Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Elliott89 on November 17, 2016, 10:54:21 am
-
Hi guys and gals,
Im going to start a window cleaning business but I'm not sure whether to use traditional cleaning methods with a squeegee etc or to purchase a trolley wfp system (I can only work from a car at the moment)? If a wfp system is the best method does anyone have any recommendations of a system i should start with?
Any help on this will be greatly appreciated! ;D
-
Where are you based?
-
Im in Derby :)
-
Im in Derby :)
Oh well, miles away from me. Good luck!
I'd avoid traditional. The work is harder and less lucrative. Buy a van.
-
Thanks! are there any wfp systems you might recommend that wouldn't require a van?
-
Try xline systems Ilkeston I think that's near you. I think they would have a decent trolley and poles etc.
-
That's a great shout, thank you very much sir i will take a trip that way today
-
Both wfp and traditional have their pros and cons, traditional gives you better quality control but is a lot more dangerous
unless working on bungalows only.
With the right attitude both will make you a decent living and both are as hard on the body/joints, just different joints with each method.
Take any traditional to wfp convert rags to riches stories with a pinch of salt and make the decision based on the risk factor, if you have never worked from a ladder then that risk factor is going to be a lot higher.
-
Which ever way you decide, it might be obvious this point, but practice, practice and a touch more practice.
It may look easy, but its not, not to begin with. And if you see people on wfp and they seem to do a very quick job, dont assume they have, yet at the same time, dont assume they havent. Its all in the quality of the water being used, the flow and the technique they have mastered.
The final top tip, once you know you can give a quality clean. Be confident in yourself and the service you will give. So do all good window cleaners a favour.......dont under cut just to get a job and dont charge silly cheap prices just to get a job. Long run you really wont do yourself any favours.
-
The cheaper you are , the more you will hate the work in the long run and end up scrapping the jobs .
Whilst building your round , charge a decent amount and spend a lot more time on each job getting it perfect 👌
-
Good luck with your new venture.
Have you acquired any customers yet?
That would be a good move to test the water for work.
Steve
-
Thanks for all the helpful advice ladies and gents!
I haven't acquired any custom yet, I'm going to start posting flyers on Monday.
How would you guys recommend i work out a fair price for each job? What kind of hourly rate should i aim for being based in the midlands?
-
I use a trolley system in conjunction with my UPVC cleaning and find it a very satisfactory piece of kit. The only concern I do have is that full 25L plastic water containers are quite heavy and the more customers you get the more containers you will need and have to carry around in your car. It might be an idea to invest in a second hand trailer at some point when your business expands.
-
If you want customers quicker to begin with then scrap the posting of flyers for now and get door knocking by all means get flyers made up to give to a potential customer but your return rate on flyers is not really going to get you the custom you need when your just starting out. You could spend a week posting out 5000 flyers and get 3-4 new customers for your time, to begin with door knocking is the way to go this will also help you get a feel for the area your trying to get customers in.
But good luck if you start now you will probably get a few christmas only cleans (1 offs) but dont let that put you off.
Paul
-
Try Gumtree,
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-miscellaneous-goods/water-fed-window-cleaning-system/1199506549
https://www.gumtree.com/p/other-hand-tools/window-cleaning-trolley/1196060455