Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on January 06, 2009, 02:40:00 pm
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One member on here likes to think that lots of us are not professional. ::)
So it got me wondering - what do you consider a professional window cleaner is?
As long as you are insured and pay your taxes then surely you can be classed as a professional? What's your view?
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In basic terms, if someone else pays you to clean windows and you earn enough money from this to support yourself, you are a professional.
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I agree with your definition, in having full insurance, paying your taxes, + being full time,having a good selection of kit, being reliable and establishing a good relationship with your customers, and the most important thing of all doing a thorough and good job for each customer. Pride in your work.
I have a signwritten van, as I want to look as professional as possible, but in all honesty you dont need this if doing domestic work only.
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Not being Ewan ;)
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Not being Ewan ;)
I'll second that! ;)
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I Know this is going to get up a few peoples nose's on here but driving a proper vehicle not a rundown old golf like i see today. For me a window cleaner should be fully insured by law, be paying his tax's, and have all the kit needed to do the job.
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I dont think professional is the right word.
A professional is a person who has completed a doctoral or law program (a masters or bachelors degree does not infer a professional). The term professional is often misused. It is not to be confused with "White Collar" or "expert". A person who is white collar performs a job that requires education and does not involve physical labour. An expert is a person in a profession that requires certain types of skilled work requiring formal training or education. In western nations, such as the United States, the term commonly describes highly educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, economic security, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work.
Trades
In narrow usage, not all expertise is considered a profession. Although sometimes referred to as professions, such occupations as skilled construction work are more generally thought of as trades or crafts. The completion of an apprenticeship is generally associated with skilled labor or trades such as carpenter, electrician, plumber, bricklayer and other similar occupations. A related (though not always valid) distinction would be that a professional does mainly mental or administrative work, as opposed to engaging in physical work. Many companies include the word professional in their company name to signify the quality of their workmanship or service.
Perhaps we should be "Experts or Specialists".
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when i had a solicitor working on my behalf , when i worked in a different field this come up. It means that if you are doing something and getting payed for doing that something.
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Bodie? Doyle?? ;D
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On my stationary I never use the word professional to describe my firm, instead I use the phrase 'Specialist Window Cleaning Services'.
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You do specialise with your systems too Alex, did you start trad or have Gardiners ever sold trad gear?
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On my stationary I never use the word professional to describe my firm, instead I use the phrase 'Specialist Window Cleaning Services'.
So basically you are as what i put earlier.
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I don't remember a degree to become a professional gunslinger, gambler, soldier, or jockey. There are various other examples that directly contradict the definition given.
The definiton is wrong.
In common usage it's as the other replies said, someone who takes every care to do whatever job he is doing well.
Many words have multiple meanings, or broad and narrow meanings- conservative- for example is a political party in one sence and a cautious approach in another. Some words or terms such as middle class depend on who you ask. Teachers claim to be middle class, but only a head teacher meets the income requirements.
You all seem to have taken against ewan, that's not nice. He used to be a good guy, maybe he's got something going on.
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You all seem to have taken against ewan, that's not nice. He used to be a good guy, maybe he's got something going on.
Zum zay you are Ewan :o
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You do specialise with your systems too Alex, did you start trad or have Gardiners ever sold trad gear?
When I started my window cleaning business 23 years ago, obviously trad was the only thing available. I only started referring to my window cleaning service as Specialist when we started to clean high level and difficult to access properties. Since water fed pole gear was introduced to our firm 8 years ago, this aspect of our work has become a lot easier. As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.
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As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.
out of interest alex, why ? ? ? ?
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Sorry to butt in and all that but i rang up today Alex asking about the new carbon Extels and if you had any or will be getting any,i`m after the 28ft in black carbon not orange.
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As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.
out of interest alex, why ? ? ? ?
Because there are a lot of firms offering a very competitive and efficient service with these products already and we would rather concentrate our energies in the UK in producing great water fed pole gear.
Sorry to butt in and all that but i rang up today Alex asking about the new carbon Extels and if you had any or will be getting any,i`m after the 28ft in black carbon not orange.
We are able to get these poles but are currently not planning on stocking them. If you want me to, send me an email with what you want and I can get the price for you.
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Professional.......
insured, law abiding tax payer making a living providing a trustworthy, reliable, service who works within H&S guidelines.
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Professional.......
insured, law abiding tax payer making a living providing a trustworthy, reliable, service who works within H&S guidelines.
thats what i would say aswell, spot on :)
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I got called a Pro this morning,mind you i did have my high heels on lol. ;D
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I'm an Entrepreneur and a C.E.O.
;D ;D
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A professional is any person who is paid money for goods or services.
The question should be what defines a GOOD professional as opposed to a NOT GOOD professional
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Some words or terms such as middle class depend on who you ask. Teachers claim to be middle class, but only a head teacher meets the income requirements.
That's incorrect! There's many different ideas about how to define class. I could win the lottery tomorrow, but even being a millionaire wouldn't make me middle class because my attitudes are and will always remain working class.
Have a read about Karl Marx; he was the first person who studied the British class system; it's a good starting point.
