[pikeman]

Hi first i will say what a great forum. I am a bricklayer but the work has really dried up in the construction industry. Always thought about window cleaning but done quite well in the building over the last 10 years, so no need. Just  wondered what the minimum tools i would need to try it out. I do have savings which i could live on for a while until i built up a round. Hence cannot claim a penny in benefits. It seem wfp is the way to go but i do not want to risk that much capitol just yet. I live in dudley where there seem to be a few window cleaners. Do you think  i would be able to make a viable living? Also would it take long to get up speed ? Never clean a window in my life. This forum has really got me interested.

[Mike 108]

I started 2 years ago (nearing retiring age) with just a set of ladders, a 'bucket on a belt', a window washer (applicator) and a couple of 'squeegees'. Less than £200. You might already have the ladders.

I was shown the basics by another window cleaner and was given 12 houses to start off with. Most of the cleaners round here talk with one another and so I picked up a few more from some of them.

I picked up the rest by leafleting (some success), door knocking (some success but not very enjoyable) and by recommendation (most successful).

I learnt nearly everything from this forum.

After 12 months I started to experiment with water fed pole and now do most of my houses that way.

Again, I learnt nearly everything from this forum (and I am continuing to learn).

At first, (unless you buy a round), you have to be prepared to pick up bits and pieces all over the place - it takes time to get good runs of houses all located in the same area. As you pick up more close together, you can give the isolated ones to other cleaners that you might see operating in the area (they might give you some).

The questions/answers on the forum are now mostly about water fed poles - therefore you need to look through the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section for past advice on 'traditional' window cleaning.

Practice on your own house and time yourself.

Try and find out what other window cleaners are charging.  Pricing the job correctly is the hardest part - there's no enjoyment working for 'peanuts'.  Work out some kind of formula by using your own house, friend's houses or relation's houses as a template.

If you're out of work and stuck at home with nothing to do, go for it!

If it starts to take off, you need to register as 'self-employed' with HM Revenue and Customs within 3 months.

Good luck

Mike

[pikeman]

Thanks for the great advice, I will get the basics try on my own house and relatives and see how i perform. Just been to a friends house and opposite is a block 24 of 1 storey flats, a window cleaner there has  the lot at £6 a flat. Wattched him for a while and all he has is a bucket and a rag. Just wipes them with the rag by the looks of it. Unless he goes round with the squeegee first. Funny how i never notiched window cleaners before i thought about it myself. I am learning loads off this forum. Many thanks.

[Dean Aspects]

You dont really need to go on a course unless you really want too save your money and practice yourself on freinds family and neighbours another way is to ask a local window cleaner if you can go with them for the day do it for free he gets help for a day you learn something then go out and find some work on the job training is always the best way you learn from the mistakes you make

[pikeman]

Thanks again. What do you advise to buy just to get me started. I have already learnt off this site it is best to buy good quality equipment.

[Dean Aspects]

If you are going to do trad then i would recommend Ettore products try www.cleantech.co.uk they also do wfp equipment or try www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk their are many suppliers though so do research to satisfy your own personal requirements

[pikeman]

Hi just been on window cleaning warehouse and they do a complete ettore proffesional window kit for £110 plus vat.Includes: Super System Handle - Quick Release Handle - Stainless Steel Channels 8", 10", 12", 14" - Rubbers 8", 10", 12", 14" - 8' Reach Pole - Scrapemaster Scraper and Replacement Blades - 14" Golden Glove Sleeve - Sturdy Nylon Reinforced Case. would i buy the applicator separate. What else would i need to get me going. Many thanks for all your helpful advice.

[tacky]

spare rubbers. pair scissors .to trim end of rubbers .rags .but looking at the package from w c w.  u.probly buy the same stuff off them seperatly .or other suppliers for half the price .

[cvdewsbury]

get a nice sturdy set of ally ladders with yellow blocks in these signify they are for trade use not domestic I woul also recommend you have safety spikes fitted to the bottom of yr ladders and some rubber mitts that slip on to the top of your ladders these stop the ladders slipping on plastic sills,and also don,t mark them.

I always buy Unger ergotec squeegees and mops etc ..definitely buy unger cloths(microfibre cloths as 99% of lads will recommend you these) ...also I have never had any problems with pulex rubbers,buy the longest length you can as it works out cheaper,when you are up an running buy them in bulk even cheaper.

