Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: C & S on April 25, 2017, 09:51:56 pm
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Evening,
As title says. I have a few custies with flat garage so no access unless their in.. as you know nightmare, I would drop but not got enough to fill books yet so wish to keep all I have.
Do any of you climb over the garage roof? To gain access? Or is this a bit too cowboy?...
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Many years ago i would have climb over but very carefully. But not anymore, simply because ive come away from.using the ladders and sold myself on that basis of no one walking on extensions or tiles etc.
Therefore i would getba great price on doing a front clean and then add to it if they are in to allow access to the rear.
I also text ahead of coming and so you will know what the situation is before you get there.
So for me, a good price on just front cleans
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Used to but not anymore , I won't txt them to unlock garages or gates if it is an ongoing problem I explain that I cannot continue doing there house as it's not cost effective , over a period of time you will get used to foreseeing these problems when quoting generally unless they give me a key to the garage or gate I won't do them as to much hassle
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I have a whole road of houses like this all semi detached with pitched tiled roofs and the garages butt up to each other.. Nearly every single house. Wasn't so bad when i first started but now i bloody hate them. There is no other way of doing the backs.
I do know some windies who only do the fronts of these types of houses.
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Why
I don't take on any houses that don't have access to the back in the normal manner of opening a gate. Fronts only in the case of garages.
Spend a days canvassing pick up half a dozen better ones and bin them off.
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I've turned down lots with garages. Not prepared to get ladders off van just to go on flat roof, not even for one window, won't bother with ladders on domestic work anymore, refuse to go backwards for work at any cost :) I have 4 commercial jobs that require a ladder for access higher up, otherwise I'd bin my ladders and roof rack completely
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Weigh your ladders in for scrap.
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I've turned down lots with garages. Not prepared to get ladders off van just to go on flat roof, not even for one window, won't bother with ladders on domestic work anymore, refuse to go backwards for work at any cost :) I have 4 commercial jobs that require a ladder for access higher up, otherwise I'd bin my ladders and roof rack completely
Exactly.
I have a couple of houses with flat roofs and s window above that's not doable from the ground.
Do I get the ladder off?
:o not a chance, they get told do can't do that window. If that's a problem then they can find someone else.
I don't even do through the house jobs, hate dragging the hose or backpack through. If there's no access it's a front only job end of story.
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Interesting post this. I have a couple of houses i have to walk on flat roofs to gain access at the back.
Get the ladder out, couple of minutes no big deal.
Don't see what the problem is. If you have a house that needs windows cleaned you expect them all to be cleaned otherwise what's the point?
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i have a few on estate work.i always used to climb over no problem when i was trad but 7 years ago when i went WFP i decided to just do fronts only unless they were in to let me through the garage.most customers understood.some i lost because they thought i should just climb over like id always done.
there is still the odd property that i use a ladder on though(balcony,windows set back on a flat roof etc)but they are very few and far between.
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Interesting post this. I have a couple of houses i have to walk on flat roofs to gain access at the back.
Get the ladder out, couple of minutes no big deal.
Don't see what the problem is. If you have a house that needs windows cleaned you expect them all to be cleaned otherwise what's the point?
I'm with you on this...I don't advertise as being half of a house window cleaner....people call me to clean all of their windows not just the front. As much as I don't like garage roofs as much, it would be really frustrating to only be able to get the front cleaned.
Just price higher !
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Interesting post this. I have a couple of houses i have to walk on flat roofs to gain access at the back.
Get the ladder out, couple of minutes no big deal.
Don't see what the problem is. If you have a house that needs windows cleaned you expect them all to be cleaned otherwise what's the point?
its ok when your in your 20s/30s and 100% trad! ;D(in other words young and stupid!!)
i just thought "i cant be bothered anymore" when i went WFP and also some flat roofs were a bit dodgy and in need of a new roof plus sometimes the other side (where i put my ladders)wasnt ideal (gravel,mossy flags,decking! ::)roll).its not worth the risk anymore. id rather lose the customer.
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I found customers were fine about it until their roof started leaking then they would blame me and want compensation for the repair. I got a bill once from a customers insurance company for £900 for a flat roof repair even though it had been 20 years since it was installed. Needless to say I didn't pay it.
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Interesting post this. I have a couple of houses i have to walk on flat roofs to gain access at the back.
Get the ladder out, couple of minutes no big deal.
Don't see what the problem is. If you have a house that needs windows cleaned you expect them all to be cleaned otherwise what's the point?
