Are you thinking of starting a WINDOW CLEANING business? Read this first
Beginning a window cleaning business is a lucrative venture in every way You get the freedom to work for yourself There is no long or costly training and overhead costs are minimal and there is plenty of opportunities to expand.
There is a bit of work to be done before you can get started starting with window washing insurance to understanding how to calculate the cost of jobs.
To eliminate the guesswork of the equation We have asked two experts in
Window cleaner to share their knowledge through their time working in the field.
Do you think window cleaning is a viable job?
In the end window cleaning is an excellent job. It is extremely profitable since you pay immediately, the revenues are recurring and overhead costs are low.
A typical day for window cleaners includes bidding, canvassing and scheduling visits, as well as handling customer service and daily operations.
To be successful in running a window cleaning business it is essential to be a pro in customer service and sales. Additionally, you must be fit and physically strong to deal with rejection particularly in the beginning of prospecting and cold calling.
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You could earn a good living as a window washer. The ability to purchase my own house and car and then turn it into an actual job proved that this was something I can do throughout my entire life.
aStephen Richardson, 20/20 Window Cleaning
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What is the average amount window cleaners earn?
The median window cleaning wage is $15-25 an hour, which is $30,000 to $50,000 per year, and can go up to $60,000 based the region you live in. The typical high-rise window cleaning pay is more and starts at $18 an hour. It is also possible to think of your window cleaning earnings as a job that are residential jobs: the median salary is worth $180. If you work 3 hours every day, that's $2700 per week in earnings.
As a business owner you are able to scale your business and earn more based on the services you provide. For instance, you could offer more expensive house cleaning services or make use of water-fed poles or automated invoicing software to complete more tasks in a shorter amount of time.
What is the cost to begin a window cleaning company?
Beginning a business in window cleaning does not require a lot of capital. It is possible to start with less than $1000 when you are working on your own and already own a van or truck. The majority of your initial costs will be for tools as well as clean uniforms and the initial expenses of starting your company.
You can save money by working from your home and learning new methods for no cost on YouTube.
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After obtaining insurance, you can start establishing your company, and if you already had a vehicle then you could open a the storefront and start with a cost of between $1,000 and $5,000. Begin with traditional tools since the costs are affordable. Establish a base of customers with stores to establish regular, regular routes. When you are in pure water, the price increases to the point of purchase however, you'll be able to pursue larger, more lucrative residential projects.
aStephen Richardson, 20/20 Window Cleaning
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How do you begin a window cleaning business:
Find an instructor
Improve your customer service
Start your own business and be insured
Purchase window cleaning products
Determine the cost for window cleaning services.
Attract and find new customers
Find a team to work with
Enhance your service offerings
Systematize your business
Step 1. Find an instructor
If there is one way to ensure your success, it's learning from other people.
The two Dave and Steveas their top tips for new
ballynahinch window cleaners would be to locate someone who has already done the job you're looking to accomplish and then reach out to them.
You can speed up your path towards success with the help of other individuals who have done it before, David says. David. I give an enormous amount of praise for another Jobber user who owns A+ Window Cleaners in Kamloops. What I've learned from him I must acknowledge his contribution and we have become friends through window cleaning.a
The great thing about beginning a business in window cleaning now is that you will learn a lot from the window cleaning experts on the internet.
What do you think? Take a look at Daveas real-talk blog post on the challenges faced by managing a service-based business and then watch Steveas clip below.
Step 2: Refresh your customer service
Cleaning windows is considered a service company that focuses on providing customer service. Anyone can clean windows. It's your professionalism, customer service, and commitment to your customers that distinguish you and keep them coming back.
Before you begin your window cleaning venture make sure you know the following basics of service:
Looks: Your car and tools, uniforms and other documents must be neat and tidy throughout the day. Small things, such as covering your shoes for indoor use will make a difference. Keep in mind that you will have to enter people's homes and companies, so be confident in your work and appear professional.
Communication: Whether that's sending reminders for appointments sending text messages with quotes, or sending flawless bills, you have plenty options to wow your clients and stand out from the crowd.
Efficiency: The time of your customer is precious, and so is your time. As efficient as you will be, the more likely you will attract customers and be capable of fitting work into your schedule. Things such as online booking and electronic payments can speed up your daily tasks so that everyone can go about their day.
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Meet your customers in a way that is more enjoyable than just providing the job you offer and collecting the payment. Being personable is crucial in the business of service. It could make a big difference in deciding between two firms to provide the same service.
aStephen Richardson, 20/20 Window Cleaning
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Step 3: Start your company and obtain insurance
It's time to turn your business plan a legitimate, legal entity.
In general, you can choose to register as a sole proprietor , or form an LLC. It is more costly to incorporate however, it provides an legal barrier between you and your business, says Dave. It is better in terms of liability and is the best option if you are planning to expand and recruit employees.a
The next step is to create a business bank account and register for accounting software to ensure that your bookkeeping is clear and tidy. QuickBooks is a well-known choice for small-sized businesses to track expenses, track receivables and record all types of income.
In the end, you must buy window cleaning insurance.
Read more Get a quick estimate of window-cleaning insurance, specifically for your business.
Window Cleaning Insurance What are you looking for?
If you're using water-fed poles or ladders there are risks of accidents. Insurance will protect your company from the most serious of risks. It also lets clients know that you are reliable, professional and trustworthy.
Liability insurance: in the event an accident like dropping tools on a customer's new vehicle.
Workers' compensation insurance: This is required for employers who have employees. The workplace compensation board in your region will be able to take a portion of your pay to pay your employees in the event of a accident at work, be it an accident or a collision with dogs.
Window cleaning for high-rise buildings: If you perform window cleaning in high-rises, you'll require additional liability and workers' compensation insurance. Certain States also need certifications, education and equipment that is specialized.
