[JSMC]

I am looking to start a window cleaning business soon. I should be able to get work no problem from my partners father who runs his own firm but what i need to know is the type of pole and pumps, RO units  best to get.

thanks

[tartan cleaning]

for poles look at the xtel ones though there are plenty other to chose from shurflo pumps are good and 4040 Ro will last you years i would look at some websites like www.wintecs.co.uk or gardiners site can't remember address loads of other suppliers to compare prices

[JSMC]

basically need as much info as possible here guys. would you recommend getting a system fitted or buy parts myself and fit it. type of pole fibre, alloy (omnipole) etc.

waiting on good advice from you people

[Elginn]

There is a good beginners Guide to wfp on Jouk45 site

http://www.w.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1008

[Mike_G]

Why dont you go and bend your partners dad's ears? I am sure he could tell you and show you lots.

[JSMC]

Why dont you go and bend your partners dad's ears? I am sure he could tell you and show you lots.

he don't use a pole. He said he doesn't have to and he is always knocking back work due to it being at height. A lot of his work is pubs, shops, petrol stations, car showrooms etc. He ha sa very good business. he will be able to show me how to clean doing it the old way but i wanna get tyhe pole and leanr the new way. he thinks this is a good idea.

[Feen]

I use backpacks. One for my back and one on a trolley. I use the trolley where the ground is good (pavements etc) and the backpack when in gardens and the like. I have a 25ft xtel hybrid and a cut down glass fibre pole for downstairs and low work. I don't need an RO unit here so I can't comment on that. I do fine with this set up, which hasn't cost the earth (one backpack was off ebay from US for £120). I would recommend you go slowly and see how you get on. If you find you like the work (you may find you don't) and are expanding suitably, think about employing someone and getting a van system. Lots of money all round. Take it easy and do as the cliche says...learn to walk before you try to run Good luck

[NWH]

Van mount from the start.

[Alex Wingrove]

is the debt worth it

start at the bottom and work your way up, do you have that much money to throw around

if so can i have some please

[Feen]

Van mount from the start.

and if he doesn't take to the work lots of dosh down the pan

[Dean Aspects]

Van mount from the start.

and if he doesn't take to the work lots of dosh down the pan

Exactly my thinking too many people rush into wfp without knowing anything about it not everyone takes to it so spending ££££ is foolish when you can spend a couple of£££ and a back pack will not be wasted money as it can still be used on awkward houses if you do go down the van mount route at a later date

Dean

[Village Gleam]

You've got at least four options.(assuming money isn't a problem and you have a van. The best vans are a vivaro or scudo. Bigger vans hold more water.)
Option I. Six months on here learning whats what, then buy the bits from cleantech or gardiners.
Option 2. Phone a supplier up and ask him what you need. my experience is that all of the suppliers mentioned on here can be trusted.
Option 3 Get someone like purefreedom to fit you a system. They won't oversell you either.
Option 4. Get a top of the range Ionics or concept02 system.

Quite unusually the suppliers in this industry all have good reputations (I mean the ones mentioned on this forum ). This forums sponsor express are also very good.
What's your home like for space do you have a garage you can put an ro in. Do you have space for a holding tank somewhere or do you need to produce water on the van. Are you going to be working near your home?

I agree with NWH van mount from the start. Do you want a business or a job?

[NWH]

Mr Solubility what a good post your last one was,that`s the kind of advice i would have liked at the start.

[JSMC]

You've got at least four options.(assuming money isn't a problem and you have a van. The best vans are a vivaro or scudo. Bigger vans hold more water.)
Option I. Six months on here learning whats what, then buy the bits from cleantech or gardiners.
Option 2. Phone a supplier up and ask him what you need. my experience is that all of the suppliers mentioned on here can be trusted.
Option 3 Get someone like purefreedom to fit you a system. They won't oversell you either.
Option 4. Get a top of the range Ionics or concept02 system.

Quite unusually the suppliers in this industry all have good reputations (I mean the ones mentioned on this forum ). This forums sponsor express are also very good.
What's your home like for space do you have a garage you can put an ro in. Do you have space for a holding tank somewhere or do you need to produce water on the van. Are you going to be working near your home?

I agree with NWH van mount from the start. Do you want a business or a job?

i have a good paid job at the m,oment but want to earn more money on the weekends. I reckon her dad will sort me out with work and he said if i do get a pole it would open up more avenues for work should i want it. If i sell my car and clear my loan off then i will take anothe rloan out and buy a small van. Combo, partenr or berlingo. i would then have a tank system in it possibly 400 ltr (is this suitable or not enough) i know the workload of these vans go up to 800kg on the partner van.

i could us ethe van for travelling to work through the week and also use it at weekends to make some more cash. I would not be paying out any more than roughly what i pay out just now if i stick to my budget for the van and system. I would buy my van from auction. My friend has a car selling business and he informed me i could pick a van up cheap from commercial auctions.

would you recommend fitting system myself or getting someone to do it. i am fairly handy at things like this. it doesn't look to complicated to do. First seal the floor of van and then set up securing the tank etc. coonec tbattery up to car for powering the pump etc.

my concern is the filling of tanks etc with water. i would need to fit a tap outsid my house and the pressure is only household pressure and this would take a while filling tank.

mor einfo require don what to do regarding the water situation.

I have ordered a small TDS meter from ebay as we speak to figure out type of wate rin my area.

at end of day if it goes tits up or i dont like it i sell the van buy a car and then sell the bit son ebay or on here. I wouldn't lose too much i reckon.

[Dean Aspects]

It is good advice if you are motivated and dedicated to making a business work but if you are just starting out then a backpck is a good test the water start
Whatever you choose good luck at window cleaning it can be rewarding

Dean

[JSMC]

at the end of the day there is an established business ther efor me in the future as my partner will end up getting it and  i would be daft to turn down thew chance of it.

[NWH]

If your serious about making it work then WFP IS the way to go no doubt,so what will you do go out and buy a trolley or backpack and realise what you already new,it`s the only way to clean window`s.All you need to do is to go out for a day or 2 with a fully fledged poler there must be someone on here close by to you,that`s all the confirmation you`ll need to know that it`s the way you want to go.Save your money at the moment and don`t waste it on backpacks and trolleys,at the end of the day they just don`t give you enough water to hand unless your prepared to keep filling barrels up alday or refilling your backpack,1 tank of water turn on and work and at the end of the day go home and fill.To see if WFP is for you buying a backpack or trolley is not the answer,all you need to do is like i said go out with someone that`s got experience with the pole.

[Feen]

NWH, I'm sure your advice is genuine, but I have to disagree. To go out with a wfp'er for a day or two will show you how things work. What it won't show you is if you like it (and I don't mean as opposed to trad) or not. That takes quite a while. Awkward customers, bad weather, fitting in holidays etc etc. Days without income, because it is minus ? deg C for a week or more. The guy has a good job and he wants some weekend work to boost his income. He says he will get his partner's dad's round in time. Why go for a van system for weekend work?

[NWH]

Everyone i know who has gone WFP has said they wished they done it sooner and they also wished they had a bigger van or tank from the start,all i`m saying is that if he`s really keen on making a go of it WC that is,then start as you mean to go on.

[Feen]

Fair point. What he has to decide is whether he is serious or not and he has time to do that. Whatever he does it should be wfp.