If WFP hadn't been invented would you still be a window cleaner ?

« **on:** January 28, 2013, 03:05:10 pm »

Reading a post on here recently that said something along lines of too many window cleaners these days as its so easy now with WFP anyone can clean windows.

Is this true for some WFpolers out there.

Personally I started trad and went wfp after 6 months so yup I still would be using ladders and tradding if no such thing as wfp.

Using a ladder never bothered me.

Are there some wfpolers than cant trad ?

« **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:14:29 pm »

Cleaned windows for 9 years I would still be cleaning windows trad and it wouldnt bother me one bit. My grandad who I worked for 6 years before going it alone still cleans windows on ladders no he is 71.
I think if there was no wfp there wouldnt be half as many as there is.

« **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:15:35 pm »

Quote from: Woods cleaning services on January 28, 2013, 03:14:29 pm

Cleaned windows for 9 years I would still be cleaning windows trad and it wouldnt bother me one bit. My grandad who I worked for 6 years before going it alone still cleans windows on ladders no he is 71.
I think if there was no wfp there wouldnt be half as many as there is.

I suspect u may be correct but if people are honest then we will find out

« **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:42:13 pm »

I honestly don't know - if I hadn't fallen off a ladder and was still physically fit then probably.

But if the powers that be banned wfp I could never go back to trad.!

« **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2013, 03:53:05 pm »

For me yes as I was trad for 27 years, WFP for 5 years now. I still do about 10% trad and don't mind it at all.

Mind you, I know some out there who cannot even climb a ladder, as dont like heights, as for working off a ladder, not a chance.

I would expect at least 20% would not be out there if WFP was not here.

Steve

« **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:00:30 pm »

I can trad just fine,its how i started.
However i hate ladders,dont feel safe on them.
If it wasnt for wfp i would have probably jacked it in by now!

« **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:20:25 pm »

im only interested in the ladder side myself. i like a bit of a challenge and old style ways of working.

« **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:22:43 pm »

16 years in the game and counting, 100% trad, so my answer is 'yes'.

John

« **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:25:03 pm »

I voted 'No', but then I retired from the tools three years ago

Started in the late 60's and enjoyed every minute of my ladder work days. Even after a nasty fall in '78 I still went back as soon as I could.

Kept me fit and I used to get a real 'high' from the exercise - came home every day feeling I'd earned my money

« **Reply #9 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:30:03 pm »

I went wfp about 12 months in due to a fall and the need for a knee op , now 7 years later i would sell up without a second thought of going back on the rungs full time again , if wfp never came to be , i dont think i would still be in it either !

Rich

« **Reply #10 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:35:49 pm »

Interesting question and my honest answer ............. No!
I wouldn't have been prepared to climb ladders at my age for a living and if wfp were banned tomorrow then I'd look for another job.

« **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:53:18 pm »

I have been a window cleaner for 12 years and wfp for the last 3 years. When I look back at some of the things I used to do before climbing on tiles etc before wfp it makes me cringe. Looking back I was so stupid just trying to please customers yet risking life and limb.

« **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2013, 04:57:42 pm »

yes, half of me work is going up the ladder.

any building is three story high the pole come out!

« **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:02:21 pm »

Quote from: robertphil on January 28, 2013, 04:20:25 pm

im only interested in the ladder side myself. i like a bit of a challenge and old style ways of working.

eeeee when I was a lad it was all fields around here

« **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:10:52 pm »

Yes I would still be trad but I would be hating going up a ladder all the time and my earnings would be lower and less work and more knackerd!

« **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:14:34 pm »

yes to be honest I like to still use ladders and do so for 30% of work. I have got a bad knee though which I think is down to the square rungs on ladders rather than the older style rungs.
Sometimes I look back and think how simple those days were and it would be nice to just use a normal car with a few rags in the back and a ladder on the roof. The good old days.
I'm being serious when I say I mis em.

« **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:19:09 pm »

Honest answer is No. I only got into window cleaning because of WFP some 9 years ago. It started out as an add on to our pressure cleaning business, now is the main part of our business.

Whilst I can clean trad way, insides and some shops, I would not feel safe climbing ladders.

Good question Ian...It does make it easier for people to start up window cleaning, if you don't like heights etc, however, you still have to be business minded, still have to work out in all weathers, still have to do a good job cleaning the windows, still have to find customers. I have seen many new window cleaners start up WFP and after a year or so they are gone.

Steve G

« **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:21:19 pm »

No. I did originally plan on starting trad. I bought a ladder and equipment, but in the end decided that it just wasn't for me at 47. I use a ladder for the odd job, but no I would not do this on ladders. Different job.

« **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:22:31 pm »

I'd just be charging much, much more.

« **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2013, 05:36:42 pm »

not a chance....not interested one little bit in working
that hard again

Poll

If WFP hadn't been invented would you still be a window cleaner ?