[Smiths Cleaning]

had my first week with wfp, mixed feelings from myself and clients. but i am committed to it and will stick to it. Realize will need an 18ft pole any suggestions where to buy from etc. all comments gratefully accepted.

[Sarah Sarill]

Hello,

Stick with it - there will be ups and down.  It is commonly stated on this forum that you will get a few customers complaining  but you will replace any losses with new ones who prefere the system. Also many f/t w/c have experiences back ache etc but the muscles do stop aching eventually and once up to speed you will be able to take on new customers cos your getting around quicker and more safely.

I have seen poles for sale on ebay - just do a search for both poles and brushes.

Our personal preference is a Brodex Fibreglass.  A little more exensive than the pro version or an aluminium but so much lighter to use.  Some do like the heavier pole for stability though so try to find a local stockist and feel them for yourself.

You will get other post with specific recommendations so ring them all.

We purchased our from www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk

Good luck,

Sarah

[Moderator David@stives]

I have only lost 1 customer and that was before i cleanned them .
He just said if i wanted my windows cleaned with a brush i would do it myself  ,but he was funny any way.

As for being tired and sore i have not had that apart from today ,just depends on the difficulty of the job.

My brodex pole is not light at all it is the pro version with a goose neck

Dave

[windows_chepstow]

Smiths,

I've just finished my third week.  It's getting easier as my confidence grows in the system, and I'm learning how best (easiest) to use it.

I'm also noticing a 10 to 30 percent increase in my turnover.  Sometimes it's brilliant and really fast, other times it's around the same time it would take me to use a ladder.  But I know I'll speed up on subsequent cleans as I won't be so fanatical about cleaning the top of the frames and rinsing.

To be honest; I've been being a bit of a 'fanny' with my WFP.  Scrubbing frames like a lunatic and using three different techniques to rinse on EVERY window (I've been lightly stoking the glass in downward strokes, then lightly side-to-side, then finally with the brush off the window).

Once I've completed my round with a WFP, I know I'll be less 'fanyish'.

Much of the increase in my turnover is because I find using a WFP is less physically demanding than lugging my body up and down ladders all day; so I'm starting earlier and finishing later.

I know once I've gained the trust of my customers; hopefully after the first clean; I'll be to whip round them like Billy Whizz and still do a top job.

Anyway, to your question.  I use an 18 foot Ionics Pole and it's brilliant.  Light; quick and easy to extend or retract.  I bought mine second hand, but I think the price is around £80.00, though I could be wrong.

For higher work I have a 30 foot Unger Pole which is good too. 

[neil100]

Tosh,
Is the ionics pole THe cheaper multipole or the universal glass fibre pole?

Tryed the multipole on my demo and liked it,but am concerend how much use it could take before the clamps start becoming a problem.

Nel

[Londoner]

I pulled up yesterday to watch two guys who were cleaning a large block of flats with a van mounted WFP setup.
I was amazed how quickly they were belting through the work. They would have done the whole block in a couple of hours compared to a day or more using trad.
These systems really are fast once you get the hang of them.

[BVC]

brodex are the best and they offer a real friendly service for all your questions.   www.bms.co.uk

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

had my first week with wfp, mixed feelings from myself and clients. but i am committed to it and will stick to it. Realize will need an 18ft pole any suggestions where to buy from etc. all comments gratefully accepted.

stick with the wfp it's really worth it in the long run,
you will find it quicker once to you get used to it
but more importantly is the safety aspect

as for poles, i find www.scrimcity.co.uk resonable for unger poles,

[matt]

personally i dont think you can beat unger poles

cheap

last ages

the cones can be replaced for a few quid

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

personally i dont think you can beat unger poles

cheap

last ages

the cones can be replaced for a few quid

i'm with you 100% on that 1 matt

[steve massey]

I have had a wfp for 3 year and never use it on my houses only on my commercial work
we work as a team of 3 and i would have thought it would have been quicker to clean house the traditional way?

[neil100]

What would not use it on your own house. hang your head in shame.

I'm just switching to wfp for safety reasons,26 yrs up and down a ladder is long enough.

In fact when 2 of us are working,i do upstairs all day, around about 250 times up and down a ladder heaving 14 stone of muscle and bone.

Come on you wfp.

Money. a young freind of mine earned £400.00 on his own this summer in one day, no risk,with wfp on domestic. Tradtional he would of made £190.00.

No brainer.

Nel.

[mark6765]

i have done wfp for 6 month now.
 i can do  £200 aday and im not tired
traditional was £120 a day and i was knackerd.
and i havent put my prices up for 2 years.
cnt wait till next year.
all prices will increase 30%
now they are used to the water and wet windows i get praised on the clean frames.
i did lose some work.
but more than replaced it with better work.
i will never go back to ladders.
im 37 and have had no falls in 12 years of window cleaning.
but enuff near misses to work out ladders are a mugs game.