[harunh]

I passed my driving test today ! YESSSSS lol Smile

I will have a astra estate van with trolley system 25L & several containers. I prefer trolleyu over van mount.

I am going to meet a window cleaner sometime this week and check his trolley stem out hes got a prue freedom one.

Am looking for a decent astra im willing to spend up to 3K I can get a 58 plate with 60/70k miles for around 3K with one owner with service history which is decent. I dont like buying cars with several owners and high milage.

Where would you all start out from if u were in my position ?

Would you go canvassing now ? would you get your van in first etc ? get your equipment sorted first ?

I am looking to order my business cards from vistaprint tomorrow. and then look at the equipment and get it ordered before the end of the week Smile

I am planning on dropping 1,000 cards per day. I can do this.... i know it sounds hard.... but i can do this... in 1 day. i will also have help from my brother who will go shotting cards out with me.

I will be looking at getting a website made this week aswell. and setting up my facebook page.

Its a lot to do but surely it will pay off Smile

tell me what you think lads

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

GET A VAN MOUNT STRAIGHT AWAY! ask dazmond!!!!!
dont worry about a web site yet!
just get those leaflets out day in day out you will start to build up some nice momentum leading to a steady stream of customers!
sounds like you have the right attitude! keep it up

[bobby p]

have you comfy shoes for the leafletting blitz? i mean REALLY comfy.

 choose very carefully - you dont want them scuffing your heels red raw after the first session

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

Yes, knock the trolley idea on the head.

[CLEANCARE WC]

Business cards instead of a leaflet is not the best idea as they are too small to be noticed.

well done on passing your test

[Lee13]

I used a trolley system for a year when I started, in a Toyota Aygo!!!

About 6 months ago I built a van mount system in the back of a Berlingo... the BEST thing I have EVER done for this business. I practically doubled the number of houses I could do in a day and plus, no more humping around barrels!

Do what ever it takes to get a van mount system... I've never looked back!

[windiewasher]

Backpacks allday long.

[John Walker]

Go van mount but with a trolley as a back up and for those odd awkward places.  Or - use the trolley as part of your van mount system - best of both worlds then.

[supernova77]

I used a Trolley for about 2.5 years... DON'T DO IT!    Get a van mount straight away - i wish I had!!

Andy

[Window Washers]

Well done for passing your test

I would get a bigger van than an Astra, for the price your willing to spend I would get a connect or similar they can also hold more water, which you will need due to being new
I would definitely not use a back pack as a main system I would get a van mount without a doubt; back packs are good for odd jobs though.

Cards can work well as can leaflets, you need to remember that every man and his dog will be ticketing the same places as you, so just because you put out a 1000 a day (my guess is you will soon get bored of doing this) your card needs to stand out.

website is a good idea, start as you mean to go on, and make sure the address of it is on the card (I know this sounds obvious but so many forget this little detail)

It is quite refreshing seeing your determination and entrepreneurialism, just remember to listen to good advice and you will save yourself time and money
One thing go for a van mounted system over a backpack (did I already say that)

[CLEANCARE WC]

I used a Trolley for about 2.5 years... DON'T DO IT!    Get a van mount straight away - i wish I had!!

Andy

x2

[gto]

if you have just passed you test, do you know if you will even be able to afford/get insurance.

van insurance is higher than car insurance, at a guess i would think your looking at £2000+

my first car was £1700, insurance was £1000 and that was 18 years ago.

[red star]

2 grand I think you just managed to p on his bonfire

[suds window service]

. I am going to meet a window cleaner sometime this week and check his trolley stem out hes got a prue freedom one.

could be me kent.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

trolley is a good idea!!! buy it 

[BartG]

if you have just passed you test, do you know if you will even be able to afford/get insurance.

van insurance is higher than car insurance, at a guess i would think your looking at £2000+

my first car was £1700, insurance was £1000 and that was 18 years ago.

So true, I recently bought a car (old 1.4 s reg astra )and the lowest policy covering business use was 1740. Im 27, licence for 6 years but no NCB :<

[harunh]

. I am going to meet a window cleaner sometime this week and check his trolley stem out hes got a prue freedom one.

could be me kent.

Yes i rang u that day lol !

I will be giving u aring sometime soon... hopefully your free sir

Also my business cards are pretty decent to be honest and i have got a website address on them lol.

Flyers tend to get noticed more ? but i really think that people just get flyers with a load of other garbage and chuck it it in the bin straight away lol ... But with business cards... their that small... people tend to just leave it lying about... and at the back with it being blank... they may note some thing down such as an important phone number and keep it somewhere. lol

And im starting with a trolley system... i dont like the idea... of a van mount... having to park near the entrance of the house ect.... but i dont mind putting the trolley in and out of the van lol i will get sick of it... but it has to be done ! And i think a van mount comes in handy when cleaning commercial premises such as cladding... etc

[bumper]

hi have 50l trolly purefreedom i can get 6 barrels in my car and i take a di just incase i need some pure water,im a fit bloke and can lift trolley in and out no problem,most wfp cleaners are all ready for knackers yard,you  can always get van and use your trolley as van mount,the diffrence between trolley and  van mount is you just have a tank in your van.
    FIT AS A BUTCHERS DOG BUMPER

[dazmond]

trolley is ok to start but you WILL get sick off humping 25L barrels about and pushing trolley.its hard work that just wastes time and energy.then theres the filling up between jobs.if you have a car then fair enough but when you get a van do yourself a favour and stick a tank in the back and get yourself 100m of microbore on a reel.

we are not just saying this for the sake of it!it comes through experience!van mount is easier and allows you to work faster! simple!!


regards


dazmond

[L.U.K.E]

I have a pure freedom trolley (Great bit if kit) and have used it for a year.
I am now looking for a van mount as this will be quicker and save a lot of time filling etc.
The trolley i will be keeping as a back up and for the odd tricky house.

Dazmond and the others are right listen to the advice given and save yourself time and money.

If you were working out of a car then yes i would use a trolley but you are looking to buy a van
so a van mount from the start would make sense.

Good Luck