[Pj]

Well?

[Moderator David@stives]

pirate please tell me the truth i ahave been 1 yeare also and i want the truth

Dave

[poleman]

You should be in bed go to bed now its 3am 

Andy

[Ian_Giles]

Guys, unless this thread begins to make sense I'll delete the next time I log on.

Ian

[steve m]

glad someone reads it the same as me

[Ian_Giles]

Thats better Pirate Jack

Now there is something that others can comment on, offer advice, aggree or dissagree with.
I'd make some comments of my own with regards to what you have posted, but only on a flying visit...

Ian

[paul mather]

15 years trad & 20 days WFP,

You make some good points, I don't think anyone should go into WFP expecting to double their income in 1st 6 months, but even on 1st cleans I am already earning a little more per hour than I used to.

It is the safety aspect that encouraged me to change over, with the hope I moght earn a bit more each day, so far so good.

As for quality of clean, I think UPVC windows come up best, old white painted windows that are in need of a lick of paint seem to be a nightmare.

[Jeff Brimble]

So your not going to fall off but are in pain. Maybe with hindsight less pain than when trad ? You are not making loads of money but you are still earning- is that a problem ? I have had frozen shoulders and RSI for 18 months , if you have it in most of your joints maybe its not RSI but athritiis, have you tried doing proper excercises or been to see a specialist.

Sounds like your using a trolley ?
Quote "it wears me out, even with a light pole"  how light is your "light pole" and what weight is the brush ? Not forgetting the higher you go the harder it gets, I know cause I just spent 4 days cleaning at 65ft.

[Moderator David@stives]

I have just lost another customer due to them not liking wfp.
I have had this customer for 7 years and been doing them for the last 9 months wfp.

This is about the 8th one now along with another 5 who have complained but are giving me another chance.

I must say there were no suprises with the ones i have lost, I had a feeling they would be the ones to moan

Dave

[spotless2000]

I have just lost another customer due to them not liking wfp.
I have had this customer for 7 years and been doing them for the last 9 months wfp.

This is about the 8th one now along with another 5 who have complained but are giving me another chance.

I must say there were no suprises with the ones i have lost, I had a feeling they would be the ones to moan

Dave

Dave

What do they not like about WFP?  What are their complaints?

Do you think their complaints are justified?

I'm interested to know if it's the process of using the WFP that they are not happy with or it's the results of the clean.

I started my business form scratch using WFP only and there are definitely some windows / frames that suit and some that don't.

I've not had a complaint about using WFP but I have had some windows that have produced a poor result (mainly due to the poor quality of paintwork on wooden frames).

Steve

[JM123]

I agree that some jobs are better done with the squeegee, but most of our own jobs are better suited to wfp, in most cases I feel wfp does a much better job, I try to inspect all our cleans at least once every 3 months for spots etc and have to say that 90% of the time there isn't a spot to be found, even with the jobs where the owner has let me have a quick look upstairs. 

All in I feel if you use the highest quality water (0ppm) and rinse well then you should have very few problems whilestill being able to work a lot quicker than with ladders, just don't expect miracles in the first 2/3 months, but after that most should be able to work at double their traditional rate.

[welmac]

well 90% of my work is 4 storey hotels. as im no longer running up and down my triples i have easily halfed my work time, which means my hourly rate has gone up. however on the remainder of my work that is normal size houses im only slightly faster  (faster non the less though) using WFP.

i have always used van mounted, and never needed trolley system. theres no way that i would consider going back to TRAD. although if im honest i would say i clean what most would say is ideal for WFP.

when i was on the ladders i used to suffer from bad knees, but now thats gone, and i dont have any other RSIs to moan about.

WELMAC

[jeff evans]

Dave.
Do you have lads working for you or are you a one man band ?

If you have lads working for you this is most likely to be the problem, we all get a little lazy unless we have someone on our shoulder watching.

From my limited experence wfp is as much a skill as working the traditional method, each and every window is different and it takes a long time to gain this knowledge.

Just my thoughts

Cheers jeff

[Moderator David@stives]

Jeff

you are right all the losses and complaints were all aimed at staff,I am back to 2 of us at the moment and may keep it that way.

Dave

[jeff evans]

Dave do you work with your lads?

Iwould suggest you keep the same lad to the same houses every time they are cleaned, i know this is not poss all the time, but this way you make them responsable for that house and they will gain the experence of the windows of that particular house.

Cheers jeff

[Moderator David@stives]

Jeff

i work seperately on my own, and have not worked the cancelled work myself for 9 months.

I am seriously thinking of going solo again

Dave

[ronaldo]

Jeff

i work seperately on my own, and have not worked the cancelled work myself for 9 months.

I am seriously thinking of going solo again

Dave

Cant beat working on your own, get rid of all the crap and just do the quality stuff 

[DASERVICES]

  Was trad originally but used to get annoyed by the marks left by the scrim and
  bad rubbers. Really irritated me as always wanted to get the perfect window.

  So after a lot of not trusting WFP could do the job, decided to take the plunge
  in Jan. Lost loads of money in first couple of months with first cleans but now
  earning more however overheads are higher. So have not calculated yet if I
  am making more profit than last year.

  WFP is good on PVC framed windows, leaded windows, wooden framed windows
  but flaky windows/ slash a nightmare. Also where the rubbers have perished
  also a nightmare.

  Have had no problems with spots but the odd run from the top, so always check
  my work after I have finished.

  Now employing, either the guy is blind or is not bothered. Always seem to be
  mopping up his work but being patient as he is learning I hope. But now looking
  into the idiots guide of window cleaning, if I find that then problem solved. But
  may be onto a winner  

  My veiw, yes more money coming in but more expenses so I think profit the
  same. But no more going up ladders and holding my breath when I feel it slip.

  Going forward will reduce my outgoings, looking good. Employ more people
  and have come up with the best people to employ casually.

  Overall best move I have made, good for big houses but not good for small
  houses.

  Time is money, money is more quality time spent with your family. Life is too
  short to worry about the next day.

  Doug


  

[Paul Coleman]

I have just lost another customer due to them not liking wfp.
I have had this customer for 7 years and been doing them for the last 9 months wfp.

This is about the 8th one now along with another 5 who have complained but are giving me another chance.

I must say there were no suprises with the ones i have lost, I had a feeling they would be the ones to moan

Dave

Sounds like your losses are about the same as mine David.  I would rather have a new customer than a moaner though.

[chris@c.m.s]

I collected payment this week from a customer who about a year ago was not easily convinced to have another window cleaner due to bad experiances with the last one, definatly one who I would consider fussy, however I had no complaints trad with her. anyhow last clean for her was Wfp she was well informed I was changing methods and on collecting I asked her if she was happy with the windows her comment "yes its great they somehow seem to be cleaner" I walked away with a smile. It doesnt suit every job but I'm happy with those that it does and some of the others may be history.