[Davo]

Theres no doubting the safety of wfp over traditional window cleaning methods,

This forum is predominantly pro wfp. Its quicker ( MORE MONEY) It reaches hard to access windows (MORE MONEY)It cleans facias soffits cladding (EVEN MORE MONEY) It brings up tired old moss covered conservatories to an "As new" condition ( EVEN BETTER MONEY).

AND ALL THIS FROM THE SAFETY OF THE GROUND.

SO ITS SAFE AND THIS IS WHERE THE DANGER LIES.

This profession is no longer restricted to those who can work at height and to those who carried out a dangerous job in virtually all weathers.

In "The good old days"it was hard graft for relatively not alot of money.

Now look....Smart sign written vans, earnings of £600- £1000 a week not uncommon ( Info taken from this forum)
Neoprene gloves windproof/waterproof fabrics for some theyve never had it so good.

As a new comer ( I discovered this site by accident while looking for another non-window cleaning related topic) I would never have considered entering this profession, especially at my age (45), as a trad cleaner.

However that was before I discovered the secret of the wfp. This week I took a week off work and canvassed for 30 hours using many pieces of information from this site.

Result
 £740 of regular cleans (20-25 hours work)
 £350 of one off conservatory cleans ( 4 jobs 8 hrs work max - may stretch it)

I work full time (good job) so Ive subbed all the work except the conservatory work. The subbie will use my van, my equipment and wear my company uniform.
He'll earn between £90-£120 a day and start work after finishing at the bakery where he works 4am till 9 am (he cant wait for me to get him more work, hes sick of getting up at 3am for £6.90 hour)

Now all this is taking work from someone else - I dont apologise for that- there were houses being cleaned by whoever in the areas I canvassed. I was cheaper on one of the conservatory jobs than a quote from her existing cleaner but I didnt tell the customer that I wouildnt undercut another cleaner so I didnt want the job ( was that wrong) BTW £75 for small conservatory 1 hr .

If it wasnt for the pole and this forum I wouldnt have ever considered window cleaning.

This is an easier safer business now...and the money doesnt look too bad either.

And with that comes increased competition.

AND THAT CAN BE AS DANGEROUS AS FALLING OFF A LADDER!


Mark

[Helen]

 Ive subbed all the work except the conservatory work. The subbie will use my van, my equipment and wear my company uniform.

Suggest you revisit your idea of "subbying". On the terms you have put that is fully employing someone.

[xxmattyxx]

Im not sure I understand the point you are trying to make.

Why is competition as dangerous as falling off a ladder?

[Davo]

Im not sure I understand the point you are trying to make.

Why is competition as dangerous as falling off a ladder?


[/quote

Because they can both be harmfull to your business. This business is now more open to competition because its no longer as dangerous as it used to be.

Mark

[xxmattyxx]

That doesnt make it dangerous, no more dangerous than any other business where competition is involved anyway.

[windowwashers]

 Ive subbed all the work except the conservatory work. The subbie will use my van, my equipment and wear my company uniform.

Suggest you revisit your idea of "subbying". On the terms you have put that is fully employing someone.

Good point

[Davo]

That doesnt make it dangerous, no more dangerous than any other business where competition is involved anyway.

Ok . The wfp has been introduced into this job to aid window cleaners and provide a safer enviroment in which to work. The irony of this developement is that it IS attracting new cleaners into the market that otherwise wouldnt have bothered, mainly because of the dangers involved. More cleaners more competition. This is potentially dangerous to your living. Damaging would have been a better word to use, but the title of the post was WFP---Dangerous.

I hope that helps to clarify the point.

Mark

[windowwashers]

I've read you post twice and have come to the conclusion that your not a window cleaner, your a fraud. I can't see how you have the audacity to post on this forum myself. Basically your telling people you have a good job that your not willing to give up to follow this profession instead your buying equipment with income from your ' good job' and paying someone else to do all the work. Do you even know how us window cleaners really work I doubt you do. The person you are paying to do this work is not a sub-contractor, he is an employee and by the sounds of it he is not insured by you! You even admit to undercutting other window cleaners to get work, what a nice man you are. You scum and a fraud, basically your just a cow boy!

I suggest you reconsider what your telling people because if you come on here boasting to us true professionals we don't want to read it. 

