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Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Without a van
« on: January 28, 2013, 10:00:56 am »
Hi, I'm currently employed but have also recently started a carpet cleaning business but am considering whether window cleaning may have been a better option for my circumstances, young kids, school runs etc.
I'm not 1 of these people who think its a get rich quick business, I appreciate how hard you must all work.
As I said its all thought in my head and am still unsure what to do but if I was to consider it would it be possible to have a wfp set up in my car, it's a vauxhall zafira? Also what kind of price should I expect to pay for the set up?
Any advise appreciated

Mike #1

  • Posts: 4668
Re: Without a van
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2013, 10:46:46 am »
Look at the Pure Freedom trolley which carrys a 25ltr container you might get one off ebay or something similar second hand .

And buy a tds meter to find out your water quality. Mi,e

Ian Lancaster

  • Posts: 2811
Re: Without a van
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2013, 01:01:01 pm »
Lots of people run your kind of set-up.

As to price, do some research.  You will need (if your tap TDS is more than about 25-30ppm) an RO and DI system - Pure Freedom is a good place to start.  You will also need somewhere to store your pure water - depending on your usage (say 300-400 lt per day for a full time round) - either an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) or a garden rainwater butt if it's big enough and a method of filling 25lt barrels (set the storage tank up on blocks so you can get the barrels under the outlet tap)

As M&M says a trolley would probably be your best way forward - it has a built in pump and battery.  Plus you will need a couple of poles - fibre glass are the cheapest unless you feel confident to make your own (All the bits are available from Window Cleaning Warehouse)

As I said, have a look on a few Window Cleaning Supplies sites to get an idea of what you might have to spend.

Bear in mind the objective:  You need to have a supply of water with less than about 10 parts per million dissoved solids and you need to deliver the water to a brush at the top of a pole - if you can achieve that, you've got it made.

Don't be fooled into paying hundreds for fancy equipment that only does what I've described above.

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2013, 02:30:31 pm »
Thanks for the replies.
For a start up package, would I be able to get a decent kit for under £1000?? Like you rightly say I need to research in depth but was just looking for an idea.

Ian101

  • Posts: 7889
Re: Without a van
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2013, 03:17:30 pm »
k systems on ebay show a zaifira with a wfp system.

for under a grand u should be able to get going

Michael Peterson

  • Posts: 1741
Re: Without a van
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2013, 03:32:22 pm »
get some barrels and backpack a clx pole and a way to purify the water ro system and di vessel and you will be away

AuRavelling79

  • Posts: 26584
Re: Without a van
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2013, 03:43:47 pm »
If you're doing both and you've got off street parking get a trailer that will let you use a 250L tank.
It's a game of three halves!

WinTech

  • Posts: 64
Re: Without a van
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2013, 03:50:02 pm »
I started with a Renault Scienic.
2x poles
4 x 25 ltr Barrels
Trolley system
1 x 200 gpd Di Ro set up
2x 100 gallon storage tanks
No transfer pump as used gravity.

Trad gear and a ladder.

Most of this was all diy. Reserched on line and from forums.

Yes it can be done for less than £1000

Now have progressed to a van and van mount set up.

Started with 8 clients.

All the best!



Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2013, 05:11:54 pm »
Thanks everyone for replying, made things alot clearer as to what I would need. Appreciate it. Now it's time to have a think .... Carpets or windows!?!?
Thanks again

Ian101

  • Posts: 7889
Re: Without a van
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2013, 07:19:52 pm »
Thanks everyone for replying, made things alot clearer as to what I would need. Appreciate it. Now it's time to have a think .... Carpets or windows!?!?
Thanks again

windows huh !! .......... were nicer on this part of the forum

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2013, 08:05:05 pm »
Must admit, been very impressed with all your advise and replies so far.
All I need now is a breakdown of exactly what to buy and prices! :)
Cheers

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2013, 07:24:42 pm »
Looks like trolley systems my best bet.  Is the pure freedom one the best or are there other places that sell similar??
Or shall i keep a look out for 2nd hand on ebay and on here??

gary999

  • Posts: 8156
Re: Without a van
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2013, 07:34:12 pm »
forget trolley far to bulky lifting in and out of vehicle..unless
you are going to use as van system...then i would just buy a pump
battery hose and flow controller if needed

if you want something portable go with backpack

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2013, 07:38:57 pm »
Gary can you recommend a good back pack, its not something i have looked into, how would you refil it at each job?? Obviously with a trolley i could take as many filled drums as id need.
Cheers

gavinb

Re: Without a van
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2013, 07:52:52 am »
Backpack all the way .

You dont need a trolley to start with its pointless and bulky .

lee_dewing

  • Posts: 3124
Re: Without a van
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2013, 08:25:29 am »
I used freedom trolley but gives lower back and knee aches.
I now use pump box.
I will put some links up this evening mate.

Off go dentist now :-O then work.
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.     - Aristotle

G Griffin

  • Posts: 40745
Re: Without a van
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2013, 08:27:40 am »
All I need now is a breakdown of exactly what to buy and prices! :)

And that's when it all went wrong.
We were doing so well, too  ;D.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2013, 09:17:10 am »
Cheers Lee please do

gary999

  • Posts: 8156
Re: Without a van
« Reply #18 on: January 30, 2013, 09:29:21 am »
Gary can you recommend a good back pack, its not something i have looked into, how would you refil it at each job?? Obviously with a trolley i could take as many filled drums as id need.
Cheers

backpacks are all much of a muchness and before anyone mentions
quality the vast majority are made in china.

if using everyday and this is a personal opinion dont buy shurflo they
are overpriced and the pcb breakdown easily..you can get a equilivant
backpack from john hewitt or gardiners for a lot cheaper.

preferably get one with  controls on top of your pack,most of them
have the controls underneath as they were not originally designed for
wfp.

i have single speed ws18 and ws15 single speed which works fine for me
but variable control would more or likely be better for your self

i refill with barrels which weigh 25kgs fully loaded..if you will find this challenging
i would get a pump box instead which will have pump battery and flow controller
and hose connectors you can still use barrels if you dont want a tank in
your car..you would just drop one hose into a barrel and the other hose
would connect to your reel of microbore,would save all the humping around

Steven Butler

  • Posts: 1322
Re: Without a van
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2013, 10:48:15 am »
Cheers Gary
For now i only expect to be cleaning 2 days a week, not full time.
Can you recommend which might be best to buy mate? Cheers