[roundbuilder]

There is only one reason that there are still do trad full time.Its having to save up a meager income and spending on WFP equipment. Lets face it,it costs money to change.I don`t see them as opposites at all.But part of the same business.I do both as I cannot use a pole inside and in shopping centres. Anyone using only one system is the loser as they both have merit.

No way, i havnt traded for years apart from the odd inside clean. If a custy want them tradded and laddered i say bye bye and onto the next.

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

We offer both but mainly wfp tops; trad bottoms. We picked up a job because a window cleaner refused to trad just one bottom window. It's just a matter of being flexible. Why not trad one or two windows if it's safe to do so and if it keeps the customer happy!
We all do the same job; we just choose different ways of doing it that's all.

[C o z y]

Some can only see what they want to see. WFP here in Boxheadland is a non-starter between December to start of March. It goes down to minus 15 at night here in that time. There are the odd days where we get plus temps, but with the weather here, hot or warm water shock freezes on thermopane glass.
The way we work is, any snow (like now) we trad bottom windows only and reduce the price accordingly by a few Euroes. If we can, we use ladders, if not, downstairs only. Never had a moan from a custy yet.

Looking at some of the pics posted on here by members, I can honestly say, if I live and worked in UK with those windows that most houses have, I'd be WFP all the way. The prices you get in some parts of UK, it's just good business sense to be as fast and good as you can. So, yes, a no-brainer to a certain point.

The main problem with some "snobs" on here who like to put others who are trad down, to try and give the impression that WFP guys are far superior, are in-secure. This happens because some custies still don't trust WFP. And as long as trad guys are out there, they have a choice. I've had people ask me when I'm canvassing, "are you one of those pole thingy window cleaners"? They've had a bad deal in the past perhaps...........

I've never had a single person say to me "Push off with that squeegie rubbish, I want my windows cleaned and left wet"!!! Shocking eh? There are good and bad in both ways. What's funny, is bigheaded snobs who have forgotten how far down the food chain we are compared to "Refuse collection operatives" and "highway cleaning technicians" (Street sweepers). So try not to make a mug of yourself lads by puffing out those chests eh? 

[dazmond]

i use trad by the way but mainly for the odd ground floor windows and insides.

BUT I USE THE LADDERS ON ONE SMALL FRONT ONLY JOB!! and i did it today!she only has the front cleaned and a side window over a flat roof which cant be reached with the pole so i use the ladders on this job.she also has very dodgy rubber seals on all her front windows so trad all the way!

i also had a few up and over the flat roof jobs which i use ladders but i take my pole and hose over as well.a bit of a pain but this work is sandwiched in with a load of very compact easy access work.

but pole is used 80% of the time for both upper and ground floor windows.


regards

[C o z y]

By the way, forgot to say, it was Daz and Matt Bateman,(Both WFP) who told me to try downstairs only when there's snow or frozen ground. Nice to read stuff that helps. 

[tlwcs]

im only interested in doing it the trad way .  i remember when i started up about 6 yrs ago now, i had enough money to start up wfp ,ten times over, but its not for me .

 i like the simple  efficient way of doing things , my workers feel the same way-iv heard them saying it .

 i would always buy the base model van rather than 1 with electric windows etc , less to go wrong

Admirable. Why are you writing on a computer instead of a piece of paper. Less to go wrong on paper...

lmao

[dazmond]

if i remember rightly cozy i suggested using a trad pole for upper windows when really cold(-4 and lower)with screenwash in bucket.

i did this during the really heavy snow a few years ago but it only works on certain types of windows(mainly plate glass ones!).

im pretty good with a squeegee on a pole due to using this for years when i was trad for awkward windows!

obviously its not as good or as fast as wfp and you cant clean the frames properly but it kept me ticking over some days instead of not working as id had a full straight 2 weeks off during the heavy snow!

