
Is this feasible? Anyone do it? I'd prefer to hear from guys who've experience of this, rather than just having opinions about doing this.
Thanks.
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Sounds like rhino is recruiting again ;D
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Sounds like rhino is recruiting again ;D
???
It's got nothing to do with cleaning. The company is local to me; we clean the windows of their offices.
I'll add that it's an all-male dominated industry and this particular company wants to look progressive and get women involved (or the boss is waffling and just fancies Wor Lass). And the work is tough; outdoors, at height, dirty and physical, but very well paid.
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No personal experience of this but Dave St Ives posted in the (distant) past ref renting rounds - He suggested that you should get an agreement that means they have to replace lost customers; always struck me as good advice so your round doesn't decay in your absence.
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Sounds like rhino is recruiting again ;D
???
It's got nothing to do with cleaning. The company is local to me; we clean the windows of their offices.
I'll add that it's an all-male dominated industry and this particular company wants to look progressive and get women involved (or the boss is waffling and just fancies Wor Lass). And the work is tough; outdoors, at height, dirty and physical, but very well paid.
That's probably why it's well paid but before you both make your mind up to go for it I would personally would want to speak to a few actually doing the job myself and also would want to go to at least one job site to see what's actualy involved to earn their dosh. I also take it you would need to be properly trained too?
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Upto yourself how u want to go about it tosh, I would be more inclined to get someone to work for u rather that just renting the round out, there's pros an cons.
if u come back and have lost 50 customers the guy renting ya round isn't really guna care, were if u have someone working u may be able to keep him on part time until enough extra work comes in to cover you and the mrs and the new guy.
I have problems similar to this, I have taken a job on that's guna take 12 days, the job can only be done during day light hours, so my normal round takes hit.
As of tomora I have to start at 3 put 5 hours into my own work go to this job for 8 stay on site til it's dark an then jump back on wot work I can get done, I have a few jobs that will be closed by the time I finish but am just guna have to slip off site for an hour here an there.
It's not ideal but has to be done
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Worth remembering that your income from window cleaning will probably be in the 40% tax bracket, if as you say the new job will be well paid.
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Upto yourself how u want to go about it tosh, I would be more inclined to get someone to work for u rather that just renting the round out, there's pros an cons.
Yes, I could. And I could add a further complexity into it by saying that I may still have time to service parts of the round. I'm thinking about renting the run-of-the-mill stuff out, if only so that I don't have to be bothered administrating it, and keep the cream for myself, and do that when I have time off. I wouldn't be bothered about losing the run-of-the-mill stuff; I have a lot of it too. :'(
The work is pylon painting; it often means time away - tough work, short duration - but lots of time off. One of the guys was telling me that two-weeks-away-two-weeks-off is fairly common. And because of the bad weather in November, a lot of the guys just went away on holiday for a month. They are well paid.
The training isn't IRATA; it's just 'fall arrest', which is a lot more basic and it's all done in Chepstow; they have a part of a pylon built into a warehouse at the factory we clean the windows at.
Wor Lass really fancies it; I'm guessing they'd use her, if she does the job (no use counting your chickens) as 'advertising' in their trade mags 'n' stuff. Women don't usually do pylon painting due to the physically demanding nature of the job. She'd be the first (if she does do it) in the thirty year history of the company. Physically, she's not your normal woman; she's training to run 100 miles + in 24 hours, in June at an ultramarathon event; she's already ran two ultras this year coming in at 2nd and 3rd lady. She's like Forest Gump.
I'd be happy to stay at home and just carry on with the window cleaning (at least till our elderly dog dies of old age); while she becomes the pylon painter. And I once went out with a parachute packer from Aldershot, so rough women must be my thing.
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Not the sort of job I would want to be honest no matter how well paid it was...fook that ???
http://www.fstoppress.com/articles/pylon-painting/fsp_small_pylon_painting_0028/
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Will she have to do solar Steve's course because of the electricity? Best ask
Not for me either, I thought window cleaning was dull
Tony
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Not the sort of job I would want to be honest no matter how well paid it was...fook that ???
http://www.fstoppress.com/articles/pylon-painting/fsp_small_pylon_painting_0028/
The higher you go, the safer you are. You'll find that window cleaners - using ladders - have a far higher risk of injury or death.
