[Daniel Baker]

hey guys,
 just starting out on a very tight budget ( most of my stuff off ebay) so going down the traditional route. Got a double 12ft aluminium ladder is this upto the job?
live in a small town and am aiming for a compact round but estimate i need 320 customers to go full time, does this sound right?
also is it practical to walk my round even if it is compact?

cheers chaps,
dan

[Smudgeoff Cleaning Services]

Hi Daniel,

Welcome!

Firstly a 12 ft ladder will only do much.

320 customers is more than enough 4 weekly.

Good luck...

[Daniel Baker]

thanks!!!

also is a rojak ladder stop enough to be safe on the ladders??

i also offer 2 monthly cleans so Im taking that into account

cheers
dan

[robertphil]

dont trust anything rubber outside , i had a bad fall when a rubbermat lost grip and have since learned rubber has no grip if ground is dirty or damp .   spikes are a better thing to fit to your ladder bottom ,for excellent grip

  you are starting at the very best time of year ,almost spring season ,good luck to yer !

[Daniel Baker]

ok sorry if this is too many questions but, do the spikes not slip when on concrete?
how does 7 customers from 200 houses sound when canvassing?

thanks for the sound advice though

dan

[telfordwindowclnr]

ok sorry if this is too many questions but, do the spikes not slip when on concrete?
how does 7 customers from 200 houses sound when canvassing?

thanks for the sound advice though

dan

Hi mate.  Welcome. 7 from 200 is nowhere near enough if you want a compact round. For 300 customers at that rate you will need to knock about 8570 doors.  :oDo you see the uphill struggle you have? It sounds like you may be canvassing where there is already a window cleaner. Get on a new estate if possible. You will get at least 1 in 10, or you should if your pitch is right. Hope that helps.

[AuRavelling79]

Don't go trad. In this day and age it's like learning to drive a steam engine when the world is heading towards electric. Really.

[stuart mc]

Don't go trad. In this day and age it's like learning to drive a steam engine when the world is heading towards electric. Really.

I know what you are saying goldielocks but he already said he has bought a ladder, and plans to walk the round so that insight is pretty useless to him really

[robertphil]

ok sorry if this is too many questions but, do the spikes not slip when on concrete?
how does 7 customers from 200 houses sound when canvassing?

thanks for the sound advice though

dan

i have found that spikes grip on concrete , theres often a tiny ridge or crack to place the spike in.   7 customers from 200 houses is good,its a competetive world , slowly you will creep up and pass the 100 mark ,you wouldnt want 100 right now or itd kill you .  
  seek out the smaller houses when canvassing, nice little earners are the best in my opinion  .  i have a round of  nearly all council houses/flats who like to talk to  a ladderman and i love the banter /hearing flaming rows is like music to my ears  ,

im disappointed if i go a day without hearing shouting .

[dave f]

your gonna struggle if you are in a small town for compact work every man and his dog will be window cleaning, over the last few years where i live in a small town ive just been keeping a watch full eye out for compertition we are full to bursting and it aint just local guys dont be fooled into thinking its gonna be simple case of getting your gear off you go cause it aint i,f you aint got a motor your knacked see if you can buy some work as well as canvassing and be prepaired for a load of knock backs sorry to be harsh but thats how it is if you feel you are still up for it all the best keep us all informed how you get on .youve come to the wright for addvise

[Daniel Baker]

wfp is really not an option for me at this point im afraid, If i have to walk miles then I'll do it as the area I'm currently in does have a cleaner already but most people say he's pretty useless and been one too many comments about him trying to rob peoples houses and/or only doing the front but charging for the whole house!!! I know its going to be hard to start but i lived in this area my whole life. waiting for my leaflets to arrive so I have been walking round just checking the area and everytime i get a 'feeling' about a house I knock and seem to get a new customer.

I'll try the spikes then stuart, thanks.

Thanks everyone for advive,
Dan

[Ian Lancaster]

I'll probably get laughed at for this, but......



........what about a bike?  I ran a round in the Medway Towns in Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Strood and carried all my gear on a bike.  These days you would probably have to have a sidecar/trailer (I had my ladder on my shoulder ).  This was 25 years ago and even then I was turning over £80-£90 per day.

Ladder safety:  the best safety device is your own common sense!  If you're concerned the ladder may slip, ensure it has good rubber feet http://www.midlandladders.com/catalog/Accessories-25-1.html (scroll down to feet - the black oval rubber ones are great), test the ground with your foot, set the ladder safely and THINK whether it's likely to slip, fall sideways etc before you start up it.