[robcooper]

Been cleaning traditional way for nearly 3 years and am really curious to look at a pole system. Haven't done alot of research yet, and feel like i'm missing out on an opportunity to increase my earnings.
Most of my work is various residential places, semi's, detached 2 up 2 down type houses.
Can anyone give me a brief intro into the pros and cons, cost, can I operate it on my own? what transport is best (i have an old bt fiesta van at the mo).

Been toying with the idea because I'm turning work away at the moment and I'm sure it would be worth it.

Thanks Rob.

[Dean Aspects]

Dont get caught up in the hype
do alot of research
consider if you think your work is suited to wfp

wfp is great on some jobs and types of windows but is best to remember it is just another tool used to clean windows

try using a backpack to start with as it is a cheaper way of starting wfp and if you do decide to go the full wfp route it will not be money wasted as there are jobs you will still use it on

or if there is someone in your area with the system ask them if you can work with them for the day as it is completely different to trad cleaning

[robcooper]

thanks for the advice, i was thinking of trying to find someone local to bet some hands on.

I will also start some research!

thanks

rob

[Clear Vision]

Some houses are superb to do with wfp and others you are wasting time on with wfp. Better doing them trad.

I am trying to get rid of my work that isn't wfp friendly. Easier said than done.

You wont regret the switch. 

Start off with a trolley system first. You could rig a very good trolley set up for under 500 quid. See how you get on with that then maybe upgrade your van to a swb pug, transit of fiat or really anything of your choice and mount your trolley in the van along with a nice big 650L tank

[eddie d]

as aspects says do your research .
personally i looked at it from the safety point .i had a fall 10 or so years ago which cost me 6 months off work and 3 pins in my foot .
it doesnt matter haw carefull you are it only takes one fall and that could be that .
good luck

[macmac]

Dont get caught up in the hype
do alot of research
consider if you think your work is suited to wfp

wfp is great on some jobs and types of windows but is best to remember it is just another tool used to clean windows

try using a backpack to start with as it is a cheaper way of starting wfp and if you do decide to go the full wfp route it will not be money wasted as there are jobs you will still use it on

or if there is someone in your area with the system ask them if you can work with them for the day as it is completely different to trad cleaning

I agree with aspects, very wise advise.

tony

[robcooper]

ok guys, many thanks so far. I'll have a look into a trolley system (any recommendations would be lovely), unfortunately I don't really see anyone using these where i am so haven't really had a chance to bend anyones ear about it.
Would i use the system on ground floors too, or do you do ground floors traditionally and use the pole for first floors??

Apologies if these questions seem daft, I feel like I've been under a window cleaning rock for the last 3 years!!

Thanks again for the helpful and speedy responses.

Rob

[matt]

Hi

<-------- e.mail me for a link to the DIY site, you will find all your answers on building a very nice system for car or small van

[LWC]

i wfp everything, ground floors, 1st, 2nd, 3rd plus floors, frames, doors, conservs, conservs roofs...caravans, cars, vans

wfp is the best thing i have ever done and wouldnt go back

i reccomend starting off with a backpack, although i have never used one, it does seem to be the cheapest option, then you could strap it to a trolley eventually if you wanted to.

i currently have 100m of hose out of the back of mine, and i will eventually get a backpack and strap it to a trolley so i have all options.

to be fair actually, they all cost pretty much the same, but then you gotta think how much your van will holg, 1kg = 1litre, or there abouts. i didnt get on with a trolley, and i love the van setup, much easier

[Dean Aspects]

ok guys, many thanks so far. I'll have a look into a trolley system (any recommendations would be lovely), unfortunately I don't really see anyone using these where i am so haven't really had a chance to bend anyones ear about it.
Would i use the system on ground floors too, or do you do ground floors traditionally and use the pole for first floors??

Apologies if these questions seem daft, I feel like I've been under a window cleaning rock for the last 3 years!!

Thanks again for the helpful and speedy responses.


