Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: geefree on February 15, 2008, 04:42:19 pm

Title: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: geefree on February 15, 2008, 04:42:19 pm
We all seem to ask questions over wfp now,

when i started a year and a half ago, the questions were mixed,

who still does all trad,?

this  is not disrespecting anyone at all ,

just curious.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS LEFT
Post by: LSB on February 15, 2008, 04:45:52 pm
ME !
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS LEFT
Post by: geefree on February 15, 2008, 04:46:41 pm
OH HECK,

I may lock it as i remember all the arguements over wfp and trad, i didnt want to start that up again,

forgot, sorry
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: tompoole on February 15, 2008, 04:57:02 pm
hi

I'm Trad at the mo. been going o couple of months. I have ordered the purefreedom trolly system. I plan to only use it for conservatory roofs and difficult windows at first. but can see myself putting a large water tank in the back of the landy by the end of the summer.
  Find it hard to believe wfp systems can do as good a job as trad. but i sure i will be proven wrong once i get the hang of it.

tom
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: jeff1 on February 15, 2008, 05:00:41 pm
Even most wfp guy's still do Trad, I did some today.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: s.hughes on February 15, 2008, 05:04:37 pm
I've had a wfp for 3 years and still trade most windows. Funny thing is that jobs that I thought would be hard to move over to wfp were the easy ones those I thought would be easy where hard and the glass just didnt take to wfp.

Steve
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Franky2020 on February 15, 2008, 05:16:05 pm
Traditional only for nearly 3 years and love the no hassle lifestyle of when im finished for the day,I dont have to muck about getting things ready for the next day. Thats not knocking other methods as everyone to their own 
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: birdymiller on February 15, 2008, 05:25:42 pm
Ive been trad all my window cleaning life, contemplating getting one of groundhogs backpacks so that if my lad ever lets me down i can work on my own. At the moment if he does a no show i have to rejig my work, whereas if i had a groundhog backpack i could keep my work in order. Last couple of weeks on here though i have got the feeling that wfp is not its all cracked up to be. For now i think i will buy a backpack for my awkward windows and trad the rest. David salkeld knows what he is on about with groundhogs backpacks and he has given me some sound advice. Can you remember those tshirts from the 80's Trads do it better ;D
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Grafters Cleaning Services on February 15, 2008, 05:50:21 pm
wfp, but still use trad on all shop fronts and a couple of bungalows
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: hants_rob on February 15, 2008, 05:52:40 pm
just starting out 2 months in trad for me i love it!! ;D
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: macmac on February 15, 2008, 06:00:17 pm
Trad & wfp, will always have to be as i have many older mansion type houses that just couldn't be done wfp. I also choose to do trad too, it's often quicker on bungalows etc. I don't mind trad at all.

Tony
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: williamx on February 15, 2008, 06:00:57 pm
You will find that the reason there are more posting on wfp than trad is simple.

With trad cleaning, after you have learnt how to do it there are very few problems that you will come across.

But with wfp cleaning there are so many variables that come into using it effectively, hence more questions on it.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Dean Aspects on February 15, 2008, 06:07:17 pm
I am mostly wfp but still do alot of bungalows and all shop fronts trad and of course insides are done trad quite enjoy doing it as their is definately more of an art to trad cleaning

Dean
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: tacky on February 15, 2008, 10:02:24 pm
100% trad at moment
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: TennetClean on February 15, 2008, 11:54:01 pm
Ah just remember:

Change is inevitable

(except from vending machines)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: macmac on February 16, 2008, 12:04:07 am
You will find that the reason there are more posting on wfp than trad is simple.

With trad cleaning, after you have learnt how to do it there are very few problems that you will come across.

But with wfp cleaning there are so many variables that come into using it effectively, hence more questions on it.

I'd say that's pretty much spot on.

Tony
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS LEFT
Post by: matt on February 16, 2008, 12:15:14 am
OH HECK,

I may lock it as i remember all the arguements over wfp and trad, i didnt want to start that up again,

forgot, sorry

what we need is a " can you earn more money using WFP, if so, how much " type of thread

that'll bring them out ;)

popcorn anyone ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS LEFT
Post by: macmac on February 16, 2008, 12:24:10 am
OH HECK,

I may lock it as i remember all the arguements over wfp and trad, i didnt want to start that up again,

forgot, sorry

what we need is a " can you earn more money using WFP, if so, how much " type of thread

that'll bring them out ;)

popcorn anyone ;)

No dude, what we need is a post headed "marketing techneques" :D
Or "hot Vs cold" :o

Tony
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Londoner on February 16, 2008, 06:40:06 am
I still trad a lot of windows, especially the "eyeball windows" but really I am WFP simply because its easier and quicker and hence more profitable.

