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Start A Window Cleaning Business
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By: Scam Risk - Expert Reviewer
How To Start A Window Cleaning Business in 2021: 7 Things To Consider
If you’re an ambitious entrepreneur and want to start your own company, a window cleaning business might be the right choice.
There’s a high demand for window cleaning services in both the commercial and residential markets. Some estimates indicate that the U.S. window cleaners industry is worth over $40B per year.
There are many other benefits to a window cleaning company. First, you are your own boss. You can have repeat clients. After all, windows require regular cleaning. Additionally, you can scale your window washing businesses with minimal capital and low overhead costs.
Continue reading to learn how to start your own window cleaning business.
Towards the end of this article, you’ll find answers for some of the most frequently asked questions on how to start a window cleaning business and other online alternatives.
But most importantly, you’ll be shown a system that several others have used to build their own business to over $40,000 a month in mostly passive income.
Table of Contents
How To Start A Window Cleaning Business In 7 Steps
What are the steps you need to take to start a window-cleaning business? Here’s everything you need to know on launching your window cleaning services.
Step 1: Write Your Business Plan.
Writing your business plan is the first step in starting a window-washing business. When you start your business, your window cleaning business plan will help ensure that you do the right things and in the correct order. These are some tips on how to successfully start a window-washing business.
Choose A Target Market Before You Start A Window-Cleaning Business.
You can service both residential and business clients with your window cleaning business:
- Storefronts
- Government buildings
- College universities
- Car dealerships
- Restaurants
- Gyms
- Multi-story buildings
- Apartment buildings
- Condo complexes
- Homeowners
The choice is yours whether you want to learn about how to start a residential or commercial window cleaning business. While you don’t necessarily need one or the other, it’s essential to determine if there is a need and who your target audience is.
Market Analysis is a critical part of any business plan. It will allow you to answer the above queries and help set your window-cleaning business up for success in the short-term as well as into the future.
Consider Joining A Franchise.
A franchise can offer many benefits, such as accessing business resources and having a trusted company. Here are some of the most reputable window cleaning franchises:
- Window Genie
- Home Cleaning Centers of America
- Squeegee Squad
However, starting your own business is more affordable than opening a franchise. Window Genie, for instance, charges a $33,000 fee to start as a franchise fee. The minimum net worth required is $150,000, with at least $75,000 of liquid capital.
Franchises offer many benefits that can offset the expense, such as joining a profitable, established business; ongoing training and support; and having an established customer base.
Create A Business Budget.
Although you won’t need all the tools or supplies to start your own window-washing company, you’ll still need some capital upfront. Here’s a list of startup expenses and costs that you need to include in your business budget.
- Gasoline and maintenance
- Commercial vehicle (if you choose to buy one)
- Uniforms
- Window cleaning insurance
- Microfiber cloths and towels
- Window Cleaning equipment (ladder, buckets, squeegees, water hoses, hard hats, extension pole, scraper, buckets)
- Window Cleaning solution (both standard and eco-friendly)
- Sales and marketing
- Business licenses and permits
- Invoicing software
- Rent and utilities (if you rent office space)
Set Up Your Base Of Operations.
It’s not uncommon for a person who is starting a window-cleaning business, to run their business from their home. Working from home allows you to save money on office space rental, significantly benefiting budget-conscious bootstrapping entrepreneurs.
A space that can accommodate more people may be available for rent to help you scale your business. For example, customer service representatives may be hired and dispatchers assigned to a central location.
This may seem small at first, but it could end up being a viable option for your business.
Separate Your Business And Personal Assets.
A business owner with a sense of financial responsibility should adhere to several financial requirements. Separating personal assets from business assets is one. Here are reasons to not mix the two.
- Tax Purposes. Tax season may be difficult, especially if personal and business expenses are mixed. It’s easier for you to add your tax write-offs when there is a clear line between your business and personal assets.
- Personal Insurance. This is important if you want to register your LLC or corporation. Separate your personal and business assets if you’re going to be protected from personal liability in case of financial or legal disputes.
You can easily distinguish your personal and company assets when you open a business bank account. Another option is to open a business credit card. A dedicated credit card makes it easy for you to report your business spendings.
