[JackieW]

Hi,

For those who have made the change to WFP (or straight to it) at what value do you think it is not worth swapping over?

There has to be some point of 'it's not worth bothering'.

If your round has a value of  £500 per month is it  worth spending several times that value to swap over from traditional outlay on ladders and squeegees.

£1000 per month?

£2000 per month?

£3000?

I'm asking because I'm about  all domestic traditional  and wondered what others experience was.

Thanks

[Window Washers]

if I had to start all over again, I would go straight into wfp

I would change over to wfp now (if you can afford it of course)
the reason being you will be able to do more work than a traditional window cleaner when I say more work, I mean 3 floors, over con roofs (without climbing on them) thats just for starters.

There is clear safety benifits for you and that should be enough for any window cleaner to convert.

I started out trad, would I go back to it now, Not a chance.

Round size can be any amount, start as you mean to go on (should you change to it)

[steven ainger]

Asap, imo.
I started wfp when i had only around 125 customers.
Wfp is the future 

[Blue Frog Systems]

a backpack set up can be done cheaper than you think. thats what i started out with then moved onto a van mount

[colley614]

I look back at when I changed over and compared prices.

When I went on my own I bought squeegee, applicator and bucket £45, 5 scrims £25. 4 unger microfibre cloths £20. 7' A frame ladder £120, double 12 rung ladders £100. Then I bought spare rubbers £3 for 2 and soap about £1 for 500ml and a scraper for £5. After a couple of months I needed bigger ladders because I had a few apartments on second floors so I bought a ladder that was around a double 16 or 18 which cost me £160.

I didn't like doing second floor from a ladder so I looked into buying water fed pole gear. I bought 100gpd ro with di built in £120. second hand IBC £40. Secondhand back pack £150 a pole for £100 and 6 25ltr drums for £36.

When you think traditional gear cost me £479 and the water fed pole gear cost me £446 I think it is a worthwhile investment because you can get a lot more done in a day with water fed pole gear and you don't have to climb ladders all day.

From start up I would buy both, if I couldn't afford both I would buy traditional equipment and buy a backpack asap. I started buy bits secondhand from ebay like a pump and tank and soon had all the kit to build a vanmount.

Oh and I bought ladderstays for £15

[JackieW]

Thanks for replies, so far.

''a backpack set up can be done cheaper than you think. thats what i started out with then moved onto a van mount''

I've noticed that starting with a backpack or trolley pack very often ends up as a van mount. So jumping straight in at van mount seems better.

[Window Washers]

Thanks for replies, so far.

''a backpack set up can be done cheaper than you think. thats what i started out with then moved onto a van mount''

I've noticed that starting with a backpack or trolley pack very often ends up as a van mount. So jumping straight in at van mount seems better.

go straight for a van mount if you have the funds 

[colley614]

I'd get on the phone to pure freedom for your first system if you are looking at going straight to van mount.

1) They can get you set up for less than £1000.

2) You get more hands on with their system so you will learn more about the systems.

3) No part of their system is hidden behind screws that 'Void your warranty!'

4) I don't need a 4 because the rest were so great!

In all seriousness though good luck with it but don't underestimate the power of the backback!

[Window Washers]

I'd get on the phone to pure freedom for your first system if you are looking at going straight to van mount.

1) They can get you set up for less than £1000.

2) You get more hands on with their system so you will learn more about the systems.

3) No part of their system is hidden behind screws that 'Void your warranty!'

4) I don't need a 4 because the rest were so great!

In all seriousness though good luck with it but don't underestimate the power of the backback!

I agree backpacks are great to hang a wet scrim on 

[colley614]

I'd get on the phone to pure freedom for your first system if you are looking at going straight to van mount.

1) They can get you set up for less than £1000.

2) You get more hands on with their system so you will learn more about the systems.

3) No part of their system is hidden behind screws that 'Void your warranty!'

4) I don't need a 4 because the rest were so great!

In all seriousness though good luck with it but don't underestimate the power of the backback!

I agree backpacks are great to hang a wet scrim on 

£250 to hang your scrim on! You must have a good round

[Window Washers]

I'd get on the phone to pure freedom for your first system if you are looking at going straight to van mount.

1) They can get you set up for less than £1000.

2) You get more hands on with their system so you will learn more about the systems.

3) No part of their system is hidden behind screws that 'Void your warranty!'

4) I don't need a 4 because the rest were so great!

In all seriousness though good luck with it but don't underestimate the power of the backback!

I agree backpacks are great to hang a wet scrim on 

£250 to hang your scrim on! You must have a good round

[Klean07]

I was trad for 17 years then 4 years ago I decided to convert to wfp due to a few reasons most being the obvious ones.
It took me 6 months to transfer them all. Lost a couple but gained loads more due to being able to access more windows like the ones above a conny for eg.
It costs more money to operate a wfp system compared to trad and it takes more of your time but boy its a lot better than trad!!!

[Pope vader]

buy a second hand system,  much cheaper

[g.brookes]

if youre worried about it costing too much, start booking in a few con roof cleans and pvc cleans etc. that'll make the transfer a lot more financially attractive

[Ian101]

How much do u value ur ability to walk ??


Worth going wfp from day 1 however I went when about 800 quid a month.

U can put a system together for well under a grand

[Inside Out]

Personally, I went till I couldn't keep on top of my traditional stuff. Then bought in order to get around quicker!

And I second purefreedom post.

Really helpful service. Had system 3 years NEVER a problem with system. They offer a day with someone on poles whilst they install in your van too. Well worth in my opinion as had never held a pole even before install.

[andrewlefkas]

Keep in mind if you go van mount that you loose the flexiblity to use your van for other things ,if thats the only use then fine go for van mount . I am keeping with trolly at present but my round isnt very big and its spread out .
 Got to say its more prep time and messing with WFP , when you only do ladders and you finish for day your finished apart from maybe slinging scrims in wash .
 WFP -have to replenish water supply, charge trolly battery, mess with 25l bins in and out of garage , mess getting van ready next day .
 Having said all that its sooooooooooooooo much safer .
  How much do you need to be earning for WFP ? Lots start with no round and build up part time , all depnds on your cash but i wouldnt like to be WFP and never done any TRad ,daft I know but i still like to be able to do it the old fashioned way if i get a house where WFP isnt an option .
 

[mlscontractcleaner]

You only use the use of your van for other things if your van's too small.

Fit a 500l tank in a Transit Van and you'll still have plenty of room for the important things like fishing gear!!!!!

[Tom White]

There has to be some point of 'it's not worth bothering'.

You have to ask yourself the question, "How serious am I about becoming a full time window cleaner?"

If the answer is that you're serious, it's worth bothering from the start.  If the answer is that you're undecided or 'not', then it's not worth bothering with.

If you're serious, you'll get the work to make the van and associated costs worth it.

[pristine window cl]

back pack , if a wc came to my house with that, i would laughed him back out the gate!