Running a Successful Window Washing Business in 2024: Complete Guide

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Window Washing HERO

No matter the economic circumstances, there will always be a demand from homeowners and commercial businesses for someone to clean their windows. Studies indicate that the global cleaning services market will reach a value of $111,498.8 million by 2030. 

There are various reasons why a window washing business is one of the best businesses you can start. It’s flexible, scalable, doesn’t require a significant investment, and most importantly, the business model makes it easier to get repeat customers; after all, windows do require constant cleaning. It offers an excellent opportunity to become your own boss. 
In this article, you’ll learn the different types of window washing businesses and which tools you need to get the job done. You’ll also learn each step you need to take to launch your window washing business and the tactics you can use to optimize it. 

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What Is a Window Washing Business? 

As the name suggests, a window washing business involves offering to clean the windows of people’s properties for a fee. It’s a great way to start your own business without worrying about high startup costs. 

There are different types of window cleaning businesses. For example, some companies focus on residential streets and houses for homeowners who want to keep their windows clean but don’t have the time. 

Or you could also offer your window cleaning services to commercial properties and help business owners keep their windows spotless. There are also specialist businesses that focus on taller buildings and high-rise window cleaning. 

How Profitable Is a Window Washing Business?

With low overhead costs, the potential profits in this line of work are limited only by your capacity to take on new clients. The average hourly rate for a window cleaning business is around $50 to $70 per hour. Let’s say that you work a weekly average of 34 hours: that means that you can expect to make around $1,700 to $2,380 per week. 

What’s great about starting a window cleaning business is that you don’t need big capital to start. There’s also no need for any form of qualifications or years of experience in another form of cleaning business to enter the field, either. That said, you’ll still need to spend some money on the following items:

  • Gasoline
  • Commercial vehicle
  • Window cleaning supplies
  • Uniforms

What Tools Are Needed for a Window Washing Business? 

Launching a window cleaning business requires various forms of special equipment. Here are the tools you’ll need to provide your customers with the best window cleaning service possible:

Squeegees

A squeegee is a tool with a smooth rubber blade to remove liquid when moved across a window. The squeegee has three elements for cleaning windows: the handle, the channel, and some rubber. You’ll need to purchase one squeegee for every worker on your team. 
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Scaffolds

A scaffold is a tool you use for support to help you clean high windows. If you plan to offer your services to high-rise buildings, then the use of scaffolds will be necessary.
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Safety equipment

To keep yourself safe, you’ll need to invest in various pieces of safety equipment, such as a hard hat, protective jackets, gloves, fall arrest equipment, and protective eyewear. These safety tools reduce the chances of injury and ensure your employees can work in a safe environment. 
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Vehicles

Unless you already have a van, you’ll need to invest in a commercial vehicle to help your team go from property to property to complete client projects. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to cover gasoline. 

Vans will be your go-to vehicle for running your window cleaning business. Ideally, you should be looking for a van that comes with external attachments to carry other tools such as ladders. 

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Buckets

Your workers will need buckets to prevent themselves from getting wet during the cleaning job. A simple bucket with a handle will do the job. 

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Cleaning solutions

Cleaning solutions allow you to remove unwanted messes on windows, such as dust, dirt, and stains. Alongside squeegees, they help complete the window cleaning job and get rid of hard-to-clean spots. The main cleaning solutions include detergents, which break up soil, and degreasers, which remove grease. 
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Route optimization software

Route optimization helps you find the quickest route between all your client stops for the day or the week. As a result the tool enables you visit more customers a day in the same amount of time and meet or exceed customer expectations. 

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How to Start a Window Washing and Window Cleaning Business in 2024

Follow these five steps to get started with your window cleaning business:

Create a business plan

A business plan gives you a roadmap to success that you can follow to get your window washing business off the ground. Here’s what the plan must include:

  • Define your target market: The first thing you’ll have to think about is which type of customers you want to serve. For example, do you want to target homeowners, commercial buildings, or high-rises?
  • Define your budget: The next thing to write down is how much money you have to invest in cleaning supplies, gas, liability insurance, and employees. The good news is that you don’t need a massive budget to get started.
  • Define your pricing: How much will you be charging customers for your cleaning projects? Will you be charging per hour or project? 
  • Competitor analysis: Make sure to analyze your competition. Are there any rival cleaning companies already operating in your area? Are there any gaps in their coverage? What are they charging, and what services do they offer?
  • Sales and marketing: Your window washing business won’t be able to survive without a steady flow of clients. How will you be promoting your window washing business?
  • Long-term income goals: A business plan isn’t complete without an income goal to aim for. How much money would you like to earn with your window washing business? 

