Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Dan91 on April 20, 2010, 05:08:07 pm
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Hi Guys.
Just had my window cleaning dreams shattered into pieces. After doing my canvassing and getting some 12 customers I searched all the draws and borrowed some money to get about £250 for equipment.
ONLY TO FIND OUT my university hall won't let me keep the ladder in here, I have no car which wasn't as bad because the area is not too far, but I could have at least kept the ladder on top.
And to finish me off. I went to one old guy at the beginning of my round (which is supposed to start in 10 days) to ask whether he'll let me keep the ladder there if i did his windows for free, but before I asked he told me he does not want them done and gave no good reason why. May be another window cleaner took them over. What if all of them do the same? :'(
The only option i see now is to talk to "man and van" people to store it and rely on them to pick it up and take it back every day I work.
Was anyone out there ever as screwed as me and have any thoughts as to coming out of this nightmare?
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dont tell them and hide your ladders at the back of a shed or bin area with a padlock on. never give in
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when my dad first started window cleaning he used to hide his ladders in the river to stop them getting nicked what a laugh
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surely you will find somewhere. any neighbours near to wher eyer staying? Explain situation and offer them couple quid per week or something
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Definitely not giving in! You Guys answered pretty much all my questions about WC and I feel confident about doing it (except lead of course), but this ladder business is so crap.
It will be 3.30 meters collapsed and weigh 15-20kg. Carrying it from here (10 min to work area) is enough trouble as it is let alone leaving it yet further away.
The problem with locking it somewhere or paying some random person is that it cost £150, when I buy it I will have no more money so if it gets lost I am totally screwed.
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Dan,
You must have Uni mates who lives in private rented accommodation and not in university halls!
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Dan, Finish your studies, pass your driving test, buy a small van and then start your window cleaning business in a proper manner. You can hardly start a business by carrying your ladders around with you all day - unless you live in Coronation Street I guess ::)
Better still, concentrate on your studies and go and get the job your studies were intended for ;D
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200kg! you'll be fit in no time.
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:D I meant to say 15-20kg.
The thing is I can't afford to take lessons yet and if I give up/postpone it, I will end up going to my parents and friends with my tail between my legs telling them they were right that I can't do it given the circumstances.
I will try to come up with something.
btw all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
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Dan
http://www.midlandladders.com/products/TITAN_3_8m_12ft6_Telescopic_Ladder_with_FREE_Carry_Bag-361-0.html
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Dan just go out and canvass bungalows or ground floor flats for the mo'. Don't need a ladder then! And for higher windows use trad. tools on a pole.
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is the door to the halls manned by staff if not stick it under your bed and leave early morning and return late at night
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where are you?
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Hi
I'm in Reading.
I just found out that I can keep it in my room, (no need to use uni storage), as there are no cameras at one entrance. The thing is I don't know whether I will be able to take it to my room as a 3 meeter ladder will be hard to maneuver over the stairs and through the corridor.
The ladder I was planning to get was 3 X 11 rung, which is about 3 meters when folded because I want to comfortably do all 2 story houses.
Would a smaller ladder do the job? For example a 3x9 rung (http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/9_Rung_Combi_Ladder_Size_Chart.gif), which is about 2.40cm when closed.
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not sure what size ladders i have and im also wfp just remember gut the best ladder you can for the job dont go to b & q its you neck that gets broken if god forbid you fall
how about a self storage place there must be one local to you
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Thanks for the replies.
No, no near storage.
I'm getting a good quality ladder, but how big does it have to be? Will a 3x9 (http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/9_Rung_Combi_Ladder_Size_Chart.gif) rung do the job?
Because I want to be able to fit it in my room.
Thanks.
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You are looking for trouble if you try storing in your room, firstly someone is bound to tell the uni, second you are liable to cause some damage to the decor trying to get a ladder up and around stairs, down corridors and then into a small room.
You have several options open to you, one is you are a student and being one you must know 1 or 2 or 40 pubs that are local to you, ask the manager if you can leave it round their backyard, these areas are normally secure, you might even pick the pub up as a customer.
