[ftp]

One member on here likes to think that lots of us are not professional.  :
So it got me wondering - what do you consider a professional window cleaner is?
As long as you are insured and pay your taxes then surely you can be classed as a professional? What's your view?

[Alex Gardiner]

In basic terms, if someone else pays you to clean windows and you earn enough money from this to support yourself, you are a professional.

[johns window kleen]

I agree with your definition, in having full insurance, paying your taxes, + being full time,having a good selection of kit, being reliable and establishing a good relationship with your customers, and the most important thing of all doing a thorough and good job for each customer. Pride in your work.
I have a signwritten van, as I want to look as professional as possible, but in all honesty you dont need this if doing domestic work only.  

[WCE]

Not being Ewan 

[macmac]

Not being Ewan 

I'll second that!

[East coast window cleaning Services]

I Know this is going to get up a few peoples nose's on here but driving a proper vehicle not a rundown old golf like i see today. For me a window cleaner should be fully insured by law, be paying his tax's, and have all the kit needed to do the job.

[chrisyg]

I dont think professional is the right word.

A professional is a person who has completed a doctoral or law program (a masters or bachelors degree does not infer a professional). The term professional is often misused. It is not to be confused with "White Collar" or "expert". A person who is white collar performs a job that requires education and does not involve physical labour. An expert is a person in a profession that requires certain types of skilled work requiring formal training or education. In western nations, such as the United States, the term commonly describes highly educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, economic security, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work.

Trades

In narrow usage, not all expertise is considered a profession. Although sometimes referred to as professions, such occupations as skilled construction work are more generally thought of as trades or crafts. The completion of an apprenticeship is generally associated with skilled labor or trades such as carpenter, electrician, plumber, bricklayer and other similar occupations. A related (though not always valid) distinction would be that a professional does mainly mental or administrative work, as opposed to engaging in physical work. Many companies include the word professional in their company name to signify the quality of their workmanship or service.

Perhaps we should be "Experts or Specialists".

[wightsurf]

when i had a solicitor working on my behalf , when i worked in a different field this come up. It means that if you are doing something and getting payed for doing that something.

[DaveG]

Bodie?  Doyle??

[Alex Gardiner]

On my stationary I never use the word professional to describe my firm, instead I use the phrase 'Specialist Window Cleaning Services'.

[ftp]

You do specialise with your systems too Alex, did you start trad or have Gardiners ever sold trad gear?

[chrisyg]

On my stationary I never use the word professional to describe my firm, instead I use the phrase 'Specialist Window Cleaning Services'.

So basically you are as what i put earlier.

[Clive McDonald]

I don't remember a degree to become a professional gunslinger, gambler, soldier, or jockey. There are various other examples that directly contradict the definition given.

The definiton is wrong.

In common usage it's as the other replies said, someone who takes every care to do whatever job he is doing well.


Many words have multiple meanings, or broad and narrow meanings- conservative- for example is a political party in one sence and a cautious approach in another. Some words or terms such as middle class depend on who you ask. Teachers claim to be middle class, but only a head teacher meets the income requirements.

You all seem to have taken against ewan, that's not nice. He used to be a good guy, maybe he's got something going on.

[Oakley Windows]

You all seem to have taken against ewan, that's not nice. He used to be a good guy, maybe he's got something going on.

Zum zay you are Ewan 

[Alex Gardiner]

You do specialise with your systems too Alex, did you start trad or have Gardiners ever sold trad gear?

When I started my window cleaning business 23 years ago, obviously trad was the only thing available.  I only started referring to my window cleaning service as Specialist when we started to clean high level and difficult to access properties.  Since water fed pole gear was introduced to our firm 8 years ago, this aspect of our work has become a lot easier.  As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.

[matt]

As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.

out of interest alex, why ? ? ? ?

[NWH]

Sorry to butt in and all that but i rang up today Alex asking about the new carbon Extels and if you had any or will be getting any,i`m after the 28ft in black carbon not orange.

[Alex Gardiner]

As to selling traditional gear, we do sell quite a lot of traditional gear to foreign distributors but have a policy of not supplying the UK market.

out of interest alex, why ? ? ? ?

Because there are a lot of firms offering a very competitive and efficient service with these products already and we would rather concentrate our energies in the UK in producing great water fed pole gear.

Sorry to butt in and all that but i rang up today Alex asking about the new carbon Extels and if you had any or will be getting any,i`m after the 28ft in black carbon not orange.

We are able to get these poles but are currently not planning on stocking them.  If you want me to, send me an email with what you want and I can get the price for you.

[windowswashed]

Professional.......

insured, law abiding tax payer making a living providing a trustworthy, reliable, service who works within H&S guidelines.

[matt]

Professional.......

insured, law abiding tax payer making a living providing a trustworthy, reliable, service who works within H&S guidelines.

thats what i would say aswell, spot on