[4S Cleaning]

I notice a wee bit of looking down noses at traditional wc on here , in my short part-time career in wc I have picked up quite a few custys not happy with wfp due to not doing windows above flat roofs not doing back windows because of access probs but mainly because of cills not done & dripping wet .

I get the faster work rate & the safer work but I don't get the all traditional cleaners are cowboys & stupid

Ladder work can be dangerous ..usually when the ladder is in the hands of an idiot .

Ladder work does take longer but if the custy prefers it then why not ?

Before WFP how did WC clean windows ? surely not with a ladder if so , were they all cowboys ?

Just a new starter with a few questions yippee kia aye 

[DG Cleaning]

Let's talk again next spring, see if you feel the same 

[4S Cleaning]

Let's talk again next spring, see if you feel the same 

So peeps on here don't diss trad cleaners ?

For the last five years I have worked in an icebox of a factory using freezing cold compressed air guns , been warmer outside most of the time , so a bit of cold will not bother me , if it's too dangerous to go up ladder then I won't go out , but cold will bother wfp just as much as trad . probs be warmer going up and down ladder .

By the way Im not saying I will never go wpf ...only pes me off that some look down on trad & say they are cowboys , when nothing comes the other way ... we are all trying to earn a pound so why diss trads

[G Griffin]

Some of it is light hearted banter by those that have done both and pole cats that are comfortable with the way they work.
And some of it is insecurity because some cleaners don't like an alternative to the way they work, so they snipe about it.  
You can't change the latter attitude, so don't worry about it and let insecurity affect you.  

[4S Cleaning]

The only insecurity I have is packing in the freezer box job that gives me a wage every week & holiday pay .

On the wpf , I feel some are trying to justify the cash laid out .

I say each too there own plenty windows for everyone 

[DG Cleaning]

4s, The ground's just starting to get damp, last year it stayed that way till Xmas, then thankfully the rest of winter was dry. Natural stone paving, decking and anything else that's a bit smooth isn't nice when you're on your own. Cold doesn't come into it. Yes there are loads on here look down at trad I'm not one of them just glad I'm converting my round to wfp before winter. I've told my custies in no uncertain terms I'm done with ladders. Yes I'll use them to get over the odd garage or roof but that's it. I've not had a cancellation yet but its early days. I think its how you explain wfp that makes the difference, the sills will dry clean anyway

[Total shine cleaning services]

I have a lot of time for the skill involved in being trad, and the houses I do trad I really enjoy,but I really do believe to be a modern professional window cleaner you need all the right tools and that includes wfp systems, if you are good at both then you are complete

Graham

[steve rix]

The only insecurity I have is packing in the freezer box job that gives me a wage every week & holiday pay .

On the wpf , I feel some are trying to justify the cash laid out .

I say each too there own plenty windows for everyone 

You sir are NOT an idiot

[Johnny B]

I am a traddy with 15 years in the game, so have seen some heavy winters in that time.

I use my common sense when using the ladders. If it is safe to proceed, I do, and if it isn't, I don't. Simple really.

Best wishes to all,
John   

[andrew hamshare]

Winter? No was thinking of snow clearing, maybe £10 a path? B

[barry mallett]

totally agree , my mate who is 100% trad has stopped coming on here due to the snobbery of some wfp guys . maybe we could all realise we are all windys together . why not get a seperate section up here for the trad guys down at the very bottom of the home page , and a section just for wfp at the top .  best regards baz

[jimiwindows]

you dont have to be a window cleaner to wfp anyone can do it.

[paul saunders]

you dont have to be a window cleaner to wfp anyone can do it.

If you're  waterfed  polling a window, does that not make you a widow cleaner?

[KS Cleaning]

you dont have to be a window cleaner to wfp anyone can do it.

Maybe should change your name to jimicricket

[CLEANCARE WC]

I know loooads of jw window cleaners ( i only mention it because everyone knows everyone therefore prob knowing more other wc than the average windy) and even though ever more people are turning to reach & wash the vast majority are still tradders.

[Jon_Phelps]

I've been cleaning windows a while now and personally i think a mixture of both trad and wfp is essential. each method has its own benefits. i've picked up many jobs where a trad window cleaner can't clean above a certain height or over conservatories and jobs off wfp window cleaners that can't squeegee the insides or cills not done properly. once you've got both disciplines sorted then there's no job you cant do and therefore keeping everyone happy.

[wfp master]

I've been cleaning windows a while now and personally i think a mixture of both trad and wfp is essential. each method has its own benefits. i've picked up many jobs where a trad window cleaner can't clean above a certain height or over conservatories and jobs off wfp window cleaners that can't squeegee the insides or cills not done properly. once you've got both disciplines sorted then there's no job you cant do and therefore keeping everyone happy.

some who are wfp have never used trad just went straight into wfp & have never used trad & would not know how to clean a window trad.

[wfp master]

I have a lot of time for the skill involved in being trad, and the houses I do trad I really enjoy,but I really do believe to be a modern professional window cleaner you need all the right tools and that includes wfp systems, if you are good at both then you are complete

Graham

agree

[Jon_Phelps]

I've been cleaning windows a while now and personally i think a mixture of both trad and wfp is essential. each method has its own benefits. i've picked up many jobs where a trad window cleaner can't clean above a certain height or over conservatories and jobs off wfp window cleaners that can't squeegee the insides or cills not done properly. once you've got both disciplines sorted then there's no job you cant do and therefore keeping everyone happy.

some who are wfp have never used trad just went straight into wfp & have never used trad & would not know how to clean a window trad.

maybe they should learn because it will only benefit them more. i was taught by my uncle and he wouldn't let me use the wfp until i could trad quickly and accurately. even then i had to use a small squeegee to get the technique right before he allowed me to use the larger ones. it took me ages to clean a shop window and he found it hilarious! i was a little frustrated at the time but i'm glad he taught me that way. customers do appreciate the skill involved

[SunShineCleaning]

I don't think it's snobbery, rather for many of us who have cleaned windows for 20+ years, the chance to work safely as we approch 50 is worth the payout.

The truth is once you have used WFP and got your head round it it's a breeze.
You do however have to deal with the mind-shift in how you approch work.

25 years ago I became a window cleaner and stayed a window cleaner priding myself in the fact that I could get to any window to clean it and if thats what the customer wants...?

I am no longer a 'window cleaner' rather I am someone who makes money in the easiest way possible using the skills and tools that I have.

That happens to be by cleaning windows usng a wfp.

I no longer feel the need to find a way to clean every window before me. I now start every day saying "What is the easiest way I can make the most money today"

I spent 18 years on ladders and now I've found a easier way to make money. There is no snobbery to it simply looking after myself.

We do tend to get evangelical about it, but then again, if you found something great you would share it.

When it comes to safety and your insurance, for me, it's a no-brainer.

I can also see that over the last 25 years the world has changed. In 1983 the seatbelt law for front seats was introduced, in the back seats it was 1991. Laws change and regulations get tighter, they rarely get relaxed. Litigation and compensation have also changed thing. In 1983 no one would have sued an individual for an accident, they wouldn't have known how to, now anyone can easily.

When I started the small print for PL was minimal, basicly if you had an accident and damaged someones property they would pay up.
Now the small print does everything to get out of it, including using wording that is deliberatly vague.

From a outsiders point of view, and I include most newbies, window cleaning looks simple and easy to set up. From a 20 year + experience point of view it has become a more complex job.

If you went to any other trade such as plumbing for example they too will tell you that standards and techniques have also changed, its what happens in any trade. Window cleaning is no different, its changed.

Some old time tradders will never change to wfp but, in my opinion, they miss out on an easier life.