[Robbie Parkes]

Hiya,

To cut a long story short, I'm an ex RN Engineer who moved to East Anglia just over a year ago because of an opportunity for the wife that was too good to turn down.

There's not much work in the defence industry near us, and I really fancy doing something different anyway, the more I read these forums the more I want to give windowcleaning a go. I should be able to still take my nipper to school and pick him up if the wife can't.

Is there anyone in the East Anglia area that would be willing to show me the ropes with a WFP system?

I'd also be very grateful if anyone could advise me what sort of set-up to get.

I have a Passat Estate at the moment (would like to swap it for a Van really tho'), cheapest option would probably be to set that up first with some sort of trolley system?

I'm away from now until Xmas, so I apologise in advance that I won't be able to reply to any posts promptly, unless I can get on my sisters computer at some point.

Merry Xmas to all 

[jamse]

where abouts in east anglia?

[AuRavelling79]

What's your age and more importantly, health like? Arms, legs, (arthritis) lungs, heart especially? How much do you need to earn and how quickly do you need to "ramp up" to that amount?

As you obviously have engineering ability then if you have a lump sum payout, pension and/or good credit then building your own system and putting it in a decent van would be the best way IMO.

Tosh, on this forum is ex-forces and his advice is good (he likes to pretend he's a bit of a numpty but he's not really! )

(I've worked from an estate and recently switched to a van - should have done it years ago!)

[MNWC]

Robbie
East anglia is a big place where abouts are you ?? :

[windows_chepstow]

Robbie,

What's your budget; how much cash have to got for your initial outlay?  Tell us and I'm sure we can advise.

Also, welcome to the forum, but I'm afraid you won't find any rum, bum and baccy here.

[Robbie Parkes]

Sorry chaps for the delay, hope everyone had a great Xmas 

Thanks very much for the replies.

I'm near Ely in East Anglia, pretty much out in the sticks, but lots of villages about the place.

I'm 45 years young  , not too bad fitness wise, but I certainly won't be running any marathons! I have a shoulder injury that worries me slightly, which is why I'd like to give it a go before parting with any cash tbh, most of the time it's fine, just now and then I get a bit of gip.

I don't need to ramp up that quickly, the wife earns enough to feed and house us (we have no clothes tho'  ), I'd eventually like to be earning around £1200 a month if possible, more would be nice obviously 

I reckon I could get my hands on £3-4k without too much trouble, so if I get a van it won't be very new!

'Also, welcome to the forum, but I'm afraid you won't find any rum, bum and baccy here' - I'll look elsewhere for that bit then 

Thanks again all, and a happy and profitable New Year to everyone.

[windows_chepstow]

Robbie,

I guess these are your options:

Option 1.  Start off using ladders and a squeegie.

Pros.  You'll learn how to use a squeegy effectively, quicker than you would using a WFP.  Low initial cost.

Cons.  It can be dangerous.  Hard work too.

Option 2.  Start off using WFP for 1st floor and above.  Ground floor squeegie.

(I work this way)  Pros.  Safe and easier than carting ladders around.  Can be quicker too.  Low start up costs.  Cons.  Hard work trailing a backpack around and you will not be quick (to start with) with a squeegy.

Option 3.  Do everything you can with a WFP.

Pros.  Quick and safe.  Cons.  Higher initial cost (you'll need a van capable of carrying 400 to 650 litres).  You'll take far longer to learn how to use a squeegy effectively.

That's my thoughts, though I bet I've missed lots of stuff.

Why don't you start off using ladders first, for six to twelve months and see how you take to the job, before spending wads of cash on something you might not stick?

[Paul Coleman]

Sorry chaps for the delay, hope everyone had a great Xmas 

Thanks very much for the replies.

I'm near Ely in East Anglia, pretty much out in the sticks, but lots of villages about the place.

I'm 45 years young  , not too bad fitness wise, but I certainly won't be running any marathons! I have a shoulder injury that worries me slightly, which is why I'd like to give it a go before parting with any cash tbh, most of the time it's fine, just now and then I get a bit of gip.

I don't need to ramp up that quickly, the wife earns enough to feed and house us (we have no clothes tho'  ), I'd eventually like to be earning around £1200 a month if possible, more would be nice obviously 

I reckon I could get my hands on £3-4k without too much trouble, so if I get a van it won't be very new!

'Also, welcome to the forum, but I'm afraid you won't find any rum, bum and baccy here' - I'll look elsewhere for that bit then 

Thanks again all, and a happy and profitable New Year to everyone.

Looking through the thread it seems that you would want to only run one vehicle for work and leisure.  As you have a school age child, would I be right in thinking that you would need a three seater van (if indeed you decide to get a van)?  Needing three seats would probably mean needing a larger van which could mean making it a bit harder to keep your outlay lower.
However, if you could keep the car and run a two seater (smaller?) van in addition, it might help.  Additionally, you would be able to claim full tax relief on the running costs of a van if you had a car as well.

