[ma159]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me a list of useful stuff I need to start on a trad basis

Any help would be great.

Cheers

[clear-view]

Bucket
Washer
Squeegee
Ladders
scrim

Thats the basics you need

[windowwashers]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me a list of useful stuff I need to start on a trad basis

Any help would be great.

Cheers

basic list:

1x  3.5 mtr double ladder (D rung)  trade ladder round ones are bad for your feet IMO some use pointer ladders (I didnt get on with the ones I had)
set of ladder mits
1 T bar 14inch
applicator sleeve Green\White Sleeve  Monsoon 14inch
squeege handle and channel 14inch I would get 2 drop one and it can get damaged
Unger Bucket on a Belt
10x rubber for the channel we use Pulex hard (you will use quite a few if new)
Small safety scraper plus blades
10x scrim or microfibre or a mix of both.
window cleaning bucket oblong
unger pole for the hard to reach and con roof cleaning
Cleaning fluid, we use gg4 because we are in a very hard water area gg3 is for soffooler. you can use fairy but I dont recommend it anymore as it makes dirt stick to it, other use squeege off tbh it is personal choice on this one and there are loads to choose from.
Some calling cards
Ladder clamps/ tie downs


I use unger products quite a lot by the way I find them better and they suit what I want.


I Think thats about it I am sure others will add to this if I have missed anything.


Ian

[ma159]

cheers guys

any other tips you can give would be welcome

[ok cleaning]

most important one ?   the old banger

[Paul Coleman]

cheers guys

any other tips you can give would be welcome

Resilience and perseverance are what you need too.  Getting started with window cleaning can be character building.  You will always remember the first time you look a customer in the eye and say "No !!" (or the equivalent).
Apart from that, get a few lessons from a friendly local W/C who knows what he/she is doing.  You'll avoid a lot of mistakes that way.

[Dale Smith]

Biggest thing you will need to start out is customers!! 
Don't waste time.... get door knocking now...

[simbo]

thick skin, nerve, patience, above all ability to not let the numpties get under your skin and be able to put up with all the crap weather.
 
simbo

[mr D]

i would strongly surgest you get a job working for an astablished wc firm 1st even if its just for a couple of months just to learn the basics in paticula safety!!

newbes fall off ladders.

[Neil271052]

I would agree with that unless you are adept with ladders you could be working dangerously.

[ma159]

I've worked with ladders before so hope I'll be ok!!!!

I have been out and delivered a shed load of leaflets this week and had a decent response but am going back next week to knock the doors where I have leafleted.

I'm also in the process of buying £800 pm of work from a guy but not sure if he is overcharging - he is wanting £3k - I would be happier at £2400 - wot are your thoughts??

[Ian W]

It depends what the work is, but I would have said it was overpriced at £3000. I have bought work before and have never paid more than 2 1/2 times the monthly income.

If it is really good work, then the price he is asking could be justified.

Why is he selling? He may just be trying to offload his worst work for an inflated price...

[elite mike]

I've worked with ladders before so hope I'll be ok!!!!

I have been out and delivered a shed load of leaflets this week and had a decent response but am going back next week to knock the doors where I have leafleted.

I'm also in the process of buying £800 pm of work from a guy but not sure if he is overcharging - he is wanting £3k - I would be happier at £2400 - wot are your thoughts??

hi ma159
i would be very careful. you can buy a good wfp system for that
,
and have some spare cash to do some heavy advertising

mike

[jeff1]

A good image, don't look like a cowboy, Show the custy your in it for the long haul and not just the summer.

[mr D]

DONT BUY ROUND!!

knock doors and introduce your self rather than drop leflets. you WILL pic work up and it wont cost you a penny. also you can pic and choose jobs. the guy your looking at buying round from has probly been at the game forever there for will be fast and a dam site better than you. £800 round might take him a week to do but could take you a month. there will be poorly priced jobs in there that hes been doing since the invention of the squeege and akward climbs he finds a doddle but you will prob end up in hospital attempting. aldo if your not to the standards there used to they will drop you faster than an essex girls nickers.

when i started out i picked up £150 ish in two roads because there old w/c had just sold the round on to a chap that by the looks of it hadn't been in the game very long. sad and i'm not proud but they were gonna dump him weather i took them or not.

i really hate to put a downer on things but new w/c really should avoid buying rounds. build exspearance with a firm 1st and knock doors in your spair time. most firms dont work past 3pm unlike us selfemployed who work till sun down

[Ian W]

DONT BUY ROUND!!

I don't necessarily agree with that. As a raw beginner, I did. And I still clean for them all. I have also picked up more work from their referrals.

I guess our experiences are all different. 

[paulstevens]

theres nothing wrong with essex birds!! 

[ma159]

Cheers Gents

I will be very cautious about buying the work and make sure I talk to a lot of his customers before any cash changes hands.

Is there any set way of paying if I do decide to go ahead? Do I pay half up front and the rest a month down the line to make sure it is all kosher??

I will keep going with door knocking and leafleting - gained five customers over the weekend so I think that's not bad going - wot do you think?

[Highrise]

don't forget the soap 


When I was doing trad, We would dulite the soap 3:1

3 parts water 1 part soap

[ma159]

wot area are you from Martin?