[Karl1991]

Hi guys, first post on here just looking for a bit of advice.

I'm preparing to start up in the next few months. Initially I'll start part-time around my current job and canvass in the evenings & weekends.

Like a lot of people I'm torn between starting trad or wfp, I haven't got a lot of money so trad would be cheaper to start and I wouldn't have a large water bill each month. On the other hand if I started wfp I wouldn't have the hassle of changing over later on but the initial & monthly cost would be more (would like to know the approx water bill). I'm leaning towards getting a backpack starter kit?? There is also a gap in the market in my area for a wfp window cleaner as everyone here is trad (worked for most of them lol)

Should also say I have been a window cleaner for a few years and know wfp is safer its just the cost that concerns me.

All advice appreciated , cheers. 

[wpclean]

When you talk about cost regarding your decision to go for trad or wfp, just ask yourself how much do you value your life ?      There have been many deaths  due to falling from ladders ( I know of two in my area) .

I would advise to go for a trolley system, and start as you mean to go on, and if money is an issue get an interest free credit card,or borrow from family, and friends.

All the best with your business, and there is lots of work if you can bothered to go out, and get it 

[cgh window cleaning]

Where about's are you based?,as there may be some one or a company near buy who sell pure water.
This could help you out for a while.

[H20cleaning]

Why dont you buy 1 things every week to get started? In a month you could have bought a pump, battery, controller and some water drums.
So basically if you save like mad in 2 months you could have a DIY set up

[Ste b]

Why dont you buy 1 things every week to get started? In a month you could have bought a pump, battery, controller and some water drums.
So basically if you save like mad in 2 months you could have a DIY set up

Good bit of advice, also buy second hand if your on a budget, plenty on ebay ect

[H20cleaning]

second hand pump your looking at about £45, you can get away with using a deecent second hand van battery for a few months there about £20 from local scrap yards just buy a trickle charge with it, controller is about £45.00, then water drumbs probs £5.00 each?
then the month after save for a 2 story pole around £100

[gary999]

backpack from gardiners or john hewitts approx £120

barrels car wash free

harris pole easy to convert £15

brush from gardiners approx £30

pole hose b&q £15

tds meter £15

di vessel approx £100 if in soft water area

hard water area RO £150 and £30 for water butt to store water in


got my mate his basic gear wasnt much over £300

[johnny bravo]

pole hose from gardiners 30metres  =    £6.90p     
ez snapon   for hose end      to connect to backpack = £4.50p
delivery £5   + vat       =££19
they will fit the ez snap onto hose for you.      no tools needed.

plenty of hose left for your next pole.

i maybe selling a clx 27 shortly,      need a longer one.


advice .     make sure you can make  or buy your pure water first.       that is your main first major hurdle.  once you have conquered this   you can start with confidence knowing you can supply the pure water for wfp cleaning.

[Karl1991]

Cheers for the replies I appreciate it, I didn't realise you could get set up wfp for that cheap. I would need to get a mains outside tap fitted first, I'm guessing this would cost around £60-£80. Also, as I have no garage/shed the water butt/tank would have to be kept outside, do you guys no of any protection to stop the water from freezing in the winter months?

[barry mallett]

You might not need a water butt . Depends how you set your van up .i never had one . I had my Merlin r o . In the van and would hook it up when I got home and leave it running all night straight into the tank . But I got balled off with the Merlin and if your di only it's even easier ,just keep your 2 resin bottles in the van ,works for me .

[Karl1991]

Hi Barry, I would need an RO as live in a hard water area, as for having a tank in the van I don't think this is an option ATM

[R.W.C.S]

I got started off with a starter kit from Window Cleaning Warehouse in Wolverhampton, think it cost me about £500 to £600 for everything (RO kit / tank / water fed pole / hose and reel / tds meter / all fixtures and fittings.

Then brought a water butt from B&Q and slowly added to my equipment over the last few years, replacing their hose with john guest fittings etc.

Although heavy, the pole managed to do every job i needed to (although i have since replaced with an SLX), the RO unit and hose and reel are still going strong.

I had similar budget woes, but if you work hard canvassing you can earn a living and pay that off in six months.

[cgh window cleaning]

Hi Karl
I have seen you are in the south east.where about's ?
I know a place in Hatfield Hertfordshire that sell pure water and one near watford.
This may help you at the beginning,it is obviously best to make it yourself as it will save you time.If money is tight this could be an option.
When on a meter and producing pure water you need to remember that depending on set up you waste can be anything up to 50% of what you make.

[Karl1991]

Hatfield's not too far away from me actually, how much do they sell it for and in what quantity?

[cgh window cleaning]

It's around 4p a litre £1 a barrell.you can fill up anything from 1 barrell to 3000 litres.

[Karl1991]

By barrel do you mean a 25 litre drum? Could you give me the name of the company please mate

[cgh window cleaning]

Yes 25 litre drum £1.
Call.Courtney
Constant services-07971 556036
Call between 8am-5pm mon to fri
You can fill up from 7am.
Tell him craig from Stevenage sent you.

[Karl1991]

OK thanks mate appreciate it