[matt2323]

is the pole system more profitable

[Duke]

sigh....Yes, in my experience, it is..........(though the overheads are a little more.....what is it that Del Boy used to say ?...'you've got to speculate to accumulate'....or some such drivel)

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

been using it a couple of months now and i would say YES faster and picking up more customers @ better prices

[pjulk]

Been using it a month now and i would say the first few weeks you are pretty much the same speed as a traditional window cleaner.
But after that you do seem to shave some time off and some of my jobs now mostly the larger houses im getting done a lot faster and for the same price so more money in my pocket at the end of the day.

I do have some house thou that i am tempted to go back to traditional for mostly small house's with UPVC windows that have an airvent above the glass as no matter how i clean these i get spots.I have even tried just doing the glass but some spray must get in the vent because again i get spots and there driving me mad on these windows.

I get spots if i clean the frame above the airvents and i get spots if i don't clean above them i can't seem to win with these windows, And i don't like leaving any part of the frame dirty as on the white UPVC frames it shows up.

But most of my round have no airvents so i will be using WFP.
Think i may only take customers on who don't have an air vent in there frames in the future.

Paul

[Duke]

...don't know why you are getting spots on windows with air vents Paul, I have those too and they are fine. Maybe you need to just give them a good wash and rinse the first time...possibly the second too. As you say...you've only been using the system a month..so I guess it's still the first time with the pole...and it can take a couple of times to get all the crud out...stick with it mate. It may pay you...as you still have your ladders..to take some tape with you...cover the vent over (as little as possible)...wash as normal. See how that goes, should be fine in future, just avoid geting water directly in the vent.
I also like to clean the whole window...frames and everything....I even scrub the plastic doors with the dog/cat flap in them...(all the muddy paw prints)...while I'm there.
I think it would be a mistake to go back to Trad for some houses, it can be hard enough to talk some people round to your new system.....without sending out mixed messages to others...neighbours do talk to each other, and you'll only make a rod for your own back. Once the decision has been made to go WFP....stick to it....believe me, it will get better.

[pjulk]

Duke

Thanks for that, I didn't really want to go back to ladders for them.
Guess like you said is that i have only been using the system for a month.
none of the customers have said anything as with these i tend to give the glass another rinse before i go but have noticed some spots directly under the air vents when going back.
Now cat flap so far i have not used my WFP on these as was a bit worried about getting water in them and front doors i got water in somone,s letter box so now do these by hand.
I will perservere with the one's with air vents.

Give me windows without air vents and i get it nearly 100% every time.
So i am glad i changed over

Paul

[Duke]

I wouldn't worry about cat flaps or letterboxes either.So, maybe you'd get a couple of drips go in sometimes...but as a load of them are out at work anyway, by the time they get back, any little drips would have evaporated anyway...it's pure water, it doesn't leave marks...not even on a carpet. It's not like you are going to aim the jets through the open flap...
If it's an enclosed porch with a glass door, or large pane of glass in the door....then just get an old rag and give the floor (tiled ?) a wipe over. Pull the mat (if there is one) away a few inches, clean, wipe round, push the mat back !
The only real problem I've had with a pole, is on some houses round the back, the window over a deep , wide flat roof extension. I can reach them at an angle mostly with the pole..but I can't do a good job.
For these, I have to get the ladder out for access reasons, climb up onto the roof, taking the pole, and do it from there.

[c w window cleanin]

regarding those windows duke, .-.'(The only real problem I've had with a pole, is on some houses round the back, the window over a deep , wide flat roof extension. I can reach them at an angle mostly with the pole..but I can't do a good job.)'-
what we do is when we turn up on the round, we nip round and do all the awkwrd windows traditionaly, then wfp the others afterwards...bit of a pain but theres only ever a few of those type windows on most of the sections we do! 

[Duke]

mmm, know what you mean...but I dont even posess hand tools anymore...I jumped into WFP with both feet...and I only carry a triple open topped ladder for access over fences etc. I suppose it can make sense to 'mix and match'...but to me it's like a slow step backwards...and if a customer saw me working trad after all the work I've put in to the changeover...I think it would backfire on me....oh well.
I had one the other day, saying 'I thought you didn't use ladders anymore'  (spotted them on the roof of the van) ....I just said 'I don't...except for access'