Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colley614 on July 25, 2007, 04:39:56 pm
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I've just been looking at the fed's website and the APWC also and I was just interested to know if anybody uses them and if it would be worth my while joining one of them?
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People will come on here and slag of both of them , in the end its up to you
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I would like to give my company a little more of a professional look and I think that it would look a lot better if I was a member of a grow and for £125 annum I think it would look good.
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The problem is, and this is my own view.
What exactly happens to the £125 ? I mean, what is it actually spent on and is anyone making any money in wages? If so who, and how much?
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I dont think anyone from the APWC takes anything from it . If anything they are putting in there own money to get it up and running
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Hi
Maybe I can answer,
Colley
You have nothing to lose by joining the APWC and everything to gain, by being a member you are showing your professionalism and that you meet a certain criteria.
Everything you do to improve your business can only be a good thing, I might be biased but I know the association stickers on my van have got me work.
When I was competing for the local M&S contract I made a big issue of being a member of the APWC and it really impressed, and in the end I beat off the competition even though my price wasnt the cheapest.
Wether you join us or the fed trade association membership might just give you the edge on that big job down the road, you never know, but believe me it WILL give you the edge one day when you least expect it.
The problem is, and this is my own view.
What exactly happens to the £125 ? I mean, what is it actually spent on and is anyone making any money in wages? If so who, and how much
Karl
All the money the APWC recieves goes towards member benefits and promoting the APWC.
None of us takes a penny, we dont even get our expenses paid, maybe one day, but not this side of the next 5+ years I expect.
To date each committee member has invested over £1000 in money, time off work and travelling expenses.
Just the last meeting alone resulted in 2 days loss of earnings , a £50 hotel bill and £100 travelling expenses just for me alone, which I will NEVER see a penny in return.
You cant question the dedication and the motives of All the committee members, we do it , not for profit but for the wanting to Improve the standing of window cleaning and our members particularly in the eyes of the public.
if you want something to make you stand out from the rest well a trade association membership is not a bad way to go.
Dave
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good enough answer for me :)
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Thanks for the advice Dave I think its a good idea to have a professional look.
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if your going to join any1, it really has to be the APWC, at least this are in this century ;)
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Matt
Chears nice to be noticed
Just sent you a mail
Dave
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Just going back to the professionalism thing. Today I went into a furniture store looking to pick up work and the lady said "the guy here only charges £1.50" so I told her that he sounds to cheap to be insured. She then asked if I was which was answered with an " of course." She said " oh get you, very professional. Next you'll tell me I can pay by B.A.C.S." so I replied "absolutely." Her chin hit the floor and she replied " You sound like a real company" ( Well dur) I said " Yeah and we are looking at joining the APWC in the near future." She ended with " Can I have your business card, I'll get my husband to call you tomorrow."
Hopefully job done. I really believe it is worth while to achieve the most professional look.
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Matt
Chears nice to be noticed
Just sent you a mail
Dave
havnet got anything yet
was it to me safe-mail.net address you have ?? ?? ?
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Have you got it yet ?
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Why join the APWC?????
Wow, what a question.
Some people will mock our efforts and dismiss this as another "hair brain" scheme! But lets be honest, they do have a point, how many have tried and failed, and lets be honest, the APWC has had its moments and it has certainly been very tough out there!
So, why join??
Well, if your like me and many others, there are several reasons to consider joining!
I believe an association can only help shape our future in this industry. But like everything, we need members by the dozen to have enough weight to raise eyebrows! But nevertheless, we are determined and focused and without doubt will do ALL in our power to make the APWC a beneficial and true representation of this wonderful industry we work in.
I read time after time postings on CIU and other forums that the industry needs this, needs that, should have this, should have that! But in reality very few actually do anything about it. By joining any organisation that represents this industry is certainly a step in the right direction. At least your say will be presented on your behalf with the backing of a larger organisation than just an individual.
I hear various topics being flogged out in the forums, licencing, WAH Directive, Insurance, Suppliers and these are just a few. So by joining an organisation you can have a valid and respected opinion that in turn will influence and help direct the organisation you join.
The APWC has done its best to offer benefits that help towards the cost of joining, but really, is that the only reason to join?
Whichever organisation you join is down to you. All I can say is the APWC is willing to listen, open to new ideas and very committed to representing all window cleaners and helping improve this industry in all aspects.
I hope this has helped you understand what we are about and will leave the decision to join or not up to you!
Remember, we don't earn a single penny by you joining, but we will spend your money wisely and your contribution will help us to help you.
