[[GQC] Tim]

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about, but before I went wfp I read all these threads on how much time it takes to get up to speed. Well I'm not sure if I'm an exception or what, but in my second week I smashed my daily earnings record, and that with 1,5hr to spare.

Yes I had done a lot of research on how to quickly but efficiently clean with a wfp, but what is all this talk about only 40% faster for months etc? In my first month I was already twice as fast? And I was very quick traditional.

I put a lot of that time saving to excellent tools like the SL-X, but still wfp has been an absolute dream for me, it's so easy, I earn atleast a good 100-150 more a day now. With perfect results (I do a lot of insides aswell, and gives you the perfect chance to check the windows).

Only thing that I hate, is top seals that hold drips, not the seals were the water just flows off easily they are easy, but the ones that when you rinse or scrub the top, they just sit there on the seal, they almost always come down as runs after you've finished. And even with oxidized frames, I can still do a good job, thanks to the advice on this forum.

Customers absolutely love it, I haven't had a bad remark, (only one who was furious, last wfp'er they ditched cuz he did a rubbish job, and took me on, because I used trad tools, then switched over, and she was absolutely mad, how could you etc, the windows look terrible, went over there, two windows were bad, builders decided to wash them with a hosepipe, probably washed the brickwork or something, even told the owner I was only there for 20min, while I was there for 2.5hr!! Cleaned them next time, customer was there, and she was delighted, absolutely marvellous how clean you get them she said, big big smile on her face, now that made me happy).

Anyway, customers have been properly trained with introduction letters, and it really helps to sell the system with realistic remarks, not promote is a magic wand, but things like getting your frames cleaned every time really made them smile. Also be careful to not say, there can be spotting in the beginning etc, you need to find the middle way, be honest to your customers about the system, do not create expectations that you cannot live up to. Customers love it, very happy.

I probably should thank this forum with everyone who answered questions, otherwise I'd never come this far.

[[GQC] Tim]

Oh, some tips I'd like to share.

When leading up to the switch, give all the frames, especially the top, a very good clean with a damp microfibre, it stinks, and the micros are absolutely black, but it helps so much when starting with wfp.

Another tip that is probably even more important, is stop using fairy asap, every one I spoke to and used fairy, had really bad spotting, because the soapy film on the glass breaks up due to the pure water, and unless you rinse very well, you can get problems.

Use a professional liquid instead, like squeegee off (I used that) or GG3/4 (Glass Gleam), GG3 and GG4 do not have much 'slip' and I couldn't get used to it, squeegee off did, and worked very well.

Also, start properly detailing all the seals, top, bottom and sides, there is where a lot of detergent gathers, and where you can get problems, especially on old seals, that might have detergent in them from decades.

That's all.

(sorry, another thing, is always get a bigger van then you think you need, I have a berlingo, but wish I had something bigger, get a 500l tank so you can do a bit of commercial, and fit a trigger on the pole, you'll save loads of water)

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trigger-Valve-Spray-Ideal-for-Water-Fed-Pole-Systems_W0QQitemZ380006720947QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[Oakley Windows]

I found on my first day wfp (and yes of course there was additional enthusiasm with having a new toy) that my earnings were 50% more than trad. Never looked back.

£150.00 a day EXTRA, thats something...

[cat9921]

Another dig at Trad 

Tim I am happy that you are loving WFP and keep up the good work.. But remember








                              TRAD RULES 

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

How long have you been WFP?


Bob

[tomy jackson]

trad is diyeing

[Oakley Windows]

Tim, those triggers you mentioned, do they need to be held in position all the time to maintain the flow of water ??

[mark dew]

however quick you are now will be nothing compared to how quick you will be in a years time.
Glad it's going well for you. 

[JSMC]

so you reckon stop using fairy  and go with certain liquids?
anyone else agree here?

[macmac]

Always said the same, get the best tools for the job, bouncy glass poles & oval brushes are a handicap before you even start IMO!

Pole & brush have the biggest impact on how easy your day is gonna be & how good a job you're gonna make in the least time!

Tony

[Joe Lauzon]

Tim, if you really were a very quick trad window cleaner, like you say, this has to be a wind up.  I'm 15% max quicker after 3 years of wfp.  I work as quick as the other wfp guys in the area, I work with a couple on a few big schools.

Is it the type of work that leads to the huge gains?  No offence, but I find this hard to believe, impossible actually, having been there and done (well, doing) it.  Certain commercial jobs I understand after a clean or two.  But in your 2nd week?  Come on...

[craig b]

fair play to ya you must have picked up a hell of alot of extra  work in short period of time..
whats the secret... or you telling porkys pies....

[NWH]

Tim, if you really were a very quick trad window cleaner, like you say, this has to be a wind up.  I'm 15% max quicker after 3 years of wfp.  I work as quick as the other wfp guys in the area, I work with a couple on a few big schools.

Is it the type of work that leads to the huge gains?  No offence, but I find this hard to believe, impossible actually, having been there and done (well, doing) it.  Certain commercial jobs I understand after a clean or two.  But in your 2nd week?  Come on...