You're attached at all times to safety cables.
It's only your perception that it's dangerous; it's not really; I've checked it out.
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Among Giants
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122906/
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Upto yourself how u want to go about it tosh, I would be more inclined to get someone to work for u rather that just renting the round out, there's pros an cons.
Yes, I could. And I could add a further complexity into it by saying that I may still have time to service parts of the round. I'm thinking about renting the run-of-the-mill stuff out, if only so that I don't have to be bothered administrating it, and keep the cream for myself, and do that when I have time off. I wouldn't be bothered about losing the run-of-the-mill stuff; I have a lot of it too. :'(
The work is pylon painting; it often means time away - tough work, short duration - but lots of time off. One of the guys was telling me that two-weeks-away-two-weeks-off is fairly common. And because of the bad weather in November, a lot of the guys just went away on holiday for a month. They are well paid.
The training isn't IRATA; it's just 'fall arrest', which is a lot more basic and it's all done in Chepstow; they have a part of a pylon built into a warehouse at the factory we clean the windows at.
Wor Lass really fancies it; I'm guessing they'd use her, if she does the job (no use counting your chickens) as 'advertising' in their trade mags 'n' stuff. Women don't usually do pylon painting due to the physically demanding nature of the job. She'd be the first (if she does do it) in the thirty year history of the company. Physically, she's not your normal woman; she's training to run 100 miles + in 24 hours, in June at an ultramarathon event; she's already ran two ultras this year coming in at 2nd and 3rd lady. She's like Forest Gump.
I'd be happy to stay at home and just carry on with the window cleaning (at least till our elderly dog dies of old age); while she becomes the pylon painter. And I once went out with a parachute fudge packer from Aldershot, so rough women men must be my thing.
FTFY
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Hi Tosh i know people that have done this for years and they did not earn the figures you have quoted be careful they maybe be cow mucking the earning figures .
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Hi Tosh i know people that have done this for years and they did not earn the figures you have quoted be careful they maybe be cow mucking the earning figures .
I spoke to one of the guys there (not one of the hierarchy); he says top earning weeks can be £2k, and low earning weeks can be a big fat zero; it's weather dependant.
And before we were approached, the boss was telling me he prefers blokes with families, rather than single guys. He reckons the single guys 'just do enough hours' to get by, whereas the blokes with families tended to work more hours (and therefore earn more), which may account for the variation. And to be honest, I don't want or need to earn loads. I'd be happy with what we earn now.
At this industrial estate I clean a lot of the industrial units; at another (a specialised lifting company) the owner is a runner from Wor Lass's running club and we know him well (socially); he's confirmed it's very well paying. I've no doubt it is; but one of the reasons I want to hang onto the window cleaning - at least for a while - is to play it safe.
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Hi Tosh i know people that have done this for years and they did not earn the figures you have quoted be careful they maybe be cow mucking the earning figures .
I was thinking similar tosh.
Hopefully it's just the fact that the company your going to be working for is the best all round, but I know of someone who works on pylons but as a high voltage guy doing repairs etc, and he's mayb getting 40k a year tops.
70k for painting them seems like a pipe dream but mayb not?
Your doing the right thing in trying to hold onto your window cleaning business just in case. It's a good backup.
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are you back on the booze tosh? ::)roll
so your thinking of working for someone else dangling from pylon towers with a paint brush? ;D
i suppose itll be a change from window cleaning ;D
id let your missus go first and see how she gets on and you keep the window cleaning going.
if its only for a few weeks at a time she can still help you out on her weeks off with you working on your own the rest of the time.
if you work a bit harder you should be able to keep on schedule and if your missus earns a good wedge as well you ll both be quids in.