Regards and best wishes,
Trevor
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I've decided that I will be joining when I get back from holiday (if they'll have me).
Unfortunately I will not have the time or money to make the sort of commitment shown by the founder members but I suppose that is true of most people who would be joining.
I've nothing against the FWC but I do have concerns about the level of transparency within that organisation. I don't want to start a APWC vs. FWC war - especially as I'm leaving for my holiday in 15 minutes.
Even if the only benefit is to make my business appear more credible then that will be worth it.
My main weak points businesswise appear to be marketing and presentation. Maybe some kind souls in the APWC can hold my hand a bit and provide some useful pointers.
Anyway, that will have to keep for a week.
Seeya folks.
Off to sunny (ahem!) Norfolk now.
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How much does it cost to join the fed?
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Think the prices are both around £125.
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Cheap at half the price most other trades pay at least £250
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I was just wondering what the logo is for the APWC's
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I was just wondering what the logo is for the APWC's
This is our logo.
Regards Trevor
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Wow, does that come complete with a laptop ;)
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Thats looks quality. I can't wait until I've got the cash to join. I think it will get me a fortune in new work.
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It will certainly help to portay an overall professional image, along with a few other tweaks, ie uniform etc
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Please realise, joining will not guarentee you any more work but it won't harm your business either.
Look forward to welcoming you on-board!
Regards,
Trevor
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it will guarantee you work if you market it correctly. Especially if, on the APWC website it explained the criteria that had to be met by window cleaning companies that had joined the association. I think that being part of the APWC is part of the package that gives your company the glossy professional image that window cleaning companies are looking for these days.
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trevor just been looking on the apwc under th who can join section and it states public liability companies can join is this a typo should it say public limited company plc or am i mistaken
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Philip
woops, :-[ Well spotted.
Will let our webmaster know
Dave
p.s now fixed ;)
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it will guarantee you work if you market it correctly. Especially if, on the APWC website it explained the criteria that had to be met by window cleaning companies that had joined the association. I think that being part of the APWC is part of the package that gives your company the glossy professional image that window cleaning companies are looking for these days.
Very true, the criteria is detailed so you can use that as a reference. The reason I said that there are no guarentee's as unless like yourself, you use it to your advantage, there is no guarentee just because you are a member you will gain new work, however, I would like to think it will certainly enhance your standing and hopefully give you an edge, so to speak.
Regards,
Trevor
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To be honest i don't see the benefit to joining either association apart from being able to tell customers you meet a certain standard and are proffesional, I will be happy to join one as soon as I know what other benefits I will get, for example, advertising space in yellow pages, insurance, equipment discounts etc etc. Will somebody please explain the benefits of the following:
FWC
APWC
Luke
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To be honest i don't see the benefit to joining either association apart from being able to tell customers you meet a certain standard and are proffesional, I will be happy to join one as soon as I know what other benefits I will get, for example, advertising space in yellow pages, insurance, equipment discounts etc etc. Will somebody please explain the benefits of the following:
FWC
APWC
Luke
Hi Luke,
You hit the nail on the head! Its about meeting standards and presenting a professional image?
The APWC is able to offer you a range of benefits - please look at this link
http://www.apwc.info/membership-of-the-association-of-professional-window-cleaners/full-list-of-apwc-membership-benefits/
The Federation is able to offer these benefits:
http://www.nfmwgc.com/benefits.htm
At the end of the day you choose which organisation you feel will be better suited to your requirements.
Good luck with your decision :)
Trevor
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Hi i think these associations are a good idea but i dont think their
would be any benefit to joining myself as my round is all domestic.
quite honestly i dont think 99% of my customers care a jot about insurance,
associations or uniforms as long as the job gets done.
If there is a change in the law and shiners have to be licensed or acredited
to an association then the benefits will be their for all to see. but untill
that happens customers and cleaners attitudes will stay the same
hope it all goes well :)
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Hi i think these associations are a good idea but i dont think their
would be any benefit to joining myself as my round is all domestic.
quite honestly i dont think 99% of my customers care a jot about insurance,
associations or uniforms as long as the job gets done.
If there is a change in the law and shiners have to be licensed or acredited
to an association then the benefits will be their for all to see. but untill
that happens customers and cleaners attitudes will stay the same
hope it all goes well :)
An interesting view and to be honest probably a very accurate one. I am in my 16th year and can count on my hands the number of domestic customers who asked to see insurance etc... that is until about 4 years ago when we started getting involved with heritage homes, country manors and mansion along with stately homes. These type of customers really do appreciate the steps taken to present a more "professional" image so to speak.
