Out of the thousands of businesses that people start, 82% fail within the first year. That number is terrifying for someone thinking of quitting their job to start a window-washing business.
In reality, you shouldn’t be afraid to take the chance when the opportunity arises. After all, window washing companies make millions every year. That is because there is such a high demand for window washing.
So, as long as you plan, strategize, and market yourself professionally, you will have nothing to worry yourself over. Do you want to know the top tips on starting a window business? If so, keep reading this post!
Write Your Business Plan
One of the most critical steps you can take when starting window business companies are writing out a business plan. That is how most successful businesses ensure that they reach their short and long-term goals.
Not only that, but a plan will help you organize everything you need so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to do a vital task. The key components of a business plan are:
- Executive summary
- Company description
- Objective statement
- Business structure
- Products and services
- Marketing plan
- Financial analysis
- Financial projections
A business plan will also help you keep track of your finances. That way, you do not overspend on things you cannot afford at the moment. In your business plan, it is a good idea to identify your target market.
By doing this, you allow yourself to adhere to a specific clientele. For a window washing or glass franchise, you can do both residential areas and commercial areas.
So, on a list within your business pan, write down things like:
- Colleges and universities
- Restaurants
- Gyms
- Gas stations
- High-rise buildings
- Apartment buildings
- Storefronts
- Condominiums
- Homeowners
In reality, wherever there is a window, there is a glass business opportunity and a window business opportunity! However, some people choose to go either commercial or residential. Doing both right out of the gate may serve as too much work than you can handle.
As a rule of thumb, think about beginning with one or the other at the beginning. You can always add more services to your company the more successful you get.
One more thing to keep in mind is where the demand is in your community. Sit down and ask yourself if you can get more work with high-rise buildings or single storefronts.
For instance, if you live in a city like New York, then skyscrapers are the way to go. However, if you are more suburban, you might want to focus on apartments or homeowners.
To figure this out, be sure to conduct a market analysis of your area. That method will help you identify a target market as well as your competition.
Create a Budget to Start Window Washing Business
You will want to create a budget that will allow you to see where you stand with your finances. By doing this, you can see what you will need to spend to start your business.
The good news is that window washing tools are pretty affordable. So, you won’t have to spend too much on them.
That is great because there are other start-up costs you need to consider to get your glass franchise and window franchise going. When you sit down to write up your business budget, be sure to include things like:
- Liability insurance
- Commercial vehicle
- Rent
- Utilities
- Cleaning tools
- Ladders
- Gasoline
- Maintenance
- Marketing and advertisements
- Invoicing software
- Licenses
- Permits
Be sure to write a list of every cleaning supply you will utilize. Think about extension poles, squeegees, and how much window washing solution you will need to start a few jobs.
Figure Out Where to Work
Another thing to add to your business budget plan is where you want to work. That could have a lot of impact on your start-up costs and finances, especially if you choose to find an office space.
Many window washing and glass repair franchise companies prefer to work out of their homes. That is because they are often small and do not employ many workers.
Making your private dwelling home-base is beneficial because you don’t have to pay extra for rent. However, if your budget allows, you could always search for small spaces out in your community.
If you want an office, look for window business for sale spaces. That way, everything is optimized for your company from the get-go!
Some people prefer to work out of their homes and in an office. It all depends on your budget and where you are comfortable working.
Choose Business Name
Your business name is just as important as everything else. Interestingly enough, it is also one of the biggest mistake new businesses make right off the bat.
Some people assume their name isn’t a crucial element. But, if your name is bland and dull, people won’t pay attention.
That is because there are countless window washing companies out there. So, how do you make yours stand out?
To start, grab a piece of paper and write down a list of everything you can think about that has to do with window washing. Separate the words into columns and connect them until you find something that works. If you don’t want to do this, there are tons of business name generators online that might give you some inspiration.
Market Your Brand
Along with choosing a business name, you want to think about branding. Remember that people respond to visual stimuli. That means you need an eye-catchy logo that gets people’s attention.
Do yourself a favor, and hire a company to create and size your logo. It is tempting to do this yourself and save money.
But unless you have design knowledge, you won’t make the image available to different mediums. When you market your brand, you want to take out advertisements wherever you can, like coffee cups, business cards, and even t-shirts.
Price Services
Pricing your list of services is necessary for any business. People will visit your website and want to know how much everything will cost.
While calling you up is an option, people tend to prefer the fast route. So, be sure to have a list of all of your services on your web page to let your customers know what you offer.
More on How to Start a Window Washing Business
As you can tell, there are several things you must consider when you start a window-washing business. Remember to always come up with a business plan. That way, you can target your customers.
And always make sure your brand shines and stands out from all the others. We hope this article helps you understand what goes into window washing.
At Window Medics, we want to help you learn more tips. For more, we urge you to visit our blog. And if you need any window, door, or glass repairs, please feel free to contact us today.