[Cleaning Buddy]

Ok, I read on here an interesting thread about how much people have wasted on buying this and that etc  - I am about to start a new business and I cant afford to waste money.

So my question is this to all you experienced WFP guys and girls (Sorry I am not going trad!) - If you could start at the beginning again - what would you purchase to start your business?

[steven ainger]

Have you any wfp/trad equipment/van at all

[SunShineCleaning]

Or any customers?

I would be reluctant to spend £3k as a startup if I wasn't sure if there was room for me in that market.

[gto]

try and find a van already kitted out. there have been some real bargains on here.

[SunShineCleaning]

Ok, I read on here an interesting thread about how much people have wasted on buying this and that etc  - I am about to start a new business and I cant afford to waste money.

So my question is this to all you experienced WFP guys and girls (Sorry I am not going trad!) - If you could start at the beginning again - what would you purchase to start your business?

None of us can afford to waste money but as a round develops some equipment has more use than others.

I would need to know what your work was like before advice could be given. Hence the comment on customers.

[sgibsoncleaning]

there has been some silly priced bargains about in the last year.
some of the best seem to be people who have spent shed loads of cash with no customers, then tried to earn big money instantly. if you are on a budget go for a diy set up and get out there and find work.

[Ferenc G.]

If you don't want to waste money then spend as much as neccesary on building your customer base (marketing if you like). No equipment required if you have no jobs to do. Do not underestimate that, it might cost more than your equipment to start with, but that is the most important part of a new business. You can improve your gear once you have a steady income. Small van (berlingo, kangoo, combo) and a small system to start with, should be under 2k. Thats how I'd spend 3k.

[Cleaning Buddy]

Hi. I am a start up business. No customers at the moment. Carrying out some research over the bank holiday and into next week - going to see if there is a market. My question is hyperthetical.

Please assume I can get the customers. Thats not me being big headed - lets just assume I can. My target is to get around 150 - 200 customers in the next 3 months. I will be covering between 10 - 15 different locations with a 15 mile radius of where I live.

I had decided to go trolley system - but now having second thoughts - might go van mount.

In relation to spending the money - I feel I need to do this before I start the business - I can hardly go canvassing and the tell customers I cant them exactly when I can do the cleans. I also think for me shelling out money is a great motivator to get out there and start clawing the investment back

Hope this helps

[Smudger]

CB - good to see you have adjusted your target of the amount of customers to time span - this is far more realistic
and therefore you wont get disheartened - you should be able to beat your new targets.

you wont need 3k - unless you really like wasting cash.....

you can get a perfectly suitable van from around £1000 ( vaux. combo etc.. )
then buy the suitable parts reel & hose - pump - controller (optional)  - tank ( loads s/h ) - fittings can if you
look around be around £500 - RO - £300 and then a dencent gardiners pole £350

Darran

[TomCrowther]

It's known as crisis management Cleaning Buddy. You jump off the cliff and build the parachute on the way down. I think I saw someone advise another newby to go and work with an existing WC for a week {for free} and learn the ropes that way. That is great advice and most WC's would take you up on the offer as it's a win/win.
This is not a hard business, the basics are really simple but it's the little things that will drive you mad if you don't A} know about them or B} know how to fix or work around them. Good luck mate..

[Smudger]

Good post Tom


Darran

[Nathanael Jones]

If I had £3k to spend on a startup, I'd try to only spend £2k or not much more, and have money left for all the unexpected expenses etc. It doesn't matter how well you do your homework, you never think of everything!

Start with a cheapo van & roof rack
Basic trad kit (Bucket, 14" wagtail, scrims, blades, BOAB, pouch, trad pole, spare rubbers, small squeegee)
Ladders (short lightweight triple extension would be my choice)
DIY van mounted WFP system with a CLX-27 pole
DIY static setup with pumped RO (Vyair.com are cheap)
DIY website
20,000 cheap flyers
Logo'd polo shirts
Basic vehicle sign-writing
PL insurance

Its quite a big ask for a small budget, so keep an eye on the buy & sell section here & on ebay for bargains!

[Mike #1]

good advice Nat but i think WFP has made people think its easy to start a window cleaning business , not having a dig buddy you have to be commended on taking the leap ,    But those of us who started trad know just how hard it is to work on a ladder,    AH  THAT WAS A PROPER DAYS WORK IN THE OLD DAYS WORKING TRAD

[Smudger]

Aye..........   

w/c's on ladders,   the 60 hour working week,  tin baths in the living room and sending kids up chimneys...

those were the days !

Darran

[Nathanael Jones]

I started out trad, & think its an essential skill to have,.. but I'd never recommend anyone else to start that way. I think there will always be a need for the occasional ladder use (Mine come of the roof rack perhaps once every 2 or 3 weeks),... but cheapo DIY WFP is within the reach of almost anyone these days.
Its not a magic wand though,.. a couple of days with an experienced cleaner would defo be recommended.

[Smudger]

Nat - agreed -  you need to learn/known trad work as a basic grounding for experience because there is always
that 1 job where you cant wfp - or get a internal windows contract !
but whether you need to do it off ladders is another matter.

perception is that wfp is just about wafting a brush in the air and spraying water at a bit of glass, unfortunatly
the reality is that it takes a bit of time to master for consistantly good results.

Darran

[Mike #1]

it was like that last winter in my house when boiler broke down only had coal fire , but i send the wife up the chimney instead  of young kids , dont want reporting to social services

[Smudger]

 

Darran

[john the cleaner]

start a loan company for all u wfp guys whos gear keeps breaking down i could retire  in a year i think

[Smudger]

probably make more than tradding .................................   



Darran