I'm with you on this...I don't advertise as being half of a house window cleaner....people call me to clean all of their windows not just the front. As much as I don't like garage roofs as much, it would be really frustrating to only be able to get the front cleaned.
Just price higher !
you obviously havent got enough work then!(or been in this this game long enough!) ;D ;D ;D
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No way in this day and age with how the general public sometimes react in blame.
Yes agree with above, as soon as they spot a damaged or leaking roof, it's let's sue the window cleaner ;D.
Also remember a post on here a year or so ago when a customer had there window cleaner charged with break and entry.
Not worth it. Nor am i desperate enough.
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There has been quite a few posts on various forums over the years regarding mishaps on garage/ground floor flat/pitched roofs, They include falling through roof, falling off the edge/ladders slipping and ladders being blowing down leaving them stranded on the roof. Not to mention being attacked by so called pets.
It's down to individuals if they want to take on awkward access jobs when no one is home I suppose. However the way I see it there is no point in risking getting hurt just trying to earn a few bob on those types of properties when you don't have to.
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Ok, for all the ones saying that a customer wants all the windows being cleaned not just the fronts.
What do you do if you are a traditional window cleaner and your customer had a conservatory put up. For you guys, those windows above the conny roof are out of reach. Now conny roof support beams can be strong enough to stand on, so do you climb all over the conny roof or use a roof ladder to get those windows or do you leave them because they are not obtainable??!
Same difference for back gardens which are not accessable without becoming SAS operatives climbing about to get to a couple of quid worth of windows.
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Fair points to make that people won't want the windows above flat roofs missing or want the whole house doing.
But they have a choice with me, I don't do that so they are free to find someone who will.
I don't like clamoring about from a safety point of view but also I don't like messing about getting ladders on and off.
But mark lives in a different world to me, most of my houses are 10,12 quid not 30,40,50 quid.
Mainly though I don't like faff and things that slow me down. When I'm out I like to get into a flow, I find anything that disrupts my rythum annoys me. That could be access issues, parking or over talkative customers I like to pull up hose out clean noteam through and gone. Bang them out and go home.
But it's up to each of us to decide what we want from a round so it's great we can pick and choose
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Yup I have roofs I have to get the ladders out for, just the nature of the game I suppose.... You could always price it into your future work or get rid when it suits you.
There used to be a chap on here who always used to say before you get rid... Go get 2 more you want then decide..... which is what I tend to do these days.
Sounds like a few like to big themselves up with the 'I WONT DO THIS OR CLIMB A LADDER ONTO A FLAT ROOF'..... Nice position to be in but we all started somewhere and I imagine if we remember back we were humble and grateful for the jobs we got when we ALL first started. So before the 150 quid a window shiners get too big and need Swiss banks accounts remember we are in the main small business's and we all started small.
No wonder people think window cleaners earn so much and so many window cleaners think they are brain surgeons.
Good Luck Dave.
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Yup I have roofs I have to get the ladders out for, just the nature of the game I suppose.... You could always price it into your future work or get rid when it suits you.
There used to be a chap on here who always used to say before you get rid... Go get 2 more you want then decide..... which is what I tend to do these days.
Sounds like a few like to big themselves up with the 'I WONT DO THIS OR CLIMB A LADDER ONTO A FLAT ROOF'..... Nice position to be in but we all started and I imagine if we remember back we were humble and grateful for the jobs we got when we ALL first started. So before the 150 quid a window shiners get too big and need Swiss banks accounts remember we are in the main small business's and we all started small.
No wonder people think window cleaners earn so much and so many window cleaners think they are brain surgeons.
Good Luck Dave.
Sorts out the men from the boys.
It's pure laziness in my opinion.
If customer wants windows cleaned and there is one on a flat roof and it's safe to walk on. Grow some and get your ladder out.
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over the course of the month i have 6 flat roofs over garages or extensions i have to navigate, don`t have a problem with them myself, all part and parcel. I only go over if they ask, otherwise just fronts, prior to going over first time i always ask if its in good order up there! and that if any problems occur then i wont be responsible
always walk around the edges NEVER across the middle, if windy lean the ladder toward a wall if possible, or pull ladder up and lay on roof, if its VERY windy leave unless you have a helper, the slightest indication of soft spots get off
tony
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All my custies who have a garage leave them unlocked and I just lock after I am done. I do them first thing in my day.
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If working on your own especially using ladders best working practice is to assess the risks, use appropriate safety gear if need be and don't take chances. Custards in general will not give a toss if you get hurt. However they will soon try blaming you if their property gets damaged somehow.