The trouble is, the domestic customer doesn't care that much, until, when an accident dictates a H&S investigation and the homeowner finds themselves in "hot water", then it becomes real. People believe it's only commercial properties that need to worry when in reality we all know that's not the case.
I know several local window cleaners who have done the vanishing act following an accident when property has been damaged, another great step in getting people to raise their perception of a window cleaner. Had they had insurance then things would have been different and if anything the customer would have sang thier praises the fact that they DID have insurance and replace the damaged glass/property.
regards,
Trevor
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Out of interest, and this is a general question to all our readers, what is the most important reason to join any organisation? Is it the benefits you get, the aim of the organisation, what makes joining the most beneficial?
Just curious to see what you all think?
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To be honest with you guys. My main incentive is to give my company a more professional image. As I'm dealing with a couple of medium sized businesses now I like to blow there socks off and flashing them a badge and stuff is something I would love to do.
Can I make a suggestion if you don't already do it? How about sending each member a certificate with a membership number on it. Its just I have a thing for certificates for my business at the moment I have 3-4 including my insurance....sad I know :)
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we already do send out certificates with membership numbers on.
Dave
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I like the idea of that. Is there any way you could arrange something with simply business to offer members a discount?
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Can I make a suggestion if you don't already do it? How about sending each member a certificate with a membership number on it. Its just I have a thing for certificates for my business at the moment I have 3-4 including my insurance....sad I know :)
Please excuse the quality of the scan, my scanner is not the best in the market place but hopefully this will give you an idea of what you will receive.
Regards,
Trevor
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I like the idea of that. Is there any way you could arrange something with simply business to offer members a discount?
We are constantly approaching various suppliers/manufacturers with a view to giving our members a discount. We are currently putting together the package and will be able to launch this very soon. We will never sell equipment directly ourselves as this is something as an association we do not want to be involved in.
Rest assured, we are always looking for ways to gain our members as much as possible!
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I understand why you won't be selling equipment and I think its a good thing that you are looking for discounts for members. This would help people out on keeping their outgoings down and I probably spend a lot more than I realize on equipment like squeegee blades and scrapper blades even getting a discount on them would save me a few pound a year.
Anyway I put a few ideas together which you are already in the process of doing. I will try and think of a few more as I think its great that I can have an input on the association.
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The main thing to realise is as an association we believe it is vital that we LISTEN!
Yes we have our own vision and certain issues we wish to address but by listening to our potential audience we have a greater chance of success and truely making a difference.
Keep your ideas coming and we will always take a serious look at any proposals.
Regards,
Trevor
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Out of interest, and this is a general question to all our readers, what is the most important reason to join any organisation? Is it the benefits you get, the aim of the organisation, what makes joining the most beneficial?
Just curious to see what you all think?
customer recognition is the most important thing to me.
There are alot of people who like myself are sitting on the fence. People who are behind you in theory but need that little push to embrace it totally.
I think the only way you will get the majority on board is through licensing.
Unlike scotland where councils supply the license, it would be better if the councils endorsed the license but were not involved in the running of it.
The apwc and the fed should lobby the government to back licensing but for them to stay out of running it because they will just use it as another tax.
If the feds ran and policed these licenses themselves, i think less people would have a moral objection to licensing and the money generated could be used to market the advantages of having a licensed wc to the general public.
The only way the feds would have the cash to run national advertising would be to have control of a licensing budget.
I wish the apwc well but trying to appeal to the better side of us wc is the wrong way to go. It is just another ongoing cost to us.
There is a part of me that is behind this in theory, but the realist tells me that if we go the way of scotland it will be a never ending cycle of higher charges with fewer benefits.
Remember, no-one votes for higher taxes??
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Trust me the AWPC could have a major on licensing but they would have to have a lot of members to back this up. The SLWCN would willingly help you guys out on all the pitfalls we have encountered.
Dave,
Maybe you could offer people a two tier membership, one to take and help members to get licensing introduced and one for other benefits.
Prices have only risen by 2% in the last 10yrs, it's now time for a change. No organisation has changed this industry so instead of whinging put your money where it's worth and change this industry!!!
Sorry for the rant but this industry needs to go forward.
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Totally agree this industry does need taking into the 21st century and with everyone's help and support we can do this.
Trouble is, so many people want it to happen but aren't prepared to back us and support us by becoming members.
To clean this industry up and help improve the perceived status of a window cleaner will take years, but without the support of people it will take decades!
