Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Grafters Cleaning Services on February 13, 2008, 08:03:30 am
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When i first started wfp (nearly 3 years ago) there were not that many people locally doing it, now it seems that every tom, dick and harry are at it. Not that this is a problem to me, on the contrary i would rather see that than see someone fall from a ladder.
My personal belief is that within 10 years there will be no more ladders used for window cleaning only wfp, i myself have noticed the change in customers views and acceptance towards it.
When i first started i had to give out an explanation leaflet (ref wfp) to all customers, now when i get new work as happens all the time i don’t bother with these as in my area it’s accepted that this is how’s it’s done.
What are your views on this?
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I was the first around here to use wfp , now there are several people using it but quite a few are giving wfp a bad name because they have been taught incorrectly.
Speaking to a window cleaner in the Midlands there have been a lot of new window cleaners come into the trade who have used their redundancy money.
So yes wfp will be UK wide in the next 3 yrs.
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Makes me wonder if it might be a fad and fizzle out
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Domestically I don't feel too many customers are all that aware of the changes taking place.
However, Commercially there is a strong push towards WFP, especially with Local Councils, Schools and larger offices. I think they are more in the governments watchful eye regarding H&S and I believe its from this that Domestic customers are familiar with the system.
Whatever the future holds as long as its for the best I don't mind, as for competition, over the years I have lost count how many I have seen come and go and I am sure there will be plenty more to follow. The main reason people leave in my experience, isn't because of what method they use but more on the basis of the physical demand on their body, the inclement weather and cold and that people often don't pay on the day so its back out in the evenings.
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Makes me wonder if it might be a fad and fizzle out
What makes you think that?
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round here only a couple of window cleaners are wfp, the majority are ladders on top of L reg mondeo type.
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Makes me wonder if it might be a fad and fizzle out
Why does it make you wonder that?
Agree with Grafters, most new customers are aware of wfp and have been for some time now and that is good because we don't have to explain it so much now. As has been said the major concern is that people think that you can just stick a brush on a pole, feed water through it and off you go....and do a bad job.
Saying that though there are some trad's that think a bucket full of water a squeegee and scrim is all there is to window cleaning!.....and do a bad job.
When we come acroos these new customers who have had bad experiences with any methods, we explain "that in the wrong hands" etc etc and if you are not happy with our cleaning, let us know within 24 hours of the clean and we will put right. Most people accept that mistakes etc will happen and most that we have taken on like this have agreed...if you know what you are doing then it is fine.
A while ago I sat and watched a chap with WFP from afar. From unloading to re-loading he took 15 minutes, dragged the brush along the brickwork (for quickness?????) did some downstairs first (uhh?) Don't know what he was charging, but for that sort of property should be in the region of £20 to £25, he was just too quick and yes I waited till he had gone and it was a rubbish clean ;)
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I quoted a school today 3yrs old
They want the windows cleaned once a year they were "hanging"
take 2 blokes about 5 days
He wont have WFP reckons they are useless
wants cherry picker and spider which will more than double the cost
I'm sure if he let us pole the outs we could get them right but he would sooner
spend a grand on C/P and a Spider
madness ???
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Makes me wonder if it might be a fad and fizzle out
nonsense
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Jay its a good point,
from the days of even the commercial clients asking wash the windows with what up to today like trevor has said window cleaning is progressing and with more and more people chosing to go to wfp for either safety or productivity i think it is a good thing,
cowboys will come and go but im supprised that a few cowboys have wfp but thats probably to the price of equipment being driven down and that is in my opinion a problem.
but with an outfit like your which i must say is very proffessional you have no probs,
the only worry is that in say ten years will the domestic market be redundent of window cleaners because im sure more housholders will buy wfp for them selves like pressure washers.
regards, stuart
www.skypolewfp.com (http://www.skypolewfp.com)
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Bloody expensive fad ;D
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Earlier in the day, Helen said - "A while ago I sat and watched a chap with WFP from afar. From unloading to re-loading he took 15 minutes - waited till he had gone and it was a rubbish clean"
I use WFP for some of my work.
I've seen loads of postings on hear asking for pricings and timings for jobs, and some of the timings given for WFP work are ridiculously low. The trouble is that not many cleaners ever go back to see the results of their work and are therefore deluding themselves that they are doing an excellent job, when in fact it's probably nothing like as good as they think - its just that the customer is not too fussy, or is afraid to complain.
It takes time to do a good/excellent job, whatever system you use!
Mike
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I quoted a school today 3yrs old
They want the windows cleaned once a year they were "hanging"
take 2 blokes about 5 days
He wont have WFP reckons they are useless
wants cherry picker and spider which will more than double the cost
I'm sure if he let us pole the outs we could get them right but he would sooner
spend a grand on C/P and a Spider
madness ???