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Yup I have roofs I have to get the ladders out for, just the nature of the game I suppose.... You could always price it into your future work or get rid when it suits you.
There used to be a chap on here who always used to say before you get rid... Go get 2 more you want then decide..... which is what I tend to do these days.
Sounds like a few like to big themselves up with the 'I WONT DO THIS OR CLIMB A LADDER ONTO A FLAT ROOF'..... Nice position to be in but we all started somewhere and I imagine if we remember back we were humble and grateful for the jobs we got when we ALL first started. So before the 150 quid a window shiners get too big and need Swiss banks accounts remember we are in the main small business's and we all started small.
No wonder people think window cleaners earn so much and so many window cleaners think they are brain surgeons.
Good Luck Dave.
without upsetting anyone - i have a lot of respect for this man.
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It's down to personal choise , I won't do it any more , had a bad accident 3 years ago slipped over on a triple garage roof (fibreglass) off work for a year all for a £25 job , what an idiot I was , so when customers expect it I say no if they don't like it they can find some other fool that will do it it's up to them I don't need the work and am in a lucky position to pick and choose the jobs I take on if there is any sort of access issues I say it's not a job I would want to take on but thank you for your enquiry and walk away
I understand that you have to start somewhere and people need work but I think it's false economy doing it say you have an accident like I did and end up off work for a year you are Evan more out of pocket than if you do all this type of work ,better to do less work safely than more higher risk work as far as Ime concerned
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It's down to personal choise , I won't do it any more , had a bad accident 3 years ago slipped over on a triple garage roof (fibreglass) off work for a year all for a £25 job , what an idiot I was , so when customers expect it I say no if they don't like it they can find some other fool that will do it it's up to them I don't need the work and am in a lucky position to pick and choose the jobs I take on if there is any sort of access issues I say it's not a job I would want to take on but thank you for your enquiry and walk away
I understand that you have to start somewhere and people need work but I think it's false economy doing it say you have an accident like I did and end up off work for a year you are Evan more out of pocket than if you do all this type of work ,better to do less work safely than more higher risk work as far as Ime concerned
Exactly...someone mentioned it sorts the men from the boys more like sorts the clever from the stupid (admittedly thats a bit harsh ;D) .
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Everyone has their own work ethic i think.....
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Everyones entitled to do what they want to do and everyone has their own motivations.
Personally i want 2 things from my business, firstly of course i want to earn a decent wedge
But secondly i want to do work that i enjoy doing and to not do work that i find a chore.
I dont like doing terraced houses, poor access, council or places where its hard to park.
I dont want to climb ladders or go collecting cash.
So im working towards not doing those things, of course when starting out we do all sorts that we dont want to do for money but as the round grows so should your standards.
Its not all about money its about job satisfaction and i wouldnt be satisfied if i got up and thought "bloody hell ive got 6 flat roofs to climb over today then a couple of terraced down that stupid little street where i cant get parked"
But everyone can do as they please of course 8)
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do what you want.i try not to make my working life any more difficult/risky than it needs to be.its nothing to do with being lazy! ;D
i did 17 YEARS on the ladders,climbing on flat/sloping roofs.all sorts every day.i fell off twice and was very lucky not to seriously hurt myself.plus ive broke loads of tiles,guttering and put both feet through a flat roof once!! ;D
ive adapted as WFP has become my main tool for cleaning windows plus im in my mid forties.i dont want to be messing about clambering over flat roofs to do backs anymore.i dont need to as i have plenty of work that doesnt involve having to do it.
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Everyones entitled to do what they want to do and everyone has their own motivations.
Personally i want 2 things from my business, firstly of course i want to earn a decent wedge
But secondly i want to do work that i enjoy doing and to not do work that i find a chore.
I dont like doing terraced houses, poor access, council or places where its hard to park.
I dont want to climb ladders or go collecting cash.
So im working towards not doing those things, of course when starting out we do all sorts that we dont want to do for money but as the round grows so should your standards.
Its not all about money its about job satisfaction and i wouldnt be satisfied if i got up and thought "bloody hell ive got 6 flat roofs to climb over today then a couple of terraced down that stupid little street where i cant get parked"
But everyone can do as they please of course 8)
i've still got a lot to learn lol 8) - i hate collecting, garage roofs, rain and ladders, estates, terraced houses......hmmmm
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This is the thing, yes we all started at that bottom end of the job but we didnt like it back then and weve learnt how to deal with these choices.