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Well said Trevor. I think that we do need to start tidying up the image of window cleaners. I mean lock smiths and plumbers nowadays have a ball park figure of £100 before they start in some places yet in my town some people expect an hours work out of a window cleaner for £2-£3 :'(
I really go out my way to impress and look professional and then I get some clown doing the house next door for half the price and it usually takes them twice as long to get finished. I really can't stand trying to compete with these idiots because if I'm in the premiership of window cleaning these guys are none leaguers with ripped t-shirts on and even cans of Tennants super tucked into their bum bag. I've even seen one smoking a druggie rollie before on someones front doorstep.
I really go out my way to look like the type of person I would like to clean my windows. I really work hard and even say to the customers if you get a problem with your windows phone me and I'll come on my way home. If there was a way to get rid of these people I'm all for it. It never used to bother me competing these people until 2 weeks before christmas I had a nice little boxed together round that cost me £100 in leaflets to get together and 2 weeks before christmas I got it pinched off me by a guy who I see now painting the fronts of houses. He still does the work that I lost to him but losing it nearly but me out of business. As I had just set up and starting bringing some money home again I paid all the bills and was going to use the last 2 weeks before christmas's wages to buy my childrens presents but then had 4/5 of my round knicked and ended up with nothing.
I'M ALL FOR GETTING RID OF THE IDIOTS IN OUR INDUSTRY!
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Totally agree this industry does need taking into the 21st century and with everyone's help and support we can do this.
Trouble is, so many people want it to happen but aren't prepared to back us and support us by becoming members.
To clean this industry up and help improve the perceived status of a window cleaner will take years, but without the support of people it will take decades!
I am ambivalent about this issue myself. I am not against licensing per se. I am against the comedians in the town halls using it as a stealth tax and a stick with which yet another part of the populace can be controlled. I stated my reasons on earlier threads and stand by them. IMO this needs to be thought through a lot more carefully than some would have us believe. No problem with cleaning up the industry but it needs to be done without shooting oneself in the foot.
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And as above plus it would be a massive undertaking to get the no gooders out without seriously restricting the professional guys out there.
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Totally agree this industry does need taking into the 21st century and with everyone's help and support we can do this.
Trouble is, so many people want it to happen but aren't prepared to back us and support us by becoming members.
To clean this industry up and help improve the perceived status of a window cleaner will take years, but without the support of people it will take decades!
I am ambivalent about this issue myself. I am not against licensing per se. I am against the comedians in the town halls using it as a stealth tax and a stick with which yet another part of the populace can be controlled. I stated my reasons on earlier threads and stand by them. IMO this needs to be thought through a lot more carefully than some would have us believe. No problem with cleaning up the industry but it needs to be done without shooting oneself in the foot.
Yes this is very true, it really has to be thought out as these guy's will use it for their own vehicle to progress up that greasy pole of politices. However, sometimes, we have to embrace the opportunities that we have available and try to control the way forward. I have views on licencing and agree it is a very stringent and difficult task ahead, but it is achievable with the right approach.
I have spent 16 years in this wonderful industry, rest assured, one thing I wont advocate is shooting my own foot off!
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And as above plus it would be a massive undertaking to get the no gooders out without seriously restricting the professional guys out there.
Do you think so????
I personally believe its all about education not policing. When was the last time if ever that a government official called at your home and checked your gas fitter was corgi registered, however, try making a claim following an accident having used a "jo blogg's" down the road, then you will be educated you SHOULD have used a Corgi Registered fitter.
The way forward is not about government intervention as such, more about government education highlighting the right and wrong way of employing a window cleaner and WHAT to look for as credentials or if in place a license.
If enough of us want it and are prepared to shout about it then it is a possibility and certainly something legitimate and professional companies such as ourselves may well benefit from.
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I remember a few years ago a window cleaner mate of mine who lives in edinborough said that cabbies were protesting in all of the main streets on the city.
What were they protesting about? Licensing. The council had refused to issue any more licences to taxi drivers because some numpty behinnd a desk had decided that there was already too many taxi drivers around!
It meant that cabbies who had been working for years couldnt get their licenses renewed and new cabbies couldnt start even though there was more than enough work for them. Could the same happen for window cleaners? YES!
I dont agree with licenses for window cleaners. anything that means the idiot local councils are involved in our business has got to be a bad thing. fight it all the way i say, it will just be a tax on the honest guys, the cowboys will still not pay it and nothing will get done.
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I remember a few years ago a window cleaner mate of mine who lives in edinborough said that cabbies were protesting in all of the main streets on the city.
