[Craig 72]

Morning all.I've been window cleaning for a few months now,but only a day or two a week as I haven't got the clientbase yet.Got a wfp backpack a few weeks ago and find it a great bit of equipment.Only doing basic domestic so far.My brother works for a commercial estate agents and has said that there's a chance I could clean an office block for him which is 3 or 4 storeys.Of course I'm delighted at the prospect but I must say I find it a bit daunting.What's your thoughts and would it even be feasible with a backpack?Obviously I'd have to invest in a much longer pole than I have at the moment as I've only got a basic 17 ft one.(Would a 40 foot one be enough?).Opportunities like this don't come around everyday,I would imagine,so I'd appreciate any advice.

[concept]

take the opportunity, you will only learn by doing.

you will only kick yourself if you see it going to someone else!















(where in the country are you...i'll have it!)

[chris@c.m.s]

Yes I think you are, I wouldn't even consider anything like that with a backpack, you may well manage to get the water to the 4th floor but I'd imagine it would be slow unless you have the 80 psi backpack, also the refilling required would drive you nuts and for that type of job personally I think it wouldn't look very processional, I think you would be better off sticking with domestic and smaller property's until you have gained confidence and and moved on to a bigger system, its not nice struggling to get a job completed when you would really wish you had never started it, sounds to me like you already know your going to be out of your comfort zone though  

 

[chris@c.m.s]

LOL the pessimist and optimist 

[andyatkinson]

where are you?

[leapstallbuildings]

I personally wouldn't do it with a backpack.  If you have the money or some available credit, try for some kind of vehicle mounted system.
If you do do it with a backpack, you really need to drop off a number of water containers around the site for frequent filling (to save continually returning to or moving the vehicle).  Also, if it's a dirty first clean, you could really be struggling because the quantity of water needed will be much higher than a maintenance clean.  Another issue could be how long the battery will last.  It might be an idea to have a spare with you ready to pop in.
Alternatively, get a window cleaner with a van mount (like me - if it's in my area) to quote it for you and make a profit on top.  Not that I'm touting you understand   

[andyatkinson]

thats a good suggestion, i would be inclined to try and sub it out with a view to taking it over yourself when better set up, there is nothing worse then starting a job and wishing you hadnt and then trying to see it through half heartedly.
oh and go watch the person for some free training!

[andyatkinson]

neil who comes on this site has a power pole for sale reaches that height, ive got the same one its perfect for that sort of stuff if you only do a couple of high jobs a month as quite heavy, but also indestructable

[s.hughes]

You got to remember that when you start in business all you seem to do is pay out. Its worth taking on the job. I do a block thats 5 levels and the pole I bought for that cost me what the job paid but it was still worth it as i can use it on other jobs. Whatever you do get the best pole you can afford. If you go high then only buy a carbon pole. Its worth the money.

[leapstallbuildings]

You got to remember that when you start in business all you seem to do is pay out. Its worth taking on the job. I do a block thats 5 levels and the pole I bought for that cost me what the job paid but it was still worth it as i can use it on other jobs. Whatever you do get the best pole you can afford. If you go high then only buy a carbon pole. Its worth the money.

Yes I had a similar situation.  What I paid for an SL-2 was a little bit more than I made from a particular job.  I've since done that job again and used it on quite a few other jobs.  The SL-2 doesn't come out that often but when it does, it really earns its keep.

[RO-Sheen]

What have you got to lose?? Do it at least for the experience. If you find you expereince problems doing it, well then you have learnt something new and you will find a way to get round it for the next time.
Also, If you do the job and even if it takes a lot longer than you thought, it might lead onto more work, If you turn it down, it is unlikely.

If you are pessimistic you will stand still or go backwards, especially in these times, but if you are optimistic you will go forward!

[Craig 72]

Thanks for the advice fellas.I hear the point a few of you make about subbing it out but that's a tricky one.From what I can gather from my brother there was a guy cleaning it but had to move on (so no first clean fun and games hopefully).My brother manages the properties they let so it's not really mine to sub out.If I can't do it they will get somebody else to do it,simple as that.The more I think about it the more I think I would be crazy to not go for it.My intention was to spend a while doing domestics with basic gear and then get the van mounted setup sometime in the future once I'd expanded a bit.To be honest at the moment moneys too tight to go for that yet though.What I think I'll do is go and check the place out.In my minds eye I'm imagining a huge great building but it may not be that bad.I'll get a pic up and see what you all think.I'm in north west kent for those who asked.Andy,I would be interested in talking to Neil about that pole he has for sale,do you have anymore info that?

[leapstallbuildings]

I'm Surrey/Sussex border area myself.
If subbing it out or getting a van mount isn't an option, maybe a 50 litre trolley system with a length of hosepipe to save on moving it too much?  Nowhere near as good as a van mount but easier than a backpack.

[Craig 72]

Yeah thats a good idea I'll check that out,cheers.

[matt]

just get a small sub pump from ebay ( 15 quid )

and a hose reel and some hose ( even a household house from wilko's )

then put the 25 L barrels at certain pionts around the building

put sub pump in barrels at certain points and clean windows

it'll work fine for the building, then see how you go with more work

you do the job with very little outlay

[andyatkinson]

im not technical enough to do the links!but its somewhere on the for sale bit, he lives in basingstoke, just spoken to him he'l put the details on for you after im sure. i think its a good place to start i have the same one

[andyatkinson]

page 2 of the for sale bit £220

[Craig 72]

Thanks mate,I've mailed him.