I don't see the sense in dragging up all the old arguements again.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: TVCS on February 16, 2008, 10:11:24 am
we still trad, good to keep the old hand in. 
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: pjulk on February 16, 2008, 10:19:42 am
I still do the odd few traditional.
And my wife only does traditional she won't touch my pole.


Paul
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Blackbushe Windows on February 16, 2008, 12:57:48 pm
100% Trad.


Peter
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: geefree on February 16, 2008, 01:10:56 pm
I still trad a lot of windows, especially the "eyeball windows" but really I am WFP simply because its easier and quicker and hence more profitable.

I don't see the sense in dragging up all the old arguements again.

read the post correctly
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Mo on February 16, 2008, 01:17:18 pm
W/C for 4 yaers 13 month wfp I only do 3  job trad ;D
no looking back for me

Mo 8)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Adam Boss on February 16, 2008, 01:57:06 pm
Mainly trad and wfp for high and awkward cleans. And that's the way I like it. ;) ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Small but perfectley formed on February 16, 2008, 04:15:07 pm
we do what ever the customer wants after all its their money
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Highrise on February 17, 2008, 10:51:15 am
I have been doing WFP for nearly 7 mths now and very rairley I do trad and thats only if they want the insides done and I charge them double the price to do it ( And send the other bloke in aswell )..... Had a customer who has got leaking leaded windows and they asked if next time I can can I do them the old way. It is a £15 job but and to be honest with you, I couldn't be botherd to do it cos we were ahead on figures this week and picked up 6 new jobs anyway..... So my point is WFP for me and let someone else do it trad
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: geefree on February 17, 2008, 06:52:51 pm
where has my rotavator topic gone  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Sir Squeaky on February 17, 2008, 07:32:13 pm
we do what ever the customer wants after all its their money
Can't fault that.

Best answer anyone's given. ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Scrimble on February 17, 2008, 07:33:28 pm
i'm trad but want to have wfp in the near future for certain jobs
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Feen on February 17, 2008, 07:34:47 pm
Mainly wfp now (backpack), but I still do some trad for various reasons. Customers complains about one window, I rinsed and rinsed again. Still no good. Trad it. It's quicker. I'm happy. Customers happy. Everyone's happy. Best thing about wfp is being off ladders. Second best thing is I earn so much more.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on February 17, 2008, 08:12:12 pm
OH HECK,

I may lock it as i remember all the arguements over wfp and trad, i didnt want to start that up again,

forgot, sorry

what we need is a " can you earn more money using WFP, if so, how much " type of thread

that'll bring them out ;)

popcorn anyone ;)

No dude, what we need is a post headed "marketing techneques" :D
Or "hot Vs cold" :o

Tony
god you two just cant leave it alone can you..... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on February 17, 2008, 08:19:15 pm
seriosly tho still like to do trad when i can to keep hand in. specially car showroom interiors ;D i do actually enjoy it...makes me feel like a REAL window cleaner again.Is that sad ??? ???
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: xxmattyxx on February 17, 2008, 08:25:33 pm
where has my rotavator topic gone  ;) ;) ;)


 ;D  ;D
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: williamx on February 17, 2008, 09:40:20 pm
we do what ever the customer wants after all its their money
Can't fault that.

Best answer anyone's given. ;)

The customer wants you to clean her property. 

You know that it should be done with anything but ladders.

You know that one day you will fall and die, but you should put your life on the line and clean them, because thats what she wants and it is her money. 
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: birdymiller on February 17, 2008, 10:06:56 pm
Just because us trads use ladders does not mean that we are definatley going to fall and die. Any dodgy windows dont get done simple.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: D.Salkeld_Ltd on February 17, 2008, 10:34:50 pm

O Oh..........Here it goes ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

David
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on February 17, 2008, 11:54:39 pm

O Oh..........Here it goes ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

David
it might if i put it back up top  ;D ;D......gnight
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Londoner on February 18, 2008, 07:00:40 am

O Oh..........Here it goes ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

David

It was only a matter of time before it started to kick off
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Neil271052 on February 18, 2008, 12:57:54 pm
we do what ever the customer wants after all its their money
Can't fault that.