What were they protesting about? Licensing. The council had refused to issue any more licences to taxi drivers because some numpty behinnd a desk had decided that there was already too many taxi drivers around!
It meant that cabbies who had been working for years couldnt get their licenses renewed and new cabbies couldnt start even though there was more than enough work for them. Could the same happen for window cleaners? YES!
I dont agree with licenses for window cleaners. anything that means the idiot local councils are involved in our business has got to be a bad thing. fight it all the way i say, it will just be a tax on the honest guys, the cowboys will still not pay it and nothing will get done.
Again, and this goes back to my earlier point, not to get the councils to police it but to rubber stamp it along the same way as a corgi gas installer. There is no limitation to how many can do the corse but the fact that they have done it emphesises the council and governments backing.
You say the "cowboy's" won't do it and nothing will get done but wasn't that the same view before corgi registration, it's not getting the councils to apply the pressure it's getting the councils to educate the public who in turn will apply the pressure.
Think of this scenario, supposing it was widespread knowledge that window cleaners were to be registered/licensed with the parent county and that employing a "non licensed" window cleaner would invalidate any claim you may have as a result of their work it wouldn't be long before people started taking notice. The up side to this is that professional window cleaning companies would have no problem regestering and would embrace change and not resent it!
If it was a requirement to be registered with our local council I would be first in the queue as I can only feel this will encourage and increase the public perception of a window cleaner being a professional and not some guy doing this until he gets a real job!!!!
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Trevor, I see what you are saying but joe public is never going to view window cleaning in the same way as CORGI gas fittings. If an unqualified bloke fools around with your gas fittings and your house could blow up, everyone knows that. Or you could have paid a thousand quid for a boiler that doesnt work properly.
The worst that people think will happen with a rubbish window cleaner is that they wont clean the windows very well. Big deal. So they've wasted a tenner. nobody is going to care about that in the same way as a thousand quid boiler.
As for the local council rubber stamping it, what use is that going to be? Either it will be the law (and enforced by the coppers) or it wont be. Somewhere down the line someone is going to have to make a decision about whether to grant a license to joe bloggs or not. I don't feel comfortable about idiot local councils doing that, they always make a hash up of things, and this is our livleyhoods here.
If its not the councils that would make that decision then who? The APWC? No offense , i think you are doing what you think is best, but you certainly dont have the right to tell me if I'm fit to be a window cleaner or not.
Mike
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Firstly, we have never said we have the right to tell you if you are fit to be a window cleaner or not and never would! Think you have the wrong end of the stick on this one??
As for people taking window cleaning seriously, well it's exactly as a result of "joe blogg's" that people don't take us seriously. If this image was removed from public view and a more professional image was presented then that would take this industry forward and enhance and certainly improve peoples perception regarding a window cleaner.
As for people not bothered about a £10 job, yes that's true, but there are certainly 1000's of householders who shall we say live in very nice homes that WOULD be interested in knowing more about their window cleaner. I have and I am sure many others have too, cleaned prestigious properties that have wanted references and copies of insurance etc...Think about how many customers you know that have had damage to their property and then never seen the window cleaner again? If we were licensed as such then proof of current insurance should be validated and the customer has somewhere to fall back to if the window cleaner did a bunk!
I did a house about 3 years ago when a un-insured window cleaner put his foot ontop of a glass roof conservatory, cracked the glass and was never to be seen again, that cost the customer £1200 to be replaced, was she happy!!!!!!
I also had an accident ourselves, one of my operatives was using a ladder, it slipped and slid down 3 6ft glass panels on the front of his house damaging all 3. Insurance paid out £458 and the customer was so happy he even recommended us to 3 of his friends, would he have done that if I did a runner?
The licensing should be rubber stamped by the council as in the public eye they have a certain status, I also think insurance companies should look at this in more depth!
This is never going to be an easy task and in reality will take a long time to come to fruition. Like I have said before, we can embrace change or we can resent it? I know what I will do?
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Trevor, I'm afraid I do not understand what you are saying.
Licensing as happens in scotland means that if you dont have one then its illegal for you to clean windows for money.
That means means someone at the local council looks at your applicaton form that you sent in and decides whether or not to give you a license. No license no work If you get caught window cleaning without one then you go to court, get fined/goto prison ect. Its enforced by the cops.
If you/ the apwc support licensing, that is what it means.
Are you in favour of that or not?
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Firstly, we have never said we have the right to tell you if you are fit to be a window cleaner or not and never would! Think you have the wrong end of the stick on this one??