Get funding

To launch your window cleaning business, you can apply for a small business loan to help you pay rent, employees, or for any equipment needed for your company. That said, various factors could impact your chances of securing funding. 
Banks are happy to provide you funding if you’ve had previous experience running a successful business. However, if this is your first time running a business, a better option might be a micro-loan organizations such as Kiva and Accion. 

Purchase the right equipment

Make sure to purchase all of the equipment listed in the previous section for your window washing business. You’ll be able to buy all the equipment in the links listed.

Get all the necessary documents

Before you can legally start working on your business, you’ll have to comply with required paperwork. The documents you’ll need before you can open your window washing business include:

  • Legal licenses: The most common license you’ll need to get started is a vendor’s license. Getting your vendor’s license is a fairly straightforward process. You’ll just need to call your local city hall, complete an application form, and pay a processing fee of around $50 to acquire the license. 
  • Tax registration: Your business will have to comply with different state and federal taxes. The type of taxes you’ll pay will depend on your business structure, such as if you’re working under a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC). 
  • Liability insurance: Liability business insurance is essential to your window cleaning business. Incidents can happen during the cleaning service, and the insurance will protect you in case you cause damage to your client’s property, saving yourself from plenty of headaches. 
  • Employee insurance: You’ll need employee insurance if you hire workers for your window cleaning business. The insurance will provide employees benefits when they are sick or go through any work-related injuries. Some employee insurance benefits are unemployment pay, medical services for injuries, and disability benefits. 

Market your business

Next, your goal will be to find the first clients for your window cleaning business. Here are some tactics you can use to market your services and start getting paid:

Use Google My Business (GMB)

Google My Business (GMB) helps local customers learn about your local business and the services it offers via Google’s search engine. For example, if your company is in Austin, Texas, GMB will showcase your business when customers search for “window cleaning businesses in Austin.” GMB will also use location data to show your business even if the customer doesn’t type in their exact location. 

Here are the steps you can follow to set your window cleaning business on Google My Business:

  • Step 1: Sign in to Google Business profile manager with your Google account. 
  • Step 2: Next, enter the name of your window cleaning business, along with its category. 
  • Step 3: Enter the physical address of your business and include your contact information that customers can use to reach out to you. 
  • Step 4: Make sure to verify your window cleaning business to get approved by Google. 

Posters and flyers

Posters and flyers are traditional yet practical ways to advertise your window cleaning services. You can create and print out your posters with a graphic design tool like Canva and post them in areas where your target customers live and work.

What Customers Look For in a Window Washing Business

How you treat customers will have a lasting impact on your long-term success. Customers expect the following out of a window cleaning business:

  • Respect: Respect goes a long way in customer satisfaction and building a good reputation for your window cleaning business. The customer expects to have good communication with your company, that your window washer team is friendly, and that you don’t cause any damage to their property.
  • Reliability: Timeliness is essential to running a successful window cleaning business. You must stick to your word, show up when the customer expects you to arrive, and be consistent. 
  • Value and quality work: Customers are paying to receive professional window cleaning. Your team has to give 100% to each customer they work with.

How to Optimize Your Window Cleaning Business

To get the most out of your window cleaning business, here are some optimization possibilities that you can implement as part of your strategy as well:

Route optimization

You can’t underestimate the impact of effective route planning. Many things can get in the way of your business arriving on time for the client project, such as emergencies and inaccurate planning. If you want to save money on gasoline, you’ll also need to find the quickest route.

You can use automation software to find the best routes for your window cleaning business. For example, a tool like OptimoRoute comes with a Weekly Planning feature to find the best day to serve a customer based on the entire scope of work for the week.

Expand your service area

When offering your services, don’t just limit yourself to your local area. Open up your pool of potential clients by branching out to different geographical locations. You will have more opportunities, and you can earn more money. 

Focus on client retention

As a window cleaning business, you don’t want to settle for one-time projects. Aim to get customers to regularly call you back whenever they need help with their window cleaning. The key is to create an excellent first impression: if you deliver exceptional cleaning the first time you work together, the more likely they’ll be to call you back. 

Offer a referrals program

Word-of-mouth can be an effective way to get new customers for your window cleaning business. You can offer your customers a discount on their next window cleaning business each time they refer a new client to you.

If you’re looking to invest in route optimization software to better serve your window washing customers, OptimoRoute has what you need. Get started today with a 30-day free trial. 

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