[richywilts]

just following the shops thread i posted and the boom of wfp window cleaners and everyone moving to look more professional with uniforms and signwritten vans and explaining health and safety laws to customers etc window cleaners now using warning signs etc and using risk assessment and method statements etc etc

do the general public really give a damn??

4-5 years ago when i started i made a difference in my area i was the first from what i believe to offer a professional looking company who did things a bit different i.e cleaning frames and cills bk in them days the stamped addressed envelope was the in thing!!!

i found it quite easy picking up work just from my image but now more and more have followed suit and its the general norm now for window cleaner to be sign written and wearing uniforms

is wfp now considered the most used tool for window cleaning dometics??

when canvassing i find it hard even getting the chance to put the health and safety benefits even across and how much better wfp is than traditional methods.

should health and safety being doing more for our industry and maybe making adverts  for tv explaining how ladders are restricted and wfp SHOULD be used

[SunShineCleaning]

No

[simonr]

should health and safety being doing more for our industry and maybe making adverts  for tv explaining how ladders are restricted and wfp SHOULD be used


no theres a lot still wanna use ladders, i dont much but i dont want to be told i cant, my mate fell off his ladder last month few scapes n bruises but he's no intention of going wfp,   i know it could of been worse but it wasn't

[landy2]

all they want to know if window is clean  that is it , if you went to get your van fixed do you look at there tools and if they have a uniform i certanly dont all i look at is the price .

[Ryan @ Transparent, Carlisle]

Nope.

Neither are they bothered about insurance or city&guilds

[Johnny B]

The more professional you look, the more expensive people perceive you to be imho.

I am trad, 99% are residential, and in my neck of the woods, people want clean windows, and would not care if I turned up on a horse and cart dressed like Ned Kelly.

John

 

[Tom White]

I think friendly and non-threatening is definitely required, but proper work wear and a clean image is helpful too.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'professional'?

[MWC]

People will be bothered how pro you are if something gets damaged. They wouldnt like to put trust into a shellsuit scally.

Customers want to be reassured that the company they get in for work and stuff are a proper outfit

[richywilts]

I think friendly and non-threatening is definitely required, but proper work wear and a clean image is helpful too.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'professional'?

i percieve professional as fully insured,provide invoices,and reciepts etc run it like a business not a job etc

[dazmond]

IMO the customer doesnt give a stuff if you have insurance,sign written van etc.

what they do care about is if you do a good,thorough job and are trustworthy and reliable,dont come round too often and are reasonably priced.

of course i have a signed van and uniform and im always presentable in a nice clean van and workwear,but i do not have a flash van or appear to be flash.

its about your attitude to your business as well and how you come across to customers.if your friendly and approachable as well as all the things ive mentioned above you ll have a good solid base of loyal customers.

this is what ive found out over the years anyway!!

best wishes to you all


dazmond

[richywilts]

im just wondering how the guys who used to be trad have changed there businesses since trying to look and act more professional i,e signwritten vans is a status thing for us cleaners to strokes our egos or has since changing your business to wfp etc has it really made a difference in terms of profits and number of customers etc has it made you more successful

[Small but perfectley formed]

Some people perceive window cleaning has one step up from being a burglar 

[dazmond]

richy i do think it makes a difference regarding printed invoices,professional calling cards/business cards and offering different ways to pay whether it is online bank transfer,SAE etc as well as cash especially in more affluent areas as i find people less trusting the more money they have!

having my address on all invoices,business cards etc reassures the customer whether its domestic or commercial IMO.

REGARDS


DAZMOND

[brynley]

you can still be professional and clean windows traditional, wfp is very much in the minority where i live

[CLEANCARE WC]

I have had embroidered work wear from virtually day one 12 years ago, always had a van even when trad, always had sae and billing card made by local printer from day one. been wfp 7 years.

[richywilts]

you can still be professional and clean windows traditional, wfp is very much in the minority where i live

im not saying trad cleaners cant be professional but what im saying is a lot of people used to be trad etc but since going wfp and prob investing in vans and signwriting and other things they have began taking there business more serious logos and business names etc but has it all been worth it

[CLEANCARE WC]

Richy have a look at this site, this one of the most recognisable firms in my town. im not sure how many vans he has as they are all the same   red escort vans all sign written..they are 100% trad i noticed that he only offers cheque or bacs payments..no cash.


http://www.hightop.co.uk/residential/

[CLEANCARE WC]

quote from that website..

We have chosen to continue to clean windows using traditional methods from ladders to a height of 30 feet.  The reason for this decision is based in our desire to leave a better finish without unsightly streaking and runs

 

[dazmond]

RICHY my business has been totally transformed in the last 3 years mate.

im earning over £10,000 more a year than 3 years ago just working as a sole trader.less hours,can burn through work like i could never do when i was trad only.

ive picked up some good work and dropped a fair few customers in that time.most new work has come from recommendation and word of mouth.

i also get quite a lot of add on work like conny roof,fascia,soffit,outside gutter cleaning jobs from existing customers and now solar panel cleaning.

ive also upped a lot of customers prices in the last few years with only a few cancellations.

my overheads are higher thats for sure but im still quids in compared to ladders only.

my attitude has changed a lot since going WFP as well.i work in lots of bad weather where when i was trad id be heading off home!!

i feel more professional and i think it rubs off on my customers as well.i also have more confidence in charging higher prices for my work.

its been a really positive move for me in general and im so glad i found this site.

having round software has also helped enormously with book keeping,records,invoices,worksheets,etc,etc.


best wishes


dazmond

[gary999]

i would imagine the vast majority of window cleaners are traditional
just not on this forum which accounts for a tiny minority where the majority are
wfp

as for looking and being professional,on domestic being professional
is whats required

i would imagine on commercial (i dont do any) both would be
required