As for people taking window cleaning seriously, well it's exactly as a result of "joe blogg's" that people don't take us seriously. If this image was removed from public view and a more professional image was presented then that would take this industry forward and enhance and certainly improve peoples perception regarding a window cleaner.
As for people not bothered about a £10 job, yes that's true, but there are certainly 1000's of householders who shall we say live in very nice homes that WOULD be interested in knowing more about their window cleaner. I have and I am sure many others have too, cleaned prestigious properties that have wanted references and copies of insurance etc...Think about how many customers you know that have had damage to their property and then never seen the window cleaner again? If we were licensed as such then proof of current insurance should be validated and the customer has somewhere to fall back to if the window cleaner did a bunk!
I did a house about 3 years ago when a un-insured window cleaner put his foot ontop of a glass roof conservatory, cracked the glass and was never to be seen again, that cost the customer £1200 to be replaced, was she happy!!!!!!
I also had an accident ourselves, one of my operatives was using a ladder, it slipped and slid down 3 6ft glass panels on the front of his house damaging all 3. Insurance paid out £458 and the customer was so happy he even recommended us to 3 of his friends, would he have done that if I did a runner?
The licensing should be rubber stamped by the council as in the public eye they have a certain status, I also think insurance companies should look at this in more depth!
This is never going to be an easy task and in reality will take a long time to come to fruition. Like I have said before, we can embrace change or we can resent it? I know what I will do?
cant really argue with that. you could have also pointed out the poor sods who got ripped off by the bogus window cleaner/s. ill be joing soon if nothing else
it might help a bit towards licencing.
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cant really argue with that. you could have also pointed out the poor sods who got ripped off by the bogus window cleaner/s. ill be joing soon if nothing else
it might help a bit towards licencing.
sorry cocked it up got my bins on know.
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I want to join a fed, but I'm not too sure about licensing at the moment, it just means more competition from people that view this job as a proper career, or proper trade. Window cleaning is sort of an uderestimated industry, people think we are not on alot of money, but infact we earn alot, this stops other from starting up. Is this an advantage? on the other hand it may help us increase our prices ( although, I already charge alot, don't see people paying anymore than I charge ). The real question is do we want to be seen as a profesional tradesmen, and to be honest it seems that that is already possible with a sign written van etc etc etc. And will it really stop a "rag on a stick" window cleaner, can't they just get a license too? Not sure on this one though, I will need to see more evidence from both sides. Luke
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I think that if window cleaners were licensed then the Government would just use it as another form of tax. If they seen associations such as the APWC taking health earning off licenses or certificates then I think they would want their hands in that pie. I'd like to see licensing but think we would all be in association then trying to get rid of the very thing we all spent money on in the first place trying to set up. I mean look at company car tax, a few years ago it was a sort of bonus for an employee to have a company car but in the end it turned full circle a bit them on the backside. I wouldn't want to see that happen to us guys.
If it was to happen it would have to be done very sensibly. I think associations are a good thing for the professionals out there and they do enough at the moment to make a good guy look great and I'm worried we could engineer something that could be more of a punishment than a benefit. Licensing will have to very well thought about before its put to an MP thats for sure.
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Look at this way, proper licensed area ,shortage of window cleaners, costly to have windows cleaned. happy window cleaners ;D ;D
Thats my findings so far where licensing is checked the window cleaners are earning a good rate £10 per house, where it is not they are struggling at £2.50 per house.
What you should be doing if licensed is introduced is pushing the Council to use that money to help window cleaners to understand the concept of running their window cleaning as a business.
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And will it really stop a "rag on a stick" window cleaner, can't they just get a license too? Not sure on this one though, I will need to see more evidence from both sides. Luke
Hi Luke,
Part of the licencing proceedure should be verified insurance, perhaps company literature (business card etc..) maybe certified accounts or letter from an accountant to confirm they are a legit business. Accredations held by the company.
If you have all these then I would expect you to be a professional and certainly an asset to this industry promoting a professional image.
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I think that if window cleaners were licensed then the Government would just use it as another form of tax. If they seen associations such as the APWC taking health earning off licenses or certificates then I think they would want their hands in that pie.
The APWC would not earn a penny from licencing. Although we would approach the relevant bodies if licencing was to be the way ahead, we would not offer to or want to run it. The APWC would be more involved in consultation process and making sure it was implemented sensibly and with all of our concerns covered. Remember, the APWC is a NON PROFIT making organisation which means we will never earn a penny from anything we do on behalf of our existing and future members!