just started off and starting to get 2 story houses
what kind of ladders do you guys suggest that are not that expenisve to start off with
Hello Irv,
Welcome to this fine and educational forum. Above you will see a search engine feature. Type in ladders and you will see a number of articles related to that topic. I bought used ladders at garage sales. You may also want to check Craig’s List. A Little Giant is great, but they are HEAVY. But some guys carry them in the back of their car. A 28’ extension ladder is good, but then you’ll need ladder racks. A water fed pole can save on a lot of ladder work. The pros will chime in on this, be a little patient. Happy Window Washing.
1 Like
A piece of equipment that will ensure your safety should not be the cheapest item in your tool arsenal.
• You get what you pay for - choose wisely.
Although window cleaning has the lure of low start-up costs, that does not mean it is simply a hobby that you run from your garage.
• Quality costs for a reason; Professionalism sets you apart from the rest.
It is a worthy question - “What kind of ladder to start off” - But you should ask “What type of ladder should I get”.
- Type AA (Extra Heavy Duty) 375 pounds
- Type A (Extra Heavy Duty) 300 pounds
- Type I (Heavy Duty) 250 pounds
- Type II (Medium Duty) 225 pounds
- Type III (Light Duty) 200 pounds
4 Likes
I am very satisfied with the 12.5’ telescoping ladder that I mainly use for interior work. The light weight makes it easy to carry under one arm and the compact collapsed length makes it easy to maneuver with when carrying and assembling in cramped quarters.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=telescoping+ladder&sprefix=ladder%2C+tele%2Caps%2C317&crid=2HC0TN8E624M6
As @Garry points out, you DON’T want to cheap out on a ladder. It’s not just a piece of equipment, it’s also a safety tool.
What “one” you start with will depend on what work you will be doing. I don’t think anyone that uses ladders, just has one.
The little giant hyperlite sumo is a fiberglass ladder I would look into if you are going long term or to buy down the road for 2 story.
Thank you everybody
What about the gorilla ladder 18
Are those any good ?
I’ve seen 17’ little giant ladders with levelers at Lowe’s for $169. Get that plus wall standoff and you’re set to begin with.
24’ extension ladder with adjustable legs, 4’/16’ folding ladder, gorilla or some such and a small light weight 3 step, step ladder.
A 6 foot step ladder, 24 foot extension ladder, ladder standoff and adjustable legs for the 24 foot extension ladder will cover all of your two-story work
3 Likes
Werner all the way. 4 ft and 24 ft with stabilizers gets me to 99% of my resi/commercial work. I have a 32 ft Werner but it came on the cheap ($100) I have gorilla ladders but never use them.
this is the lader i use most often. I used it today at 2 out of 3 houses (and the 3rd house was 1 story)
it is HEAVY (all multi-ladders are) but it is super useful
we cary a 4ft step, 18 ft gorrilla, 24ft werner with leg levellers. suites us quite well.
I guess it depends on what kind of vehicle you have. If I had a truck I probably would have went with a different ladder. I have a Werner 22’ fits in the VW Tiguan ok. Gets the job done for now. But I also have a 16’ pole that I use a lot.
I started with a 4’ Step Ladder and a 22’ Extension ladder w/ Leg Levelers (Werner built-in). I have expanded my arsenal to include a 32’ Aluminum Extension Ladder (I live at the Jersey Shore, a lot of homes have been raised due to flooding here.) a 28’ Gorilla Ladder (Perfect for Chandeliers) and a 6’ Step Ladder. I also carry two folding step-stools that stay behind my toolbox. I have almost never come up against a house that I could not take care of with these ladders. I almost never pole windows unless its absolutely unreachable. I don’t care who you are or how good your technique is, poling a window will always produce lower quality work. (Unless its a waterfed pole which I do not have yet but am looking into)
1 Like
I used ladders from 1970 to 1983 then I gut an Tucker WFP .
Now we WFP all outsides using
https://shopwindowcleaningresource.com/simpole.html
I would start leaning how to used a WFP instead of ladders !
Why
- Safer 2. More money in less time. 3. After you learn it really is better then an squeegee!
We have even done constructions cleaning with an WFP.
A guy with ladder will be good to do $350 a day with an WFP $600 to $1200 depending on job!
try doing thi9s job with a ladder
sim22 is perfect for homes at 3 pounds 20 feet. We water fed all outside and the majority of the time only used 12 feet of the pole. I just feel get the best equipment whoever you buy from because the relationship to cost of equipment to how much you make is like 90% money In 10% for equipment. Phillip Alexander Owner of SimPole
alexanderswindowcleaning and wedewwindows . Is that better?
I started out doing jobs like this with a ladder, and would still do it with a ladder if i had to, but ive got wfp now and makes jobs like these a breeze. Using ladders isnt a big deal if you know how to use them and throw them.
1 Like
Couldn’t use a WFP for residential here, at least not effectively. People still try though.
1 Like
I don’t understand why you continue to push your products so hard, as if none here know how to navigate a website that sells not just your pole but several others. I’d never buy a simpole due to your constant pushy tactics.
Construction cleans with a wfp are doable I guess, but probably not the best advice for a beginner. Results would be negligible on stucco or paint. Drywall mud would come off, but that’s typically interiors. I’m pretty sure that I’ve become the kind of window cleaner that the homeowner calls. I come in two months after they move in because they want stellar looking windows on their two month old house. The splash and dash guys that bid cheap to keep a contractor’s business couldn’t be bothered with actual quality.
1 Like
