Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: A A R O N on November 07, 2017, 09:02:00 pm
-
Just want to say hello to you all. Was a member on here a fair few years back and was then looking for and getting lots of advice about setting up. I never did do it back then, my job at the time became better paid with better hours which made it almost impossible to start up. Now changes in my job have resulted in me having more free time (and a lot less income) so the decision to start my business has almost been made for me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since being on this forum years back, so not something I’m looking to do on a whim.
Whilst I won’t be taking any risk leaving my job until I have a half decent round on the go the initial cash outlay of buying all the equipment I will need is quite a big risk for me. When ever I was on this forum years ago the guys (many of which I see are still around on here which is great) made it sound like as long as you put the work in I couldn’t fail to get enough work.
So my question is, I guess, should I be nervous about starting up on my own, it will be a whole new world to me, one which I want nothing more than to succeed in, but is there a chance I will get no work, are there a lot more (too many) new guy out there than 10 years ago? Or is there plenty of work out there for someone prepared to put in the hard work. It will be for the next 20+ years, I’m edging towards 40 now.
I am in the north west of England. Any help and advice any of you guys can give me will be greatly received.
Cheers
Aaron
-
Aaron
If you want to spend a day with us , we can advise and give you an insight into the industry
Ed
-
Follow NathanKaye, he's a regular on here. Bit dim, but nice guy. Gets on with his custards, fat, uses a DIY 'hot' system, works with 14 fan-jets, posts on here til 3 in the morning. Can't go wrong.
-
Follow NathanKaye, he's a regular on here. Bit dim, but nice guy. Gets on with his custards, fat, uses a DIY 'hot' system, works with 14 fan-jets, posts on here til 3 in the morning. Can't go wrong.
😂
-
Aaron
If you want to spend a day with us , we can advise and give you an insight into the industry
Ed
That's very good of you Ed. Looks like you have a great set up. I do have some family over Ripon way. Would be great to have an insight into everything. If I can get over there I will certainly take you up on your offer.
Am looking at getting some lower cost equipment to get me going cleaning friends families properties to get some practice in and build up slowly. Rather than full throttle and spend lots of dosh. You think that's my best bet?
Thanks again.
Aaron
-
There's always work out there to be had.
It's depends on what you're prepared to do to get that work.
-
Keep it organic. By that I mean go for investment out of revenue rather than capital. Spend as little as possible to begin with and start earning a little straight away. Target bungalows and shops and get used to using a short pole so you're not going to be running up ladders. Put your earnings into getting new kit as and when you need it.
You could get away with a wagtail, a broom handle, a bottle of window spray and an old tea towel to start with. If you want to go wfp route, get yourself a backpack and collect rainwater off a clean roof. You can make a Bently brush and stick it on a broom handle or a Harris pole. Great advantage of that is that you can then target regular houses. If you're doing wfp, learn to be as economical with your water as possible whilst still doing an excellent job.
-
First tip, ask any questions on the other forum!
-
Og is correct.
If you want genuine help and advice go to the other forum.
This forum is really for seasoned veterans who are a bit bored with window cleaning and like nothing better than to Rip the pee out of others. :D
It's an amusing forum but don't expect many straight answers.
-
Follow NathanKaye, he's a regular on here. Bit dim, but nice guy. Gets on with his custards, fat, uses a DIY 'hot' system, works with 14 fan-jets, posts on here til 3 in the morning. Can't go wrong.
;D ;D
-
Great info to be found on here especially from guys like Dazmond, just don't ask him about using hot. lol.
-
First tip, ask any questions on the other forum!
Og is correct.
If you want genuine help and advice go to the other forum.
This forum is really for seasoned veterans who are a bit bored with window cleaning and like nothing better than to Rip the pee out of others. :D
It's an amusing forum but don't expect many straight answers.
Thanks guys. By the other forum are we talking about one with initials wcf?
This forum always seemed the most popular years back and the advice was always good and honest. I enjoy the banter, as long as it doesn't start offending people.
Thanks again.
-
Great info to be found on here especially from guys like Dazmond, just don't ask him about using hot. lol.
Yes I remember people like Dazmond. Always happy to help new guys out. I remember I always used to think how friendly everyone was compared to forums for other trades/interests. The banter was always in good humour and hope that continues.
Thanks.
-
See if its possible to buy ro water locally to you. A clx and backpack would get you started for a minimal cost.
-
I'd spend some money and get a half decent set up straight away...decent equipment makes customers more prone to trusing you to do a good job.
Could you spare £1500 as an initial outlay as I did?
-
See if its possible to buy ro water locally to you. A clx and backpack would get you started for a minimal cost.