Step 2: Register Your Business.
You’re now ready to officially register your business. Follow these steps for window cleaning company registration.
Choose A Business Name.
The Small Business Administration records 30.7 Million small businesses in the U.S. Once you have decided on a name that best represents your business, make sure to check its availability with the U.S. Secretary of State. Patent and Trademark Office.
An online presence is almost a requirement of today’s digital age. Check to see if your domain is available. It is crucial when marketing yourself or ranking in local search engines. Sites like Name.com and GoDaddy will verify domain availability.
Choose A Business Entity.
Next, you must choose your business entity. This is crucial because it will impact how you file taxes, your liability protection, your business structure, and many other things. You might have to consult a business lawyer, but these are the most common business structures.
- Sole proprietorship. Sole proprietorships provide the easiest way to set up and run a business. This simplicity comes at an expense. There is no personal liability protection for your business in the event of a legal or financial dispute. Your personal return also includes your business taxes.
- Limited-Liability Company (LLC). You may form an LLC either as an individual or with multiple partners. LLCs allow you to enjoy personal liability protections, unlike sole proprietorships. You can choose to file your taxes as either a corporation or pass-through entity.
- Corporation: Corporations are popular among businesses looking to expand rapidly. While this entity is independent, it offers tax perks and liability protections. However, more paperwork is involved, such as the creation of bylaws or the formation of a board.
Register For EIN.
Your business might need to hire additional employees to handle increasing client demand. You will need to register for an employer identification number (EIN), which you use for tax filing to achieve this. You can apply online for one.
Even if there is no intention of hiring any employee, you should still get an EIN. This will be used to apply for a credit card, financing, or other business-related services.
Step 3: Price Your Services.
You should research your market and the competition before you decide how to price your service. To attract new clients, you want to keep your prices low. In the window cleaning industry, the standard method of charging is per hour or per window pane.
Charge Per Hour
This method of charging works well. You only pay for the time it takes to do the job. Let’s suppose you charge $40/hour and take three hours to clean two-story residential buildings. You made $120 on that one job.
Charge Per Window Pane
Another way to be charged is the number of windows panes that you clean. The standard rate is between $2-$7 per pane. This rate is often used by window cleaners to charge commercial clients for high rise window cleaning. Consider that you charge $6 for each pane if there are 50 panes in a building. That job will bring you $300.
Per-pane charging can sometimes be more efficient because it incentivizes speed. Skilled workers who can quickly clean windows and not compromise quality can help you make more by offering more jobs per pane.
Charge Per Project
The job may dictate how much you charge per project. Because you are operating a ladder, it is riskier to work on a building like a skyscraper. This would require you to be more prepared and trained than cleaning a simple home with only a few windows.
Step 4: Obtain Business Permits, Licenses, And Insurance
Secure Business Permits And Licenses.
Certain state licenses or permits are required for service-based businesses. Window cleaning businesses may need to obtain a state license or permit.
The documentation you need will vary depending on the county and state in which your business is located. You will need to have a permit and a license to operate a window-cleaning business. Check out the state’s resources for window cleaning businesses and consult with a lawyer to make sure you are protected.
Buy Business Insurance.
It is worth considering investing in business insurance if you are a window cleaning business owner. You will need workers’ compensation and unemployment coverage if you employ employees.
General liability insurance is also helpful because you will be working with private and commercial properties. You can have peace of mind knowing that you are protected in the event of any property damage or loss while you are on the job.
Step 5: Secure Startup Funding For Your Business.
Window cleaning comes with comparable overhead and startup costs, but you may need funding if your window-washing business rents an office, hires staff, or joins a franchise. Here are some options to secure the financing that you require:
Apply For A Business Loan.
The first step in applying for a small business loan is often to contact your bank. You might find it easier to get traditional bank loans if your business isn’t new and you have a good financial record.
Lenders can quickly reject your loan request if you are new to the business. Alternative financing options are available, such as online lenders, SBA microloans, and SBA loans for young entrepreneurs.
Self-Finance Your window cleaning business.
