what areas you working in? 
Just noticed your in swansea 
If i did start i wouldnt step on anyones toes.
I live in the llansamlet area.
Chris, do window cleaners use ladders or is it all pole work now?
Nice website BTW.
Have you seen all the glass buildings down sa1 
yeah! im in llansamlet too 
i dont do much work in the area, ive got some looks of other window cleaners who do this area.. i prefer to work further afield anyway.
SA1 Marina
Nope.. i got nothing down there, im a small fish my friend! Those get done by the likes of dai sullivan and district cleaning services among other south wales boys.
Give it 2 years i plan to be. However i dont like commercial jobs (not that i wont do them) i prefer residential. Planning for new van and system come the start of 2010, and get someone with me then.
You can use ladders still, but for commercial jobs you need wfp, be compliant and understanding of risk assessments etc.. the big shops are done by national companies, or at very least sub contract it out.
I wouldnt even attempt commercial, I havent cleaned windows before so taking something like sa1 on would be dull, and like you said its for the bigger boys with clout behind them.
Its hard to know where to start but what I have read so far on the forums are.
1. Dress code, look proffesional to gain an advantage ( so buy a uniform)
2. Ladders, step ladders, step
3. equipment, buckets etc..
4. Business cards.
5. liabilty insurance. (just incase a ladder falls onto a car)
6. Business name
7. Magnetic sign for the car/van.
If I started off doing weekends, Id probably be lucky to get work, so probably will not earn much, earning, would i have to register a business with the vat people, even though i might only be earning peanuts in the beginning.
I might only get £20 for a weekend, how does that work with tax etc...
I would rather do things properley.
or do you think im being too enthusastiac and just start with a ladder, bucket and the bare essntials.
BTW do you still clean residential in the rain and is the window sill and frame usually part of the price?