First ever residential job tomorrow - Just a checklist... some questions

Hey guys tomorrow I’m doing my first residential window cleaning job. I just want to go over some stuff to make sure I have it down and know what I will be doing for sure before I go there tomorrow. This is the house.

The french panes in front… I plan on using this ladder

20 ft extension ladder and placing the ladder in the middle of the windows, slightly above the most top windows so I can do the french panes to either side of me and then the ones in the middle I’ll just reach in between the ladder and get those middle ones.

The windows above the pool cage… I’ll do those from the inside. The window should come out if I press the top tabs and tilt inward. I’ll just reach out and get it that way. I will be using squeegees & mop no WFP-just traditional work.

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Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on things. If you have a pre fabricated squeegee for the french panes so its exactly the right size that helps but not absolutely necessary.

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good luck and congrats my friend. Idk if u have a ladder standoff/ or equalizer. If not grab one soon it will make windows a lot easiers-l300

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Definitely gonna cut a channel to fit those panes. You believe that my 20 ft extension ladder will do good?

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yes, I got 17 ft ladder and could use a little more height. I think an 20 ft or 22 ft would do just fine

I almost forgot to mention, we mainly have singly hung where I’m at. But a lot of the times the pulley system in the window is broken or will easily break if I try to remove it from the inside

You should be safe though since the ones you’ll be working with have tabs on the top, rather than the clip in the side of the guide/frame that you pull out to release the pulley system in the pane. I hope that makes sense…

I use them where I need to lean the ladder against gutter to prevent from scratching the gutter.

Sounds like Everydaywc has more insight on that than me. I’m sorry man I can’t tell from the pictures and I wouldn’t wanna steer ya wrong, so I’d go with what others suggest.

Best of luck!

Those arent true divided panes/ French in front are they?

Grids looks like to me.

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Also mention the broken grid above garage prior to starting work, cover yourself.

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Best of luck to you, you should be fine. Seeing that window above the garage there is a grid divider missing. I would say these are older windows perhaps not in the best of condition? Be sure to mention any issues with more coming loose or falling off are because of age of windows. Wet a finger and rub one of the frames to see if it transfers to your finger. You may end up with oxidized frames and white chalky mess will bleed onto the glass. If so, expect to go through a lot of detail towels and try not to touch the frames if that is the case.

Take your time. Do worry about being the fastest. With time comes speed. Worry about leaving the windows immaculate and that your customer is happy. Once you get a few under you, you’ll get more confident and faster at cleaning. Hope is good well!

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Always a good practice to ask if they have pets or any other special considerations( nap time for kids, etc). This shows that you are not just a fast buck fly by night operator.

Communication is key. Mention any damage ahead of time. Don’t worry so much about doing them fast, your first few houses you will probably not make 75/100 per hour like you want to, but it is a learning curve. Just take your time and do a good job. Word of mouth is your best advertising.

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Arrive 20 minutes before schduled to set up and get a good head start . Work in the shade , working in thin sun makes it very difficult specially when you’re new . Bring water to drink and your lunch , you’ll probably be there longer than expected. Lots of good advice from everyone , you’ll be better off than me on my first job that’s for sure

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Not sure a residential is good to show up early for.

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Congrats and good luck! The ladder standoff was literally the best thing I owned. Do not hesitate to take that recommendation.

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Standoffs and leg levelers is a must, one fall off the ladder and could be disastrous. Think safety first before anything else.

How did it go ?

Got the job done, went ok. Took A LOT longer than I thought. Im ashamed to admit this… but it took about 7 hours. My ladder wasnt tall enough so i used a 32 ft ladder, boy was that thing harder than an MF to handle by myself. Lessons learned, got paid, customer seemed satisfied with work & didnt compain or point anything out that they didnt like. Was a great learning experience

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Yup, you are now a perfessional window cleaner. Every job is challenging and different. Congrats. Repeat.

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Congrats my friend! Don’t beat yourself up on the time, you can’t rush window cleaning. Especially if you’re by yourself and you want to do a good job. My first few big jobs like a house full of French panes in and out. I’m cleaning window screens and thoroughly cleaning window sills, and window tracks. It took me 2 days…I worked a day job at the time…I was making 450 for the week. That was 11 hour job made more than my weeks worth of work. I guess it depends on how you look at things…Either way my friend…congrats, its awesome to see others goals come true! May God keep blessing all of us

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