[Johnny B]

... I would be interested to know what are the financial advantages of running a WFP window cleaning business over the traditional method.

Specifically, I have 3 questions:-

1. How much would it cost to set oneself up for running a WFP system? I would
    add that I would expect the cost of a suitable van to be taken into account. I
    would also like to know what basic equipment would be required to get   
    started.

2. How long should it take for the initial outlay to pay for itself?

3. How much does it cost on a month to month basis to run?

Serious questions guys. I look forward to reading your experiences. Thanks.
John.

 

[d s windowcleaning]

Specifically, I have 3 questions:-

1. How much would it cost to set oneself up for running a WFP system? I would
    add that I would expect the cost of a suitable van to be taken into account. I
    would also like to know what basic equipment would be required to get   
    started.it cost me 4 grand to get started van was 3 grand

2. How long should it take for the initial outlay to pay for itself?     2 months for me but a lot depends on the work you have as to how long it would take

3. How much does it cost on a month to month basis to run?       its costing me for my diesel , once you are set up you only have filters resin to change when needed my last set of filters have been in for around 4 months these cost £22 bag of resin was about £70 ive had same bag for over 12 months .

Serious questions guys. I look forward to reading your experiences. Thanks.
John.

 

[daz1977]

1, mine cost me about 500 -600, as i already had a van

2, 1 months

3, diesel and about 70 a year on resin, but i am di only

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

... I would be interested to know what are the financial advantages of running a WFP window cleaning business over the traditional method.

Specifically, I have 3 questions:-

1. How much would it cost to set oneself up for running a WFP system? I would
    add that I would expect the cost of a suitable van to be taken into account. I
    would also like to know what basic equipment would be required to get   
    started.If you but off the shelf kit the prices will, as you know, vary some what from £600-£10000. As for the van that depends on the system you go for. There are so many variables you would need to be more specific in the type of houses that you do as trolly may favour van mount for some and van may favour trolly for others. I would suggest you do your own homework on this one depending on your work.

You can get a suitiable van for £1500 plus DIY set up for £1200 so £2700 in total.
As for a list search this site.

2. How long should it take for the initial outlay to pay for itself?Again depends on what you spend. For the first 2 months you wont make any more money. After that as you get used to a new way of working you should save 25-40% of your days time. So if you make £100 per day expect £125-£140 once proficient. That would be £125-£200 extra per week. This also depends on your availiability of work.
So with the extra income 6-7 months with the above figures.  

3. How much does it cost on a month to month basis to run? Depends on your system. I Double DI and use 2-3 bags of resin per year. £200-£270 ish. If RO filters each 6 months £30 ish?Other than that there are no regular outgoings other than replacing parts in the same way you would for Trad. That is if you set up correctly in the first place. For some the WFP is like the other half's clothings, there are always 'reasons' for buying more stuff. If you put aside £500 for bits and bobs that should cover it. I always carry spares where I can. That includes pump and varistream. This really means that over the past 5-6 years I have bought 2 systems plus replaced other bits.

After your initial investment has paid for itself (7 months) 1 days extra income put aside £25-40 would cover the above figures. I would put this all away untill 1 full year has passed so that you have a 'repare float' Then fro the start of year 2 you should be pulling in an extra £100-200 per week extra.

Of course this all depends on your work and your work ethics. Also it depends on how many spares you carry and if you are able to keep working when something goes wrong.

Serious questions guys. I look forward to reading your experiences. Thanks.
John.

 

[StanA]

I probably laid out about 13 grand* initially and it's cost me a few more since with poles, filters, resin, static unit etc.  I could do it more cheaply now I have had some experience.
*this figure allows for the sale of the smaller van I had.

As for how long to make the money back - that's a tricky one.  If I had applied myself much better, I reckon it could have been 18 months.  As things turned out, my guesstimate would be 3 - 4 years.  However, there were some unforseeable personal circumstances that greatly held me back for a while.

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

I probably laid out about 13 grand* initially and it's cost me a few more since with poles, filters, resin, static unit etc.  I could do it more cheaply now I have had some experience.
*this figure allows for the sale of the smaller van I had.

As for how long to make the money back - that's a tricky one.  If I had applied myself much better, I reckon it could have been 18 months.  As things turned out, my guesstimate would be 3 - 4 years.  However, there were some unforseeable personal circumstances that greatly held me back for a while.

As you see Johnny B, this question is like how long is a piece of string. Not only can you spend ANY amount of money but it also greatly depends on application and circumstances.

[Johnny B]

Hi guys,
 
I appreciate that my questions are a bit 'how long is a piece of stringish', but your replies have all been very helpful to me, so thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
John.   

[StanA]

Hi guys,
 
I appreciate that my questions are a bit 'how long is a piece of stringish', but your replies have all been very helpful to me, so thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
John.   

Indeed.  My personal "piece of string" ended up becoming a piece of elastic.  Without the difficult, unforseeable personal circumstances though, I reckon I would have made the money back in two years.

[d s windowcleaning]

I probably laid out about 13 grand* initially and it's cost me a few more since with poles, filters, resin, static unit etc.  I could do it more cheaply now I have had some experience.
*this figure allows for the sale of the smaller van I had.

As for how long to make the money back - that's a tricky one.  If I had applied myself much better, I reckon it could have been 18 months.  As things turned out, my guesstimate would be 3 - 4 years.  However, there were some unforseeable personal circumstances that greatly held me back for a while.

what did you get for your 13 grand stan ?

[StanA]

I probably laid out about 13 grand* initially and it's cost me a few more since with poles, filters, resin, static unit etc.  I could do it more cheaply now I have had some experience.
*this figure allows for the sale of the smaller van I had.

As for how long to make the money back - that's a tricky one.  If I had applied myself much better, I reckon it could have been 18 months.  As things turned out, my guesstimate would be 3 - 4 years.  However, there were some unforseeable personal circumstances that greatly held me back for a while.

what did you get for your 13 grand stan ?

A 3 year old Renault Trafic,  an installed water tank with RO used up the lion's share of it.  Omnitrolley classic (no longer used).  Sureflo backpack (went to pot and since replaced with WCW one).  An assortment of poles.  Two decent quality metal hosereels.
I spent money juggling things around while I was settling on my best way to work so I did  some upgrading - e.g. half inch hoses to microbores, fibreglass poles to carbon plus I bought a static unit after a while.  It must have cost me more than £13k I reckon but it could have been done for that (and less) if I had had my current knowledge.  Although the trolley was fine, it was unnecessary as it turned out.  Back then I was trying to adapt my equipment to the work I had.  Eventually I realised I was better off tailoring the work to the equipment (hope that makes sense).  I've ended up with equipment that I never use because as I adapted, I changed things around.

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

Hi guys,
 
I appreciate that my questions are a bit 'how long is a piece of stringish', but your replies have all been very helpful to me, so thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
John.   

My numbers on my website if you need more details. Feel free to call.