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are you back on the booze tosh? ::)roll
Not yet, mate! ;D
so your thinking of working for someone else dangling from pylon towers with a paint brush? ;D
As opposed to squirting water at windows with a bog brush?
i suppose itll be a change from window cleaning ;D
Spot on. 13 years now you know! Wor Little Un is at university too. Maybe we just fancy the change of scenery?
id let your missus go first and see how she gets on and you keep the window cleaning going.
That's an option we've discussed.
if you work a bit harder you should be able to keep on schedule and if your missus earns a good wedge as well you ll both be quids in.
We're more interested in more time off, rather than more money.
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Hi Tosh,
My opinion on this is that if they are looking for your misses as a poster girl, then that will only last so long. I'm a bit confused as to why they want to show a more feminine side to the business when the actual job is male orientated due to the nature of the job. It isn't the NHS!
Our local council tried the same by using women on the rubbish removal carts - 1 woman with 3 guys. I'm sure this had something to do with showing the public a more feminine image as well. I haven't seen a lady working the carts for over a year now, So they either found it didn't work or they got 'enough mileage' from the promotion.
If a newbie posted that he has a job but wants to window clean and 'be his own boss', your reply would be not to give up the day job until you are sure that window cleaning is what you want to do. This is the same but in reverse.
I for one will be sorry to see you go.
I will always remember you by the simple fishing pole conversion which weaned us off Unger Ali poles. As stupid as it sounds now, that conversion was a major leap into the world of using c/f telescopic poles. Thank you.
I wish you the best in your decision.
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id let your missus go first and see how she gets on and you keep the window cleaning going.
if its only for a few weeks at a time she can still help you out on her weeks off with you working on your own the rest of the time.
if you work a bit harder you should be able to keep on schedule and if your missus earns a good wedge as well you ll both be quids in.
This is a good comment.
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We're more interested in more time off, rather than more money.
Not what they want according to your earlier post
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We're more interested in more time off, rather than more money.
Not what they want according to your earlier post
Then our wants aren't the same and to be honest, I'm not bothered about what they want; but I infer, from the fact that the boss says he prefers the guys with families (as opposed to the single blokes who just do the minimum) that there's some scope for deciding how much and how long you wish to work for.
I mean I didn't want to look like a slacker, so I didn't ask those questions outright. ;D
My plan would be to get my feet under the table, make a good impression, and then start slacking. That attitude served me well in my first 17 years of employment, so I don't see why it wouldn't continue to work.
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Spreading the risks sounds better to me with you continuing with the window cleaning and your wife painting pylons.
The main caveat might be whether or not time apart would be stressful for your marriage; sometimes time apart can enhance a marriage - it depends on the people involved.
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That attitude served me well in my first 17 years of employment, so I don't see why it wouldn't continue to work.
Being part of a team of guys that have done this job for a long time that attitude wont work.
I would've thought the thing about that job is how feckin' boring it would be. And listening to the same old twaddle by the same old twots day in day out that you couldnt get away from.
What happens when you want to take leak, lets hope your missus is hanging upside down when Harry Half-Inch flops his flaccid member out for some light urinary relief.
CSRFT.
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Being part of a team of guys that have done this job for a long time that attitude wont work.
Yes it will, mate. I'm not talking about slacking while on the job. You do know I worked in teams for a lot of years in the army, don't you? If you've anymore eggs you'd like me to suck, just pass them my way.
I would've thought the thing about that job is how feckin' boring it would be. And listening to the same old twaddle by the same old twots day in day out that you couldnt get away from.
I'm sure there's some downsides to most jobs. I've customers who torture the life out of me like that too.
What happens when you want to take leak, lets hope your missus is hanging upside down when Harry Half-Inch flops his flaccid member out for some light urinary relief.
She's not a wallflower, mate. Before Harry gets it back in his pants she'll probably be on it, like a tramp on chips. It's the others you need to pray for; not her. She's Welsh.
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CSRFT.
Just saying like. Mr Uppity.
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CSRFT. ;D
You're dying for me to ask what this is; it's the second time you've put it up, but I know the answer won't be funny because you're not usually funny, especially when you're trying hard.
Go on then *sigh* what is it!
