[Aaron Wells]

1st topic, so be nice! ha ha
right so story goes been working on the railway ever since i was 17 (24 now) was made redundant in jan, got a job in car sales and been doing it for 3 months now, i bloomin ate it! i am working 10 hour days for 6 days a week and i am pulling in around 1000 per month, now dont get me wrong i have no issues working these hours but i am certainly not doing it for a g a month! now i do have commitments i.e a mortgage and i support my wife because she does not work due to ill health, i am considering taking the plunge and starting window cleaning, now please dont confuse me with the usual type of (thinking of starting up) people, i have window cleaned before for a guy and really enjoyed it! i am going to throw myself in at the deep end,  hopefully get a part time job (few nights a week behind a bar or something to give me a head start with the months earnings, bought myself a cheeky little mk2 golf van, looking out for a set of ladders too, would love to go wfp straight away but a bit concerned by the initial outlay! is there anything you would suggest i do and dont? i know its going to be hard i am not nieve
and also wanted to say hi also, as i said new to the forum and looking for help
thanks in advice guys!

[Sean Dyer]

I dont know what cash you got spare mate, but setting up wfp isnt that bad it depends on your water tds( how hard it is) if its soft you only need a di vessel for purification you could prob stick a system in for 500 or less depending on how many 2nd hand parts you can find, otherwise if it hard above 50 or more you need a ro which makes it a bit more complicated and a bit more money but can be done on a budget

Id just recommend if you haven't already then just read read and re read the posts on here as alot of it is good stuff, you will work out the nonsense soon enough

But go for it either way

Trad is worth learning as you always need it and would be stuck without it, but wfp is the way to do most stuff domestic / commercial these days and obviously is safer and usually quicker, but you need customers first so if you have to get ladders get knocking make a few quid and get a system!

Good luck mate

[groundhog]

Hi Aaron, welcome to the forum. I worked on the railway for 10 years as a driver before I started window cleaning, I did build the round up part time before I took the plunge.. but once I had left the railway determination kicked in and I built the round up really quick. WFP is definately the way to go if you can, I wish I'd started off wfp straight away.. as Sean said it can be done on a budget. But customers are your number one priority, so get out there and deliver some flyers and knock some doors!! Good luck 

[Tom White]

Hi Aaron, Groundy is right; getting customers is your priority, and price them properly.  If you go cheap because you think it'll give you an advantage in getting them, you'll make a mistake that may take a long time to recover from.

Unless you live in some poor deprived place (like Scotland), you should try to have a minimum price per job (within reason and common sense) of £10 (though someone will be along later saying they won't get out of their van for less than £5K  ).  £1 a window works well as a very rough guide, but again, some common sense is needed.

And as soon as possible, go WFP.  It's quicker and easier; you can work faster for longer which equals more of the 'orrible green stuff.

Also, just out of interest, which part of the country do you live in?

[dazmond]

he lives in chepstow tosh!

[Tom White]

he lives in chepstow tosh!

That would be great!  Honestly.  Loads of the local window cleaners use this forum. There's plenty of glass about, mate.  

But c'mon, the guy's 24 years old with responsibilities, I'm sure we can help him out.

[Blue Frog Systems]

Aaron, it can be done in your first month to hit the £1k mark, but its hard work - trust me i did it.

If you want to email me i can go through with you what i did. My emails is in my profile

[Ian101]

GET OUT NOW !!! I spend 25 years too long selling cars - must say though to pick up only a grand u must be on a crap package or a rubbish salesman .... Only kidding m8 ... U soon get a grands work of work together if ur happy to door knock ... Talking to noobs all day about buying a car will make canvassing a doddle 4u .... Good luck !

[Aaron Wells]

ah thanks guys apreciate the words! and i i live in milton keynes not chepstow lol!

[simonr]

Hi Aaron, Groundy is right; getting customers is your priority, and price them properly.  If you go cheap because you think it'll give you an advantage in getting them, you'll make a mistake that may take a long time to recover from.

Unless you live in some poor deprived place (like Scotland), you should try to have a minimum price per job (within reason and common sense) of £10 (though someone will be along later saying they won't get out of their van for less than £5K  ).  £1 a window works well as a very rough guide, but again, some common sense is needed.

And as soon as possible, go WFP.  It's quicker and easier; you can work faster for longer which equals more of the 'orrible green stuff.

Also, just out of interest, which part of the country do you live in?
sorry tosh but i have 2 pull you up on that one  i'm sure it was a joke but ive just left scotland a year ago & while there are a lot of poor areas i doubt its worse than some southern areas & everyone has a good word even to me & i rep the north of england  prices are cheaper but i've moved home & started over & there is money where i live but they dont like paying & my prices now arent much more than they were in scotland & most of them would give their last penny to help you out again no offence but its not as poor as people say