[Martin ccs]

i think you really need good trad skills before you go off with a wfp system.

this bloke made me laugh, he had to turn down some of his customers who wanted there insides cleaned because he couldnt do it - he did know how and didnt even have the kit!

never mind having a top wfp system or a brand new van i said to him!

surely a good smart look (clothing wise) and a good understanding of trad skills are the basics needed to make some good money.

anyone agree?

[cybersye]

yes
although i know someone who subs me to clean insides trad.
However its not that they can't its just they can't be bothered and earn more money per hour using wfp exclusively.

[Murdie window cleaning]

I look on trad as serving my apretaship, once I've built up my round to a certain level and have an incom that I can justify spending money on even a basic system then I'll think about it. There are pros and cons to both methods but you should at least take the time to learn trad before shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on a wfp system.

Just my opinion

[Mr Bungalow]

Very true.

I think all window cleaners should have at least a little understanding of traditional window cleaning methods first.

Here, here.

Kind regards.

[Sapphire Window Cleaning]

yes
although i know someone who subs me to clean insides trad.
However its not that they can't its just they can't be bothered and earn more money per hour using wfp exclusively.

A lot of people just start up with WFP, and know absalutely naff all about the window cleaning trade in general!!
They see a water fed pole in operation and think that looks easy.
I had a lad work for me back in 2005 and he said he had experience, he didnt last the first day!!
he then told me he thought it was very easy, to which I replied if it was that easy, don't you think EVERYONE would be doing it.
I told him WE make it look easy as we do it day in day out.


Matt

[Martin ccs]

yes
although i know someone who subs me to clean insides trad.
However its not that they can't its just they can't be bothered and earn more money per hour using wfp exclusively.

A lot of people just start up with WFP, and know absalutely naff all about the window cleaning trade in general!!
They see a water fed pole in operation and think that looks easy.
I had a lad work for me back in 2005 and he said he had experience, he didnt last the first day!!
he then told me he thought it was very easy, to which I replied if it was that easy, don't you think EVERYONE would be doing it.
I told him WE make it look easy as we do it day in day out.


Matt

some customers do it to! they see you clean there windows on the inside by trad style and they say whats in your bucket?, so i just tell them the truth - its just fairy. they then say where can i get one of those from from? as in your trad kit.

they seem to think now they know the special magical secret to window cleaning its going to be so easy.

why is it some customers think its top secret info as to what we use in our bucket?

[pingu]

I have to disagree...trad skills are not exactly rocket science...why does everyone place these skills upon some sort of throne...

I certainly do not think that they are some sort of level that must be passed prior to continuing on with wfp..

I get the ol squeegy a couple of times a week but even if I was'nt that good and trust me I am not that fast is not a great barrier.

3 years I have built a good round with plenty of time off and plenty of scope for improvement...my lack of speed and occasional sloppy techniques have not prevented our business from growing and increasing year by year.

IMHO too many folk place trad on a pedistal..it's just another tool.

Cheers
Dave

no offence intended to anyone.

[Sean Dyer]

if you had to clean a big commercial property indoors you would wish you were good with trad

[pingu]

I would employ a few good Polish/Romanian/Turk guys to do the insides and I would do the outs...it is all about using the right tool for the job.

Trad is not king and niether is wfp...just tools to clean windows.

Cheers
Dave.

[Sean Dyer]

i wouldnt call turks a bunch of tools 


 

[Blue Frog Systems]

employ a few good Polish/Romanian/Turk guys.... it is all about using the right tool for the job.

That creased me up Pingu BIG TIME !!!

Im crap at trad so i price high.... had one person say no so its all good

I could do with more practise though

[pingu]

rofl

[dazmond]

i think there is a few on here that dont use trad at all.thats fine by me.if they can build a good cleaning business without trad skills fair enough.lets be honest here!wfp is quicker and does a more thorough job doesnt it?plus a lot safer.ive been trad for 15 yrs and im v.fast and competent but im going to try WFP next year.see what all the fuss is about!

best wishes to everyone

dazmond

[Martin ccs]

I would employ a few good Polish/Romanian/Turk guys to do the insides and I would do the outs...it is all about using the right tool for the job.

Trad is not king and niether is wfp...just tools to clean windows.

Cheers
Dave.

i think you should have a good level of trad skills! its after all only the basics of window cleaning. it should be the first thing you learn imo anyway.

what would you do if your system was out of action for a while, go around doing sloppy window cleaning?

i think if there was a poll on this most would say trad skills are important.

[ftp]

Ladder skills are probably more important. 

[Blue Frog Systems]

what would you do if your system was out of action for a while, go around doing sloppy window cleaning?

Get the backpack and 25L containers out of semi retirement.... thats what id do

[Martin ccs]

what would you do if your system was out of action for a while, go around doing sloppy window cleaning?

Get the backpack and 25L containers out of semi retirement.... thats what id do

so you cleary are only a small business then?

if you had to do a massive hotel or school or hospital, you cant just find someone to do it for you evey time.

[steveo22]

I would employ a few good Polish/Romanian/Turk guys to do the insides and I would do the outs...it is all about using the right tool for the job.

Trad is not king and niether is wfp...just tools to clean windows.

Cheers
Dave.

Why Polish, Romanian or Turks??? Are the homegrown lads not good enough. This is our countrys downfall!!!

[Sean Dyer]

hes in holland i think dude

[Blue Frog Systems]

what would you do if your system was out of action for a while, go around doing sloppy window cleaning?

Get the backpack and 25L containers out of semi retirement.... thats what id do

so you cleary are only a small business then?

if you had to do a massive hotel or school or hospital, you cant just find someone to do it for you evey time.

What ive said is that i have a backup should my van system fail on me.

You didnt ask what size business

And if it came to it i would sub out to those who climb the ladders. Oh sorry i do that already

I am wfp for my safety and my wife and kids future