I live in a relatively small town catchment area in Norfolk. Low economy, much higher than average unemployment ratio. Nearest big town, Cambridge, is about 40 miles away. I see dozens and dozens of window cleaners locally. Probably 95% trad. I hope they stay that way. I don't want them competing for my type of work with wfp.
I was anti wfp for 3 years, totally sceptical and absolutely certain that I could do a better job the trad way. Some of my customers would still agree. I have one customer for 13 years, she cleans her own windows inside and out every week! And has me come to do them every 4 weeks too!! She says she has never had such a good w/c. I take great pride in those comments. She doesn't like wfp, her only reason? Because the windows are left wet. I have others too who are not happy with wfp. But I'm not going back. I'm happy with it and that matters most now. If I was 35 I would probably look at things differently. I'm 52, I want to make things easier where I can, and safer. Yes, comparatively big initial outlay, but surprisingly quick return. I set myself up over a couple of weeks in October 2005, apart from filling with water, it hasn't cost a single penny more, yet. I get home usually by 4pm connect my tapwater to RO/DI, connect straight into van tank, I have 400 litre of pure water 2 hours later, disconnect, switch off tap, lock van till morning. No early morning starts for me. My bigger accounts are delighted with the results of wfp. I can look at new jobs and quote for stuff I wouldn't have bothered with before because they were just too big, I would think yeucch, triple ladders, 2 days work etc. Now I look and think, easy peasy, probably 3 to 4 hours inc lunch
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So please, stay with your ladders and squeegees, there is more work than ever for you, as wfp guys are loosing some work, but gaining stuff you wouldn't bother with.
What I have noticed around here just lately is that large rural properties all seem to have clean windows as I drive past, so there must be wfp guys working locally that I don't know about
There really is no argument for me. I am happy concentrating on wfp only for outsides. Some of you guys have work that requires wfp and trad. Some just have trad. All work.
Some properties do not really lend themselves to wfp, and some do not really lend themselves to trad.
The arguments begin with properties that can be cleaned just as well both ways, then it becomes an issue of pride in your chosen method of work. I have some properties that are not done any quicker with wfp, I wish I hadn't talked them into it, but I will probably drop them eventually...£15 for 45min.45litres gone..etc. Someone else will pick them up and boast how much better trad is. Good.
I haven't come across another single trad w/c locally who posts on here. But I do know a few wfp w/cs who don't bother posting on here at all, because they are earning so much they daren't tell you, and they know all they need to know, they're too busy, and won't let on to others their tricks. That doesn't make them bad people either.
