And yes, they’re prickly. 
4 Likes
Ha! I just cleaned a house today with bougainvillea bushes underneath every window on the first floor. Really glad I didn’t have to fuss with getting a ladder over and through those!
1 Like
over here in the UK Ive noticed that many who switch from ladders to water pole in the first 6 months are out of business by years end. but if they stay with ladders they keep going .
i think you have to get a core of solid customers first. theres a lot of hostility to the water pole here and many newbies dont realize this until its too late
another reason why im staying on the ladders
2 Likes
That’s strange cause every customer I’ve had just raves about the quality of the clean. Seems to improve my image too, as it’s obviously pricey so they know I’m not just some fly-by-night operator.
2 Likes
At least it’s not English Holly
1 Like
YOU’RE not English, Holly.
1 Like
Thankfully every customer I’ve told about it has been excited about it.
1 Like
Why do you suppose that is? I have come across some skepticism here and there
but that usually fades when they see the results.
2 Likes
We have pm’s and homeowners asking if we “use that water pole thing to clean?” That’s just great.
I’ve helped several companies get setup with wfps over the years and only 2 have stuck with it. A few stopped using them within months because they couldn’t keep their customers. One crew saw our system and was so excited to get one. They spent thousands having a van mounted system installed in their big van. 6 months later I learned that they lost a bunch of clients because they “couldn’t figure out how to use it” and they sold everything at a loss.
The reason is that most people see how “easy” it looks and they think they can do it too. The reality is that most people getting into the business have unrealistic expectations and just can’t hack it. They see the wfp as a game and it is until they lose.
3 Likes
I don’t want this to happen to me.
Thankfully, I am fully ready and willing to use ladders if needed. I’m just really hoping that with practice the wfp will be more convenient and save time and money. It’s nice to hear some of the negative perspectives in order to maintain a balanced attitude and expectations. But I’m still really looking forward to going this route and sincerely hope it will pay off.
1 Like
I think it’s something where it takes time to learn. I think too many people think it’s just a plug and play option when nothing could be further from the truth. There is a lot to learn. Just like traditional equipment there are different brands and types of the same equipment. The same goes for wfp. Poles, brushes, jets etc. are all different and all of them factor into the results. Add to those variables different types of windows and having to rethink your over all approach to jobs in general and your basically starting form scratch and relearning how to clean windows.
That said a good window cleaner can speed up the process if they are committed to the process. I think it also helps to be prepared to have to still do trad work on plenty of jobs.
2 Likes
i really dont know . iv actually lost customers when i started to use a trad pole over my ladder. as i approach the home theyve ran out, oh no you dont we told you we dont want a water pole here
but this isnt one of those.
but they wont listen and are already heading back indoors
all i can put it down to is that there [probably] was somebody touting a water pole [years ago] doing a terrible job
1 Like
I honestly don’t think anyone in my area even knows what a wfp is. Hopefully that will be an advantage.
1 Like
I run into that a lot, too. Just about every one of my resi customers will ask me what it is, cause they have never seen one before, even if they have had their windows cleaned by other companies for years.
So many people thing wfp is some form of cheating and cutting corners. When I was working for another company my crew was the only crew that Had a WFP set up. We had a trailer that had everything in it. It was a pain learning how and when to use the system and on which job it made sense to use it. But once we got technique down it was just another tool to have.
I bought my wfp setup my first 6 months in business, greatest investment I’ve made. Luckily I had the trial and error part of wfp over and done with by the time I purchased my own.
4 Likes