I think that upset you a little then:

I have no comment about the post as from what I read was put there for a negative reaction IMO.

[colley614]

So my post has been deleted now. All I can say is I have made over 500 posts previously and not one has had a negative word or comment in. I'm not going to write anymore on this but think that it is rude and think the whole thread should be deleted!

Windowwashers you joined the same time as me and you pretty much post the same time of day as me and you know that I've never aimed a dig at anyone in my time being here. Although I've had digs thrown at me a few times!

[Davo]

[

I have no comment about the post as from what I read was put there for a negative reaction IMO.

No that doesnt upset me. I quoted at my money, it just so happened to be less than someone elses quote. What would you do? Let it go cos its not "morally right".
As for the rest of the post....hes entitled to his opinion, doesnt really change anything though.
Who says I have to clean em myself, Ive done the tricky bit...getting decently priced work.
Dont give out all this wonderful advice and then moan when someone uses it.

Mark

[Ian_Giles]

you can no longer get away with 'subbing' the work out, that's no no.

Legally he should be insured by you, and that means employers liability and all the other costs that being an employer ensues.

I also do not really fear newcomers coming into the job and going WFP.

They still need trad skills, and they will be very slow learning them.
WfP also takes investment, has much higher running costs and most certainly has a certain skill level.
Knowing how to price properly is also harder for a WFP newbie, and unless they have a very good understanding of how to run a business properly a great many will  fall by the wayside.
And of course, if they have invested a few grand equiping themselves with WFP, they still have to pick up the business to be able to earn this incredible income!

Have to say I read your post with a fair degree of cynicism, in just 30 hours of canvassing you picked up a shed load of really well priced work and have someone who has never done the job before earning over a £100 a day!!

Methinks the reality is very very different.

Ian

[Ian_Giles]

Colley,
you have email.

Ian

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

I beg to differ but you are entirely wrong, competition  is healthy as it keeps you on your toes, it is by far dangerous as you say. You need to think what you are stating before posting, also reading between the lines if  you are not in the profession and employing someone else to do the work for you therefore not liable for tax/insurance etc then this is also wrong.
As for undercutting other w/c’s this is the last place you wanna brag about it as this is a underhand way of conducting this business. It would be a bit like me standing outside our local corner shop and selling cheap imported f*gs with no duty paid on them.

[colley614]

Ian,

I did not receive any email try colley614@hotmail.co.uk or info@elitewindowcleaningnw.co.uk.

Thanks! 

[windowwashers]

So my post has been deleted now. All I can say is I have made over 500 posts previously and not one has had a negative word or comment in. I'm not going to write anymore on this but think that it is rude and think the whole thread should be deleted!

Windowwashers you joined the same time as me and you pretty much post the same time of day as me and you know that I've never aimed a dig at anyone in my time being here. Although I've had digs thrown at me a few times!

Colley I get digs at me all the time, I love it, was a little strong about Mark you know what I mean it was deleted, and the post in the first place IMO a litte wrong, I cant blame you for writting what you did, I just thought I would hold back and see what others put, I dont like some of the things said but everyone has the right to post and davo will get alot of replys to the post and i am guessing alot will not be good ones, soon see.

one thing that was wrote I cant see the problem which is getting work and someone else to do it, anyone that employs people are doing the same thing, thats called business, I do it and so do many on here

[LWC]

im reply to the main post..."OH SHUT UP" lol 

there are so many window cleaners in my area, we all get along just fine and dandy. i often stop and talk to all of them. I know them well.

although to be honest, id prefer to fall out with one of them or loose some work to them than fall off a ladder  :

[Ian_Giles]

Ian,

I did not receive any email try colley614@hotmail.co.uk or info@elitewindowcleaningnw.co.uk.

Thanks! 

Amended, have forwarded it to your hotmail address.

It will be from ismcleaning@aol.com

Ian

[jeff1]

Hello Ian 
Nice to see you back, where have you been hiding

Sorry Guy's back on topic.

[Ian_Giles]

Hello Ian 
Nice to see you back, where have you been hiding

Sorry Guy's back on topic.

I've been about......watching! 

Ian

[colley614]

To Ian and the rest of the members on the board. I Apologize for my statement!