Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jay moley on November 25, 2023, 10:01:11 pm
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I have quite a few jobs where I have to go on flat roofs at the back of peoples houses.
With the wet weather recently a few have been really slippery.
I'd never forgive myself if I permanently injured myself falling off a ladder via window cleaning, a job I cant stand.
Does anyone just stop going on them if slippery or when the ice/frost comes in the coming months just tell the customer Im not going up there?
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Explain to customers during winter months it's not safe to foot ladders on slippery surfaces for health and safety reasons, if they are unreasonable with the situation, suggest they find someone who has no idea of slips and trips hazards and when they are injured will more than likely try claiming off the customers house insurance policy ;D
Common sense tells you if it don't feel right, don't do it, nothing is worth it when it comes to hazards, safety is paramount.
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I put my foot through my own flat roof a few years ago, and quite honestly mine looked in better condition than a lot of my customers. From that day on ive never been on a customers flat roof, i explained to them i wouldnt be doing these windows again expecting to lose the jobs in question but to my amazement, they were all fine with it. I personally wouldnt want to pay someone for only doing part of a job hence the surprise. Its just not worth the risk both in terms of your safety and also potential damage to customers property. But you also might surprise yourself at how many of the windows you presently clean via accessing flat roofs you can manage with a set of steps and a long pole .
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Down to my last 5 out of nearly 400 to access via old coal house roof. 1 has gravel on top, 2 are solid rough texture concrete and ones felt on top of concrete. I won't take on any more that need me to walk over. 1 can extend pole and slide over top and walk through. Reluctantly took on as a mother of an existing customer.
If it's icy I wouldn't go over that day but must of time it's ok. The sketchiest is a garage on our road I climb over as I'm sure I can feel a bit of give in the boards especially 19 stone walking in it. 😏😕🙄
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I can’t be doing with any ballache jobs these days let alone anything dangerous. There’s plenty better work out there. Constantly refining. Can’t even stand a pot in front of patio door anymore lol.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
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Dump them flat roof jobs and replace them you'll be glad you did.
I'm constantly dumping jobs that provide me with even an ounce of frustration.
I dont do roofs/ladders/velux/going through house or garages/needing to be in etc the list goes on
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A favourite of mine is 'My insurance won't cover that anymore.'
Personally I won't use a step ladder for anything. I have a half-metre folding high platform which I use for some extension rooflights and I have a pointer for a couple of gate hops.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
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From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
...
From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
Thanks mate, ill give it a try.
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I don't do flat roofs anymore.
The ones I had, I either binned them (if there was also another issue) or spoke to them; most were fine saying that they could climb out the window and do them themselves.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
...
From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
Thanks mate, ill give it a try.
Each to their own. I just don't like the idea of lying to customers. I would just be honest and explain briefly why you do not want to do them anymore. It is not unreasonable to not want to use ladders anymore.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
Respectfully have you worked out what a fall would cost you financially?
Tell them you’re no longer insured to go up there, most will be fine about it.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
...
From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
Thanks mate, ill give it a try.
Each to their own. I just don't like the idea of lying to customers. I would just be honest and explain briefly why you do not want to do them anymore. It is not unreasonable to not want to use ladders anymore.
Who's lying? I'm not insured if I put my foot through a customers flat roof and if I slipped off then any claim wouldn't be paid by my insurers.
I'm just spelling out the possible consequences when previously I kept shtum and took the risk.
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Any job that I look at on the worksheet and sigh is a candidate for dumping.
I dumped one a few weeks ago because he was too nice ;D
Everytime I turned up he would come out and say hello then we would both endure a few seconds awkward silence before he went back in. He was a posh guy we had absolutely nothing in common and nothing to talk about but everytime he came out and made this awkward stand off.
I hated doing the job anytime his car was on the drive I'd come back later and it got to the point I skipped the job and left it so long I darent go back.
I've got another customer the same I hate doing that one as well.
Too nice can be the worst. I'd prefer someone miserable that I never see but pays straight away.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
...
From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
Thanks mate, ill give it a try.
Each to their own. I just don't like the idea of lying to customers. I would just be honest and explain briefly why you do not want to do them anymore. It is not unreasonable to not want to use ladders anymore.
Who's lying? I'm not insured if I put my foot through a customers flat roof and if I slipped off then any claim wouldn't be paid by my insurers.
I'm just spelling out the possible consequences when previously I kept shtum and took the risk.
