[Simonhammer]

Hello. I have started building up a round (afternoons only as I still work for Royal Mail) and I want to make the next step and purchase a backpack. Problem is I'm a bit blinded by the science of it all! Do I just need the backpack? Or do I have to buy a pole and a reverse osmosis unit too? Obviously at this stage of the game I cannot afford to buy a van and a complete WFP system to put in it but I'm hoping that the backpack will speed things up enough to enable me to add more customers in the afternoons, meaning I am earning more and enabling me to drop my day job asap.

Before you ask I have tried the search function and my eyes are starting to go square and I have a headache! Anyone who has one please tell me what I'll need to buy. Many thanks in advance, Simon.

[AuRavelling79]

What vehicle have you got and do you also need it for a family or just one or two of you?

[Llaaww]

don,t get too blinded by the wfp, if you are just starting out, washing windows with a squeegee is still a good earner, and it is still the cheapest way to start a business. Spend a bit of time working trad and save up for what you really need, looking on this forum will help you with that. you will also pick up some of the skills we all still use from time to time.

[NWH]

If i was starting i would still say you must have trad skills first,learn to know what a clean window looks like up close before you need to make that decision from the ground.

[Simonhammer]

What vehicle have you got and do you also need it for a family or just one or two of you?

BMW 318ise. Family car mate.

[Dean Aspects]

If you are going down the wfp route the first thing you need is a tds meter to test your water so you can decide whether you need di or ro then you can take it from there but learning trad as has already been pointed out is the best wy to start as you will need this skill anyway

Dean

[Scrimble]

go traditional

[NWH]

Yes go traditional but not to long.

[poleman]

go WFP

[Simonhammer]

If you are going down the wfp route the first thing you need is a tds meter to test your water so you can decide whether you need di or ro then you can take it from there but learning trad as has already been pointed out is the best wy to start as you will need this skill anyway

Dean

Cheers for that info mate. A tds meter you say. I'm sure I can find one of them on t'interwide webnet!

I can see where you guys are coming from r.e. trad. I've been doing it a little over 6 months now and won't be looking to buy a backpack till next April/May time at the earliest. My ultimate goal is to have a van with a complete wfp system in it...but that's probably a good 5 years away yet.

[Dean Aspects]

Personally i woudn't wait that long if you can afford it go for it sooner
the increase in turnover when upto speed and with a wfp friendly round will more than compensate the cost
a backpack a pole and a few barrels for pure water is a cheap start into wfp and it is not wasted money as you will still find a use for the backpack
I have been wfp for two years from a van system and am purchasing a backpack as some jobs will be much easier done with one

Dean

[NWH]

A backpack is not adequate enough for fulltime WFP,here come the comments but i have vanmount and backpack and no matter how handy the backpack can be for some it`s not suitable for fulltime WFP.

[Dean Aspects]

As i said a backpack is a cheap way into wfp especially if money is an issue
not everyone can come to terms with wfp so spending ££££ could be money needlessly wasted when a backpack setup is £££
Just my opinion take it or leave it 

Dean

[Chris Cottrell]

Perhaps theres someone near you with wfp that you could go see and chat too
where do you live?

[Chris Cottrell]

Sorry Simon I forgot your a N Walsham chap  : do you goto Worstead ?

[Davew]

Not forgetting of course if you get a backpack you are going to need a pole and a source of pure water (ro unit) and somewhere to produce it and a means of transporting water. Your car might be too nice for that.

[NWH]

Look into getting a pro2 trailer from ionic,it`s got everything a vanmount has it`s not to heavy so more or less any car can pull it,and when you outgrow it will sell easily.

[windowwashers]

Look into getting a pro2 trailer from ionic,it`s got everything a vanmount has it`s not to heavy so more or less any car can pull it,and when you outgrow it will sell easily.

Why not just get a van and a van mount and save yourself alot of hassle ?

[L.J.Thorpe]

you can build your own trolley system including pole barrels etc for under 800 quid ro units and a small di anything from 150 to 300 quid then work your way up. Buy an older estate car(escort astra) with a years mot bout 400 save your beemer wfp dont have to be any more expensive than you make it but before anything else spend a year and LEARN TO DO TRAD PROPERLY remember if you cant use a blade your not a real window cleaner and meanwhile try looking at the diy websites for pole help and guides while you build up a customer base and make some money then make switch when your ready

[Jeff Brimble]

Simon heres a link on how to start traditional.
http://www.windowcleaningcoach.com/windowcleaningtechnique.html but once you have learned how, then get off the ladders and go wfp to save your life.