Step 4: Purchase your window cleaning products
The right tools can help to complete the task correctly. The good news is that traditional window cleaning equipment is affordable and readily available.
The window cleaning kit contains:
A squeegee
Microfiber towels and cloths
An extension pole
T-bar and sleeves
A scraper
Cleansing solution as well as buckets(regular dish soap is well)
A ladder
Bidding and Invoicing System
These tools are able to be bought for as little as a few hundred dollars if they are purchased from a reliable source. After you have your company up and running and you are ready to invest in more sophisticated tools such as a water purification system or a water-fed pole.
Keep reading: Find the complete listing of windows cleaning products.
The best window cleaning products Professional window cleaners using a water-fed pole
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We have a water purification pole. It's more secure, efficient, and keeps my dogs in the ground and that as a property owner is very important to me.
aDave Moerman, Revive Washing
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Step 5: Determine how you'll be charging
If you haven't been involved in window cleaning prior to and are able to figure out how to price and bid for window cleaning jobs can take some time and practice.
The majority of window cleaners do not charge per hour. They charge based on the number of windows (each one of them)) and also the kind of cleaning (construction outside and inside or just inside).
The average price is $3-$5 per window and $2 for a screen. It is necessary to charge more for cleaning services and lower for clients with high frequency (youall will make a profit in the long run). It is also possible to charge for the cleaning of window track and sills of windows.
The more you bid, the more you know. If you are able to win all in your bidding, you may be charging too much. If you're losing money do not be afraid to inquire about what the price your competition offered so that you can know the market.
Keep reading to learn how to price strategies that work for service companies.
Need help with writing or sending quotes?
Our completely free Quoting Toolkit makes it simple to create, send and keep track of quotes. Join today to gain access to professional-looking quotes you can distribute to clients in mere minutes.
Step 6: Find and entice new customers
There are two methods to attract new customers for window cleaning:
1. Cold-calling and canvassing:
Canvassing, also known as going door-to-door to homes and storefronts is the most well-known and fastest method to create your own books of your business. It can be a bit nerve-wracking but it's a good idea! To find actual scripts to test, check out our tips for cleaning your windows here.
2. Marketing:
If you have a good marketing strategy, your customers will come to you instead of having to search for them. It is not necessary to employ costly agencies or pay a lot of money to start.
Here are some low-cost methods to promote the window cleaning business:
Create a professional home-service website that showcases your services and provides potential customers with an easy method to schedule jobs.
Advertise your business on local directories of business as well as online marketplaces
Create an Google My Business listing
Provide window-cleaning services for your friends and family members and request them to write online reviews
Connect with local service companies like landscapers, remodelers, and realtors. You can create a two-way referral program to increase the client base of each other.
After you have started building your client list You can add methods of re-marketing, such as keeping in touch with customers who have already purchased from you via email or postcards as well as establishing an incentive program for referrals.
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About 30% of our leads are directly from Google search. We are the most highly and best-rated company in our kind in the Lower Mainland. We are extremely proud of it and share it with all our customers.
aDave Moerman, Revive Washing
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Step 7 Step 7: Find a team to work with.
This process could be the first priority when you begin out, but it is essential as you expand and grow your business.
Revive Washing has seen their revenues increase with each new team they've added. We made 89,000 (CAD) in the first year, and then $155,000 the following year with two crews, says Dave. The biggest leap was in the year I was able to get an production manager to assist me in managing the crews . This year, our teams comprised 5 teams: 10 people together with a manager and myself.a
If you are just beginning your journey make sure your team stays close to each other so that you can properly train them and guarantee consistent quality and services:
We have discovered that with four trained employees it is possible to do lots of work. It is possible to make it highly efficient. With just 4-5 employees the overhead is low, so we can earn an excellent living, says Steve.
Keep reading 6 entrepreneurs discuss their hiring and employee engagement strategies
How do you begin a window cleaning business Hire employees
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Many business owners who run a service think that they're the best and must complete everything. This is a very restrictive mentality and can limit the expansion and growth of your company. Employ people who are more adept in certain activities and tasks that you.
aDave Moerman, Revive Washing
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Step 8: Extend your services
If you decide to provide additional services will be contingent upon the region you are in, your business goals and the demand of your customers.
Revive Washing started out by providing window cleaning services, however, soon customers began looking for the cleaning of gutters, soft washing, as well as pressure washers. The addition of these services has increased the company's revenue and enabled them to operate throughout the year.
If we only did window cleaning, we'll notice an ebb in winter. Since we perform house washing and gutter cleaning and house washing, it slows down. However, it's not as dangerous as falling off a cliff, says Dave.
Some ideas for other window cleaning services that you can provide include:
Cleaning gutters
Pressure washing
Soft washing
Repair of the screen
Christmas light installation
You may either promote the services you offer or provide them upon the basis of.
Step 9: Systematize your Business
Administrative tasks are the main motive behind your window cleaning company. However, neglecting them could cause you to lose your the business.
The inability to keep track of client information between the cracks, ignoring appointments and not keeping track of invoices can ruin your reputation and cash flow.
The sooner you get charge of your business's operations the less financial loss and hassle you'll face in the future. Windows cleaning programs are the best option to stay organized and keep your business running smoothly.
The most important characteristics that window cleaner software provides are:
A CRM is a system to store your client information including bids, invoices, and history all in one place
Scheduling, which allows you to maximize your time and squeeze into more tasks
Professional estimates that you can make using the mobile of your phone. send to your clients and have them sign off in one click
Invoicing and payment, so you can be paid immediately and then follow-up in the event that a customer is owed money
Mobile apps, which means you can perform all of this and more from your office or in the field.