[SB Cleaning]

Hi all, after a lot of thought i have decided to set up my own wfp window cleaning business i have about 5.5k, my question is what van and set up would be good? any advise would be great!!

[lee09]

Hi,
Where in the uk are you?
Lee

[SB Cleaning]

Herefordshire/worcestershire

[daz1977]

berlingo, 300 ltr tank, di vessel, hose real etc   dont spend all your money, keep some for advertising, leaflets and to keep you going for the first couple of months

[lee09]

Thanks,
Have a look a the wfp system at Purefreedom. They are Grimsby based but offer great system at good value price's.
Lee

[Count Phil]

Buy a van that can hold a decent tank, 650 at least. It takes a while to make 3-400 last all day and you have the tank capacity to work longer etc when you do get experienced. My one big regret was getting a doblo that can only carry a 400 litre tank and even then, the garage said the bump stops are wearing out from the suspension bottoming out.
So, van with a tonne payload (boxer,hiace, transit, etc) and 650 litre system.

[SB Cleaning]

cheers for the replys! seems to be a bit of a difference of opinion, would a transit connect be sufficent??

[Ian Lancaster]

We have a LWB Hi top Connect with a 500 lt tank.

More than enough for one man for a day's work.

System:

If you're any good at DIY do some research and saved yourself a fortune - it' not rocket science, you need a way of purifying water, somewhere to store it (either in your van or a shed) and a means of getting it through a pole and onto the glass.

Don't be blinded by claims of how wonderful these manufacturers are, the basic is that you scrub glass with a brush and a flow of pure water, then rinse it off and leave it to dry.

How you achieve that can cost anything between a few hundred and several thousand pounds,  but the end result is the same

[SB Cleaning]

Thanks ian im not the best at diy to be honest, will prob go for the pure freedom system, still undecided on the van!!!!

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

transit swb  low roof best option

[SB Cleaning]

transit swb  low roof best option

as in the connect transit lammy?

[tompoole]

300 litre tank
ro system
di
20ft pole and brush
100metre hose and reel
1000 litre static tank
bag resin
submersable pump and hose
pump and controler for van.

I think pure freedom do a self fit kit

Fit your self would cost less than a grand
£4k left for van and snowy days

[AuRavelling79]

How will you support yourself while building your business?
Have you got a vehicle?
How soon do you need cashflow?

Ways to start:- 1. Low initial outlay.

Canvass in a nearby village; go round it once and offer your services stating your start date (about three weeks away) for that area. A week before go round again and say you'll be round and do they want theirs doing at the same time.

Do the above in each area you want to work in.

After two weeks gauge the response. If you go round every weekday for two hours around tea time you should be getting some work on board.

If you have a reliable vehicle and a secure driveway then build your own in the days before you canvass by getting advice on here and get a trailer with a system on board and/or backpack/trolley.

2. Dive straight in.

Buy a van. The later Doblo 55' plate and later will let you put a 400L in the back - a Scudo/Expert/Dispatch will let you put a 500L and you can get them from T reg to 07 reg.

Buy a nucleus of work say £500 pcm to get things rolling and then work it and canvass as above.

Also - if you have a reliable family member then get them to canvass with you for a while to keep you motivated.

* You will not get work from a 20K system and shiny van without canvassing!

[Londoner]

I would say don't buy anything until you have built your business. Start with a trolley maybe but going out lashing zillions on a van setup is silly.

Incidentally, I have a Berlingo and a 250l tank and its perfectly adequate for a days work. You can lease one fully fitted out from Varitech.

[jonnyald]

id go trad if i was you and  use your money to ease yourself into the game. see if you like it first .theres a lot of competition out there for sure. iv only been going 2 years but  i promise you it takes time to  find the work.

i see 1 or 2 snazzy WFP van setups floating around my area ,but never have seen them working! what thats about,i dunno (often their parked up for hours in sidestreets)

[SB Cleaning]

Thanks for all the replys guys :)really helpfull site this!!

i recently got made redundant from a job i was in for 15 years and i got a decent pay out, the 5 k i can just put into the van and equipment as i have some put aside for marketing the business and to live off till the business finds its feet.

My girlfriend has kindly agreed to help me canvass.
i have put a lot of thought into this and im going to go for a transit connect and a pure freedom 400 litre set up for now and see how things go.