[simbag]

Hello to all fellow window cleaners to be!

I've done it, I think I've actually found a job that will meet my requirements ie. good money (after some hard work), don't answer to anyone (except maybe 1 or 2 good paying customers )and weekends off (usually). I am just about to get started in the world of window cleaning, and I found this site a couple of days ago, I must say that it has been a real inspiration, for that I thankyou all. 

I only really started to think about working as a w/c by chance, I'm currently unemployed, so inevitably I was looking through the job page of the local rag when I saw and ad that caught my eye, advertising weekly rounds, at a price. The post below is about said advert: http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=413.20

So rather than do that, I have now decide to start up on my own, as I know from various sources that the work is definitely out there, I just need to get out there and get those doorbells ringing.

I am fortunate in the fact that I have a freind who is a w/c and is willing to let me come out for a day with him, to get the feel for the squeegee and the like. Not only is he going to help me learn, he's giving me nearly 40 odd houses to start off with, as he has too many to do, so all I have to do is go round and introduce myself! How  is that??!

I'm slightly overwhelmed by the generosity of my friend, and the willingness of you all on this site to help each other out, and I'm extremely grateful, I don't know how long it would take me to gain some of the knowledge that I have gained over the last 48 hours of reading posts on this forum, but I'm sure it would have been some time, I mean I already know about 'dog earring' (I couldn't explain it properly mind!), how many of you could say that when you first  started out?

Sorry this post is so god d**n long, but its gonna be kind of a diary of my life in self-employment. So if any of you get bored at all I suggest leaving!

I am just in the process of creating business cards, which my brother has kindly designed for me, to take out on a canvassing trip round my village, as I really don't think that anyone services here, which surprises me, as there is some good size houses.

I've been doing so much research looking at prices for tools and such, I think that wintecs.co.uk must be one of the cheapest places around, unless you're looking for ladders, then I would go to www.midlandladders.net £138 for a trade 3.5m triple extension, is that a good price?  Is the web generally better for ordering, or can you get cheaper in stores, anyone know? I have created my shopping list, its not yet ordered yet, as I'm waiting for my new credit card to come through .

Does anyone know of a good place for roof racks, it is for an almera, the current one I have found http://www.roofrackwarehouse.co.uk/roof_racks/rapid_specifications_1197.html is specific to my car, but is quite pricey @ £109  Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Ok, I think thats it for now, as I won't be able to do much until I've got my cards printed, and most importantly bought my gear. 

Anyway thanks for your time in reading this post, and I'll let you get on with something else now

Simon

[windows_chepstow]

Hi Simon,

Carefull about buying the triples if you're just starting off.  Just get a set of doubles to begin with, and get used to working at first floor level, before you embark on second floor work (ie three floors up).

I've been window cleaning for two years and have only done one large second story building, with a set of triples I borrowed from another window cleaner.  I found them extremely heavy, bulky - and I didn't like the extra height.  So I've decided only to do to first floor level - till I get a WFP.

Make sure you get an eight or six foot set of A Frames if you're not 6' 10" tall.

It is also horrendously difficult to stick at it (self employed window cleaner) which is why there are so many 'fly by nights'.

It's physicaly demanding, often boring, lonely work - in the blazing heat and freezing cold.  During my two years of window cleaning I've nearly been close to throwing in the towel on about five occassions.  And I stuck 17 years in the Army so I'm no quitter (saying that I gave my notice to leave the army about the same amount of times)!

Once the excitement of your new occupation wears off, (in about three days), it's then hard work.

Read the 'How to make £200 a day thread'.  The lad I sold work to, appeared to be very fit, used to outdoor work (he was head gardner for a 5 star hotel) and highly motivated.  He must've got loans to buy work and equipment and he lasted six months before going back to his old job.  Not long before finishing, he confided he was struggling to make £50 a day.  I helped him out one afternoon and he had the 'glazed look' - the 1000 yard stare - of a knackered and demoralized new window cleaner.