Added: You've modded your post; I knew it wouldn't be funny. ;D
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Yes it will, mate. I'm not talking about slacking while on the job. You do know I worked in teams for a lot of years in the army, don't you? If you've anymore eggs you'd like me to suck, just pass them my way.
You a team player? Don't make me laugh. ;D ;D ;D
Trying to be the centre of attention isn't 'team playing' - that's removing yourself from the team.
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Yes it will, mate. I'm not talking about slacking while on the job. You do know I worked in teams for a lot of years in the army, don't you? If you've anymore eggs you'd like me to suck, just pass them my way.
You a team player? Don't make me laugh. ;D ;D ;D
Trying to be the centre of attention isn't 'team playing' - that's removing yourself from the team.
I like a nice bite.
CSRFT ;D ;)
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Not the sort of job I would want to be honest no matter how well paid it was...fook that ???
http://www.fstoppress.com/articles/pylon-painting/fsp_small_pylon_painting_0028/
The higher you go, the safer you are. You'll find that window cleaners - using ladders - have a far higher risk of injury or death.
You're attached at all times to safety cables.
It's only your perception that it's dangerous; it's not really; I've checked it out.
Abseiling down stuff is not the issue but working on live 400.000 volt pylons is to me.
I like one of the comments from a pylon painter "you have to be careful" ...no sh*t Sherlock ;D
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Abseiling down stuff is not the issue but working on live 400.000 volt pylons is to me.
I like one of the comments from a pylon painter "you have to be careful" ...no sh*t Sherlock ;D
I'm pretty sure there's no abseiling (which would be fine with me; I love that kind of stuff), but they switch the leccy off if the arms are to be done.
Seriously, there'll be more accidents and deaths from falls at height with window cleaners than there is for painting pylons. The higher you go, the more safety precautions are taken.
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Abseiling down stuff is not the issue but working on live 400.000 volt pylons is to me.
I like one of the comments from a pylon painter "you have to be careful" ...no sh*t Sherlock ;D
I'm pretty sure there's no abseiling (which would be fine with me; I love that kind of stuff), but they switch the leccy off if the arms are to be done.
Seriously, there'll be more accidents and deaths from falls at height with window cleaners than there is for painting pylons. The higher you go, the more safety precautions are taken.
The play down the danger of electrocution bit or no one in their right mind would do it and yes there seems to abseiling involved too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24374923
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Tosh, I've found this vid that maybe of interest as gives a great insite of what the job is all about including the lads views of the job.
Documentary film which follows a team of four pylon painters who remain undeterred by the hazards of their profession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIf6163H4c
Still I'm not sure why they don't seem to be clipped on the times they are filmed working on the pylons?
Maybe it's just for the cameras "macho thing" or the worrying thing they don't use fall arests at all as slows them down to much. ???
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Tosh.....
how about you sell your boring stuff to Squeeky, or some one else if he wont bite....
Send Helen off to do the job on her own at first, and then when she is home, you will be able to take time off for a few days, and still be on top of the winders......
If it all works out for her.... then get rid of the rest of the round (Franky must need some work by now.. ;D ) and then Robert is a relative..
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Abseiling down stuff is not the issue but working on live 400.000 volt pylons is to me.
I like one of the comments from a pylon painter "you have to be careful" ...no sh*t Sherlock ;D
I'm pretty sure there's no abseiling (which would be fine with me; I love that kind of stuff), but they switch the leccy off if the arms are to be done.
Seriously, there'll be more accidents and deaths from falls at height with window cleaners than there is for painting pylons. The higher you go, the more safety precautions are taken.
The play down the danger of electrocution bit or no one in their right mind would do it and yes there seems to abseiling involved too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24374923
Dont discourage him then!!
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Tosh, I've found this vid that maybe of interest as gives a great insite of what the job is all about including the lads views of the job.
Documentary film which follows a team of four pylon painters who remain undeterred by the hazards of their profession.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIf6163H4c
Still I'm not sure why they don't seem to be clipped on the times they are filmed working on the pylons?