Self-finance can be an option for those who have the financial means to begin a window cleaning business. This financing option is also known as “bootstrapping” and should only be considered if you have the financial discipline. Your personal cash reserves are at risk.
Even so, a window-cleaning business can be started with just a few thousand dollars. With that amount, you can own the business entirely without repaying any loan or interest rates.
Step 6: Market Your Window-Washing Business.
If you don’t have a reliable source of revenue, you’ll find it challenging to keep your doors open. Here are some methods to find clients for your window cleaning business.
Cold Calling
While many marketing techniques have moved online now, cold calling still has its benefits. You can instantly interact with your potential clients without having to wait for an email response. Another way to build trust with clients is by interacting on a more personal level than email.
Remember to follow up when cold calling. It takes at least five follow-up calls to close a sale, according to research. When you’re reducing your list, be sure to contact companies you spoke with earlier.
Rank For SEO.
SEO can be used to rank for local searches results. A domain name is necessary as well. If you are a small business that provides services, it is crucial to rank for local search terms such as “window Cleaning Ohio.” This will help you find customers.
While getting your business on page 1 of Google’s search results could take time, it’s well worth the effort. Google isn’t the only search engine you should use.
Yelp also allows you to create a profile for your business. Your Yelp score can make the difference between you and your competitor.
Once you’ve completed the job, make sure you leave positive reviews from satisfied customers. This will boost your business’ credibility and attract new clients.
Step 7: Prepare Yourself For The Day-To-Day Operations.
When you own your business, expect to take on different hats. Here are some of these responsibilities when you start a window washing business that you can expect to have in a typical work week.
- Executing client jobs
- Marketing your company
- Maintaining inventory
- Invoicing clients
- Offering quotes
- Scheduling appointments
You can hire employees as your business grows. However, if you start your own window cleaning business, you need to be prepared for all the ongoing tasks.
Starting A Window Cleaning Business: Final Thoughts
It can be challenging and overwhelming to start a business in window cleaning. Take each step slowly, and don’t be afraid to spend more time writing your business plan.
It will make it easier to be confident and prepared for the milestones. The only thing that remains is to implement the plan and keep it up. Soon you’ll be marketing your business, closing clients, and increasing your net worth as a window washing business owner.
What Is Our #1 Recommendation For Making Money In 2021?
Our review team has come across a program in the real estate industry that is next level!
Although it’s not real estate in the traditional sense, it’s all digital.
With digital real estate, you have the opportunity to completely walk away from your 9-5 job!
Sound too good to be true?
Of course it does!
But it isn’t… in fact, business owners wish they had this skill!
What exactly is the skill?
Well, basically you are acting as a conduit for small business to increase their bottom line.
What we mean is…
You are helping these businesses grow!
But how?
All you have to do is build and rank a website and forward certain jobs off to a business owner in town, you could even email it to them!
This works for literally any service based business… ie: window cleaning, tree service, plumbing, towing, etc.
How Do You Get Paid And How Much?
Simple, after you forward the jobs off to a business owner and he makes closes the deal, you simply ask to agree to a WIN-WIN arrangement.
A fair price to charge per lead, depending on the industry is 10-20%… let’s just use the window cleaning service industry for example and go by worst case scenario.
Let’s say you build and rank the site and only 30 jobs a month come in. The average cost for a window cleaning job is anywhere from $150-350 depending on the size of the home!
So let’s say the average is $250 per home from 30 calls for the month ($250 x 30 = $7500).
That means at bare minimum you have an asset worth $750 a month!
See why they call it digital real estate now?
That’s a rent payment.
The great thing is how easy it is to scale. You don’t have to answer the phone… all you have to do is get the phone to ring.
Truly passive income!
The training program takes making money online to a whole other level. The owner of the program walks you through how to build and rank a site hand in hand, with the occasional voice over when he is sharing his screen.
You will learn the importance of keywords, website name, how to send call notifications via email, backlinking, etc.
Once the training program is completed you will also have access to a Facebook group where you can ask questions and be in a community with others on the same journey as you.
Digital real estate allows you to have passive income with most of your day being spent OUT of the brick and mortar landscape.
Now, we know you probably have tons of questions…
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