I think (correct me if I'm wrong) I could get away with DI only as my TDS is only 35ish?? So the costs look quite a bit less. Have been looking at backpacks. There are so many different options for everything. Some people I speak to seem to want a traditional cleaner too. :-\
-
Great info to be found on here especially from guys like Dazmond, just don't ask him about using hot. lol.
Yes I remember people like Dazmond. Always happy to help new guys out. I remember I always used to think how friendly everyone was compared to forums for other trades/interests. The banter was always in good humour and hope that continues.
Thanks.
Exactly AARON as long as you don't take yourself too seriously then this is the place to be, some very knowledgeable guys on
here and most of the chancers with ulterior motives for posting have been chased off with their tails between their legs.
-
See if its possible to buy ro water locally to you. A clx and backpack would get you started for a minimal cost.
I think (correct me if I'm wrong) I could get away with DI only as my TDS is only 35ish?? So the costs look quite a bit less. Have been looking at backpacks. There are so many different options for everything. Some people I speak to seem to want a traditional cleaner too. :-\
You're lucky to have a TDS that low - I'd recommend DI only (or double DI which will help you save on resin). I use double DI & my ppm varies between 55 & 70.
-
I'd spend some money and get a half decent set up straight away...decent equipment makes customers more prone to trusing you to do a good job.
Could you spare £1500 as an initial outlay as I did?
This is it I want to give a professional image from the start. To be honest I don't have £1500 without getting a loan. Did your £1500 include a vehicle or did you already have something suitable. We need a new car anyway so getting something I can use as a van and to cart the family about is an option.
My main worry is that investing £1500 or so is a fairly big risk for me so I guess I want some reassurance that I've got a good chance of succeeding. I need 1250 take home per month to replace my current income due to my pay and hours being cut.
Thanks
-
See if its possible to buy ro water locally to you. A clx and backpack would get you started for a minimal cost.
I think (correct me if I'm wrong) I could get away with DI only as my TDS is only 35ish?? So the costs look quite a bit less. Have been looking at backpacks. There are so many different options for everything. Some people I speak to seem to want a traditional cleaner too. :-\
You're lucky to have a TDS that low - I'd recommend DI only (or double DI which will help you save on resin). I use double DI & my ppm varies between 55 & 70.
Thanks. I'm going to have a proper look at equipment this week and get an idea of total costs and options.
-
I'd spend some money and get a half decent set up straight away...decent equipment makes customers more prone to trusing you to do a good job.
Could you spare £1500 as an initial outlay as I did?
This is it I want to give a professional image from the start. To be honest I don't have £1500 without getting a loan. Did your £1500 include a vehicle or did you already have something suitable. We need a new car anyway so getting something I can use as a van and to cart the family about is an option.
My main worry is that investing £1500 or so is a fairly big risk for me so I guess I want some reassurance that I've got a good chance of succeeding. I need 1250 take home per month to replace my current income due to my pay and hours being cut.
Thanks
There is no risk when it comes to investing in equipment ARRON that's the beauty of window cleaning, if things don't pan out
then just sell it on, chances are you will get back what you paid for it, put it this way when it comes to Gardiner poles they can sell for more than their new price on ebay (I kid you not).
-
I'd spend some money and get a half decent set up straight away...decent equipment makes customers more prone to trusing you to do a good job.
Could you spare £1500 as an initial outlay as I did?
This is it I want to give a professional image from the start. To be honest I don't have £1500 without getting a loan. Did your £1500 include a vehicle or did you already have something suitable. We need a new car anyway so getting something I can use as a van and to cart the family about is an option.
My main worry is that investing £1500 or so is a fairly big risk for me so I guess I want some reassurance that I've got a good chance of succeeding. I need 1250 take home per month to replace my current income due to my pay and hours being cut.
Thanks
There is no risk when it comes to investing in equipment ARRON that's the beauty of window cleaning, if things don't pan out
then just sell it on, chances are you will get back what you paid for it, put it this way when it comes to Gardiner poles they can sell for more than their new price on ebay (I kid you not).
Never thought of it like that. Guess buy decent equipment with a good resale value and I have that to fall back on. thanks.
-
No my £1500 didn't inc a van I already had one.
-
See if its possible to buy ro water locally to you. A clx and backpack would get you started for a minimal cost.
I think (correct me if I'm wrong) I could get away with DI only as my TDS is only 35ish?? So the costs look quite a bit less. Have been looking at backpacks. There are so many different options for everything. Some people I speak to seem to want a traditional cleaner too. :-\
Sorry, didn't realise you were one of the lucky ones ! I think its always good to have trad experience especially for add on interior cleaning, or shops / bars etc. but I think it would hold your income back if you were to offer it as the norm over wfp. Being able to reach those awkward windows or particularly high ones safely is what will build your round quickly. With 35 tds , like you've said, you won't need an ro. If a van is not in budget just now then I would just get resin vessel some barrels, a pole and backpack and see how things go. Buy all you need from Gardiners, as mentioned, it will hold its value if things don't work out, good luck.
