Although it’s dangerous and unusual, Window cleaning is one of the most lucrative careers out there, and if you invest some time into ensuring complete safety, you won’t have to worry about anything else other than collecting the income. In case you too are considering starting a window cleaning business, here are a few things you should know.
Legal entity in the Window cleaning business
Every business needs to be formed as a proper legal structure, and it’s up to you to decide how you wish to define it. This may not be as important to you personally, but it is quite important for the state and the tax you’ll be paying.
There are lots of options you can choose from, but most window cleaners opt for partnerships, limited liability companies or sole proprietorships, so consider these ideas first.
However, a small minority of window cleaners are private cleaners, where obviously you would get more money for a single job, of course, it is much harder to find clients this way so it’s not usual for it to be done in this way.
After that, all you need to do is come up with a name for your business and you’re ready to go!
Get the equipment
In order to provide high-quality service, you must never run out of supplies. And if you don’t want to use branded products, make your own stuff instead. However, what you absolutely shouldn’t try to save money on are the tools – lots of different scrapers, towels and squeegees are a must, as well as an extension pole, a ladder and a couple of large buckets.
However, high-quality service requires you to have the best quality equipment, and of course, that will not be very easy to get a hold of due to the budget. But if you can, then great!
Window cleaning 101
While most people think cleaning windows is easy, it’s not as easy as “wax on, wax off.” Luckily, you can learn everything you need to know in a matter of hours, especially if you find a good tutorial online.
Learn the basics and then practice at your own house – not only will your windows be spotless, but you’ll perfect your skills, becoming better and better.
Everything you need, for learning or for just information, is free on the internet. There is no need to pay for courses. There are probably hundreds or even thousands of videos on how to clean windows, so it’s not a question of learning.
Below are a few videos to show you how to commercially clean windows:
Start making money
The potential success of every business venture is determined by the income and you’ll be considered a failure unless you start making it soon.
Decide on the rates and come up with a system of charging based on the number, size and location of the windows you clean.
Whenever you offer something new and innovative, such as cleaning high windows from the outside, you can charge more.
This means you’ll need to use special equipment, such as a contemporary telehandler that can take you to great heights in a safe and secure manner.
But most importantly, to get to those heights in a safe manner, you must have undertaken good training and must not have even the slightest fear of heights. But with heights, comes profits.
Reaching clients
Finding clients is the hardest thing for every new business, but going with unusual marketing methods – guerrilla marketing and advertising via social media, for instance – can bring results and help you reach new audience. Once you do that, it’s up to you and your work to keep these clients and get some new ones.
Word-of-mouth marketing can also be quite helpful and if you’re professional and efficient, your clients will surely recommend you to their friends.
Most importantly, you must realise that window cleaning is something that will always be in need of most industry sectors. From huge franchises to smaller shops. A place that looks physically appealing is more likely to attract customers.
So, the field is lucky in terms of trying to find clients from major to less serious.
Come up with a system
Keeping records is important for a new company and you need to stay organized if you wish to keep on being successful in the years to come. Without a proper schedule, you won’t be able to reach your full potential, so, find a system that works for you.
Additionally, keep track of all your customers from the very beginning and build a customer base that will come in handy in the future, too.
If you think about it, if you are hired to clean a lot of windows for one company, if they think the job is great, they will contact you again because windows won’t stay clean for very long, now would they? Exactly, so it is vital to keep records.
Costs
Like any other start-up, we would have to consider the costs of starting the business and your budget. Things to look at:
- Training – Through videos and online tutorials
- Equipment – high-quality and in your budget
- A vehicle – it doesn’t need to be the best of course but do consider the environment when choosing a spec
- Public Liability Insurance
- Website – try building one in WordPress
- Logo design – you can buy one off-the-shelf or commission a designer
- Marketing – the budget depends on your goals. Start by marketing in one location and expand from there
These are the main cost considerations for a window cleaning specific start-up business.
As you can see, there’s nothing too scary about running a window cleaning business and you don’t need anything other than some tools and proper skills. Once your business starts growing and becoming more successful, think about hiring employees. This will free up more of your time to manage and grow the business.
