[Real Clean Guy]

Started canvassing around my close neighbourhood this month, still working off my street.  Will not start cleaning at least for 4/6 weeks I reckon.  Freezing here at the moment, supposed to be -11 tonight .  Regardless of the cold I have been knocking doors for around 6 afternoons for a couple of hours mid afternoon.  Now have 30 monthly clients for total $1,600 and 4 quarterly clients total $492, doing a full day on Saturday as well.  Should be ready to go full time soon - I HOPE.  I hope I enjoy the cleaning as much as the canvassing.  Pity it gets dark here about 4:30 just as many people are getting home, which is when I would like to catch them, so my numbers should go up.  About to order all my gear any day, any advice on any MUST HAVE items from you experienced guys?

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

hi there canada, advice on things to get, make sure you pick the right ladder/s first time will save you money latter. My personial prefference is to you pointers, gives you a better reach. Also safty gear when working ladders ie ladder stoppers. Good luck

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

hi there canada, advice on things to get, make sure you pick the right ladder/s first time will save you money later. My personial prefference is to you pointers, gives you a better reach. Also safty gear when working ladders ie ladder stoppers. Good luck

[rosskesava]

Hi Canada

Cannot agree more regards making the correct choice of ladders. 'Cheap' is never worth it.

We bought 2 pointed ladders last year, one that is about 6ft and one that is 9ft. What a good investment. They were expensive though, almost £200 for the pair but they did really speed up things.

Correct ladders are so important.

We also bought 2 small 3 step sets of steps for doing the insides of houses. They are light, easy to fold, easy to carry and fold up small and very cheap at about £10 each.

Also well worth getting.

We also have one 3 section ladder and one 2 section ladder but to start with, maybe buy what ever you think best as what is needed may only become apparent after you've been doing the job for a few weeks. Also, don't forget ladder mats. There's nothing worse than trying to find odd bits of stone and wood to put under the legs.

Good luck.

Ross

[Real Clean Guy]

Thanks guys, very useful info!

[Cascade Home Maintenance]

Hey Canada,

I'm out here in Victoria BC. Homes and properties are different all over. If I would suggest any ladder at all it would have to be the " 8ft  3 way extension." it is a must have for interior work. What kind of system are you running are you doing all your rounds by hand? Do you have a Tucker Pole on your list? If not it is a must have! If your in Ontario you have to check out this site, awsome gear for sale and unbeatable pricing.  www.squeegees.net . Above all the most important thing to have in your possession when doing interior work for "anyone" is disposable booties! You can buy 50 pair for $27.00 for your supplier. It blows alot of people away, I have had contractors come up to me while wearing booties in a new construction clean and say he thinks anyone coming in or out should have em on. Most people really appreciate it and in return they tell two friends who tell two friends and the referals start piling up before you know it! The 3 way is vital in that you cannot do alot of stair work with out it, or maybe you can but not as fast.

These people within this site group are awsome and filled with knowledge. I am sure you will get some pretty good advice from within here. Oh and I use only ettore products. Best of luck with your start up, if I can be of help in any way........

Jack from Vic

[Real Clean Guy]

Hi Jack, great to hear from someone over here!.  I just this week ordered all my gear including the "booties" from Joe @ Squeeges.net, glad I picked the best supplier!!.  Gave up on the guys here in Vancouver, could'nt even get a price from them?!?  Joe iseems very knowledgable, and even reduced my order considerably "you do not need that etc".  All the products I ordered were Ettore as I wanted to keep to a "standard" set.  Ordered a 3 section 24' pole.  Initially I will not be going with a wfp as I need to get started with minimal outlay and I need to learn the trade.  The ladder I already had is a 2 section 15', has rubber feet and can also be used as a step ladder. Will be getting a small internal step for my wife who is going to do the internals. I will look into your recomendation, where do you get the ladders?  Been giving a limited offer of doing the internals at half price which has had a good response.  No additional outlay as my wife will do them at the same time.
The help I do need is on pricing.  I believe the going rate here is $1.50 a window outside off course.  I have been going in at $2 a window and vitrually get all my quotes, sometimes I throw in some $'s if I think it's going to take me longer.  At this stage I have not washed a window so I do not know what speed I can do them at.  I already have 40+ monthly customers from just canvassing a couple of hours a day and on a Sat, this month.  Will be increasing this dramatically as the weather dries up.  Do you work all year round?  What about when it's raining?
Look forward to hearing from you.

[Real Clean Guy]

Jack forgot to mention I am in South Surrey, just outside White Rock, BC-NOT Surrey - England for the rest of you!!   Your right the guys and gals on here are indeed awesome, made me very comfortable starting into this business!!

[rosskesava]

We've always charged the same for insides as for outsides. What I mean is I double the price if they want the insides done as well.

Often the insides take longer and they almost never take less time.

Also one thing that I find usefull is a short pole about 2ft long. I use it almost everyday on the ground floor work and for commercial work when the top of the glass is just out of reach.

One other item which we use a lot especially for commecial work is something that goes on a pole and has jaws and a screw thing which done up grips a cloth - handy for the odd run from the top of the glass.

Good luck,