[Mike55]

Hi guys,

I am a newbie wc (October 09) and like many have started out down the trad route. 

My plan is to continue this way until I have built up enough work I'm happy with (I estimate this will take between 1-2 years) and then train up and switch over to WFP.

What are people's thoughts on switching over from trad to wfp this way?

Would be interested in hearing from anyone who has followed a similar plan to mine and whether they could offer some advice on whether this worked for them, what they could have done differently etc.

Cheers, Mike

[Mike55]

Also would be interested if anyone had started out straight as WFP and how much this setup cost them.

[AuRavelling79]

Not quite what you asked for but that never stops me offering an opinion! 

I went trad to wfp because I was trad then found out about wfp and went over due to advice on this forum about 4/5 years ago.

In your position I would start off wfp straight away and if cost is an issue then work with a trolley/backpack/small tank/barrels from the back of your car. Or on a trailer. Going trad to start (if you mean to end up as a f/t windy) is a waste of time and therefore money.)

Modified to answer your second post:- It can cost less than a grand if working out of an existing estate car or adding a trailer and if you do most of the building yourself - allow a week to do it. If you go straight for a van then add the cost of your van to that grand.

If you want a better pole, RO etc then maybe £1500.

[macmac]

Also, where are you based so you can get an idea of how soft/hard your water is.

[Mike55]

Macmac I am based in the South East and the water is very hard.

I have very limited knowledge of wfp but understand there will be added cost due to the hardness of the water.

[Jays Window Cleaning]

If you have only recently started oct how many customers do you have?
You do have problems that spring up with water fed from time to time so replacing parts can be costy compared to rubbers etc trad.

[Mike55]

Approx 50 Jay.

[Jays Window Cleaning]

I have about 72 customers now and i personaly feel that i have over spent on my water fed set up to the amount of work i actulary have. I use a trolly system with barrels ok it gets it done quicker and its safer but i seem forever needing extra bits a bobs. i think i should have waited till i had at lease double the amount of customers that i have now. Personaly other may say different but i think your doing it the right cost effective way.

[Jays Window Cleaning]

See if you can go out for day with a wc that has water fed pole and see how it all works.

[dazmond]

totally disagree with gold on this one.stay  trad for now until u build ur round up and have the funds to switch over.its certainly not a waste of time to clean trad at all.very low overheads,a lot less hassle and u can still earn well.first of all u need some more work IMO.

REGARDS

DAZMOND

[AuRavelling79]

totally disagree with gold on this one.stay  trad for now until u build ur round up and have the funds to switch over.its certainly not a waste of time to clean trad at all.very low overheads,a lot less hassle and u can still earn well.first of all u need some more work IMO.

REGARDS

DAZMOND

Only do what DAZMOND says if you are completely skint, cannot raise the funds or want to do this job on a very small part time business. If you are certain you want to do the job and earn good money then go straight for wfp, do not pass go, do not waste time faffing around learning a skill that you will only use for internal work.

It would be like learning to run a railway with steam locomotives (unnecessary and labour intensive)and learning all over again to use diesel or electric later.

[glen parva]

i am only trad
but i do a lot of comerical and about 100 domestic cleans + 2 schools and 4 restaurants
 all low overheads
so why should you go wfp

[R W C™]

Where in the South East are you

[Mike55]

West Berkshire

[michael papworth]

I'd agree. Go wfp straight away, but I can see the point of starting trad.

Trad needs a much lower capital investment, but it does require rather more skill and takes longer to get up to a decent speed.

WFP gives you beter, more consistent results on a wider range of proerties.

If you're strapped for cash: ...

* get a trolley system or build your own.

* consider converting a Harris pole.

* consider harvesting rainwater./ Then all you need is a rainwater diverter on your down spout, some kind of strainer and a 200 litre water butt.

[SteveAllan]

Like Dazmond and Jays i would stay trad until built up. I have a trolley but mainly use my wagtail because of the nature of my round, its quicker.

[wizard]

.I agree with the fellows who said go trad first. Just a week ago we all battle to make money due to ice. Many WFP chaps went back to trad at this time as they could still get out there.(1) trad give you the skill and up close and personal with glass and the problems with glass we need to deal with. I have gone WFP after 6 months because of the height restrictions ladders place on me. I THINK HAVE BOTH SKILL is a bonus and of equal value to the windy.Trad tools can be cheaper as you can start on the basics and add later but a full kit can be costly. as a matter of fact my WFP kit cost me under 500 pound. If you study all the forums and U tube were you can learn a lot and train for nothing

[dazmond]

if u only have 50 custys and probably not quality custys at that i think it would be better to stay trad for now as there is ongoing increased costs with wfp which are a lot higher than trad.if u have some money saved up buy some work to add to ur 50.your ro und will increase alot more and be more compact if u buy some IMO.

BEST WISHES

DAZMOND

[Ian_Giles]

I wouldn't wait too long to go WFP, but I also think you have done the right thing by starting out trad.
Trad skills are a MUST for any window cleaner, if you go straight down the WFP route from the off it will take you one hell of a long time to learn trad skills.
If you have been trad for a few months then regardless of the size of your customer base you should be reasonably accomplished as a window cleaner and have a good understanding of all that is involved and the various problems that you need to overcome.
I would also have advised (were I asked of course!) that as you work your round, that you ensure that your existing customers all know that in the near future you will be converting to WFP.
As and when you can then afford it, choose the kind of system you intend to start out with - dIY/custom built etc - and add WFP to your toolbox....

Ian