Can't you give this guy a free demonstartion of wfp cleaning so he can see that in the right hands it does clean windows, and save him money or if he still not satisfied then charge him double and use a cherry picker
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Jay its a good point,
from the days of even the commercial clients asking wash the windows with what up to today like trevor has said window cleaning is progressing and with more and more people chosing to go to wfp for either safety or productivity i think it is a good thing,
cowboys will come and go but im supprised that a few cowboys have wfp but thats probably to the price of equipment being driven down and that is in my opinion a problem.
but with an outfit like your which i must say is very proffessional you have no probs,
the only worry is that in say ten years will the domestic market be redundent of window cleaners because im sure more housholders will buy wfp for them selves like pressure washers.
regards, stuart
www.skypolewfp.com (http://www.skypolewfp.com)
You will get some customers who buy their own di system, but the majority will be to lazy to do it themselfs and they would rather pay someone to do it for them, thats why there are still a lot of people who make a fortune out of washing cars, yet their customers have a power washers.
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the only worry is that in say ten years will the domestic market be redundent of window cleaners because im sure more housholders will buy wfp for them selves like pressure washers.
regards, stuart
www.skypolewfp.com (http://www.skypolewfp.com)
you may be a good valid point there stu
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Earlier in the day, Helen said - "A while ago I sat and watched a chap with WFP from afar. From unloading to re-loading he took 15 minutes - waited till he had gone and it was a rubbish clean"
I use WFP for some of my work.
I've seen loads of postings on hear asking for pricings and timings for jobs, and some of the timings given for WFP work are ridiculously low. The trouble is that not many cleaners ever go back to see the results of their work and are therefore deluding themselves that they are doing an excellent job, when in fact it's probably nothing like as good as they think - its just that the customer is not too fussy, or is afraid to complain.
It takes time to do a good/excellent job, whatever system you use!
Mike
Someone else who think along the same lines ;D
No offence to anyone, but I think "poetic license" is used a lot on here and all of a sudden the minnow fish becomes a 20lb carp ;D ;D ;D
To take a while longer (not all day!) on each job makes sure of:
a) and most important of all.... a good job, which means keepie customer and get repeat business.
b) stops any complaints and having to return to put right, which does not do wonders for your own cost effectiveness and income.
C) earns you a good reputation and chance of reco's
:)
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Earlier in the day, Helen said - "A while ago I sat and watched a chap with WFP from afar. From unloading to re-loading he took 15 minutes - waited till he had gone and it was a rubbish clean"
I use WFP for some of my work.
I've seen loads of postings on hear asking for pricings and timings for jobs, and some of the timings given for WFP work are ridiculously low. The trouble is that not many cleaners ever go back to see the results of their work and are therefore deluding themselves that they are doing an excellent job, when in fact it's probably nothing like as good as they think - its just that the customer is not too fussy, or is afraid to complain.
It takes time to do a good/excellent job, whatever system you use!
Mike
Superb reply Mike. I find this an eternal struggle. I do a job, think I've done a good job. I move on to the next one. But have I really done a good job on the first one? The trouble is you move through your round and it is not practical to go back and check on all jobs.
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four new customers today all with pure water not one of them batted an eyelid one said yes ive seen it being done on another house down the road so it is becoming more acceptable
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Well said Helen. I know that is how I work and I know Jay feels the same.
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I reckon the more professional looking your rig, the more they'll take you on trust. Loads of my custies have thought my hose was connected to a tap somewhere!!
Once they've seen the van (Fiat Doblo) with it's pro fittings, they tend to be very impressed and are happy to give me the benefit of the doubt. But while they get used to me, they'll always see me check the work out after the clean.
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Well said Helen. I know that is how I work and I know Jay feels the same.
totally agree tony,
took on a new job today priced at £15 monthly however the windows and frames were manc to say the least, the women told me she had been there 3 years and never had a w/c
i explained to her that due to it's current condition my 1st initial clean would be £30 and then £15 thereafter.
needless to say it took me about 30mins (rinse-rinse and rinse again) you know the type.
after completion i don't think i ever seen anyone so chuffed at the results as she was :)
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So, Grafters, am I right in assuming that you charge £1 a minute for all your work, or did it just happen to work out at that on this particular job? :o
Mike
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Mike, so your not the only person who charges a pound a minute!! :P
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I wish !!!
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So, Grafters, am I right in assuming that you charge £1 a minute for all your work, or did it just happen to work out at that on this particular job? :o
Mike
hi mike, generaly speaking i don't discuss earnings on an open forum but my usual charge is approx £1 per window how that equates into £.. per minute depends on how long it takes to do the job, but suffice to say i always charge more for the 1st clean,
on some jobs a £1 per minute is about right, however that dosn't mean to say i earn £60 per hour all day (i wish) long because of travelling from 1 job to another, packing gear away etc.
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Cheers Jay. Have a nice day.
Mike