Maybe it's just for the cameras "macho thing" or the worrying thing they don't use fall arests at all as slows them down to much. ???
That was really interesting, thanks. As for the other clip, that actual pylon (according to Mr Gold) is one of the two largest ones in the UK, and it's actually situated about 1.5 miles from where I live. The army barracks they mentioned was my last posting.
I'm not worried about safety; I'm sure - given today's emphasis on it - it'll be fine. I can only find one pylon death (while working; there's a few with people just being daft), but if I google window cleaning deaths, there's loads of 'em.
Looks like tough work though.
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Send Helen off to do the job on her own at first, and then when she is home, you will be able to take time off for a few days, and still be on top of the winders......
Yes, it seems like - if it pans out - this'll be what we'll do. She'll start first (it's her they want anyway), though she says she's not going to do the windows during her time off AND train for a 100m ultra marathon at the same time. But at least it'll give us an idea the time-involvement for me too. We still have an elderly dog who doesn't seem keen on karking it yet; but once he goes, then we've basically got no ties (Wor Little Un being at uni) and working away isn't a problem.
However, all this could be 'pie in the sky'. She might hate it! Or something else. The boss said to speak to him in the New Year about it when we next come to clean their windows; he did say there was a lot of work to be done next year though and he seemed really keen on having a female as part of their pylon painting work force.
I hope it pans out for her; I'd love to say Wor Lass is a Pylon Painter from PontyPool.
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I'd rather watch paint dry.
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You have my number when your ready to sell.
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You have my number when your ready to sell.
;D
Cheers Rog.
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seriously tosh you must be having a mid life crisis!
why would you want to go pylon painting?(apart from the views!)and risk losing window cleaning work thats took years to build up.
id say if you were younger maybe but not at your age.itll be 10 times harder work than window cleaning and itll hammer your knees.
ive watched the video and you still risk getting shocks off the pylons as well as covered in paint(some had more on their face!)
you must be seriously bored of window cleaning to even consider this sort of work IMO
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Putting aside the money aspect and possible extra time off for a moment - if I were painting pylons, it wouldn't be a fall from height that would kill me, it would be boredom. I find window cleaning mind-numbingly boring at times and I suspect that pylon painting would be even worse.
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seriously tosh you must be having a mid life crisis!
why would you want to go pylon painting?(apart from the views!)and risk losing window cleaning work thats took years to build up.
id say if you were younger maybe but not at your age.itll be 10 times harder work than window cleaning and itll hammer your knees.
ive watched the video and you still risk getting shocks off the pylons as well as covered in paint(some had more on their face!)
you must be seriously bored of window cleaning to even consider this sort of work IMO
+ 1 and/or so desperate to try earning a few bucks more. I can't see your missus lasting a day on that job either no matter how fit she is.
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Let your missus get on with........stick to window cleaning and enjoy the peace and
quiet for as long as it lasts :)
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Let her go. You know it's the right thing. She'll only be unhappy if you try to make her stay.
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I can't see your missus lasting a day on that job either no matter how fit she is.
You don't know my missis, mate. She's tough; tougher than me, though I could still beat her in a fist fight (I reckon anyway). She's running a 100 miles in June, in 24 hours. This year she's came 2nd and 3rd lady in 30 and 42 mile ultra race. I think these are good tests of character; not to mention the daily grind of the training that goes into it.
It's dealing with the height that worries her, but she says she'll give it a go. If it comes to naught; that's no big deal either.
Remember the failing isn't in the failing; the failure is in the not trying.
Don't let your fears control you.
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you must be seriously bored of window cleaning to even consider this sort of work IMO
Yes, I guess we're both bored of it. Same places, same faces, same things.
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id say if you were younger maybe but not at your age.itll be 10 times harder work than window cleaning and itll hammer your knees.
I asked about the age ranges of the guys who do this kind of work; the boss showed me a survey they'd done on this very subject. They've got a few guys in their 60s still doing this (not many). But loads in the 30 to 40 and 41 to 50 age range.
My knees are fine; I ran a marathon a couple of years back and earlier this year I was hitting 40 - 45 miles a week running (till I got injured (shins) and then got lazy).