Best answer anyone's given. ;)

The customer wants you to clean her property. 

You know that it should be done with anything but ladders.

You know that one day you will fall and die, but you should put your life on the line and clean them, because thats what she wants and it is her money. 

What  a load of nancy boy rubbish. 

Just because you get up a ladder doesn't mean you are going to fall and die. ::)

I did 25 years in outdoor advertising using triple 18 foot ladders around London and I'm still here to tell the tale.

No H&S then but you looked out for yourself and your own safety.

Modern H&S has scared some people s***less.  ;)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: williamx on February 18, 2008, 04:20:20 pm
Every window cleaner who has fallen off a ladder and been injured or died did not wake up that morning with the intention of falling, but it happened, why, because something they did was wrong.

In the 30 years that I have used ladders, there are many times I risked my life, I have never fallen but I have had quite a few near misses.

There are some occasions when ladders should never be used, because the risk is greater than the job is worth.

Yesterday I went out to quote for a house, the driveway to this house was almost vertical, the owner insisted that I use ladders because he had just had the outside wall painted that morning.

The driveway was concrete and there were loads of pot holes everywhere also there seemed to be a lot of grease on the driveway as well, there was no way that you could stabilise a ladder on it, so I refused the job, pointing out the many dangers that this job involved with using a ladder.

Anyway I did notice a young lad cleaning houses on the same road when I turned up, so I returned 40 minutes later to see this young lad up a triple ladder with only one leg of the ladder in contact with the ground the other was 3 inches short of the driveway.

On that job I can guarantee that this lad will fall one day, and when that day occurs I hope they prosecute and send to prison the home owner.

I would rather be, a alive nancy boy than a dead window cleaner.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Sir Squeaky on February 18, 2008, 04:35:31 pm
On that job I can guarantee that this lad will fall one day, and when that day occurs I hope they prosecute and send to prison the home owner.
That's just ridiculous.
You can't guarantee he'll fall one day. ::)

Next time he might put it at a safer angle, and he might be very careful anyway.
Just because you couldn't hack it, doesn't mean he'll come a cropper.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: mark f on February 18, 2008, 04:45:15 pm
Not joining in , on that one! Im about 50-50 trad/ wfp. wfp certainly isnt a wonder tool on houses, but i love using it where i can to break my work up. Plus i dont have to do any dodgy windows any more. Have found weaning in customers by doing unreachable or dangerous windows with wfp a good way to switch across.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Londoner on February 18, 2008, 06:23:02 pm
Twenty years ago I used to work with a bloke called John. His son was a rising star in Junior football then. Not any more, he fell off a ladder a few years back and died of head injuries.
Johns wife had to turn the life support machine off.

Tell them ladders aren't dangerous.

If you do something risky, even if the risk is small you will eventually have something bad happen if you do it enough times. 
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: williamx on February 18, 2008, 06:45:42 pm
On that job I can guarantee that this lad will fall one day, and when that day occurs I hope they prosecute and send to prison the home owner.
That's just ridiculous.
You can't guarantee he'll fall one day. ::)

Next time he might put it at a safer angle, and he might be very careful anyway.
Just because you couldn't hack it, doesn't mean he'll come a cropper.

On that driveway, there are no angles where its is safe, the contrete is not level, it have hundreds of small holes everywere.

And as for me not been able to hack it, well I still go up ladders, but if I think that it is to dangerous to do so, then no customer is going to force me too.

How many times have you looked at a job and you know that it can be cleaned with a ladder but Its is going to be very dangerous to do so, you want to go the safe route but your customer does not.

The customer should not be able to dictact, what we as professionals, consider is safe or not.

It has nothing at all about having the "bottle" or being able to "hack it" its about SAFETY 1st 2nd and every time thereafter.

Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Londoner on February 18, 2008, 06:50:24 pm
AGREED !
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Sir Squeaky on February 18, 2008, 07:39:01 pm
On that job I can guarantee that this lad will fall one day, and when that day occurs I hope they prosecute and send to prison the home owner.
That's just ridiculous.
You can't guarantee he'll fall one day. ::)

Next time he might put it at a safer angle, and he might be very careful anyway.
Just because you couldn't hack it, doesn't mean he'll come a cropper.

