Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Chris Cottrell on August 20, 2006, 09:07:48 pm
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Paula my wife is coming out with me tomorrow for the 1st time, she's practised on our own windows but thats it
The job in hand is a 45 bed nursing home in and out, normally takes me 5 hours on the outside alone & ive estimated 10 man (women ) hrs for the inside (1st clean) so has she much to worry about do you think
Any advice for her ?
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You want advice??
Don't take her at all ;D ;D ;D
No, but on a serious note tell her to take her time. It's all about quality & not quantity. Supossing she only does 1 window to your 10, thats one less you have to do!
It takes time. Just let her be. She'll be ok ;)
Matthew
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talk about chucking her in the deep end- i hope your marriage is strong,good luck.
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just let her wipe up after you!
you will be surprised how much time you save mate not having to wipe up your mess
good luck to the mrs mine wont get out of bed before 9!!!
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Chris,
Hubby did the same thing with me on our largest hotel :P
My only advise is to walk her around the property first and point out all the areas she is responsible for. Show her any special area that need attention and where to find you if she has any problems.
If she has not finished when you have then work together on this occassion - next time she'll be faster and the following time she will beat you ;D
Good luck Mrs Chris ;D
Sarah
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Go for it Paula
You will pick it up, you will get faster and you will both reap the rewards,
I only take my wife with me so I don't have to kiss her goodbye in the mornings ;D ;D Joking aside, me and the wife today 3hrs work brought home £100 and she goes up the ladders aswell when she wants to. we found having a woman in the team brings in more work.
Good Luck
Jeff
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My wife comes with me to do the insides of a nursing home, we dont do the bedrooms insides though, although there is alot of comunal areas and hallways with windows.
The wife starts upstairs and when she has finished up there she finishes what I haven't managed to do downstairs while I start outside, she then goes home and leaves me to it!!
All in it takes about 4 hours for me and 2 for her - 170 quid - nice earner!!
Marc
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Paula has had a great day , she got on with it and has done a darn good job , shes used the small pole and was chuffed with that ( i gave her the three large conservatories to do ) found that easy and then when shed done those started on some low windows, when we finished the outside we started on the inside and that didnt come quite so naturally but by the end of the day had got to grips with doing the whole window in one go without needing to take the blade off to wipe it, now she's talking of wanting to quit Tescos and come out with me more regular ( now that both our kids will be in full time education after sept)
Chris
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All good if you REALLY get on with eachother.Good luck
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I'd suggest you walk your Missis around and introduce her to some of the staff that you know; just to show her the place and put her at ease.
Tell her not to worry about her speed; that'll come with practise; tell her to take regular breaks; her muscles will need to develop and keep everything as easy as possible for her to begin with.
Remember, every window she cleans; no matter how slowly; is one less you have to do. It does take time to learn to be quick; even though it's painfull to watch when someone first starts.
I've worked with Wor Lass now for nearly four-years, and we do make a good team, although we've had our moments.
Oh, no arguing in front of customers!
(Read between the lines and good luck).
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Paula has had a great day , she got on with it and has done a darn good job ,
Well done Paula.
If shes darn good after one day, you'd better look out Chris. ;) Just imagine what shes gonna be like after a few months - LOL
Watch it guys - our federation will soon take over the world. ;) ::)
Sarah
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Oh no not another fed :)
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go paula im with you girl.
well done
girl power ;D ;D ;D
Belinda
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i took my wife out with me some times, it was a great way to spend time together, no no honest it was!! i was the boss on this one! ;D so maybe you can stay home and do the ''paperwork'' while she does the window cleaning!! ;D
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;D so maybe you can stay home and do the ''paperwork'' while she does the window cleaning!! ;D
That'll never happen, I've not got a head for figures exept her figure that is ::) ;)
Chris
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Hi Chris this is Paul's missus, what size pole did you get her? Also does she have working with you, a long time goal? My only reservation is although window cleaning is more money I will be giving up a job that I absolutley love and the other thing is, not sure that I can hack a really hard winter. ??? ??? ???
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I am speaking on my missus behalf, as she is fast asleep. She has, thouhg, endured at least 15 harsh winters with me, and has survived so far. Ther is nothing she wouldn't try and do! She is not tough or well built, just loyal, and willing.
D'you mind me askin how old she is, I feel like I'm creepin up there I'm 30 somthin. :o 8) 8) :o
P.s It's pauls misses again.
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9 yeras ago when we started I was ther only female w/c in our immediate area. Our competitors wives never seemed to surface for collecting or canvassing either.