I reckon the people who don't exercise are the ones who end up with physical problems and I'm not just talking about pylon painters.
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you must be seriously bored of window cleaning to even consider this sort of work IMO
Yes, I guess we're both bored of it. Same places, same faces, same things.
Just a thought, but if the main issues are more money, less hours and different faces, why not put on a price hike (a seriously big one) and at the same time start a leaflet campaign with your new prices on to replace the ones you will lose?
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you must be seriously bored of window cleaning to even consider this sort of work IMO
Yes, I guess we're both bored of it. Same places, same faces, same things.
That also could very much turn out to be the same faces, same pylon, same paint, but harder work and for the same pay?
I agree with one of the posts above (think it was dazmond) that if a newbie came on here saying he wanted to quit his job and start window cleaning, we all would be telling him to do this on weekends and see how he goes. Test the water. It's not for everybody.
I think the wisest course is to let your wife test the water while you stay with the windows. If after 6 months it turns out like you hope, then it's a no brainer.
I do think the pull of being your own boss is a huge one though.
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When I watched the YouTube video someone had linked to earlier in this post about the Pylon Painters it seemed the guys they were filming had gone into it because they had limited options. One was ex-army another had a failed conservatory business etc.
None of them seemed sure from one year to the next if they would be continuing or bailing out.
I think that sums it up really.
I reckon I'd rather go outside and bury my head in the garden than take up Pylon Painting. :-\
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Go for it Tosh at the end of the day its not the hardest thing in the world to build another window cleaning round,
I'm in the same boat as yourself at the minute with the choice of two different types of work, the thing is when I'm doing one
I prefer the other and vice versa plus both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Need to decide soon as I'm not giving my best to either.
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Buy a high quality pressure washer and do 1x a week this kind of work .
Gives you variety .
Or get a driving job 1x day a week .
Work longer for 4 days a week and have a day off and do a hobby .
We all work too much
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My two main issues would be boredom, as already stated. My other one would be about working under someone else's control. I've worked part-time in the past for someone else while window cleaning self-employed. My god, there are some real dumbasses out there who haven't a clue how to manage or how to treat people. Although I've left on good terms, there was one instance where my leaving was punctuted by verbal violence on both sides.
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Hit the nail on the head there walter mitty as pylon painters are all subbies on peace work so have to work their nuts off to earn any good money (weather permitting). If you have ever worked in a crew before on peace work the stress can be unbearable as if you happen to be slower than the rest they are losing money too so will give you loads of grief and want to sack you off.
Those guys are in it to do the job as quickly as possible not fanny about and if they fail their targets will gets loads of grief from the bosses too.
Oh the joys of working for someone else ;D
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When I watched the YouTube video someone had linked to earlier in this post about the Pylon Painters it seemed the guys they were filming had gone into it because they had limited options. One was ex-army another had a failed conservatory business etc.
None of them seemed sure from one year to the next if they would be continuing or bailing out.
I think that sums it up really.
Yes, I regularly meet window cleaners with jumbo jet pilots licenses who just decided to take up window cleaning.
I reckon I'd rather go outside and bury my head in the garden than take up Pylon Painting. :-\
I know a lot of folk would say the same about window cleaning.
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My two main issues would be boredom, as already stated.
Yes, you're right; window cleaning is so exciting.
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My two main issues would be boredom, as already stated.
Yes, you're right; window cleaning is so exciting.
No, window cleaning is boring too. I just imagine it as less boring than pylon painting. There is a bit more variety to window cleaning I feel, especially as going to different areas and having more choices about how much work I wish to do.
For me, the real nugget is the larger number of people I get to meet. Many of them, or adaptations of them, give me ideas for writing characters. With pylon painting, I reckon it would be a much smaller number of people , so less stimulation.
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For me, the real nugget is the larger number of people I get to meet.
If you go and be a 'ding ding girl' at Tescos, you'll get to meet loads of folk.
That would probably blow your mind though.