[gary999]

i wash and dry on  really bad days during the winter months
takes me not much over minute to blade off the excess water using
a pole

i have started offering this  service to new customers adding 20%
to the price some take it up others havent

either way i cant lose

[dazmond]

why gary?i dont understand your logic?if you wfp them with pure water at 000 why blade them afterwards?

please explain if you have time mate!


regards


dazmond

[DG Cleaning]

Get a grip Gary

[robertphil]

im only interested in doing it the trad way .  i remember when i started up about 6 yrs ago now, i had enough money to start up wfp ,ten times over, but its not for me .

 i like the simple  efficient way of doing things , my workers feel the same way-iv heard them saying it .

 i would always buy the base model van rather than 1 with electric windows etc , less to go wrong

Admirable. Why are you writing on a computer instead of a piece of paper. Less to go wrong on paper...

ur a rogue  for sure solar steve

[lal]

Very well said dazzmond.
After hearing of all the tales of window cleaners comming of ladders when working at height,the more i keep my feet on the ground the less chance i have of injury to myself or others.
That alone is a big enough reason not to use ladders.
Regards

Exactly, my ladder slipped on a wet driveway when I was at the top, lucky I didn't break my neck.
I now don't think it's worth risking my life for a tenner

+1

[telfordwindowclnr]

im only interested in doing it the trad way .  i remember when i started up about 6 yrs ago now, i had enough money to start up wfp ,ten times over, but its not for me .

 i like the simple  efficient way of doing things , my workers feel the same way-iv heard them saying it .

 i would always buy the base model van rather than 1 with electric windows etc , less to go wrong

Admirable. Why are you writing on a computer instead of a piece of paper. Less to go wrong on paper...

ur a rogue  for sure solar steve

[Richard iSparkle]

So do any of you who offer both services charge a premium for traditional?

[gary999]

Get a grip Gary

[gary999]

why gary?i dont understand your logic?if you wfp them with pure water at 000 why blade them afterwards?

please explain if you have time mate!


regards


dazmond

like i said in my post in really bad weather generally during winter
especially days with strong winds and i should add on main roads
with constant traffic heading into birmingham just wfping isnt
good enough so i quickly stick a squeegee on a pole and get
the majority of the water off the glass im not looking for perfection
detailing etc just something that takes seconds per windowobviously
i dont clean like that all the time unless they pay extra

i have been offering this  add on service to new customers i have one
customer a £25 clean i took on in november on a four week clean
who pays me 20% more during the winter months for what i would
consider a basic blade off,in the summer months the price will be
back down to £25 no need to blade and im getting what i would charge
for wfp anyway.

not many have taken it up but it is there if they want it,im happy
im getting more per clean and doing relatively little more for it

[dazmond]

thanks for explaining gary!


best wishes

[Johnny B]

Some can only see what they want to see. WFP here in Boxheadland is a non-starter between December to start of March. It goes down to minus 15 at night here in that time. There are the odd days where we get plus temps, but with the weather here, hot or warm water shock freezes on thermopane glass.
The way we work is, any snow (like now) we trad bottom windows only and reduce the price accordingly by a few Euroes. If we can, we use ladders, if not, downstairs only. Never had a moan from a custy yet.

Looking at some of the pics posted on here by members, I can honestly say, if I live and worked in UK with those windows that most houses have, I'd be WFP all the way. The prices you get in some parts of UK, it's just good business sense to be as fast and good as you can. So, yes, a no-brainer to a certain point.

The main problem with some "snobs" on here who like to put others who are trad down, to try and give the impression that WFP guys are far superior, are in-secure. This happens because some custies still don't trust WFP. And as long as trad guys are out there, they have a choice. I've had people ask me when I'm canvassing, "are you one of those pole thingy window cleaners"? They've had a bad deal in the past perhaps...........

I've never had a single person say to me "Push off with that squeegie rubbish, I want my windows cleaned and left wet"!!! Shocking eh? There are good and bad in both ways. What's funny, is bigheaded snobs who have forgotten how far down the food chain we are compared to "Refuse collection operatives" and "highway cleaning technicians" (Street sweepers). So try not to make a mug of yourself lads by puffing out those chests eh? 

Well said!

John

[rosskesava]

Admirable. Why are you writing on a computer instead of a piece of paper. Less to go wrong on paper...

There are two ways to clean windows but only one way to post this on here.

The original question was about why some still trad windows and about not how wfp is superior, better, incredible, and so on. If some want to do windows trad style and they're happy with that, why the put downs?

[C o z y]

Insecurities because custies still have a choice