Now there are a few helping their hubbies and even more who help with leafletting etc. Shows how this industry is changing.
I am 40 and able to do most w/c jobs although I struggle holding up the pole for long periods, simply because my muscle tone is not like a mans.
I have mastered pulling a full trolley although did pull a back muscle last year trying to be tough :P
I love the summers but loath the cold winters which play havoc with my hair !!!!
My advice to any 'better half'. Just go for it.
Sarah
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Hi Sarah, the thing that worries me is, that I'll get too over the hill to carry on. I think the top n bottom is I'm worried about takin the plunge.
What have you found to be the main benefits Sarah? :-\
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I cant see myself w/c at 50 simply because it is a physically challenging job to do all day long.
If your worried about taking the plunge and need a security blanket just do it P/T or weekends for a while. I still work part-time in a sales job I love - this keeps me happy and covers the morgage if we get prolonged periods of bad weather.
The real benefit to me is the flexibility of the working week. I really love taking and picking up my daughter, I attend every school function but from a work perspective its all about maintaining a regular cleaning cycle. Two hands are better than one I suppose. It takes the pressure off hubby and thats a good thing. Also we have picked up new accounts because the elderly feel more comfortable seeing a woman.
Its a physically demanding job but mentally its a doddle - you dont have the stress of an office based job and can go home and forget about what you have left at the office.
The Work - life ratio does it for me but I suppose its all down to your personal situation and what you want out of your work (or not as the case may be) ;D
Hope that helps ,
Sarah
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I'm the same as you Sarah I like my job to fit in around the kids, at the mo I'm a teaching assistant and that's almost perfect, but the pay is garbage compared to window cleaning. Before that I was a mobile hairdresser but by the time i got home the kids were fast asleep.
Paul's been asking me to join forces for years & Iwasn't interested till he got his pole.
How long d'you think you can carry on W/C?
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Max 50 I would say - thats based on things not degenerating to quickly - LOL
Sarah
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Sarah what size pole do you use? Or does anyones wife use one of the small pole for just doing the bottoms?
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Glad she's a good support, but I'm not totally useless I've already been out leafleting & canvassing, infact I am a better sales woman than him ;) I'm just a bit unsure that's all and I am clearing up every thought that's goin on in my head.
That's why I'm askin you guys for advice, with your wealth of experience I'd be mad not to. ;
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Pj,
You've got one in a million - make sure you look after her. ;)
I suggested 50 based on the way I think my body will cope but clearly we are not all the same. :-X
I only do ground floor/inside work using a small 4ft pole from an Omnitrolley which hubby fills and moves when full.
If you want my honest opinion I think most women would struggle with top because of the weight and strength needed to control an 18ft+ pole. IMO.
Pauls wife (sorry dont know your name ). Try doing it for a few days - you will be able to tell if its for you pretty quickly and can make any job jacking decisions then.
Pj's friend,
Sarah
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I love the summers but loath the cold winters which play havoc with my hair !!!!
Sarah
Wor Lass would disagree with this statement.
Every three months she always gets a colour put in her hair; costs around £70 a go (which narks me a bit) and she hates the Sun bleaching it out not long after. Mind you, she's never in the house. She's either working or running. She's running now.
So her tip is, put some UV conditioner in your hair before you go out to work.
(I think it looks like she's got Bryll Cream on her hair; or she hasn't washed it for a month or so; but apparantly; according to Wor Lass, it works!)
Hair-care tips from your Tosh.
Golly, I'm sounding like Squeaky (Roger), but he's chuffed that the sun bleaches his ginger hair; I'm sure.
P.S. We share the same hairdresser and she tells me all about Roger (Squeaky) and his hair; she really makes me laugh about him.
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Pauls wife (sorry dont know your name ). Try doing it for a few days - you will be able to tell if its for you pretty quickly and can make any job jacking decisions then.
Thanks for the tip Sarah, the trouble is fro me to start with Paul we need to buy all the extra gear as Paul's only set up for 1 pole at the mo.
My names Lesa ;)
By the way Tosh has your wife thought about wearing a cap? You can minimize colour fade, but you will never stop it completly especially reds, they fade really quick.
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To those of you that work in pairs with your wife, how much water do you use in a day & what capacity is the tank in your vehicle?
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To those of you that work in pairs with your wife, how much water do you use in a day & what capacity is the tank in your vehicle?
Wor Lass only works around 4 to 5 hours per day and during that time I'll use about 125 (five barells) maximum; but usually three or four.
I'll usually drop her back off at home, have a coffee and head out by myself with more water, if I need it.