Is window cleaning a good business? Window cleaning and window washing can provide you with a great business income, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Here at The Clean Thumb LLC, we’ve been getting a lot of questions from people about forming and running a business. Here are some things you need to know to start a window cleaning business. 1. Choose a legal structure. First of all, you need to choose a name and decide the legal structure of your business. Make sure you consult with a legal professional to figure out the best decision for you, but the main entities are sole proprietorship, partnership, and LLC. The Clean Thumb LLC is an LLC (obviously) because it helps to limit liability if anything goes wrong. To further protect yourself (and your customers), make sure that you… 2. Get insurance. You MUST get insurance. If anything ever happens, you will be glad you did. It’s a small price to pay to have peace of mind. The bonus of having insurance as you start a window cleaning business is that most of your competitors won’t have it. This is a silly mistake that you can use to differentiate yourself in the marketplace. Again, make sure you check with a professional, but $1M of insurance is a good amount to have if you’re working up to three stories. This should run you around $50-70 per month. Larger properties, such as hotels, may want more coverage. 3. Purchase supplies. One of the biggest advantages of window cleaning is that you can get started for a relatively small amount of money. Unlike other service businesses, where you might have to spend thousands to get started, it’s possible to equip yourself with the basics for under $300. I will tell you this – do not go to your local hardware store or big box retailer and expect to find commercial grade equipment. What you’ll find there is “consumer grade” equipment that will not hold up to the demands of constant window cleaning. Because it won’t hold up, it will actually cost you more money in the long run. Here are some of the basic supplies you’ll need:
4. Learn how to clean windows. This should be obvious, but even if you think you know what you’re doing, invest in some quality training materials to develop your skills. The truth is that anyone can wash windows, but only a few people can wash windows with expert precision and care. Practice on your own windows, your friends’ windows, your neighbors’ windows, and so on. When someone puts their trust in you to clean their windows and intends on paying you for it, it’s a whole new ballgame. Treat it with the respect it deserves. 5. Put your marketing in place. You can’t officially “start a window cleaning business” until you have customers. After all, no customers means you don’t really have a business. How to market a window cleaning business could fill up an entire book, but flyers and direct mail tend to work really well. |