[Mr Owen]

Hello all,

I have a cleaning company and have recently been doing some work for a developer, cleaning the showhomes and communal areas, the maintenance company that is taking on the building has asked me to submit a tender for the communal area cleans, which is fine.

The problem is they have asked me to quote for the communal area windows and/ communal area windows including flats. There are 24 flats in total, four blocks that are three stories high. They want wfp to be used for the top level.

I have never cleaned windows but i dont want to loose the other cleaning, so i am considering making a wfp system. I have seen the instructions on how to build a diy system, but i have no prior knowledge of how to use the tool or even if its suitable for my purposes.

Any instructions on the use and maintenance before i go ahead and get myself in debt lol. Hopefully i can aquire more work using the wfp and hopefully justify the costs.

Best wishes

Gwylym

[steve m]

why not contact a few c/cers on here to give you a quote just for the windows

[DASERVICES]

Gwylym,

To build one you are looking at around £500 to £1k depending on your needs.
You need to ask yourself , will you recoup the costs of this expenditure on this
 one job.

As a suggestion find a window cleaner in your area that uses WFP and sub contract the work out to him. Or get him to show you how it works so you
can make your mind up.

Doug

[Mr Owen]

Hi, Thanks for your suggestions, i have thought about asking a local w/c. I just wasnt sure how i would go about it, paperwork wise? The maintenance company wants me to quote for all the jobs and im not to sure they would be happy if i subbed it out, as i am already subbing off them.

The contract is for a year and as i have only recently started my cleaning company i could do with all the work i can get, I dont really want a local firm to come and give a quote because they might steal the whole contract off me. Perhaps im paranoid but this contract will allow me to continue growing my business and will relieve alot of stress  .

Dont get me wrong, you most probably are right and perhaps i should ask someone who can do it. I have been asked to quote for just communal windows, or communal windows plus every flat window, i worked it out on 50pence per small window and £1.00 on larger windows. the price for all windows was about £70.00, i was thinking that if i make one for £500.00 and i do that clean 8 times in the year, its more or less paid for itself? but i havent considered running costs which i doubt would be much if i only used it 8 times in the year. Do you think this is feasible?

I was thinking it could be another string to my bow, and if i get more communal area cleans i already have the equipment, so quoting will be alot easier next time.

I suppose it comes down to whether or not they want them all cleaned and that they want them all cleaned 8 times per year.

Thanks for replying.

Regards

Gwylym

[DASERVICES]

Gwylym,

If you are willing to invest then the best person you need to speak on this
forum is Alex G, GardnerPoleSystems. They do a reasonable package and are
very helpful, I built my own but went and bought my ware from various
companies.

Word of caution, you will need to be shown how to use WFP. It is a nightmare
on the first clean and be prepared to loose money, after that it will be a doddle.
Only saying this because if you use the tools and it doesn't meet your customers
requirements you could end up loosing it.

Pitty I wasn't still up your way as I would have shown you, there is a guy who
posts on here who is from Stone area named Gazza.

Hope all goes well on your new adventure.

Cheers

Doug

[Mr Owen]

Thanks Doug, all is going well at the moment. The work is physically demanding as you all know(keeps me fit), but its very rewarding.

I will speak to the maintenance company and tell them that i can provide a window cleaning service if they have all the windows cleaned at least 8 times in the year, so i can justify the outlay, or alternatively i can suggest a good local w/c, and see what they say.

I dont mind it taking longer for a few goes, i will just work later those days  .

I read somewhere that you can train an operative of wft in aday as opposed to traditional which can take a few months to learn. So is it that easy or is that just sales spiel.

I will offer them my price and schedule and if they are not happy i will have a w/c's quote already prepared, so if anyone who is wfp proficient and is in the Tamworth area and you would like to give me a guide price of what you think you may have to charge, then i will bare you in mind if an opportunity arises. A rough estimate, i understand you need to see the job first.

48 front windows (big), 48 side windows (small), 12 communal stairwell windows (small).

Thanks for all the suggestions, i appreciate it.

Regards

Gwylym.

[Majestic]

It could be worth it for you to go on one of the BWCA courses
http://www.ionicsystems.com/pop/popinfo.html