Like someone suggested above go and work or a window cleaner for a couple of weeks till you get the knack of it,

If at the end of the day if you   like it ....buy a round and hit the ground running....for 3 k you should be able to buy a fairly compact round with a  t/o of 1k per month.

Finally all the best of luck

[pikeman]

Thanks everyone you have gave me a lot to think about. As i said initially i am a bricklayer by trade but the bottom has dropped out of that. just put a price in for some brickwork but had to go in low to get the work. Probbaly make abut £130 a day. Reading this forum if i can get some experience i could get this window cleaning with hard work, so still going to buy the tools for window cleaning and give it a go, just a matter of buying the right tools at the right price. Just spotted this package
This Starter window cleaning kit provides the key tools to carry out the job.
Includes the following:
8 foot pole
Stainless steel channels, 6,12 & 18 inch.
Rubbers - 3 each, 6,12 & 18 inch.
Scrapemaster scraper with replacement blades(10 pcs)
14 inch gloden glove washer
Quick release handle
Any good?. Thanks once again everyone. Your advice really aprpeciated

[pikeman]

Sorry forgot to mention price for the kit in last post £58

[cvdewsbury]

Thanks everyone you have gave me a lot to think about. As i said initially i am a bricklayer by trade but the bottom has dropped out of that. just put a price in for some brickwork but had to go in low to get the work. Probbaly make abut £130 a day. Reading this forum if i can get some experience i could get this window cleaning with hard work, so still going to buy the tools for window cleaning and give it a go, just a matter of buying the right tools at the right price. Just spotted this package
This Starter window cleaning kit provides the key tools to carry out the job.
Includes the following:
8 foot pole
Stainless steel channels, 6,12 & 18 inch.
Rubbers - 3 each, 6,12 & 18 inch.
Scrapemaster scraper with replacement blades(10 pcs)
14 inch gloden glove washer
Quick release handle
Any good?. Thanks once again everyone. Your advice really aprpeciated

look at the tools that unger sell ....the ergo tec range is a steady range...check out you nearest window cleaning supplier and he will sort you out with a basic kit...a pointer ladder is also  a necessity

[cvdewsbury]

just a thought too Im sure if you put up on here someone local to you will give you a couple of days work which will give you the basics to practice with on friends and families houses b4 buying yr own work.

[pikeman]

Thanks cvdewsbury the kit i posted is ettore some seem to recomend them what do you think?
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

[pikeman]

Just ordered some basics from soap national. Iam going to have the cleanest windows in the street. Maybe  Thanks for al your advice.

[pikeman]

Yes what i can gather off this forum allied is quite good for insurance. Will wait until i get a few custys first. Do you think door knocking will be my best way to start getting some buisness.

[p1w1]

Do you think door knocking will be my best way to start getting some buisness.

Yes for sure..

paul

[seandyer2003]

hey mate, good luck, you have had loads of good advice on here...i have not been going very long, and started off with basic kit, cost only £150 and asked window cleaners near me where there was no work, and one kind chap pointed to an  estate he was too busy to clean, i door knocked and picked up £50 soon became 600 and never looked back, i saved and bought a good round and canvassed since picking up more and more, it seems the more you get out there the more the ball gets rolling so just stick with it. Just dont under price to get work you will regret it one day, but if you price it right you will never not look forward to going to work, i dont anyway, if the money is bad you will quickly despise your job.
Best of luck

[pikeman]

Thanks loads for all your encouragement. You all seem quite a content lot overall. I have been in the building trade since i left school, i am 51 now, earnt some decent money but not really been content. Crikey actually writing my age seems scary i like to think i am a young 51. Still pretty fit so ladders should be no promblem. Had a email saying my order has been posted. Will practice on my own house first, get some confidence then knock some doors. Once again thanks for your support.

[pikeman]

Clean the back of my house this morning with applicator and squeegee, did not seem to turn out too bad. The front is leaded so just used mr muscle then rubbed with a scrim. Feel likei cheated though.  Do you think i would be able to continue like this?. Not done any door knocking yet, but am looking at some flyers. Still pretty serious window cleaning just need to get more practice. Thaks for all the advice.