[Lee Burbidge]

Residential with locked back gates. What do you do normally?

Use a ladder to straddle the gate

Climb over with no ladder

Ring or text the day before the clean

Use an A frame to climb over

Email the day before

Leave it

Working trad on ladders so split your ladder and climb over

I know one guy that does this - knock on the door the day before!!!

Place a note in the door the day before

[PurefectWindowCleaning]

We use the A frame, then either lean over and unlock, or get the little telescopic out and put on the other side.

None of my customers have an issue with this.

[paul ette]

text and if they aint unlocked it they will have to wait till next time

[dazmond]

all of em lee apart from the last 2!

i never knock on  their door the day before or leave a note!

[Inspire Cleaning]

We text the night before if they have very high gates or no through access. Hate texting, your asking for it if they have had a bad day or are a bit skint.

We  normally use two 7 rung pointers.

[Perfect Windows]

Dump and replace with three

[SeanK]

Fold up ladder that folds out into an A frame. Put it over the gate and climb over
without touching the fence or gate. ( Wide spaced feet for stability)
Safe and quick.

[Marc Stock]

We have a disclaimer on our invoices. If gate is locked on due date full amount is still due. We use our discretion with this rule, but prettey much everyone remembers when we are coming as we give the next clean date on the bill. If they forget, and they value our service they remember next time.

If they cant be bothered to note down the date we are coming, then why should we be bothered to come back at extra expense?

Its good this way as you tend to quickly sort out the time wasters from the genuine customrss who actually value the service you give them.

[SeanK]

I keep my gates locked as I have oil heating and don't want to make it easy for
thieves to empty the tank.
If I was forced to leave my gates unlocked because my window cleaner was to lazy
to put a set of steps over the gate then he wouldn't be my cleaner.
You do have to wonder how some on here would survive with a bit of competition.

[robert mitchell]

I keep my gates locked as I have oil heating and don't want to make it easy for
thieves to empty the tank.
If I was forced to leave my gates unlocked because my window cleaner was to lazy
to put a set of steps over the gate then he wouldn't be my cleaner.
You do have to wonder how some on here would survive with a bit of competition.

its not really about laziness is it .

I certainly prefer walking through a gate than climbing over , i text all my customers apart from a few to leave gates unlocked and its very rare they forget , if they do and i like them i will use a ladder to climb over.

The vast majority have there gates unlocked all the time anyway.

I find it amusing when people put huge padlocks , sometimes more than one on there gates when there is a 3 and half foot fence next to it.

A thief is unlikely to be put off by a locked gate .

[Smurf]

Why on earth would anyone want the hassle of dealing with locked gates and/or having to clamber over fences, roofs etc beats me...If I can't access the back then it doesn't get done.

I'm way too old and wise for all that grief  

Pet attacks window cleaner
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151597332266158&l=7541667952165643251

[robert mitchell]

Why on earth would anyone want the hassle of dealing with locked gates and/or having to clamber over fences, roofs etc beats me...If I can't access the back then it doesn't get done.

I'm way too old and wise for all that grief 

i agree , most are happy to unlock them and i have a few that have given me a key/code to there metal/electric gates.

[Smurf]

That reminds me of the time I went to do a quote at a posh house. The electric gates opened so thought great they must have seen me and opened the gates. Nope as they were out as I arrived early but was bursting for a pee. So thought what with all the cameras I would find a loo in the town and pop back in an hour. Only problem was I could not get back out so had to wait with me legs crossed until they got home

Hindsight is a wonderful thing http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-Mobile-Travel-Urinal-Toilet-Car-Caravan-Camping-Bottle-Boat-Pee-Loo-New-/120996766598?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET&hash=item1c2bf82386

Why on earth would anyone want the hassle of dealing with locked gates and/or having to clamber over fences, roofs etc beats me...If I can't access the back then it doesn't get done.

I'm way too old and wise for all that grief  

i agree , most are happy to unlock them and i have a few that have given me a key/code to there metal/electric gates.

[SB Cleaning]

Wheres the option for "use customers recycling bin? 

[Smurf]

I'm sure I would have been caught on camera so would not have set a good impression at all

Wheres the option for "use customers recycling bin?  

[mikeyfaerosyth]

You can use your pole to vault clear over any gate.I use an old bendy fibreglass pole.

[bobplum]

Dump and replace with three

[Keith Elmer]

Depending on the price, I do a front only.  I had one today.  I called the last night, told them what time I would be there and they were ok with it.  Got there and gate locked.  Knock on the door and rung the bell, no answer.  Cleaned next door front.  Checked again and so on and so on.  So it was a front only.

[Marc Stock]

I keep my gates locked as I have oil heating and don't want to make it easy for
thieves to empty the tank.
If I was forced to leave my gates unlocked because my window cleaner was to lazy
to put a set of steps over the gate then he wouldn't be my cleaner.
You do have to wonder how some on here would survive with a bit of competition.

I hope your not directing this comment at me Sean.

In actual fact all my customers are greatful that we give them a next clean date so they can leave their gates locked. The idea is that access is made available on the clean date we give them so we don't risk damaging their property or ourselves by climbing over.

Only downside of course is you have to honour the date you give them like clockwork, and for the type of window cleaner who decides to just ' turn up' with less than a Few moments notice or when they feel like it its not going to work.

We also have keys to customers houses for inside cleans, that's how much trust our customers Have in the service we offer.

[PoleKing]

Loads of competition round here. Absolutely loads.
You won't catch me gate hopping when I can walk away and get paid the same.