[markmontgomery]

Hi everyone

I am mark and live in glossop stockport/manchester area.I currently work as a self employed tiler, which I absoulutely hate.I have long thought of becoming self employed window cleaner.And just come along this excellent forum wich as pushed me further to go for the plunge.I already have a van (from the tiling) so i would need to buy the wfp system.

The thing is ive never washed a window in my life so dont know the trad or wfp way,personally i think i would be best to start with the wfp???What do use think???
Would anybody in the glossop/stockport/manchester areas let me work for them for a few days (for free of course) and give me a few pointers.As i obviously not got the confidence to go and wash peoples windows for money with me never doing it before.

My area has plenty of window cleaners already which is the one thing that puts me off, i.e not knowing if i will get any customers. I was thinking of buying 10000 leaflets getting them posted around my area and then following up by door knocking,do you think i will get enough business?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Mark

[sherco]

Hi Mark, I'm a tiler and Ive just done the prochem hardfloor, and I'm doing the carpet cleaning course next week, as I'm going to run this alongside my tiling business.

[Dean Aspects]

Try cleaning your own windows your friends neighbours family just to practice then when you have done that do them all again practice is the key then you have to just get out there and do them or as you have already said go with another window cleaner

Dean

[Sanity]

Yup I agree with Aspects.  Practice is the key.  Try and get your neighbors and friends as your first customers.  Charge them half what you will normally charge on the understanding that your cleans will be practised on them, then you should have a days work.  Us this day to get your method right.

Also, read this forum as far back as you like.  WFP is very popular, but traditional still has its place.

Get yourself an Ettore or Unger starter kit (blade, squeegee, rubber, mop, t-bar, bucket, micropore cloths, scrims) and practice on your downstairs with it.  Practice your WFP on your upstairs windows.

Make sure you have a Unique Selling Point.  What is it that makes you different from the other WC's?  Mine is I am uniformed, in a sign written van.  This seems to make a difference.

Target estate customers first.  Although in my experience 50% of these customers will either mess you about or cancel after a few cleans, they will again allow more practice and allow you to build our speed and confidence.

Canvass regularly, leaflet regularly.

Other than that, best of luck m8