[simon knight]

Hiya Robbie,

At the risk of stating the obvious you need to have a little door-knocking session around your area to see how big the demand is for w/c's. 

When I started up I spent the first week door-knocking. Every day from 8.30am 'til 6pm. It took me a while to get over my initial nervousness and get the sales spiel right, but I picked up (from memory) around 60 customers all of whom I assured would be contacted within a couple of weeks (most were happy with that.)

Only at that point did I buy ladders, roof bars, bucket etc....my outlay was about £150. 

Sorry I'll get to the point!  PLEASE check the demand before you even contemplate changing your car and lashing out £3-4k.

Good luck and happy new year.

[Robbie Parkes]

Cheers Shiner

I could probably get away with a two seater van if I decided to buy one, only have 1 son to drop at school.

I've enquired about a trailer system (car has a towbar already) which is well within my budget, I'm thinking this may be the best way to start until I have a customer base, and maybe move onto a van system later, I'm quite lucky in that we have a large area around the house in which to park and store things.

Is a trailer system a viable proposition for a total novice d'you think?

Simon - thanks also for the advice, I'm certainly not bothered about door knocking, I'm assured by a neighbour that the demand is there (he used to window clean around here before losing his licence) and if there's not enough I'll go a bit futher afield. 60 customers in a week would absolutely delight me! You did really well there!

Thanks for the help.

[windows_chepstow]

Robbie,

Have you thought about buying some work?

When I first started I had a lump sum payment from the army and could've bought work, but I didn't trust anyone so used the lump sum to pay bills while I built my round.

Looking back, I wish I'd purchased some work, rather than pay bills with the money.

Obviously the work I'd purchase would've paid the bills.

It's tough starting from scratch, since you end up with work peppered all over the place.

[Paul Coleman]

Cheers Shiner

I could probably get away with a two seater van if I decided to buy one, only have 1 son to drop at school.

I've enquired about a trailer system (car has a towbar already) which is well within my budget, I'm thinking this may be the best way to start until I have a customer base, and maybe move onto a van system later, I'm quite lucky in that we have a large area around the house in which to park and store things.

Is a trailer system a viable proposition for a total novice d'you think?

Simon - thanks also for the advice, I'm certainly not bothered about door knocking, I'm assured by a neighbour that the demand is there (he used to window clean around here before losing his licence) and if there's not enough I'll go a bit futher afield. 60 customers in a week would absolutely delight me! You did really well there!

Thanks for the help.

I wondered about the seat numbers as you might want it as a leisure vehicle too if you all wanted to go out somewhere.
It does sound like the trailer option you mention could be the best one for your current needs.  The main possible snag could be with working at places where the parking is tight.  It would probably be a choice that would provide a fair compromise between your startup costs and convenience.

[Robbie Parkes]

Tosh - it has crossed my mind tbh, I'd prefer to get out earning straightaway, my neighbour has said he'll ask a couple of the local window cleaners if they have any spare, obviously it'll be work they don't want but beggars can't be choosers.

If my big gob and (questionable  ) charm don't work I may look into using a canvassing company or something similar.

Shiner - I think, as you say, it's probably a good compromise for the present time. I hate that bloody Passat, but I'll have to put up with it for a few months more I suppose 

Thanks again chaps

[AuRavelling79]

Me again - I really would go straight to wfp  - safety is paramount and re-educating customers later takes time - but blade the bottoms if you wish.

£1200 a month - very acheivable and once rolling you'll do that in two weeks (ten days) or less per month.

www.window-tools.co.uk is how I started with a trolley system (£1500 all-in), but now I've "grown it" into a van mount and bought a backpack too. Peter Fogwill also does trailer systems and is very helpful.

Or - Matt's site is good for the build it yourself route.

[Londoner]

To be honest it doesn't have to be that complicated. A pump can be mounted anywhere, including on a bit of board on the back of your car, as can a Variflow.

A length of microbore on a £19.99 hose reel from B+Q and you are in business. A basic pole and brush from Varitech is £69 (from memory) and a few 25l drums for £5 each from Cleantech.

I wouldn't recommend buying a round, get yourself out on the knocker and drum up some business of your own. Even if its only 5 customers to start with you are away and you are a window cleaner.Thats what counts.

After that it up to you to improve your kit you and build your round. You will do both a whole lot better when you have a bit of experience do guide you.

Oh sure you will make mistakes, we all do that.

[Robbie Parkes]

Cheers Vince, I'm used to making mistakes 

Thanks also Malc, I'm definitely going to use WFP, the wife has put her foot down regarding me going up and down ladders and I'm not going to argue!

[lee_dewing]

hi robbie I switched from ladders to wfp sept I use the freedom trolley very good can get set up for a £1000 I have an escort van I use 160 litres a day ave.
I live in waltam abbey essex junc26 on M25 would gladly let you come out for a few hours here's my mobile 07769-905728 I'm sure you said cambridge ely? not a million miles away.
Lee