I actually met this guy!
He seemed very nice, and had the kit & everything.
In the Swindon area he would canvass & get people to sign up for a year of cleaning, then ask them to pay upfront.... and they did!!
He would turn up for 1 or 2 cleans, then went missing. While he was there he would also check out their sheds & if any house doors/windows were open he was in like lightening.
His canvassing technique must have been superb though....