While I agree w/ john Lee on the value of wfp cleaning you still can’t use it inside. I have the Werner Multi ladder. It is the most durable of all the multi ladders (except of course the one they were patterned after the Little Giant). It is extremely handy if you need a step ladder or a staircase ladder (one side higher than the other) or sometimes even when I’m using my wfp I still have to get on a roof to get to a deeply set back window.
The telescoping ladder that Chris (squeegeeninjanj) mentioned and the little giant that danwagner mentioned would be my top picks for your given situation. I am going to purchase one of the two this month. I love my Jeep but the cargo room is to be desired. With that said, I have pushed water with my bug guard and NEVER been stuck. I had it buried once then realized I was still in 2 wheel. 4 low and out I go… Good luck, let us know which ladder you decide on. I’m curious how this pans out for ya.
I was looking into WFP and it looks like they are quite expensive. Something I can’t afford at the moment. For now since I’m just starting this business with my friend, him and I were thinking of using out 5 foot ladder and just a 18 foot POLE to clean windows of residential homes. What size of pole would you say we should get if we were going to go this route? would a 18 foot pole suffice or would you recommend going with a 24 foot pole?
We are thinking of just using poles for now and see how that went. See my above response.
I went to Home Depot today and took a look at the telescopic ladders and I must say that if I was going to get a ladder right now that the Metaltech 19 foot telescopic ladder would probably be it. Check out this one, it’s only a 12.5 foot, but the one I saw in the store was 19 foot - Metaltech - Telescopic Ladder 12.5ft, CSA approved - E-LAD12T2 - Home Depot Canada What are your thoughts on this ladder? I think I might pick up the 19 foot one as it was only $320.
My bad…
I’ve carried up to a 28’ Werner extension ladder on my Corolla with Yakima roof rack.
The more I think about ladders the more I think that they are not necessary and that just using poles “for now” will be fine.
Do you have any window cleaning experience at all? Just using poles “for now” won’t be fine if the customer dosen’t want you to come back to clean the windows again. You need to know what you doing to be able to properly clean a second floor window from the ground with a pole. I’ve been cleaning windows for 11 years and I would not be confident that I could do a good enough job cleaning second floor windows from the ground with a pole to meet the customers expectations. I really think you should look into the multipositional ladders or get a thule or Yakima rack and check craigslist for a 24 ft ladder. What happens if there is paint overspray on the windows? What about a window with very small panes on it? Leaded glass windows?
That would be some great gas mileage from job to job right there. What does get around 30 mpg?
The guys are right. Picky women homeowners will crucify you. Especially a newbie poling secondary windows attempting to detail them and everything. I did my brothers home for practice with some Unger poles and it looked great from the ground BUT when I went upstairs and looked at my work, well, let’s just say not so much 
Look at it this way, Chris from WCR has the largest window cleaning business of anyone that I personally know and he said if his guys have never cleaned a house before, he wants nose to glass cleaning the first time and that’s given his guys experience and tool availability. If the ladder deal is a real issue have you and your partner considered trying to get some storefront where you could get by with mostly pole work and a little step ladder for the higher glass?
When my brother first started working for me he had a Chevy Cavalier. We had to remove his back seat to fit the fold up Werner M22 ladder and the poles in his car. You know what, it worked brilliantly. It’s what we had to do at the time but where there is a will, there is a way. He now drives a van that I purchased and it has 4 ladders riding on top of it. I have heard of people using mainly poles to do exterior work. We don’t really do it, but I have heard it works for some people.
I would say your next investment should be a van or truck. Go take out a loan or buy one used. I see a few guys around here all the time driving around with ladders on the top of Honda Civics, tarus wagons tied down with ropes. Nothing says low baller like a beat ass ride. Your vehicle is your first impression to the world. I’m sorry but when I see a guys like that, regardless if they clean windows or do fix it repairs. The first thing I think is no insurance, not registered with their state and out of business when something goes wrong. Sell your car, take the money and buy a small truck. Even if it’s a little beat up.
+1 1/2
Would this ladder due for now? Metaltech - Up to the task!
Buying a truck at this moment is out of the question unfortunately 
ray i agree 110% i wouldnt want some dude with a honda civic with a magnetic sign on it fixing anything in my house!.. appearence is everything is business especially one were theres cleaning involved. If you truck looks neat and clean then you prob do neat clean work… if your car is beat up with a ladder attached with your buddy holding it with one hand out the passenger window it looks pretty damn ghetto lol
A multipurpoose (Little Giant-type) ladder would be much more versatile.
Yep, although my E350 only gets 9-12!
Check out this ladder by featherlite called the JLT 26… it extends to 23ft. I think this would work! http://www.featherliteladders.com/multipurpose.php
Ouch! Cool rig though. My buddy has one, lot’s of room. Did you customize the inside for all your stuff?
That one doesn’t look too bad dude and it looks rather versatile. If you had 3 or 4 guys working together you could all fit in a car and stand on each others shoulders to reach the high windows 
Now that is resourceful.
