Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: simp on May 24, 2009, 09:10:05 pm

Title: Really bad job!
Post by: simp on May 24, 2009, 09:10:05 pm
Picked up a new custy couple of months back, £14 quid for back only, 3 bed semi. Glass beads like hell. Never sure if glass will be clean or not. Had one call back for the kitchen window when I had rinsed 3 times. Seems like I'm getting nowhere fast. Help!
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: macmac on May 24, 2009, 09:21:39 pm
Rinse all you like, if you ain't scrubbed enough rinsing won't save you. Did you wait for the drips from the upper window to stop before cleaning the kitchen window? as they can either- splash off the lower window sill &/or run down the wall onto the lower window & neither of these will help your case. Also remember that wfp is very over-hyped on here & you shouldn't believe everything you read! :o wfp is not efficient in all cases. ;) (p.s. i have 5 years experience wfp, not 5 weeks ;))
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: ronnie paton on May 24, 2009, 09:40:10 pm
mac mac so true, some make it sound you just whizz around the window and hey presto there spot less, when i first started i thought i was doing everything wrong but really i was believing it was amagic wand.............well its not.
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: macmac on May 24, 2009, 09:46:17 pm
mac mac so true, some make it sound you just whizz around the window and hey presto there spot less, when i first started i thought i was doing everything wrong but really i was believing it was amagic wand.............well its not.

Top advice, that's the thing, you can't blame the newbies. anyone reading the crap splashed about here every day would be forgiven the majic wand theory! ;D  I think it's more what people want to believe than actual reality! ;D
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: dave0123 on May 24, 2009, 10:35:43 pm
I dont think its as fast as people make out  ::) they seem to come across like the houses can be done in 5 mins with a wash over... when im really not any faster than using a ladder mostly unless its leads.
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: simp on May 24, 2009, 10:40:27 pm
Yes. Scrubbed well, waited for drips to stop, did everything I should. May try trad on the downstairs. Thanks
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: peter holley on May 24, 2009, 10:42:53 pm
I dont think its as fast as people make out  ::) they seem to come across like the houses can be done in 5 mins with a wash over... when im really not any faster than using a ladder mostly unless its leads.

ok.
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: ftp on May 24, 2009, 11:04:39 pm
Make sure there is no outside tap under the window. It's a favourite trick of customers to spray the glass with high tds tap water. Scrubbing with a brush won't touch it.

It could be you haven't spent enough on your system - you need to spend at least £30k and then a house can be cleaned in three minutes!
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: Window Washers on May 24, 2009, 11:11:00 pm
Make sure there is no outside tap under the window. It's a favourite trick of customers to spray the glass with high tds tap water. Scrubbing with a brush won't touch it.

It could be you haven't spent enough on your system - you need to spend at least £30k and then a house can be cleaned in three minutes!
you forgot the Vat in that price FTP shame on you  ::)
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: pingu on May 25, 2009, 07:09:42 am
I only started back in 06 and went straight via the wfp route....spent months really taking my time and then I got all cocky and started getting quicker and quicker and also started to reduce to water flow....and guess what?...started to get a few complaints...

Then got all paranoid about the system and went back to slow and plenty of water...I am not saying this has happened to you but slowing down and using a little more water helped me out no end...

And as for thos who clean 3 bed semi's in 8 minutes including frames and sills...well I should be earning around 600 - 800 quid a day at those rates....

Far too much waffle on here about speed...

WFP is a good method but then again so is trad and so was a 'leather'...

Don't get too down on your work or the method...take it all as a good lesson and use these opportunities to re-evaluate YOUR way of working.

Cheers and good luck

Dave

Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: Londoner on May 25, 2009, 07:41:15 am
Sometimes it can depend on what has been used to clean the windows in the past. The beading you describe could be down to something like Mr Muscle being used. It leaves a waxy residue that stays for a looooong time.
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: john tomkins on May 25, 2009, 08:49:59 am
Got a couple of houses with windows that always spot and have done for a few years, luckily they are ground level and I either quickly wipe a microfibre cloth along any part of the frame that can drip water down the glass, then blade the water off the glass
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: weetot on May 25, 2009, 09:25:37 am
30k plus vat on a system,yeh thats a good one that, made me laugh!! ;D
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: stephen s on May 25, 2009, 09:59:13 am
the thing with WFP is that is a great tool for cleaning windows and frames if used correctly and the operator takes their time doing the job.

but when you get these people who feel they can break world records simply for greed and bragging rights then thats where problems start.

Ive picked up many jobs from customers who had previously had WFP and they told me the person was in and out in a flash and they had complained many times about poor quality of clean and told me if I was the same they would not continue with the service

I havent had one cancel yet and get positive feedback all the time so I must be doing something right and as I say WFP is great if used correctly
Title: Re: Really bad job!
Post by: lee_dewing on May 25, 2009, 10:22:42 am
think all's been said.

simp, was going to suggest trad downstairs.

I started wfp in sept 06.

did most of downstairs trad then gradually went all windows wfp, still do odd kitchen window trad ;)

these are the ones that get the most scruetiny, mrs doing washing up and staring through window.

for me wfp is good for 98% of my work,
If i have too many problems off the custy then i just drop them.

If the windows don't suit wfp then i don't bother.

I've been up and down ladders looking for marks that aren't there, simply because the customer won't be honest and don't like wfp.

yes wfp pole isn't perfect, it won't give good results on windows that are in poor condition.

but there you go choice is uo to window cleaner get ladders off and do or don't bother with ;)

thanks all
Lee.