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How to start a window cleaning business step by step
Cheap gear, regular routes and storefronts that need you every few weeks. Here is what it takes to start, step by step.
At a glance
What it takes to start a window cleaning business
Window cleaning
Cheap gear, regular routes and storefronts that need you every few weeks.
- Startup cost$500 to $2,500
- Typical price$150 to $350 a home
- Main gearSqueegees, poles, ladder
- Repeat workMonthly storefronts
Rough US ranges to help you plan. Costs, prices and rules vary a lot by area, so check locally before you start.
Step by step
How to start a window cleaning business
Check the rules and register
A business license and liability insurance are standard. Work on upper floors carries real fall risk, so follow ladder safety rules. Register as a sole proprietor or LLC and open a separate bank account.
Get your gear
Squeegees, scrubbers, buckets, an extension pole, a sturdy ladder and towels. A water-fed pole is a later upgrade.
Set your prices
Quote homes by window count and number of stories. Storefronts get a low monthly rate that adds up across a route.
Get online
Customers search Google before they call. You need a simple website, a booking or quote form, and a Google Business Profile so you show up on the map.
Land your first customers
Walk a strip of shops and offer a first clean. Storefront routes give steady weekly income while you build home customers.
Ask for reviews and rebook
After every job, ask for a Google review and offer to put the next visit on the calendar. Reviews and repeat bookings are what make a local service business grow.
Questions
Common questions
Is window cleaning seasonal?
Spring and fall are busiest for homes. Storefronts keep you busy all year.
Will I make money?
That depends on your work, your area and how many customers you reach. We don’t promise any income.
Other businesses
Thinking about something else?
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Guides
More on starting a window cleaning business
Window cleaning pricesWindow cleaning equipment listAll starting a business guides