15% quicker,no offense Joe but you can`t be quick with the pole.If it was only 15% quicker i`d be crying into my tea as we speak.A very fair gauge would be to say that over the course of a week if you just plod along with the pole and don`t really go for it you will knock at least a day off of your working week,you must be doing to much scrubbing.The comment about the longer you`ve been doing it the quicker it gets is so so true aswell,if your doing jobs on a regular basis the window`s hardly need scrubbing,sometimes it`s so quick it`s cringeable.

[windowwashers]

2 weeks and your a lot faster is telling me you are setting yourself up for a fall.

but if you are faster now wait for a few more months down the line experience gains time knowing where to stand ect with the pole, where to put hose, where to start etc etc etc etc in 2 weeks you cant gain this knowledge unless you clean every customers windows daily then I guess it can be done.

Good that you are excited though 

[NWH]

I would say also that if your as quick as you say you are in such a short time there`s no way your doing a top job,for 1 you don`t know what to look for from the ground to know there clean in such a short time doing it.I`m not knocking you i`m just saying at the start i was the same,i thought that was easy and on inspection some of the work was sub standard and if it was me i wouldn`t have paid for it.Keep keen though in about 6 months WC will seem like a hobby lol.

[Joe Lauzon]

Tim, if you really were a very quick trad window cleaner, like you say, this has to be a wind up.  I'm 15% max quicker after 3 years of wfp.  I work as quick as the other wfp guys in the area, I work with a couple on a few big schools.

Is it the type of work that leads to the huge gains?  No offence, but I find this hard to believe, impossible actually, having been there and done (well, doing) it.  Certain commercial jobs I understand after a clean or two.  But in your 2nd week?  Come on...

15% quicker,no offense Joe but you can`t be quick with the pole.If it was only 15% quicker i`d be crying into my tea as we speak.A very fair gauge would be to say that over the course of a week if you just plod along with the pole and don`t really go for it you will knock at least a day off of your working week,you must be doing to much scrubbing.The comment about the longer you`ve been doing it the quicker it gets is so so true aswell,if your doing jobs on a regular basis the window`s hardly need scrubbing,sometimes it`s so quick it`s cringeable.

Well, a day a week you say.  Thats 20%, I'm saying 15%, thats not a whole lot.  

To give some background, I am 33 and started at 17.  So I was young and experienced as a trad cleaner towards the end.  I did tend to "run" all day, and enjoy it as I play a lot of a sport.  That may explain the 5%?

To get more specific.  Lets take a little road I do.  8 houses.  All 3 bed semi's.  Modern houses, with standard upvc windows.  1 van move, 2 locked gates.  The houses are basic, not tiny, but almost all young families, you probably know the type.

I took 2 hours on a normal day using trad methods.  That allowed for no tea drinking and decent weather.

I am now taking 1 hr 40 minutes with the pole, allowing for no tea drinking,  or bad weather.

I charge 7.50 per house (south west), and regard it as a nice little patch for me.

Do either off those times sound out of sort to what you would expect?

[NWH]

I`m not calling you a liar Joe but what i can say is some houses are not really suitable for the pole,with some you will only knock a bit of time off but the thing to do to really get yourself saving loads of time is to refine all your work so that it is suitable for WFP work.I do mainly large domestic when i`m doing houses not cul-de-sacs or the like there to time consuming when you compare them to large houses,some houses that used to take me 2.30 - 3hrs trad can take as little as 45 mins now.If your doing terrace houses you can knock loads and loads out if your only doing fronts but if you have to do backs aswell the time saved is lost on the backs because of access etc,Some may say that WFP is 2-3 times quicker and the chances are these people have different work to another WC that says he`s lying.

[Joe Lauzon]

I`m not calling you a liar Joe but what i can say is some houses are not really suitable for the pole,with some you will only knock a bit of time off but the thing to do to really get yourself saving loads of time is to refine all your work so that it is suitable for WFP work.I do mainly large domestic when i`m doing houses not cul-de-sacs or the like there to time consuming when you compare them to large houses,some houses that used to take me 2.30 - 3hrs trad can take as little as 45 mins now.If your doing terrace houses you can knock loads and loads out if your only doing fronts but if you have to do backs aswell the time saved is lost on the backs because of access etc,Some may say that WFP is 2-3 times quicker and the chances are these people have different work to another WC that says he`s lying.

That would make sense.  I spent many years building up a tip top trad round only for some git to start this pole business!  :  Still I paid off my mortgage as a trad cleaner, (bar 2 years wfp) so I can take that as some comfort. 

200 quid a day is rare for me though, maybe I need to start getting out after work that fits the pole better.  Saying the local wfp guys I know are also on about 150-170 a day.

[ftp]

The obvious time saving comes with leaded windows. 

[NWH]

If you have no mortgage you laughing anyway,we all strive for that luxury.What do we all say about work well it pays the mortgage,if you don`t have 1 life must be a lot easier for you you git,saying that i only have a small 1 lol.