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as i see it a professional in any terms is someone who specialises in providing a service and gets paid for it
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One member on here likes to think that lots of us are not professional. ::)
So it got me wondering - what do you consider a professional window cleaner is?
As long as you are insured and pay your taxes then surely you can be classed as a professional? What's your view?
Could be possible some on CIU are not the best people to represent the professional window cleaner.
Profession is your occupation for window cleaners that could mean simply being a member to a regulatory body such as the FWC. To be called professional.
Your attitude and behaviour towards your chosen industry (window cleaning) will give you a strong sense of professionalism. Which is the important part.
Ticking a few boxes like being insured and paying your tax as well as being a member of FWC, won’t qualify you as a professional. As for saying earning a living from doing it full time any claiming benefits could say the same
If you are unable to answer the question confidently and with clarity how would you know if you are a professional?
is that you ewan?
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You don't need to be a member of any oganisation to be professional. I consider myself to be professional yet other forum members dispute this - why? If we all do the same job for a living and legally then we are all professionals.
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im a member of the RAC does that count ;D ;D
cowboy, we all know the men in orange are a poor 2nd to the men in yellow
AA all the way ;)
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Some words or terms such as middle class depend on who you ask. Teachers claim to be middle class, but only a head teacher meets the income requirements.
That's incorrect! There's many different ideas about how to define class. I could win the lottery tomorrow, but even being a millionaire wouldn't make me middle class because my attitudes are and will always remain working class.
Have a read about Karl Marx; he was the first person who studied the British class system; it's a good starting point.
Middle class people award themselves this status only if they've been to university and left with a degree. No university or degree and they (middle class, (apparently), label others as working class regardless of earning potential. Quite honestly.....who really cares.
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I class myself as a professional window cleaner because i earn my living from the job.
I class myself as a good window cleaner because i have many satisfied customers and never lose a job for being shoddy with my work.....i also charge for this as a lot of other wc's (especially the trad boys) in this area leave a lot to be desired.
I pay my taxes (begrudgingly...but i pay them),i comply with all legal requirements to h&s,and my vehicles are fully road worthy,taxed and insured.
I think that is enough to make me feel like a professional window cleaner...but that is all i am a small business owner carrying on window cleaning services.
By the way i notice how many associate being a professional as being insured,presumably they mean PL cover...WHY DOES THIS MAKE YOU PROFESSIONAL?
I have it because i do a small council contract,but if i was just 100% domestics then i wouldn't bother...why would i not then be a professional?
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Seems the majority of posters on here consider themselves professional window cleaners. My view is that the ones who like to stir up trouble trying to shame others by questioning their intelligence and calling their fellow cleaners unprofessional is the one who is the least professional. ::)
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Seems the majority of posters on here consider themselves professional window cleaners. My view is that the ones who like to stir up trouble trying to shame others by questioning their intelligence and calling their fellow cleaners unprofessional is the one who is the least professional. ::)
indeed
but as its just a word, people like to think themselves better than others, and if they want to give themselves a tag and exclude people who they was to feel better than, i guess thats just life
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so far we have :
Clean windows and you earn enough money from this to support yourself
full insurance
paying your taxes
being full time ( i am not sure on that, as working fulltime is just a matter of time )
having a good selection of kit
being reliable
establishing a good relationship with your customers
driving a proper vehicle not a rundown old golf
works within H&S guidelines
attitude and behaviour towards your chosen industry
member of the RAC or AA ;D
not that it really matter as long as you are happy with your lot and the service you provide , i allways liked the red dwarf episode The Inquisitor
,, its ultimately you who judges yourself
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so far we have :
Clean windows and you earn enough money from this to support yourself
full insurance
paying your taxes
being full time ( i am not sure on that, as working fulltime is just a matter of time )
having a good selection of kit
being reliable
establishing a good relationship with your customers
driving a proper vehicle not a rundown old golf
works within H&S guidelines
attitude and behaviour towards your chosen industry
member of the RAC or AA ;D
not that it really matter as long as you are happy with your lot and the service you provide , i allways liked the red dwarf episode The Inquisitor
,, its ultimately you who judges yourself
Ohh rubbish.. Im a member of Green Flag Assistance. Still i never said i was a professional, im a specialist 8)
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so far we have :
Clean windows and you earn enough money from this to support yourself
full insurance
paying your taxes
being full time ( i am not sure on that, as working fulltime is just a matter of time )
having a good selection of kit
being reliable
establishing a good relationship with your customers
driving a proper vehicle not a rundown old golf
works within H&S guidelines
attitude and behaviour towards your chosen industry
member of the RAC or AA ;D
not that it really matter as long as you are happy with your lot and the service you provide , i allways liked the red dwarf episode The Inquisitor
,, its ultimately you who judges yourself
Ohh rubbish.. Im a member of Green Flag Assistance. Still i never said i was a professional, im a specialist 8)
sorry but no way is green flag getting in on the act, if we let them on, people would be asking about " more than recovery "
on your bike with that request
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i drive a 98 saab turbo but wear a uniform
where does that leave me?
satisfied customers all above board!
insurance
no aa or rac ;D
half of a profesional?
:P