[rob_g]

hello guys,

new to the forum and i'm just starting down the road of looking at starting a part time round to fit in with my other job. 

I would like to get myself established and started on the road to getting a healthy buisness up and running.
I'm down in the portsmouth area (waterlooville) and  Any help and advice will be gladfully recieved
 
 I look forward to contributing to the board

Rob

[rob_g]

having had a look around the forum i'm having trouble finding an average price for domestic properties?

I know that there is a fella that does a friends house down the roads for 8 quid thats for 13 windows. does that seem likea good place to pitch my prices?

Also I understand that new working at height regs are in place but does anybody do there windows the traditional way i.e ladders or does everyone use poles now?
thanks for the advice

Rob

[brett walker]

Hi rob g

welcome to the forum, prices vary from area to area check with a window cleaner in your area for prices

Wfp and trad are both widley used you have to be safe using both, its personal preference just different tools for different jobs

regards

Brett

[rob_g]

thanks for the reply i will ask around cheers

[Trevor Knight]

Hi Rob,

Agrred, ask around and see what the going rate is, if you're not that keen on asking other window cleaners ask your friends what they pay for their homes. Will get an idea that way.

Good luck

Trev

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

hi rob
i'm based in southampton if that's any help to you!
jay

[rob_g]

thanks for the replies fellas 

and thanks for the offer of help to i might just take that up!

just waiting for some cash to be made available and away I go


another question if i may?

I have seen other threads about wfp and wonered if this wasa good idea to start with?

i'm in the school of thought that its best to start traditional and then builda customer base first, eventually buying a wfp unit.

or anm i talking complete B******x and should i just grab the bull bye the horns and crack on?

cheers once again
rob

[Trevor Knight]

Personally I would suggest traditional to start with, get some experience under your belt. Two main reasons, 1) see if you like this industry with minimal outlay and 2) you will need to be up to scratch with a squeege for when you need to clean insides of glass.

good luck  Trev

[rob_g]

thanks trev, much appreciated

what do you think the minnimum outlay fora trad set up woul be and is that restricting me to ground floor only or can i still use poles to do first floors of domestics?

thanks for the advice once again guys i really havent got a clue! but this forum has given me no end of help

[adixon]

you can still use ladders but you must always think safety, i dont believe in using poles on first floor dont give a very good finish. changing over to wfp myself soon a lot better and safer. i agree with everyonelse to learn trad first as it gives you a feel for the proffession and wont cost you much to buy all your equipment onwards and upwards from there
best of luck

dont forget its not just a job but an adventure 

[Trevor Knight]

what do you think the minnimum outlay fora trad set up woul be and is that restricting me to ground floor only or can i still use poles to do first floors of domestics?

The cost will vary slightly depending on where you buy your ladders from. I must admit I am not really uptodate on ladders as I use WFP but post a new topic on Ladders and you will get the members to help you with that. Use your traditional set up for ALL your work, get comfortable with the different techniques required for diffent types of windows. Get comfortable using a ladder, remember, SAFETY!!! If your working on your own to start with it would be advisable to get a ladder stay for the more difficult to get to windows.

Build your round slowly and at a pace you can hand. Make sure you price the work correctly to start with. Don't start cheap because you want the work, likewise don't overprice. Ask your frinends what they pay for thier house and get an idea.

Forget about WFP until you have built experience, a good customer base and have decided this really is for you.

i dont believe in using poles on first floor dont give a very good finish.

Sorry ad, totally disagree on that one, if anything you can achieve a better finish using WFP as you can see the bottom corners better than on a 1st,2nd or 3rd floor window. You will see when you change over 

Good luck Rob.

Best wishes, Trev

[adixon]

i do apologise i meant using a pole with squeegee on the end not giving a good finish

[Trevor Knight]

Oh right, that makes sense, agreed the finish quality is not as good as that done by hand.

regards, Trev

[TVCS]

Regarding pricing When I first started cleaning windows I was unsure on how to price.  I searched the forum and found  a post saying they price 50p for a downstairs and a quid for an upstairs window.  This has helped me price up some jobs.  Add up the windows and you can still ad a little if you think it will take more time.  I found I was really underpricing to start with and it has been awkward trying to up my prices on some of my first houses.  So dont go really cheap to start with. Thats my advice I know others have said it too.  If you do a good job people will pay a fair price and tell their friends.
Good luck with it.