The next option is you buy a di tank with resin, a backpack, a pole, brushead and pole hose as well as a sack truck from your local b&q or homebase, with this equipment you can wheel the di tank to your customers, connect to their outside tap,o fill the back pack via the di tank and bobs your uncle.
The only other way is you will need to rent some space from a access storage company.
Failing all that, go to you local cab company, pizza palour, double glazing firm, bathroom fitters and any other company in your area who have leaflets droped door to door, and do them for them for a fixed price per thousand.
If you don't fancy that and you still want to work in the window cleaning trade, you could instead canvass customers for other window cleaners and charge them 2 or 3 times the monthly charge as commission.
or there is always a paper round ;D
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Get bunk beds and keep your ladders at the side, you know... to the top bunk.
Sorry, triple 2.5`s should be easily big enough.
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a double 2.5 is too short it will need to be 3m double min or as mentioned 2.5m triple
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Is this a serious thread ?
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You guys have been had. Dan91 is a sham, someones winding you up.
Post a picture of yourself next to your uni in Reading Dan, tell us what you are studying and why on earth you think Window Cleaning is a good option for you right now. You know "It is only glorified begging" after all.
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Not to mention searching through all the draws and raising money.... oh and this strange DIY habit around the HOUSE...(In another topic....)
House? uni hall? ladders in bed ? asking new customer to store ladders, ?
Why tho?
what is the point of a wind up like this... maybe its JONAH !!!!
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Confessions of a Uni window cleaner ;D ;D ;D LOL
I might go to university so I can become a part time window cleaner!
I have one coming over to study as an aerospace engineer at Guildford University in September he worked for me in Bulgaria as a window cleaner for two years, so I will commandere him, whilst he's not studying ;D ;D ;D
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Darranvps, Window cleaning in Bulgaria? That surprises me a lot, because a lot of the windows there are wooden and open inwards hence they clean it them self's. Didn't expect that this profession exists out there.
btw can I be 100% adamant that the triple 9 rung (2.43 folded) will be enough to do all 2 story houses? :)
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Nothing wrong with a guy paying his way through collage by cleaning a few windows, in fact it shows real initiative.
Stick a sign in a shop window offering free window cleaning in exchange for ladder storage.
Everyone loves a try er, if you explain what your doing, and why your doing it, someone nearby will let you leave it behind their shed or something.
You have been out canvassing, so can obviously talk to people.
If I were you, I would look out for someone working in their garden, it's better than knocking a door, explain your situation and ask if they know someone that could help.
I have seen sack trucks with inflatable wheels for £20, tie one end of your ladder to the upright with the handles,[tie low down near the platform] you can then pull your ladder behind you instead of carrying it.
Go for it mate, I would, and good luck to you.
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Darranvps, Window cleaning in Bulgaria? That surprises me a lot, because a lot of the windows there are wooden and open inwards hence they clean it them self's. Didn't expect that this profession exists out there.
btw can I be 100% adamant that the triple 9 rung (2.43 folded) will be enough to do all 2 story houses? :)
Only commercial buildings we cleaned see www.purple-rhino.co.uk for one which we cleaned in Varna, Bulgaria
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dan the ladder you mention will reach 1st floor ie ground floor then first floor
it may reach the odd second floor but not many
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And to finish me off. I went to one old guy at the beginning of my round (which is supposed to start in 10 days) to ask whether he'll let me keep the ladder there if i did his windows for free, but before I asked he told me he does not want them done and gave no good reason why. May be another window cleaner took them over. What if all of them do the same? :'(
If this guy has changed his mind, must be due to not wanting to pay for cleaning. Why do you not just say to him anyway that you will do for free if he stores your ladders for you. I sure if the price was a problem, then both yous and the customers issues are sorted
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no worrys good luck, i had my first round at 13 years old ;)
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Get a triple combination ladder. They are cheaper, lighter yet strong and sturdy and will reach the same as a normal trip. They are standard with a cross stabilizing bar and feet. They are versatile as can use in many configurations.
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Why has no one told him ladders are banned yet? ;)
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Why has no one told him ladders are banned yet? ;)
He did, he said they were banned from his uni ;D ;D ;D
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keep asking custies you will find someone mate