[bobplum]

Evening.
Well after debating for over 12 months, i decided to go on one of steve's training courses, now i know some people dont like him or what he is doing but i have to say i found it quite informative, well presented and enjoyable (especially the cheese cake at lunch time) he is very passionate about the industry and i feel what he is doing is basically trying to get ahead of the competition and place himself as at the forefront of this industry, which is as we know is unregulated.
For someone to go from 200 panels to 500,000 in a few years is quite remarkable and this is the main reason i decided to sign up to being a subcontractor.
From what i saw his aim is to get all the subcontractors singing from the same hymn sheet, some guys there had done some work for him in the early years and had nothing but good comments about him and his set up, payments are prompt, work was steady but not overwhelming, but who knows its a growing market.
I am not on here to defend steve but to give an honest opinion of my experience
Kind regards

[Smurf]

I do find it rather puzzling though that people want to pay upfront for training and be put on a list when they have no idea beforehand what they will get paid working for Steve as a subcontractor.

[Smudger]

I do find it rather puzzling though that people want to pay upfront for training and be put on a list when they have no idea beforehand what they will get paid working for Steve as a subcontractor.

I second that, esp. As the training course has no official recognition.

But as always fair play to anyone making a business successful

Darran

[CleanClear]

Evening.
Well after debating for over 12 months, i decided to go on one of steve's training courses, now i know some people dont like him or what he is doing but i have to say i found it quite informative, well presented and enjoyable (especially the cheese cake at lunch time) he is very passionate about the industry and i feel what he is doing is basically trying to get ahead of the competition and place himself as at the forefront of this industry, which is as we know is unregulated.
For someone to go from 200 panels to 500,000 in a few years is quite remarkable and this is the main reason i decided to sign up to being a subcontractor.
From what i saw his aim is to get all the subcontractors singing from the same hymn sheet, some guys there had done some work for him in the early years and had nothing but good comments about him and his set up, payments are prompt, work was steady but not overwhelming, but who knows its a growing market.
I am not on here to defend steve but to give an honest opinion of my experience
Kind regards

Are you off your nut ? You just paid a guy for training, who is expanding, he's gone bigger and bigger, and he's passionate about what he does, in this unregulated Industry............which by the way is window cleaning, and just like bog cleaning its not regulated..........What exactly did you pay for training for, just to hang onto his coat tails ?

[Smurf]

Steve maybe passionate about building an empire for himself and good luck to him but for the likes of his subcontractors standing in a field having to clean 100 solar panels an hour at 20p a pop using their own kit and pure water just to earn 20 squid gross profit and hour before expenses there is a darn easier ways to earn a few extra bob surely?  Talk about slave labour or what.... 

[Dave Willis]

I think he gives you a Tshirt. Not sure if you pay for it though.

[Rich Wilts]

You mean he sells you a t-shirt?

[Bungle]

I think he gives you a Tshirt. Not sure if you pay for it though.

And a free sticker for your van 

[Rich Wilts]

Whose taking bets on where this thread is going, cos I've got a tenner I'm willing to risk 

[dazmond]

Evening.
Well after debating for over 12 months, i decided to go on one of steve's training courses, now i know some people dont like him or what he is doing but i have to say i found it quite informative, well presented and enjoyable (especially the cheese cake at lunch time) he is very passionate about the industry and i feel what he is doing is basically trying to get ahead of the competition and place himself as at the forefront of this industry, which is as we know is unregulated.
For someone to go from 200 panels to 500,000 in a few years is quite remarkable and this is the main reason i decided to sign up to being a subcontractor.
From what i saw his aim is to get all the subcontractors singing from the same hymn sheet, some guys there had done some work for him in the early years and had nothing but good comments about him and his set up, payments are prompt, work was steady but not overwhelming, but who knows its a growing market.
I am not on here to defend steve but to give an honest opinion of my experience
Kind regards

all i can say bob is you cant have enough good paying window cleaning work yourself.why else would you want to work for someone else at a lower rate of pay?unless you will make more money working for steve?

[mick hay]

I have never really understood people in this industry being subbies.

Since i started 11 years ago, i have always been busy with my own work. If i needed more i just went out and got some, theres loads out there.

[Forum Admin]

Hi Guys,

We're all different this will be some for some and not for others. Let's not turn this into the usual, this will be a great opportunity for some but not for all.

Let's keep it friendly guys, we're all here to help, learn and share.

[NWH]

There must be money to be made with this solar panel lark they are all over the place now,you could almost get a round of just doing this within the next 10 years or so they need to be cleaned after all.

[tlwcs]

I saw on the local news a solar farm being installed, feck me the mud! You would have to bin your boots and clothes and hire a 4X4. You would be knackered just walking around them. Then the boredom of it all and then a poor hourly rate, not for me.
Bobby baby, you've got too much money 
Tony

[bobplum]

I think he gives you a Tshirt. Not sure if you pay for it though.

And a free sticker for your van 

Three actually

[bobplum]

i must admit its a bit of a punt, i do look at all the comments and i think they  are mostly  quite fair and has i said i ummed and arred  for 12 months, if it pays of all well and good if not then i had a expense lunch
I think i am looking to diversify a little,  we will be getting involved with another business in March, not cleaning related,  and a few other things are in the fire so thats probably what swayed me a little............time will tell

[Smudger]

So  Bob, in the spirit of this caring and sharing forum - what's the big secret to solar panel cleaning ??

I think smurf posted a link to a tracked vehicle with a big brush ( like a car wash ) on it, at some point when there is enough solar farms this will take over the water fed pole for large solar farms, it will be far quicker and cheaper for the owners.

Darran

[Dave Willis]

How about ................ an arm like tractors have for hedge cutting - fit a car wash brush and a tank and away you go.

[robbo333]

Why not just a 'self automated' sprinkler system, linked to pure water.  You could even put a 'wiper blade' on each panel with a tiny motor set to come on for one minute, once a week. It's not like you don't have the electrics to run it! 

Now where did I put that drawing pad...

[Plankton]

How about ................ an arm like tractors have for hedge cutting - fit a car wash brush and a tank and away you go.

Hit the nail on the head there.