-
i will have a transit connect van with 500lt pure freedom fitted tank and frame, pump, controller and split charge relay for sale around February (vans done 106000 but has been serviced every year also new cam belt done recently, also have a spare hose reel with hose on it basically everything you need to get going, perhaps something to bare in mind.
-
i will have a transit connect van with 500lt pure freedom fitted tank and frame, pump, controller and split charge relay for sale around February (vans done 106000 but has been serviced every year also new cam belt done recently, also have a spare hose reel with hose on it basically everything you need to get going, perhaps something to bare in mind.
What sort of money will you be looking for? I will definitely bear it in mind.
-
Still look at rainwater. Collected off a clean roof and at TDS up to 10 or even a tad more will give you excellent results. If you want to put it through a DI vessel, you can. Collecting rainwater isn't difficult and is much cheaper than buying an RO system. To begin with, you'll only be using a small amount and you can invest your earnings in a posh system later.
If you're worried about the TDS, have a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGkmnQFzCoQ
And for real, practical info have a look at this guy: https://www.youtube.com/user/MyWagga And watch the set of videos in which he takes you through the steps of making your own trolley system.
-
i will have a transit connect van with 500lt pure freedom fitted tank and frame, pump, controller and split charge relay for sale around February (vans done 106000 but has been serviced every year also new cam belt done recently, also have a spare hose reel with hose on it basically everything you need to get going, perhaps something to bare in mind.
What sort of money will you be looking for? I will definitely bear it in mind.
haven't really thought i suppose about 2500 with the hose reel etc (06 transit connect).
-
i will have a transit connect van with 500lt pure freedom fitted tank and frame, pump, controller and split charge relay for sale around February (vans done 106000 but has been serviced every year also new cam belt done recently, also have a spare hose reel with hose on it basically everything you need to get going, perhaps something to bare in mind.
What sort of money will you be looking for? I will definitely bear it in mind.
haven't really thought i suppose about 2500 with the hose reel etc (06 transit connect).
OK. Cheers I will keep it in mind and keep an eye out if you do sell it.
-
We're in the northwest you located pal I could pass a few customers on to you if your in bolton as I have no room for any new ones so instead of telling them I'm booked up could pass on to you when they ring
-
Hi AARON, welcome back to the funny farm that is CIU.
If you have little spare lolly and are staying in a job you are not leaving for a while then no reason why you can't stick 4 x 25 litre barrels in your car, get a backpack and trad .tools and do wfp tops and trad bottoms.
Gardiners Pole Systems is a very customer service oriented supplier and they will happily give advice on backpacks and poles.
Refuse to take a ladder then you will not be tempted to use it!
As soon as you are committed then a van and 400L tank will let you do a day's domestic work without faffing about doing bottom windows trad.
Best of luck.
-
We're in the northwest you located pal I could pass a few customers on to you if your in bolton as I have no room for any new ones so instead of telling them I'm booked up could pass on to you when they ring
I am a bit further north mate. North Lancashire/South Lakes is where I am. To be honest traveling doesn’t bother me and if I thought it’d work I’d be prepared to travel especially to get myself going. I think like someone said I should aim for after Christmas now. Try and get equipment together and practice practice practice. If the offer is still there then, and it would work I will be in touch. Thanks very much.
-
Hi AARON, welcome back to the funny farm that is CIU.
If you have little spare lolly and are staying in a job you are not leaving for a while then no reason why you can't stick 4 x 25 litre barrels in your car, get a backpack and trad .tools and do wfp tops and trad bottoms.
Gardiners Pole Systems is a very customer service oriented supplier and they will happily give advice on backpacks and poles.
Refuse to take a ladder then you will not be tempted to use it!
As soon as you are committed then a van and 400L tank will let you do a day's domestic work without faffing about doing bottom windows trad.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the advice mate. You recommend staying well clear of ladders then?
-
"Thanks for the advice mate. You recommend staying well clear of ladders then?"
Yes.
-
I've quite a few jobs that require ladders, including ladders for inside jobs.
I've tried fannying around with extension poles and squeegies, but sometimes it's just a lot simpler and quicker to get the ladders out.
-
you should always have some ladders with you IMO.I use mine every week (albeit only a few times).mainly for gates and the odd flat roof.i also use them for conny roof cleaning .if your doing a builders clean then often you ll need ladders to get up close to the glass for scraping.
sometimes you just have to clean a window trad off ladders if theres paint,silicone,etc on the windows.