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With pylon painting, I reckon it would be a much smaller number of people , so less stimulation.
Oh I don't know, Im sure you'd get the odd person passing through.
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When I watched the YouTube video someone had linked to earlier in this post about the Pylon Painters it seemed the guys they were filming had gone into it because they had limited options. One was ex-army another had a failed conservatory business etc.
None of them seemed sure from one year to the next if they would be continuing or bailing out.
I think that sums it up really.
Yes, I regularly meet window cleaners with jumbo jet pilots licenses who just decided to take up window cleaning.
I reckon I'd rather go outside and bury my head in the garden than take up Pylon Painting. :-\
I know a lot of folk would say the same about window cleaning.
The world's a safer place with people like me cleaning windows instead of piloting the Airbus taking you and your family to your final destination. ;D
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Plenty of entertainment
https://youtu.be/v_lj77Km0Ao
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Plenty of entertainment
https://youtu.be/v_lj77Km0Ao
Wow that was amazing Dave, shame it was only on for 1 minute, I could've easily bopped my head to that for another 10!! ;D
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Okay, my two cents worth.
Letting Helen have a go on her own for a month or two's trial (in your minds - don't tell the business owners that) is the sensible option. If she gets on with it then everyone is happy.
Why might you not want to do that - let her go on her own into a male dominated "hard" environment? Because you are a protective husband (this is a good thing). A little bit of you is concerned that she might get bullied/mocked and sexually harassed (even if she "can take care of herself".)
Trouble is - if she does make the trial period and really loves it then she will be forming a camaraderie with one or more of her team. This is where "workplace relationships" can start.
Will absence make the heart fonder? Will it be "out of sight, out of mind"? Will there be no difference in your relationship but more money and fun in your holiday times? Only you two can decide.
I would not give up my window cleaning round. It is a good earner now and a pension for the future. You have independence that the employed can only dream of.
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Funny you say that as I still get chatted up and sexually harassed mainly by 65-90 year old women now. Bless em ;D
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They probably identify with the smell of urine and adult nappies you wear.
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For me, the real nugget is the larger number of people I get to meet.
If you go and be a 'ding ding girl' at Tescos, you'll get to meet loads of folk.
That would probably blow your mind though.
Don't knock it Tosh. The feedback you get from me contains more empathy than others'. I'm well aware that a little extra caution may be needed due to the sort of lives we've had. Many years off the sauce is no guarantee of immunity as you know, so I reckon that the bigger decisions need to be thought through more than for most people.
Anyway, why the hell would I work at Tesco when Morrison's, Sainsbury's and Asda are all closer? :)
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They probably identify with the smell of urine and adult nappies you wear.
It's the man pants for sure as make me manhood look a lot bigger than it actually is ;D ;D ;D
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That makes me wonder what pylon painters do when they want a pee whilst up a pylon in the middle of nowhere.
a) climb down
b) pee over the side and hope the lads below don't get wet and they don't get zapped.
I'm betting it's b ;D
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I reckon that the bigger decisions need to be thought through more than for most people.
Does your granny get sick of you teaching her to suck eggs?
And I don't need yours or anyone else's empathy either; where have I asked for that? I'm dealing with a high-class-first-world problem here; it's no biggie, but of course we're being cautious; I'm not going to lose my work on a whim, which is why Wor Lass is going to have a crack at it first while I remain on the glass. It's her they're really after anyway.
From there we can make a decision, based on first hand experience, on what we should do from then on.
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I reckon that the bigger decisions need to be thought through more than for most people.
Does your granny get sick of you teaching her to suck eggs?
And I don't need yours or anyone else's empathy either; where have I asked for that? I'm dealing with a high-class-first-world problem here; it's no biggie, but of course we're being cautious; I'm not going to lose my work on a whim, which is why Wor Lass is going to have a crack at it first while I remain on the glass. It's her they're really after anyway.
From there we can make a decision, based on first hand experience, on what we should do from then on.
Well, you put it out there for comments, and mock when you get them (not just mine either).
I'm not sure why you put it out there in the first place really.