I don't want to sound too negative; I'm generally extremely positive, but the real challenge is often coping with the drudgery of yet another bloody window!  Expecially when you first start and...

     Every house you do is extremely dirty and hasn't been cleaned in months - if not years.

     Your technique isn't very good.  Every window becomes a nightmare.

     Just when you need it most at the begining - experience - you haven't got it.

     At every window you're puzzling where the best place to put your ladders, which you're not always sure what's safe and you're frightened of falling off.

    Your body hasn't adjusted to the new demands you're making on it.  You start thinking, 'How the hell does anyone make a living out of this?'

     Not only aren't you making much money, you're too knackered to go and collect what you're owed.

This forum can appear to make it a little to simple - which is no smear on its well motivated and hardworking members.  People rarely come on here to whine about how tough a job it is we do, so this forum could be a little unbalanced in favour of what a brilliant job it is.

But if I haven't put you off, go for it and promise yourself to stick it for at LEAST two summers (when you tend to pick up most of your customers) and by then your body will have adjusted, you will have the skills and experience and hopefully will start to enjoy it!

[simbag]

Thanks Chepstow, I think

No, seriously, you've given me a lot of food for thought. But to be honest, I'm not afraid of hard work and I realise I won't always be plain sailing, but I believe that if the determination to do something is there then you've already won half the battle. This will be the first thing that I have really done for myself, and I'll be doing my damned hardest to make it work.

With ref. to your comment on ladders, would you reckon that just a double 3.5m would be enough? The only reason, I was looking at a triple was another comment on a different thread. Also I presume your suggestion for a set of A frames is for the slightly taller ground floor windows? I'm 6'2" myself, so would a 6' set be enough?

I will make this work, and I thankyou for your input 

Simon

[windows_chepstow]

Wish I had your height!  I'm 5' 8" so I use A Frames quite often.  Spend the little extra on an 8' A Frame.  I've seen an extremely experienced window cleaner using a pole expertly - negating the use of an A Frame - but to begin with it's all 'brute strength and ignorance'.

Don't buy the triples till you definately need them.  In the meantime, you may decide (like me) not to bother with second floor windows.  There's plenty of ground and first floor work, without the extra effort and danger.

Good luck!

[simbag]

Thanks.

Just a quick question, is the pole used instead of the A frame? Or do you use them together?

[AuRavelling79]

Scuse me sticking my oar in - about ladders.

I have used, for the past four years a shortish triple set of ladders. WITH LADDER MITTS AND ARTICULATED FEET! £90 inc vat from STAX

I use it as a double 80% of the time, the third section alone is useful for "high" lower floors, security cabins etc.
I use it as a triple for height about 10% of the time. Useful for gate hopping when split down.
I use it as a triple for its added weight on windy days where as a double it might blow over.

It's a DIY 15 stone rated set, but being a triple its box sections are stronger than an equivalent double DIY set.

I CHANGE IT EVERY TWO YEARS WITHOUT FAIL. The last set I sold to a customer without the feet and mitts which I swapped to the new set.for £20!

[pjulk]

Simon

The 3.5 metre ladder is perfect for what you need to start with i have a few differant sized ladders but find my 3.5 to be the best for most jobs.

I have open tops and a couple of A frame ladders and use both but mostly the A frames.

But if money is tight to start with get some open top ladders till you get yourself going.
Some people prefer open tops some prefer A frame ladders its down to personal choice

Paul

[simbag]

Cheers guys,

So Malc do I assume that my price for the 3.5m triple is quite high then? They say it is free delivery, but I'm sure it must be absorbed into the cost somewhere? You also mention the articulated bracket, I assume these are for stability, I've been looking at getting the 'ladder stopper' although its a bit more expensive.

Also, does anyone find the need for a 'stand off' bracket, or would that only be used for cleaning gutters and fascias?

This evening I've been looking into courses with the BWCA, has anyone here done these, and are they worth there weight in gold?

Thanks again for your help

Simon

[pjulk]

I think you may get on better with a 3.5m double