So I am trying to make a choice and need some help. I can ether buy a WFP system but a cheep one or a 24ft ladder, long poles and other equipment. I have been only cleaning one story houses and I am starting to get 2 story houses. What would you do. Keep in mind I am a new company and on a tight bugdet.
If it were myself I would go the ladder and pole route. Reason is you may at some point you will need to do the interior of homes with ladders, as were I am almost 1 per day has upper windows inside a main enterance. A wfp system will only work outside.
I have been a traditional window cleaner for over 10 years and got into wfp this year simply because it is another option for a few jobs that I do, yet up too last year I never used a wfp and things were fine for us. We do mainly residental and condos/apartments and have been using ladders the whole time. Yet we do not do any thing above 4 stories at this time. I have a 40 foot ladder that I use alot.
Ladders are good to for add ons like gutter cleaning. Its hard to clean out a guttter with a wfp!
Eventually you’ll need both. I’d go with the ladder first. It serves many purposes.
Agreed. You always need a ladder, you won’t always need WFP. If you buy the ladders and such, you can make money every day. You can buy a WFP system later as your business grows.
The two great things about a ladder vs wfp are you will stay in shape and your neck won’t be sore from looking up all day.
Thanks for the great advise.
and make sure you get the right ladder !.. check out weight ? safety ? height ? usability ? dont rush into buying take a little time about it… i would get sectionals but would they fit your needs and manage the required height. ?
you need the " V " top IMO ( " A " Ladders ) there is a whole bunch of reasons why , plus make sure you get a ladder that has a wide support at the bottom for stability and SAFETY… A ladders need a wide support at the bottom other wise they can be very dangerous because the top point is balancing on a small area and that simply needs to be countered with a wide support piece at the opposite end.
It’s all good saying get the ladder but you lot must have missed something. As of June 2013 no insurance company will insure a traditional window cleaner using water on a ladder. As of February this year no insurance will cover above a 1st storey building. So all in all you can’t go higher than you are right now without taking a risk and come June your totally stuffed.
Unless you want to clean without insurance. But wouldn’t reccomend that.
I would say just get yourself a small 250ltr pole system.
It’s only about 1200 for the lot including 2 poles. Or make one yourself and it will be about 800
Hope this helps
UKdomestic, are you outside the USA. The insurance thing you are talking about I have not heard.
Uk buddy. Sorry didn’t realize you guys were from US.
… Go with the ladder. Get a 24’ with built in leg levelers, it’s perfect for 2 story. About 200 at Home Depot.
If cost is your bottom line, you wont get a wfp system to do 2nd story for that price.
When you get more 2nd story and above work get the wfp system.
Of course if you have the cash get them both!!!
… 40’. Dang, I hurt just thinking about moving that around. That’s when I use a wfp.
I love not moving around 75 lbs of metal.!!
where did you get this info then? iv insurance for ladderwork
EXACTLY the reason to READ ALL MY 1000 plus post (sorta) and threads on WHY YOU NEED A WFP!
Do this and you’ll see why I bought a Reach - IT Pro 4 System!
will these wfp clean old old french style paint peeling type houses without dripping forever?
I see a lot of first cleans that are a mess. I can’t imagine WFP doing an adequate job on these. What about paint spray, spot mold, baked on bird droppings and other contaminants? Are WFP really the end all that so many people elude to?
It’s a tool and most folks don’t claim it is the end all of window cleaning. In many cases, the window needs to be cleaned with mop and squeegee. Added to your arsenal of tools, it will be a very valuable asset and save you time. I can’t see my business ever going 100% WFP, although I’d love to see that.
yep another tool/expensive one, but great one to have…but i have to think once you start using that more you would try to market to those types’ more …does sound like a win/win situation, definitely can’t scrape sap with it though
or could you scrape with something attchd to wfp
or this @ 40 feet on the ground 