Whatever you end up doing, I hope it works out for you.
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This egg sucking business Tosh, can you explain what you mean please, you keep talking about it. Repeatedly.
Is it a reference to a Japanese form of water torture?
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Well, you put it out there for comments, and mock when you get them (not just mine either).
I'm not sure why you put it out there in the first place really.
Whatever you end up doing, I hope it works out for you.
For someone who claims to be a writer, you're not very good at comprehension are you? Why don't you take a read of the original post which said:
Is this feasible? Anyone do it? I'd prefer to hear from guys who've experience of this, rather than just having opinions about doing this.
Thanks.
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Well, you put it out there for comments, and mock when you get them (not just mine either).
I'm not sure why you put it out there in the first place really.
Whatever you end up doing, I hope it works out for you.
For someone who claims to be a writer, you're not very good at comprehension are you? Why don't you take a read of the original post which said:
Is this feasible? Anyone do it? I'd prefer to hear from guys who've experience of this, rather than just having opinions about doing this.
Thanks.
Whether I got it right or wrong is irrelevant. I was just trying to be a decent human being. You can choose to be critical of that of course - it's your right.
Maybe remember this when you next try to offer a helping hand, either on here or in the big wide world, and someone throws it back at you.
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Tosh, if it's heavy rain, ice, snow, strong winds, or some other reason and Wor Lass can't work, does she still get paid?
Or do they work in any weather?
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Whether I got it right or wrong is irrelevant. I was just trying to be a decent human being. You can choose to be critical of that of course - it's your right.
Maybe remember this when you next try to offer a helping hand, either on here or in the big wide world, and someone throws it back at you.
What you gave was unsolicited opinion, in an effort (I suspect) to try and convince yourself you're happy with what you're doing. And now you're trying to make yourself out as some poor pious victim.
Give it a rest; it's tedious.
However, if you've experience of maintaining your work while doing some other kind of occupation, either through renting it out, sub contracting or employing others to work it for you, then you might find I'd be more receptive.
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Tosh, if it's heavy rain, ice, snow, strong winds, or some other reason and Wor Lass can't work, does she still get paid?
Or do they work in any weather?
No, you can't work in the rain, or when there's ice on the steel. One of the employees says it isn't a problem though because the guys get paid enough from when they can work. He says quite a few of them went on holiday for the whole of November.
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Whether I got it right or wrong is irrelevant. I was just trying to be a decent human being. You can choose to be critical of that of course - it's your right.
Maybe remember this when you next try to offer a helping hand, either on here or in the big wide world, and someone throws it back at you.
What you gave was unsolicited opinion, in an effort (I suspect) to try and convince yourself you're happy with what you're doing. And now you're trying to make yourself out as some poor pious victim.
Give it a rest; it's tedious.
However, if you've experience of maintaining your work while doing some other kind of occupation, either through renting it out, sub contracting or employing others to work it for you, then you might find I'd be more receptive.
Your assumptions about me are way off Tosh, but it doesn't matter. I don't feel like a poor, pious victim or any other type of victim for that matter.
I did other work some years back, before this forum was around and before WFP took off. I had a guy covering work for me back in the bad old ladder days. It didn't work out. He was unreliable. I chose badly. It doesn't resemble your situation, I imagine, though choosing the right person/people to cover the work is an obvious one and you would probably be justified in using the granny and egg-sucking analogy if I were to suggest it.
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No, you can't work in the rain, or when there's ice on the steel. One of the employees says it isn't a problem though because the guys get paid enough from when they can work. He says quite a few of them went on holiday for the whole of November.
Sounds ok.
I can't offer any advice but it seems to me from what I've read you've pretty much thought it through.
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I went from a window cleaning business to being a mid level factory manager. Even though I am pretty much my own boss , I find it difficult to maintain the regime and take instruction from any one. After years of doing things your way, you may be the same.
Happy Christmas 🎅
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I have some work in Monmouthshire and always want more. If you'd like discuss the possibility of offloading/renting work, please email me.
solarpanelcleaning@hotmail.co.uk
Cheers,
Ole