Rob

it all depends on the payload of your vehicle the larger the payload the more water you can carry

if you can only carry a small amount of water to start with just do the upstairs with wfp and trad the downstairs

this gives the customer the chance to see that leaving the windows wet and letting them dry naturaly does just as good a job as trad

some customers will not like the fact that you are leaving the windows wet and will need to be convinced

and no you are not daft asking questions that is what this forum is for

[Dave Turley]

if you check out the diy site, you could probably put a basic van system together for £500.00, which could go into your fiesta van at a push in the short term.

i found trolleys to be too much setting up and down for semi's etc., but each to their own   

[cat9921]

HI Rob

I got my trolly of Ebay and its been great,

Pros-

1. you do not have to move a van all the time to get to the next house,
2 you can connect it to a master tank upgrade it to a van  system

Cons-
1.runnning out of water when you are on the last window.

I agree with LWC do it all, I was told to do the bottoms trade so customers are not upset looking out of wet windows but I found on some of my rounds that I needed a ladder to do bottoms, especially rounds on hills.

Its hard at first and you will think to yourself its a pain. But stick with it, it does get better and we are here to help

all the best

[cottonbud10]

i,ve been wfp for the last month and i can say it,s the best thing i ever done,if customers are,nt happy about wet windows what i do is,blade the downstairs windows after i,ve wfp,d em,don,t even bother detailing them after,i did start just doing the top wfp,but got fed up with getting my ladder off to do the downstairs trad,so now i do the whole lot wfp,working much quicker now and earning more dollar t boot...go for it...it,s a new way of LIFE.ggod luck

[robcooper]

ok all, many thanks again! I've done a bit of research and think i'll source a trolley and try and stick with the fiesta van for now. Really keen to have a go and i know i'll be back with more queries and concerns

thanks again for all your handy hints so far

Rob

[Paul Coleman]

thanks for the advice, i was thinking of trying to find someone local to bet some hands on.

I will also start some research!

thanks

rob

I use WFP.
I'm in Crawley.
If you fancy a jaunt up to the other end of the County you're welcome.  I think there are guys nearer you though who will probably post later.

[vwm]

been wfp for 6 mths now and its the best thing we have done. made my own trolly and van set up but to be honest the trolly i found to be a pain and have it in shed for about 3 mths now since i changed to 100m minibore. yes there is a big learning curve and i am still learning.

what has wfp done for me, well started to do tops only and have a guy doing bottems trad but he started to fall well behide and getting in my way so after doing the whole round a couple times found out which houses where wfp able and which ones wernt. started to take on new work and in the end gave nearly 10k of work to my lad and have gone on my own, as the new work was so much better and the phone is non stop at moment.
i am now turning over more on own than with a guy and have no wages to fork out every week.

first mth i thought what have i done, same on 2nd mth but 3rd mth could see the benifits of wfp yes got rid of a few customers but the new work is taking it place very very fast. 6mth down the line and takings are up 35%  and my out goings down 20%. 

have only lost one customer (not though results but they just couldnt get their heads around it their loss) but i can see them wanting me back as there house now being done trad dosnt look like the rest in the street being done wfp.

my advice to anyone is educate customers and take your time with them explaining every thing about wfp. i had a few complaints at first but believe it or not it was because i done down stairs by trad,  when it rained the upstairs were fine and the down stairs were trashed. now my customers wouldnt have their windows cleaned any other way.

dont look at your round and say its not wfpable you will be surprised what is but look at the new work you will be able to do. yes 10k of work seems alot to drop but i was paying out on that so the 4k of new work in the last couple mths and growing and better easier work im more than happy. (so many less houses to do and more money)

must admit doing a days worth of bungs tomo and do them trad cus i cant see wfp being any quicker but hey might give it a go but i cant see it 

[geefree]

dont use a backpack,

i have used one to change over and its ok but not any easier than trad... its a pain to be honest......

 van mount i am nearly there and cant wait  :... carry it here and there .... fill it up.... runnining out of water... fill it up.... its no use apart from an odd clean.

[Dean Aspects]

The reason i advised on  backpack is that it is a cheaper way of getting into wfp just to see if you like it or your work is suited

You dont want to be spending ££££ on a larger system to find out 6 months down the line that it isnt for you

I started with a trolley system and it was hard work on the back taking it in and out of the van having said that it was a great introduction into the world of wfp