[Steve H]

Hi Guys,

Just asking for views on when would be a good time to switch to waterfed pole?

I know thats a really open question and down to yourself, however, i am still building up my round (now at about 135 ish customers) mainly 4 weekly. Its not a big round yet but building all the time - a lot of bungalows, so trad is great for them. However, I went out canvassing the other day and had to walk past a lot of houses, as you cant get at some of the windows with a ladder.

I know there is a mix of trad and wfp guys on hear, so just wondering what made some guys make the leap/or not and if they think it was worthwhile as the cost of setting up wfp can be considerable.

I have some huge houses near me and feel that they will probably be best approached when wfp, do any guys trad on the bigger properties still or just not bother with them as they cant get to all the windows.

Bottom line is, can you make more money doing wfp (residential only) as you get through them quicker, would you need to increase your prices to take into account extra costs involved.

A few opinions would be much appreciated - thanks

Regards

Steve

[robbo333]

Hi Steve
I'm building up a round wfp but I do a couple of bungalows trad; old custys etc and I quite enjoy it. Couldn't help thinking to myself today, how much quicker they would be wfp. Reckon you should give it a go as soon as you fancy.
Good luck
Pete

[dave f]

quite simple, saftey why risk your life for a few quid when there is an alternative, it aint rocket science is it

[lozsing]

swap now before you have a full round, when you switch at first you will find the first few times it will take you longer wfp.

[tam north]

Dont hestitate mt. Do it now.
Been cleaning trad for 12yr switch over a year ago to wfp.
Should have done it years ago.
Only annoying thing is always seem to need spares,were youre outlay at trad was very little.
But still worth the expense.

[Steve H]

Thanks for the comments fellas, some good feedback there.

Can i also ask, its obviously more expensive to run a wfp business, due to all the additional cost etc. Did you find that you had to put your prices up or did you keep them the same but just got more done - adding  to the round as you go?

Cheers

Steve

[Blue Frog Systems]

Started out wfp so can't comment about trad.

However having wfp if only a backpack and 25ft pole will mean that you can take on those jobs that you can't get a ladder to. Quite a few guys wfp the tops and trad the bottoms.

Also having the backpack will be handy if you get a van mount in the future too,  I wouldn't be without my backpack even though I have a van mount.

Oh and I started out with a bapack

[Mike #1]

The intial financial outlay can be expensive it all depends on your own situation .

If you have a van or can afford to buy a van or pickup truck then go for a diy fitted system .

Also if you are able to buy a decent pole and look after it you wont need to buying one every year which i was at one point .

I started of with a purefreedom trolley as i did not want a van with a tank in the back and i did not have the money at the time , And i did not consider having a pickup .

Wish i knew then what i know now i would have started off with a pickup and 100 mtrs of microbore so much easier. Mike

[DG Cleaning]

As long as the windows are easy to reach I reckon i can trad bungalows quicker than wfp.

[Blue Frog Systems]

you couldnt clean them as well though

[DG Cleaning]