For instance when i switched over from trad to wfp i got as much info as i could, worked with someone who used it and asked advice from a good friend who has been using wfp for several years. I wanted to go down trolley route and later go van mount. I listened to advice of ones who did same and they all said skip middle bit and go straight to van mount. I listened to their advice and now 2yrs on im so so glad i did. Yes i use a trolley for those odd jobs and it fills me with dread thinking what i could have done if i didnt listen.
Its the same on this issue, yes everyone can decide for themselves if to faff about climbing over or as some have said dont have the choice yet........rubbish! You do have a choice, you dont need to risk damage to yourselve or the clients property just for a couple of quid or so. Price the fronts up accordingly and as n when owners are in or give u a key etc then clean the backs. If the client wants them doing bad enough they will make it easier for you to do so without climbing over. But bey ho, you dont need to listen to any advice on here
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This is the thing, yes we all started at that bottom end of the job but we didnt like it back then and weve learnt how to deal with these choices.
For instance when i switched over from trad to wfp i got as much info as i could, worked with someone who used it and asked advice from a good friend who has been using wfp for several years. I wanted to go down trolley route and later go van mount. I listened to advice of ones who did same and they all said skip middle bit and go straight to van mount. I listened to their advice and now 2yrs on im so so glad i did. Yes i use a trolley for those odd jobs and it fills me with dread thinking what i could have done if i didnt listen.
Its the same on this issue, yes everyone can decide for themselves if to faff about climbing over or as some have said dont have the choice yet........rubbish! You do have a choice, you dont need to risk damage to yourselve or the clients property just for a couple of quid or so. Price the fronts up accordingly and as n when owners are in or give u a key etc then clean the backs. If the client wants them doing bad enough they will make it easier for you to do so without climbing over. But bey ho, you dont need to listen to any advice on here
Haven't any of you heard of a backs guy? Backs only? There job is to do backs of houses?
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If you cannot be bothered fair enough......I can and just price it accordingly so they get what they want...all their windows cleaning.
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This is the thing, yes we all started at that bottom end of the job but we didnt like it back then and weve learnt how to deal with these choices.
For instance when i switched over from trad to wfp i got as much info as i could, worked with someone who used it and asked advice from a good friend who has been using wfp for several years. I wanted to go down trolley route and later go van mount. I listened to advice of ones who did same and they all said skip middle bit and go straight to van mount. I listened to their advice and now 2yrs on im so so glad i did. Yes i use a trolley for those odd jobs and it fills me with dread thinking what i could have done if i didnt listen.
Its the same on this issue, yes everyone can decide for themselves if to faff about climbing over or as some have said dont have the choice yet........rubbish! You do have a choice, you dont need to risk damage to yourselve or the clients property just for a couple of quid or so. Price the fronts up accordingly and as n when owners are in or give u a key etc then clean the backs. If the client wants them doing bad enough they will make it easier for you to do so without climbing over. But bey ho, you dont need to listen to any advice on here
exactly.... i used to suck a dummy and wear a nappy but........no more
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If you cannot be bothered fair enough......I can and just price it accordingly so they get what they want...all their windows cleaning.
The problem is that generally it's only new or desperate windowcleaners that do them so they are low priced.
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The older you get the more sensible and wiser you get! I've managed to bin most of those kind of jobs due to me wanting an easier life! Some aren't so lucky but I'm sure one day they will be!
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The older you get the more sensible and wiser you get! I've managed to bin most of those kind of jobs due to me wanting an easier life! Some aren't so lucky but I'm sure one day they will be!
I think that sums it up (for me anyway)
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The older you get the more sensible and wiser you get! I've managed to bin most of those kind of jobs due to me wanting an easier life! Some aren't so lucky but I'm sure one day they will be!
I think that sums it up (for me anyway)
Likewise
Speaking from experience the falling bit is easy but the sudden stop at the end hurts like hell.
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Weigh your ladders in for scrap lads.
What's the point, make your life as easy as possible and as safe as reasonably practicable. Fall through some punters roof and you'll be cleaning their windows at a loss for a year or more, if you're not dead.
What's the point in even making that the remotest of possibilities? Plenty easy work to be had.
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Weigh your ladders in for scrap lads.
What's the point, make your life as easy as possible and as safe as reasonably practicable. Fall through some punters roof and you'll be cleaning their windows at a loss for a year or more, if you're not dead.
What's the point in even making that the remotest of possibilities? Plenty easy work to be had.
Ditto, ive taken ladders of van. Why drive round with ladders on if you dont use them and also it stops you from being asked about climbing this or that
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Climbing over garage roofs, gates or fences is just so 80s