[Kev Martin]

I am currently having new Double Glazing fitted in my flat.  The four large windows overlooking the High Street are cleaned once a month by a guy with a WFP.  Firstly every time we have it done it never seems to be a brilliant job, I would describe it as adequate, but it is deffo better than not having it done at all.  My question is having just had new windows installed:

1.  Can the frames be cleaned at the same time?
2.  Is there a difference in WFP Cleaning?
3.  Do different WFP’s Ionics etc produce different results?
4.  What’s a fair price?  (he does 3 flats in a row 12 Windows in total  all first floor above a busy high st and likes to do them at 7am)

Any advice welcome and I don’t want to give the poor guy a hard time but equally I don’t want the new DG looking like its 5 years old after a month.

Kevin

[Shrek]

The frames and sills can and should be cleaned at the same time , I do this for all my customers and there’s no excuse not to do them (unless your paying him peanuts).
All wfp systems produce the same results .
It’s irrelevant how many jobs he’s got , it’s what your happy paying.
Sounds like a pain in the @ss job to be honest! I don’t know many that would take on flats above a busy high street which needs to be done at 7am

[DeLuce]

Can't comment on the price. Area difference and accessibility. I'd have to see it 
But all wfp systems should give same result, clean windows!
Also, like Shrek said, frame and sills every time I clean. That's the good thing with wfp.

[Kev Martin]

The frames and sills can and should be cleaned at the same time , I do this for all my customers and there’s no excuse not to do them (unless your paying him peanuts).
All wfp systems produce the same results .
It’s irrelevant how many jobs he’s got , it’s what your happy paying.
Sounds like a pain in the @ss job to be honest! I don’t know many that would take on flats above a busy high street which needs to be done at 7am

He does it at 7am through his own  choice it means that the High Street is quiet, no pedestrians to get in his way whilst he is doing it.  He then also moves on into the precinct and does all those, he uses some sort of trolley system.  When I say 1st Floor it is only the same as the upstairs windows in a house.  My flat is essentially a bungalow built on top of the shops.

[Dry Clean]

I am currently having new Double Glazing fitted in my flat.  The four large windows overlooking the High Street are cleaned once a month by a guy with a WFP.  Firstly every time we have it done it never seems to be a brilliant job, I would describe it as adequate, but it is deffo better than not having it done at all.  My question is having just had new windows installed:

1.  Can the frames be cleaned at the same time?  ...yes but you need to be careful above vents, openers and so on.
2.  Is there a difference in WFP Cleaning? ... no a clean window is a clean window.
3.  Do different WFP’s Ionics etc produce different results? .... no again a clean window is a clean window but some operators think they need snake oils and magic wands to achieve decent results.
4.  What’s a fair price?  (he does 3 flats in a row 12 Windows in total  all first floor above a busy high st and likes to do them at 7am)......  Whatever both parties are happy with.

Any advice welcome and I don’t want to give the poor guy a hard time but equally I don’t want the new DG looking like its 5 years old after a month.
Kevin

[The Jester of Wibbly]

Also worth noting that windows will never stay perfect very long on a busy high street compared to a residential area.  There will be far more dust and air particals flying around through high volume of vehicles and industrial activity.

[p1w1]

1,  Frames should be cleaned at the same time really.
2, No
3, No
4, Whatever your both happy with, your job sounds a slight pain and he's probably doing it that early as its the only good time to do it without having the public around.

You haven't really said what the issue is, is he leaving spots on the glass, frames not being done, certain area not being cleaned (like over a vent) etc. I suspect as you've said he's using a trolly then he is having to conserve water and not able to give the glass and frames a proper rinse. On the flip side your job sounds a pain in the ass and you would probably struggle to get someone else if you sack him off, also your in an area with probably heavy traffic so there not going to stay perfectly clean for long.

[dazmond]

Most trolley guys do a crap job cos their usually trying to conserve water so don't rinse enough or clean the frames properly....

[alank]

A mate of mine cleans properties on a busy main road. The glass is a pavements width away from the road these are done fortnightly wfp they are clean when he leaves he does a good job with no water issues like purity or running short on water. But the traffic throws up that much dirt they are at times minging the next day. So the windows and frames should be acceptable and get dirty over time not left dirty if you know what I mean. But the job sounds ok to clean so your windows should be clean even if only for a shorter time hope this makes sense kev

[nathankaye]

I agree with daz.
If he's using some sort of trolley thing (your words) then he will be trying to reserve water which unfortunately can go against them as you need a good flow and a certain amount of water to do a good job (regardless if done fast or slow).
It sounds like this chap is perhaps trying to stretch his water out too far. Though I can understand why he's chosen to clean at such a time, tho personally I wouldn't be doing residential work before 8.30 myself.

I also hate these experiences as well, because they don't win over customers onto wfp and I bet this makes you think Kevin, that there's no way you will switch onto wfp as its not as good as mop n squeegee.

[Stoots]

Wfp isn't always perfect.

But luckily it does a good enough most of the time to get away with it.


I cleaned my windows last week in direct sunlight. A few hours after they dried they were shocking for spotting. Oddly the next day not in direct sunlight the spotting had totally disappeared, at least it the eye.

