Any window cleaners on here?

[Window Cleaning Resources]

So are there any window cleaners on this forum?

 

[barratt1232000]

yep think am the only one haha

 

[LicensedToTrade]

I wasn't even aware that cleaning windows was a trade? :|

 

[mckellar]

I wasn't even aware that cleaning windows was a trade? :|

its not a trade in itself

its within the "cleaning trade"

 

[Andy Lock]

I wasn't even aware that cleaning windows was a trade? :|

Then what would you call someone who does a job that you don't / can't do for payment?

I agree as there is not really any specialized skill to be deemed a window cleaner "tradesmen" but they are still trading their services for money.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I have a client who is a window cleaner, pure water high reach windows. Ok they do other stuff as well, but primarily theya re window cleaners.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Then what would you call someone who does a job that you don't / can't do for payment?

I agree as there is not really any specialized skill to be deemed a window cleaner "tradesmen" but they are still trading their services for money.

I think you are clutching at straws, prostition is considered the oldest trade going and they are certainly trading their services for money, but like cleaners they most likely don't have any accreditation.

 

[toastking]

I think you are clutching at straws, prostition is considered the oldest trade going and they are certainly trading their services for money, but like cleaners they most likely don't have any accreditation.

Cutting comments from licensed to trade! Did someone clean your windows when you didn't ask for it and demand payment?

Pain in the backside and I can imagine reputable window cleaners don't like the cliche being attached to them either.

Its a little irrelevant but I spoke to someone on the beach the other day who is moving to New Zealand to become a window cleaner with a friend who lives there. Lots of dust and lots of people means lots of business, to me it sounds like a nightmare and not worth the hassle.

 

[CKG]

I spoke to someone on the beach the other day who is moving to New Zealand to become a window cleaner

It's hard enough to get in there when you have a trade on the skill shortage list.

Maybe I should have invested in a bucket and a squeegee instead of oodles of boring exams and assessments?

 

[Andy Lock]

I think you are clutching at straws, prostition is considered the oldest trade going and they are certainly trading their services for money, but like cleaners they most likely don't have any accreditation.

There is no accreditation or governing body / rules for the locksmith industry, hence why there are so many goons turning their hand to it and numpties on Rougue Traders.

However myself and customers deem me to be a tradesman?

Trading your service for an income is exactly that......trading, however I do believe there are skilled and un-skilled trades, like you mentioned prostitution.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

There is no accreditation or governing body / rules for the locksmith industry, hence why there are so many goons turning their hand to it and numpties on Rougue Traders.

However myself and customers deem me to be a tradesman?

Trading your service for an income is exactly that......trading, however I do believe there are skilled and un-skilled trades, like you mentioned prostitution.

I think you have hit the nail on the head for me. I was struggling to find the right words to describe what I meant, but skilled & unskilled trades was exactly what I had in mind. So yes I would describe a window cleaner as an unskilled tradesman and a locksmith (a proper one) as a skilled tradesman.

 

[Piqueperfumes]

Window cleaners!! we moved into a new house just before Christmas and the previous owners had a window cleaner who charged x. He can round to see us a few days later and x had become xxx almost overnight - so we have opted for new windows!

 

[LicensedToTrade]

Cutting comments from licensed to trade! Did someone clean your windows when you didn't ask for it and demand payment?

Pain in the backside and I can imagine reputable window cleaners don't like the cliche being attached to them either.

You aren't far off. It was more a case of a window cleaner who would put his calling card through my window every week to say he had clean my windows when they clearly hadn't been cleaned. My current window cleaner actually does a very good job. I don't spend much time in my house in the midlands but I know that when I turn up my windows will always look immaculate. He can't be much older than 18 and he charges very little.

 

[toastking]

For anyone interested, can't remember who commented. The New Zealand window cleaner managed to get through the requirements through holding various NVQs that are desired in the country!

 

[Copple]

For anyone interested, can't remember who commented. The New Zealand window cleaner managed to get through the requirements through holding various NVQs that are desired in the country!

Window cleaning NVQ's that is?

 

[bublibob]

A number of comments on this thread seem to be about window cleaning not being a trade but certainly all self employed window cleaners are business owners who fix their own rates and choose their own customers, not to be confused with an employed "tradesman" who is in many cases just a wage slave.
Yes I am a window cleaner and yes I have also been a tradesman wage slave. Self employed window cleaning is less stressful than engineering and in my case better paid.

 

[Copple]

Hi Bublibob - I can completely relate to what youve just said.. I work in engineering (industrial refridgeration) and the work is way heavier than the wage. What type of engineering were you involved in before?

I am thinking of climbing up the ladder so to speak and start window cleaning saturdays. Build up a decent round and go from there. Literally putting together a business plan and thinking of registering with HMRC before buying tools so I can claim VAT back etc.

Id appreciate any tips and advice you way have, having first hand experience yourself in starting up. How long have you been operating for and how did you find canvassing and picking up work?

Feel free to send a private email message on this forum instead
regards
Copple

A number of comments on this thread seem to be about window cleaning not being a trade but certainly all self employed window cleaners are business owners who fix their own rates and choose their own customers, not to be confused with an employed "tradesman" who is in many cases just a wage slave.
Yes I am a window cleaner and yes I have also been a tradesman wage slave. Self employed window cleaning is less stressful than engineering and in my case better paid.

 

[Copple]

What is what?