If you put your foot through a customers flat roof it will be because the roof is rotten/defective so insurance would not pay out anyway. If it really was your fault then it should be covered by Public Liability Insurance.
The real reason for not wanting to go on the roof is nothing to do with insurance, but due to safety and being a general PITA.
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I agree with tying to get rid of the need to use your ladder to access areas.
What I have done for years is to place a microfiber cloth under the ladder feet, I have found they give me confidence on wooden decking and green concrete.
Give it a go, and see how if it helps.
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Another thing is the space on the roof itself.
With lanterns or those flat bits of glass, all it takes is a slip or trip while looking up cleaning top windows and you could be through one of those.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
Respectfully have you worked out what a fall would cost you financially?
Tell them you’re no longer insured to go up there, most will be fine about it.
I'd be in trouble in the short term even with say a month off. Totally screwed if it was a bad one.
Just aint worth it is it.
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I won't ever go on a flat roof and haven't done for years.
I don't use step ladders to reach or climb over gates.
Don't stand on walls to reach.
These days if I can't reach it with both feet on the ground it gets missed.
I'm going to dump the last of my three storey or awkward jobs in the new year.
Some of the new build work is far easier so why give myself the ball ache :D
Seems completely reasonable mate.
Problem is I have quite a few of these jobs so cutting them all out would affect me financially, but I guess thats just short term.
I'd estimate I have at least 50, maybe more. Maybe I need to count them up and then canvass that number of new customers. Then gradually get rid of the flat roof jobs.
I don't think you will lose many. Why not try this on a handful and see what the response is ...
Hi Mrs. Extension, I have a bit of bad news - my insurers are putting up my premiums and I'm finding it difficult to get cover for walking on flat roofs anymore; apparently if my foot goes through I shan't be covered and if I slip and injure myself I've been told that it will come down to the householders insurance, not mine.
I'm quite prepared to do the rest of your house but thought I'd better let you know.
...
From my experience of this sort of conversation I have had I reckon you'll get no more than a couple be awkward and most will panic at the thought of you claiming if you fall off!
They won't find it easy to get someone else to do it nowadays. Remember when we all changed from trad. to wfp and were concerned we'd lose customers? It will be like that but easier IMO.
Good luck with it!
Thanks mate, ill give it a try.
Each to their own. I just don't like the idea of lying to customers. I would just be honest and explain briefly why you do not want to do them anymore. It is not unreasonable to not want to use ladders anymore.
Who's lying? I'm not insured if I put my foot through a customers flat roof and if I slipped off then any claim wouldn't be paid by my insurers.
I'm just spelling out the possible consequences when previously I kept shtum and took the risk.
If you put your foot through a customers flat roof it will be because the roof is rotten/defective so insurance would not pay out anyway. If it really was your fault then it should be covered by Public Liability Insurance.
The real reason for not wanting to go on the roof is nothing to do with insurance, but due to safety and being a general PITA.
Not everyone’s Public Liability Insurance will cover the building being worked on.
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I agree with tying to get rid of the need to use your ladder to access areas.
What I have done for years is to place a microfiber cloth under the ladder feet, I have found they give me confidence on wooden decking and green concrete.
Give it a go, and see how if it helps.
You'd be surprised how easily a ladder can come down on decking even with stabiliser bars fitted to the ladder with someone footing it if it starts to go, seriously isn't worth it imo.
I ain't afraid of going up ladders but some things I completely rule out and decking is one of them at the top of my list to avoid.
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I have quite a few jobs where I have to go on flat roofs at the back of peoples houses.
With the wet weather recently a few have been really slippery.
I'd never forgive myself if I permanently injured myself falling off a ladder via window cleaning, a job I cant stand.
Does anyone just stop going on them if slippery or when the ice/frost comes in the coming months just tell the customer Im not going up there?
I binned all my flat roof jobs off a while ago.....🙂
I don't have a single job that I have to used my ladders for now....
Do yourself a favour and get rid of them or tell them your not going up ladders anymore....
Your not getting any younger..... ;D
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I used to climb on frosted sloping roofs back in the 90s/early 2000s as well as flat roofs.when I look back at the chances I took just to clean an upper window when on the ladders it's absolutely madness to keep doing it now when you have WFP....
I was just honest and told my customers I'm not prepared to climb ladders anymore due to a window cleaner (who I used to work for) falling off and badly injuring himself at 76....it made me think...
I only had 4 jobs left where I had to use my ladders to reach some set back windows or glass roof....
It's a great feeling going to work knowing I'm not gonna have to climb on a roof ever again! :D