[John Mart]

The frames and sills can and should be cleaned at the same time , I do this for all my customers and there’s no excuse not to do them (unless your paying him peanuts).
All wfp systems produce the same results .
It’s irrelevant how many jobs he’s got , it’s what your happy paying.
Sounds like a pain in the @ss job to be honest! I don’t know many that would take on flats above a busy high street which needs to be done at 7am

He does it at 7am through his own  choice it means that the High Street is quiet, no pedestrians to get in his way whilst he is doing it.  He then also moves on into the precinct and does all those, he uses some sort of trolley system.  When I say 1st Floor it is only the same as the upstairs windows in a house.  My flat is essentially a bungalow built on top of the shops.

It sounds to me as if he's doing them at that time out of necessity.

[Splash & dash]

With new windows there shouldn’t be a problem yes the frames and sills should be done each time : I don’t agree with the comments about all wfp users getting the same results that’s not the case at all some people use water with a high tds reading this will not clean as well as 000 reading it also depends how thourough the person is doing the work is he slap dash or does he take his time and Do a good job ! Also hot water will give better results than cold , we pick up a lot of work from people that are unhappy with there currant cleaner for the reasons that you have mentioned most of the time there is no reason that the finished result with wfp should be the same if not better than trad methods and the windows should stay cleaner for longer I would suggest that you explain your issues with him and see what happens if no improvement get a better window cleaner

[Shrek]

The frames and sills can and should be cleaned at the same time , I do this for all my customers and there’s no excuse not to do them (unless your paying him peanuts).
All wfp systems produce the same results .
It’s irrelevant how many jobs he’s got , it’s what your happy paying.
Sounds like a pain in the @ss job to be honest! I don’t know many that would take on flats above a busy high street which needs to be done at 7am

He does it at 7am through his own  choice it means that the High Street is quiet, no pedestrians to get in his way whilst he is doing it.  He then also moves on into the precinct and does all those, he uses some sort of trolley system.  When I say 1st Floor it is only the same as the upstairs windows in a house.  My flat is essentially a bungalow built on top of the shops.

It sounds to me as if he's doing them at that time out of necessity.

Like John said , he does them at that time because he’s no choice really - if he does them after 7am , then he’ll be dripping water on people.
I always turn these jobs down for the following reasons
• no parking, so have to use a trolley
•on a busy high street
•upstairs flat
•time restrictions

I’d give the guy a medal 🥇

[Kev Martin]

Firstly I know SFA about window cleaning Trad or WFP.  Thank you all for your replies though it has given me several things to think about.

He told me he cleans early because he doesn’t want the hassle of the general public.
I saw my friends house being done with a WFP the other day and I thought at the time his windows looked a lot better afterwards than mine ever do.  However, it seems from most of your comments he is trying to conserve water.
The job is a PITA and probably not ideal but the 3 of us pay him £40 and it takes him less than 20 minutes.  We also religiously pay him cash on the day without fail.  I don’t know if it’s cheap or expensive but I do know 3 others turned it down and I now get the reasons why.

Once again thanks for all your replies regarding a subject I know nowt about

Kev

[dazmond]

some window cleaners  are just not very good regardless of method used.i clean some offices on a busy main road every 6 weeks and they often still look pretty clean after 6 weeks.......

IMO £40 sounds expensive...so he s charging you £10 a window?

[Dry Clean]

Firstly I know SFA about window cleaning Trad or WFP.  Thank you all for your replies though it has given me several things to think about.

He told me he cleans early because he doesn’t want the hassle of the general public.
I saw my friends house being done with a WFP the other day and I thought at the time his windows looked a lot better afterwards than mine ever do.  However, it seems from most of your comments he is trying to conserve water.
The job is a PITA and probably not ideal but the 3 of us pay him £40 and it takes him less than 20 minutes.  We also religiously pay him cash on the day without fail.  I don’t know if it’s cheap or expensive but I do know 3 others turned it down and I now get the reasons why.

Once again thanks for all your replies regarding a subject I know nowt about

Kev

The problem is the majority of wfp'ers know even less about the method than you do which is why you get so much conflicting
information, luckily as long as you can use the equipment knowing how or why it works is something that's not needed.
If you're not getting good results on the day then its down to the cleaner and nothing else, the length of time they stay clean
will depend on whats around you to dirty them.

[Kev Martin]

some window cleaners  are just not very good regardless of method used.i clean some offices on a busy main road every 6 weeks and they often still look pretty clean after 6 weeks.......

IMO £40 sounds expensive...so he s charging you £10 a window?

No he is charging £40 for 12 windows which he does in about 20 minutes.  But he then walks 2 minutes into the open shopping pedestrian precinct and does about 5 or 6 shops in there as well.  But he has been and gone in less than an hour.  I am guessing but he probably gets a £100 in under an hour

[Kev Martin]

I wonder how much would it cost me to buy a small WFP system for myself?  It would only have to reach up to house height but I could then do the other 4 windows on my balcony side which I do trad at the moment and we could then do my warehouse as well which is currently done trad by my warehouse guy.  What do you pro’s think?

[dazmond]

I wonder how much would it cost me to buy a small WFP system for myself?  It would only have to reach up to house height but I could then do the other 4 windows on my balcony side which I do trad at the moment and we could then do my warehouse as well which is currently done trad by my warehouse guy.  What do you pro’s think?

so how much does he charge you for your windows then?your post wasnt very clear......at the end of the day he s probably charging more for the PITA factor(and the time of day he has to do them).

if he s not cleaning your frames he s ripping you off regardless of how little hes charging you.he should be doing the whole glass,sills,frames EVERY VISIT.......