On that driveway, there are no angles where its is safe, the contrete is not level, it have hundreds of small holes everywere.

And as for me not been able to hack it, well I still go up ladders, but if I think that it is to dangerous to do so, then no customer is going to force me too.

How many times have you looked at a job and you know that it can be cleaned with a ladder but Its is going to be very dangerous to do so, you want to go the safe route but your customer does not.

The customer should not be able to dictact, what we as professionals, consider is safe or not.

It has nothing at all about having the "bottle" or being able to "hack it" its about SAFETY 1st 2nd and every time thereafter.


I agree, I don't use ladders at all, but I would if it wasn't dodgy, which this clearly is.

I never said it was right, but to say he's definately going to fall is wrong.
People could have said that about you or me in the past, but we didn't did we?
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: williamx on February 18, 2008, 09:13:12 pm
We were lucky, but on this job, its like watching someone cross a motorway every thursday, so far he has been lucky, but you know that one thursday, he will be knocked down.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: NWH on February 18, 2008, 09:18:24 pm
I honestly can`t understand why anybody is keen to get up a ladder i know i`m not anymore,all of my customers love the pole they think it`s amazing.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Scrimble on February 18, 2008, 09:25:19 pm
i cant go wfp yet because i cannot afford it, i only have enough work for about £850 a month, i do however have a few toys to go with my ladder to make it stable, i dont do dangerous jobs where i am at risk of falling. i do want to go wfp and trad but am not in a postion to do so yet

however i am unwilling to start a thread up or reply to posts regarding trad window cleaning as i know i'll be shot down with the 20k setup van+wfp etc if you climb a ladder you will die brigade
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: geefree on February 18, 2008, 10:14:32 pm
It Has turned into a trad/wfp thread, so my apoligies to Vince.

But it wasnt meant like that, the topic.

it was really regarding how thing have chanded on this forum in the 18 months or so i have been w/c..ing

Back then, there was many a disagreement over trad and wfp,

and all the questions were mixed, including mine,

Now if you glance at every topic, its nearly always regarding wfp,

ro/ di vessels... backpacks, microbore , fittings it goes on and on.

so i just thought i would ask about who is trad still.

Good to see a mixed bunch still kicking about,

although i really did not start it as a "trad v wfp"


why do you all fall out over it?

You can have a great job and find it pleasurable either way..

when i started w/c trad, i will never forget it was the best job i ever had, and i loved doing it .

things are changing, everything moves with the times,

it matters not which route people choose, as long as you are happy, and making a living.


Gary.
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Neil271052 on February 19, 2008, 08:06:22 am

however i am unwilling to start a thread up or reply to posts regarding trad window cleaning as i know i'll be shot down with the 20k setup van+wfp etc if you climb a ladder you will die brigade

Exactly.  ::)

Which is why I rarely post here any more. Most of the posts are about WFP equipment, rarely any anecdotes,  and now the cold weather is here all you get are cries of "my gears all frozen up"   
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Sir Squeaky on February 19, 2008, 08:25:32 am
My gear's all frozen up. ;D
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Neil271052 on February 19, 2008, 08:47:04 am
My gear's all frozen up. ;D


  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D LOL
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: L.J.S cleaning on February 19, 2008, 09:27:50 pm
I use trad but looking to change to wfp in 6-12 months time has used the system. took ages convincing me  :) :)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Malone Cleaning on February 19, 2008, 09:59:09 pm
I,m 100% trad because I live in Germany where nearly all windows open inwards and nearly all my customers want their windows cleaned inside and outside so I very seldom need a ladder, I cleaned some Pilkington Glass recently though using distilled water and a spray bottle - it was weird but the customer insisted on it so what the heck  :) :) :)
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 19, 2008, 10:02:20 pm
Ive fallen off a ladder twice, well it was an a frame, but even that could have been fatal, Ive never fallen off a higher ladder though and probably never will because I no longer use them, well once or twice a month! Luke
Title: Re: HOW MANY TRADS
Post by: seanpaul on February 19, 2008, 10:07:53 pm
Traditional still, but got lot of 'new build' 3 storey stuff, so got pure freedom trolley.
Gonna convert to wfp for that. Got a lot of council houses and got a couple of lads doing that now. Don't know whether to convert that also. Lot of aggro....?

seanpaul