[dougster]

I have just started cleaning a new estate of detatched houses,and started of using my wfp.but odd customers wasnt to sure, as they have not seen this way of cleaning windows before.
I have given them a letter each explaining the system which we had used and told them the first clean is free.
the thing is when windows have splashes of mortar on them its not shifting and silicone allso does not come of so i have told them to get on to the developers to remove.

Has anyone else used wfp on a new site which is being built, any tips ideas would be gratefull, cheers dougster

[brett walker]

Hi Dougster

new building sites are best to go for, as they are new windows they seem very easy to wfp it is up to the builders clean to get them up to standard.  Then the only problems you should have is the dust off the building site itself

I have been lucky and have sold most of my traditional work and have bought established wfp work on new sites

You will find some people have never seen this way of cleaning because when you think of a window cleaner you think of a ladder, bucket etc  but more are getting clued up on it now as its getting a more popular way to work

Are you the only wfp in your area?

Brett

[dougster]

not seen many people around my area using wfp on domestic work brett.
time will tel if people dont accept it on here well they will have to clean there own,im sure i wont loose all 200 hundred houses.

[Ian Rochester]

You will find that new builds, or houses that have not been cleaned for a long time and have paint, mortar or labels still on them, will need to be cleaned using the good old traditional method of getting up a set of ladders (safely, which can still be done!!) and using your scrapers to remove the debris.  WFP will not remove this type of dirt.

However, you cannot just ignore the problem and say it's the fault of the builders and they need to sort it out.  These things happen all the time and as "WINDOW CLEANERS", you need to be able to CLEAN THE WINDOWS, not just wash them with a WFP system, as this will not satisfy any customer and they will soon look elsewhere for the job to be done properly.

This type of work still needs to be done by someone, if you refuse to do it then your reputation as a professional window cleaner suffers and the customer will look elsewhere.

We clean both traditionally and using WFP up to 60', and I can assure you that both methods are done in a safe manner. 

We carry out many builders cleans, commercial cleans and domestic cleans.  Each and every time we ascertain which is the best method of cleaning for each job.  Don't be afraid of using ladders if the job justifies it.

[gaza]

As Brett said new site are a dodle, go Doug and find every new site opening up and lay your claim to them cus most are 3 high buildings now being built,gets rid of alot of competition.Ive an arrangement that I clean show houses for a national company
but not until the building cleans done,then they ask me to do the 1st clean when the house is sold before they move in.
 so in summing up if its 3 high ask the householder to get back to the rep and ask them to clean them as the standard at the hand over stage was very  poorly done
would you accept a new car with dirt on it .
 

 GOOD LUCK
 GAZA

[Paul erithwc]

Is it a good idea to use wfp on new builds from the start or would it be better to use ladders for the first 6 months till the building has stopped and the dust has settled 

Thanks Paul

[SB Cleaning]

I think your mad doing the 1st clean for free...

I would charge them x3 the normal clean to get the ladders out and scrape all the silicone etc  off.

[Paul erithwc]

I think your mad doing the 1st clean for free...

I would charge them x3 the normal clean to get the ladders out and scrape all the silicone etc  off.

Buliders clean have already been done to a high standard and the window just need mantaining but im not sure if wfp would be best considering the dust thats still around.

Paul

[tonycarr]

hi dougster....builders cleans are always best done traditionally for the first time (certainly never for free) use a scraper with new blade and wet the glass first. and you need to charge at least double, if there`s a window you cant get to with ladder, do with pole and explain to customer that there may still be builders residue

tony

[Plankton]

You will find that new builds, or houses that have not been cleaned for a long time and have paint, mortar or labels still on them, will need to be cleaned using the good old traditional method of getting up a set of ladders (safely, which can still be done!!) and using your scrapers to remove the debris.  WFP will not remove this type of dirt.

However, you cannot just ignore the problem and say it's the fault of the builders and they need to sort it out.  These things happen all the time and as "WINDOW CLEANERS", you need to be able to CLEAN THE WINDOWS, not just wash them with a WFP system, as this will not satisfy any customer and they will soon look elsewhere for the job to be done properly.

This type of work still needs to be done by someone, if you refuse to do it then your reputation as a professional window cleaner suffers and the customer will look elsewhere.

We clean both traditionally and using WFP up to 60', and I can assure you that both methods are done in a safe manner. 

We carry out many builders cleans, commercial cleans and domestic cleans.  Each and every time we ascertain which is the best method of cleaning for each job.  Don't be afraid of using ladders if the job justifies it.

I am a "window cleaner" and I don't clean windows from a ladder full stop nor am I insured to do so. I am insured to use ladders for access to roofs or cleaning gutters. If the builders left cement or sticky labels on them then it's not my responsibility.

[tonycarr]

paul.....if the builders clean has already been done to a high standard, then just pole it as normal

tony

[Scrimble]

free first clean? you idiot

[Mick Kent]

free first clean? you idiot

Still cheaper than x2 from a canvasser but i aggree free first clean is madness

[SeanK]

You will find that new builds, or houses that have not been cleaned for a long time and have paint, mortar or labels still on them, will need to be cleaned using the good old traditional method of getting up a set of ladders (safely, which can still be done!!) and using your scrapers to remove the debris.  WFP will not remove this type of dirt.

However, you cannot just ignore the problem and say it's the fault of the builders and they need to sort it out.  These things happen all the time and as "WINDOW CLEANERS", you need to be able to CLEAN THE WINDOWS, not just wash them with a WFP system, as this will not satisfy any customer and they will soon look elsewhere for the job to be done properly.

This type of work still needs to be done by someone, if you refuse to do it then your reputation as a professional window cleaner suffers and the customer will look elsewhere.

We clean both traditionally and using WFP up to 60', and I can assure you that both methods are done in a safe manner. 

We carry out many builders cleans, commercial cleans and domestic cleans.  Each and every time we ascertain which is the best method of cleaning for each job.  Don't be afraid of using ladders if the job justifies it.

I am a "window cleaner" and I don't clean windows from a ladder full stop nor am I insured to do so. I am insured to use ladders for access to roofs or cleaning gutters. If the builders left cement or sticky labels on them then it's not my responsibility.

Let me get this straight, your not insured to use a ladder to clean a window but are insured to use a ladder to clean gutters.
You will happily clean a gutter from a ladder which will be a lot more dangerous, but refuse to use a ladder to remove silicone
or a sticker from a window. Wow

[Plankton]

Yes that's right apart from cleaning gutters being more dangerous. If the gutter couldn't be cleaned safely I wouldn't clean it simple as that.

[Paul erithwc]

Im confused who said the clean was free   

All i was asking was wfp suitable for cleaning windows on new builds where parts of the site are still being buit Eg lots of dust flying around.

Paul

[robert mitchell]

the op said in his letter to customers that the first clean is free

[deeege]

Im confused who said the clean was free   

All i was asking was wfp suitable for cleaning windows on new builds where parts of the site are still being buit Eg lots of dust flying around.

Paul

You bumped an old thread from 2006 which OP said he was doing first cleans for free. If you have an question to ask start a new thread, don't bump an old one.

[Paul erithwc]

Ha ha didn't see that 

[Clever Forum Name]

He had probably sorted the issue out in 2006.