[James Whitelock]

Hi all. I've been looking into doing some window cleaning part time for some extra money and been finding this forum really useful. However, being a 21 year old student I can't afford to insure a vehicle. Just wondering if anyone started off on foot? Obviously I won't be able to do many houses in a day and will have a small scope for business (not to mention looking a bit of a tool walking around with a ladder and a bucket). But logistically, is it possible? I'm trying to get my housemate involved so there will be two of us to carry equipment.

Also, any recommendations for lightweight ladders?

Kind regards.

James.

[gary999]

plenty trad guys by me footslogging...even got a chap who has adapted his bicycle
to carry ladders and all his trad gear...he just walks along with it mostly

[stuart mc]

yes it is possible, I still do a days work from the ladder in my estate, I just grab the ladder and off I go, I could probably build that work up if I wanted to but one day a month on the ladder suits me. I watched a young lad a few years back start a run locally and about a year later I saw him 4 miles away at 7am walking to the area with ladder and bucket, he had went full time but still walked everywhere, a short while later he had a van on the road as by then he could afford it. but to answer yes it can be done

[shina]

fuel is only going up in price, think we will all soon be footing it.

[James Whitelock]

Thanks for the responses. Any tips on a lightweight ladder?

[EandM]

If you can get compact local work it's an excellent idea.

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks for the responses. Any tips on a lightweight ladder?

Opinion is divided on the matter - all the other trad windies say get a sturdy professional ladder that will last you decades. If you are under 13 stones I say go to Wickes and get a basic double domestic, add ladder mitts and swivel feet and replace it every year.

The lightness will pay off especially in your situation.

When I was trad I did that. (Only I changed it every two years and I was/am 14 stones!) 

[rosskesava]

Me and a mate started window cleaning with no vehicle.

We carried the ladder. It takes a bit of getting used to but it can be done. I think we ended up with a good 20 jobs within walking distance of where we lived.

There's also been a bloke around where I live in Brighton who has a pushbike and home made side car who carries every thing on it including a ladder and he's been around ever since I've been window cleaning. If he can do it.....

[gary999]

ive got titan and young man ladders neither really used a lot
the youngmans doubles ive got which are around 15ft are quite light at around
8 or 9 kilos

[Carl@Cwc]

yep it can .

i first dabbled with window cleaning 20yrs ago with a single 20ft wooden ladder, a bucket , rat tailed mop and a chamois.
i can still recall them days vividly lol

the only barrier is you and your capabilities/will

[Tom White]

being a 21 year old student I can't afford to insure a vehicle.

If you're just in it for the short term, my advice is not to bother.  The graft is really hard going when you first start off trad, and by the time you get half-decent, you'll be finishing your studies and I doubt you'll want to carry on window cleaning.

My advice is to find some bar work or something, the time you'll waste trying to find and service your customers won't make it feasible. 

I don't think I'm being overly negative saying the above, though I don't think it's positive either; it's realistic though.

Sorry.

[James Whitelock]

Thanks guys taking everything on board.

I saw someone post on another site that instead of a bucket they just use one of those Unger Sprayer on a Belts, can that really replace a bucket? One guy even mentioned using a camelpak backpack!

[Banbury Window Cleaning]

yeah it can be done!! theres a bloke near me that started off carrying his stuff and now he has moved onto a home made wooden cart. I am guessing his work is very compact tho and it will be alot of hard work on foot all day!
good luck tho 

[David Lingard]

here come the 3 month undercutters!   

[Gray1]

Hi James scroll down and find the post from Lee Burbidge  'DIY WFP with a twist'
If you click on the link in the first post it will put you on youtube, on the right hand side look for 'No ladders, No water fed pole' and watch that.
People have been cleaning windows since they invented glass! No vans then.
And if you are starting on a minimal budget lets say less than £100 then I would recomend a couple of wagtails, one on a pole and  a cutdown one for strip windows, (front doors etc.) mine are 14" and 5"
Or go on youtube and look at some of the videos by MyWagga

Gray1

[andrew hamshare]

Good luck.
Can I suggest you find about 20 customers as near to you (and each other).

Do that and it'll be worth your while to pop home one weekend a month. You'll earn a fair bit of money for a student and avoid the cardinal sin of disappearing once and never getting them back.

What are you studying and where.

[Crystal-clear]

alot of us started that way m8t, carrying ladders slowly learning gaining more trust and understanding in the trade will allow you to keep reinvesting soon it will be a car maybe with a roof rack then a van, then a wfp kit gl!

[andrew hamshare]

A frame ladders are a great investment. You could easily walk one around and maybe focus on bungalows or shop fronts.  Don't get into ladders at height, they are dangerous and cumbersome.

[James Whitelock]

Thanks for all the replies. I've been non-stop reading for the past few days/nights and have decided on a setup and drawn up all my costs etc. Ready to start next month. 

[andrew hamshare]

Get three books.
Book 1: canvassing. I use a simple code:
nt - no thanks
ag - already got
l - leaflet (return to these at later date), don't dismiss anyone until you have actually spoken to them face to face as this is key to a compact round equating to less down time.
Q- Quoted.

Second book for actual quotes:
Name, address, phone number and window count. Quote for fronts and whole house, write it down as it will be a valuable reference tool for future quotes of similar properties. When they turn into work put them in book 3

Book 3:
Cleans - agreed date of clean, name address and phone number.  Seperate page for each road.

Don't over stretch yourself. I agreed to 4 first cleans last week and my timekeeping was terrible. Try to go for a simple AM or PM appointment as you raise expectations when you say you'll be there at a certain time and turn up late. I had 2 of mine phone me to say they were waiting in specially. Felt a right numpty.

Also, they will respect your professional opinion on frequency, but remember there is safety in numbers.

I currently aim for 4 hours actual cleaning time and when I finish a clean I canvass the neighbours, I recommend familiarising yourself with the 'Jones' approach ie mention subtly that you are cleaning their neighbours windows and let phsychology do the rest.

IMHO of course.
FWIW