Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Owen H on April 23, 2010, 03:01:15 pm
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Firstly, hey everyone I'm new to the forum and I look forward to learning one or two things from some window cleaning veterans. :)
On to the topic at hand, I've been unemployed since February and I'm getting bored of sitting on my bum and doing nothing. I came across Window Cleaning Coach (the website) and got some pretty helpful information but there seems to be a lot of equipment needed to sustain a decent, functioning window cleaning business.
I, however, do not a) have access to a car/van and b) a drivers license or car of my own ::) - Obviously I'm new to this and havn't got out the front door yet so bare with me, but I really like the idea of getting into window cleaning and being my own boss but if it's vital to have a form of transport then I'll have to pass on it :(
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i have always said that if my round was local i would have an old fashioned hand cart. not some pikey style old pram wheels one but a proper vintage cart nice painted and sign written. but i think the days of working in the 4 streets next to yours have gone now and we are all travelling for the work. pity i have probaly 500 houses in cart pushing distance from my house.
i do know some of the shop front boys dont use cars couple round my way walk into the centre and start working.
it might be able to be done have a look around your area
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i still see lads with ladder over shoulder working from street to street all day. so yes it can be done but you might have to walk a fair distance.
i have seen guys 5 miles from home at 7.30 in the morning walking to an estate that is at the top of a massive hill then walking home 5 miles in the evening with ladder and bucket in hand
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i have always said that if my round was local i would have an old fashioned hand cart. not some pikey style old pram wheels one but a proper vintage cart nice painted and sign written.
;)
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Owen, get the Yellow Pages, Local Pages, and browse the internet to find all the local window cleaning firms based close to you.
Phone each of them and say, "Hello, my name is Owen, and I am interested in becoming a window cleaner. Have you any positions vacant?"
That's probably the best way to start for someone without a car, license, or window cleaning skills.
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Owen, get the Yellow Pages, Local Pages, and browse the internet to find all the local window cleaning firms based close to you.
Phone each of them and say, "Hello, my name is Owen, and I am interested in becoming a window cleaner. Have you any positions vacant?"
That's probably the best way to start for someone without a car, license, or window cleaning skills.
That's the best idea ;D
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Set up a static wfp system in your garden and invest in 5 miles of hose ...... job done ;)
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Set up a static wfp system in your garden and invest in 5 miles of hose ...... job done ;)
;D ;D
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can always do it like this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsGneb9VoCg
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Hi Owen it can be done with a bike some bloke round my way uses a bike .It will get you started !!!! 8)
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can always do it like this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsGneb9VoCg
HAHA ;D thats the best post ive seen this week ;D proppa funny ;D
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hi
i built my round 26 yrs ago, working weekends, no car or van , used to carry ladder & bucket , built a very compact round , still doing part of it now.
as i said that was 26 yrs ago , back then it was easier to build a compact round, seldom saw another windows cleaner, it was hard work though- walking from job to job ,then home at the end of the day .
to build a compact round is very hard nowadays.
daz
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Forget it Owen. This is clearly another wind-up like the lad who wants to store his ladders in his Uni bedroom.
There seems to be a batch of wind-up artists on here. Either that or psychology students are using the dim ones on here as lab rats! ::)
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i hope you are wrong but i suspect you may be right.
the uni post was a bit obvious as every solution he came out with a new problem.
if this one is genuine think of the publicity he could get in the local paper.
with a trad bike or a cart the press would lap it up and loads of free advertising plus i guess the sympathy customer.
but he has not replied so it wait and see
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I think there are quite a few 'ghost' posters on here. The Jabba conservatory post for one. Someone should start a new topic to out them. Same as the ones who sign up then delete a few days later.
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i no some guys who do this without a car or van its very very hard i think u need to be in london this is the best place as its to mad for car to park and i think u could get a fair round i do a walk round on satuday around london and it works well
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can always do it like this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsGneb9VoCg
This is where I got my inspiration from many years ago :P
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First vehicle I had was a sinclair C5, it was hard carrying my wooden ladders, but hey you have to start somewhere 8)
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get yr self a purple rhino lol ;D
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The horn comes in useful :P
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When I first started window cleaning 30 years ago, I use to walk 5 miles to my round with a set of ladders, bucket and a few shammys.
I would then work a 10 hours day in the summer or 7 hours in the winter.
I would and could not do that nowadays, it was bloody hard work.
anyway a neighbour of mine goes out every day with a unger pole, squeegie and bucket, he catches the bus to his work area, so it is possible.
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This is a serious question, dunno what that pair are talking about.
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This is a serious question, dunno what that pair are talking about.
dont worry about it, but i think your question has been answered, basicaly it can be done but it involves a lot of hard graft and walking
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Yeah I appreciate the replies. Looks like I might have to pass then :( I really need to learn to drive soonish.
I'll look down some other routes and see what other things I can get in to. I really want to set up my own business, doesn't have to be big, I just love the idea of working for myself.
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Yeah I appreciate the replies. Looks like I might have to pass then :( I really need to learn to drive soonish.
I'll look down some other routes and see what other things I can get in to. I really want to set up my own business, doesn't have to be big, I just love the idea of working for myself.
jeso thats not what i expected for an answer. you should have said i am not afraid of hard graft and dont mind working and walking all day. whatever business you choose will be hard.
i had a saturday round that was walked from about the age of 13 ;) so as i say it can be done and when starting you can claim tax credits etc
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one of the first qualities in running a business is resilience 8)
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owen if my van and wfp system became unavailable for whatever reason. i would sack my lad and get my ladder back out the garage drop my prices slightly and walk the best part of my round and by god my local area would be canvassed big time and i would make it work. but if i had the attitude that its too much hassle then your probably not cut out for any self employment.
sorry if that sounds harsh but nothings easy and you have given up at the first hurdle
so prove us wrong and just do it ;) good luck anyway fella
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Yeah I appreciate the replies. Looks like I might have to pass then :( I really need to learn to drive soonish.
I'll look down some other routes and see what other things I can get in to. I really want to set up my own business, doesn't have to be big, I just love the idea of working for myself.
I know it CAN be done, but this post shows its obviously a wind-up. If not then truely everyone and his brother wants to start window cleaning which really should be discouraged.
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Yes it can be done, as a windie in my town,split's his ladder's and leave's them at custy house who don't mind,
This way he's not carrying them to and from his every morning and night,
His work is compact and has ladder's,scattered all over,custy's don't seem to mind,as long as there fastened,sercurly.
(He has been doin it for year's though)
You've got to put the effort in, it's not easy even with transport
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horse and cart mate take a shovel aswell
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this guy in the scottish highlands is doing ok ;D
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Owen, there's lot's of good replies on here, [and some not so good!].
Do you have a friend or relative with a roof rack on their car who could take you and drop you off/pick you up; retired uncle or grandparent, perhaps?
Baldeagle