Are you looking to start or change your career? Have you considered starting a window business?

There are millions of commercial buildings in the US and business owners looking to maintain a high level of cleanliness in their premises. This makes commercial cleaning quite profitable, with window cleaning alone generating roughly $5.1 billion annually.

Still, there is some legwork to be done if you hope to own a successful window cleaning business. This post takes the guesswork out of it and discusses everything you need to know on how to start a window washing business.

Is a Window Cleaning Business Right for You?

Before you jump into this venture, you must decide if it’s the right fit for your startup budget, lifestyle, and schedule. A window-washing business allows for a flexible schedule and the ability to be mobile. The startup costs are minimal, especially if you use basic supplies and tools.

This job requires someone physically fit and capable of working for several hours at a time. You should be prepared to work in all kinds of weather throughout the year. Self-motivation and discipline are a must since there won’t be a manager to get you moving or push you to connect with customers.

If you hope to grow the client list, you will have to be hard-working, trustworthy, and detail-oriented.

Identify Target Market

There are two primary target audiences in the window cleaning business. Residential clients are homeowners and small business owners in need of low-rise window cleaning. They are easier to tap into, especially if you want to start small.

Commercial clients include office building owners who need high-rise window cleaning. Tapping into this lucrative market requires more capital and experience in safe high-rise cleaning.

You must keep the market you decide to target in mind when branding and marketing your offerings. It will help you connect more effectively to the current clients and encourage new ones to sign up for your services.

Determine Pricing

There are three ways you can go about this: charge per hour, windowpane, or project.

With the hourly rate, you charge for the amount of time it takes to complete the job. When it comes to window panes, the standard rate is $2 to $8 per pane. Most window cleaners use this method when charging commercial clients, especially ones with multi-story buildings.

Charging per project may make more sense if, for instance, you are working on a skyscraper. You can charge more because you’ll be exposing yourself and your team to the dangers of operating on scaffolding.

When determining how much to charge for your service, consider overhead, operating, and start-up costs. It may seem like a complicated process, but this guide will help you calculate how much your service is worth.

Secure Supplies and Transportation

The type of equipment and supplies you need will depend on the kind of clients you’ll be targeting and your budget.

A basic window cleaning kit includes a squeegee, sponges, blades, scrapers, cleaning solution, microfiber cloth and towels, ladder, and extension tool. You can invest in more advanced tools like a water-fed pole and a water purification system once the business picks up.

You’ll also need a work truck or vehicle to get to client locations and work. Repurpose your personal truck if it’s large enough to house all of your supplies, or lease one until you can afford to purchase your own.

Get Business Insurance and License

You must make your new business a legal entity before signing new clients. You can either register as a sole proprietorship or an LLC. While more expensive, the latter is better from a liability standpoint. It also makes things easier when you decide to expand and bring on new employees.

Insurance significantly increases your legal standing in the eyes of potential clients. It also has your back, as well as that of your company and employees.

Consider getting worker’s compensation insurance and liability insurance. Getting high-rise window cleaning insurance may also be wise if you’ll be offering this service.

Set Up a Base of Operations and Business Account

It’s best to use a home office as your base of operations to keep your startup costs low. Having a dedicated working area will make it easier to handle client calls and paperwork. You can even write it off as a business expense when filing expenses.

As for the finances, you must separate the personal from business. Open a business account for easier processing of payments and tax purposes. Invest in easy-to-use software such as QuickBooks to stay ahead of bookkeeping and finances.

Brand and Market Your Business

Set your business apart from the competition with unique branding. Choose a unique business name that embodies who you are and what you offer. Once you have a name, you can design a logo for your work vehicle and uniform. This will advertise your business wherever you go.

Other ways to market your new venture include cold calling, where you pitch potential clients in person. If your budget allows it, invest in a business website, online marketing (social media marketing and PPC), and traditional marketing methods like business cards and flyers. Don’t forget to list your business on Google My Business, Yelp, and other directory websites.

Add Services and Hire Employees as You Expand

As your business grows, you’ll need more people to handle the increased workload. Hiring more employees will solve the problem and increase your profit margins. Choose people that you can trust to uphold a high level of quality and service. Train them as needed and work with them closely to provide a positive experience for your customers.

You should also capitalize on the success of your glass franchise business opportunity to add new services. This will help you retain not only existing customers but also gain new ones. If clients are happy with your work, they will ask if you can do other work such as window glass replacement and pressure washing.

Start A Window Washing Business Today

Starting a window business can be quite satisfying and a successful venture if done right. It’s an accessible business to start since it doesn’t need a lot of startup capital. If you follow the above steps, provide excellent service consistently, and partner with Window Medics, you’ll establish yourself as a unique service provider in your area.

Contact us today to learn more about how to start a window washing business.