Tips and advice on starting your own window cleaning business

The startup costs are so very low, there's no reason just about anyone could get started up with a window cleaning business.

Now here's a low cost investment. When you first start your window cleaning business, here's what you need:

squeegees
washcloths
buckets
soap
cleaning fluid

Most businesses you hire your window cleaning business out to will be willing to let you get some water from their bathroom or an outdoor spigot.

The window cleaning business is one of the only business investments so accessible that you even see homeless people doing it.

Starting Small With Your Window Cleaning Business

Of course, you may want to get a little more ambitious with your window cleaning business, but nonetheless, it's a good idea to start small.

One day, your window cleaning business may be washing the windows of the Empire State Building, but it's always a good idea to start small, whether you're running a window cleaning business or anything else.

To start with, it's completely acceptable and commonplace for the owner of a window cleaning business to just walk right into local stores and ask if they could use some window cleaning. Many shops already employ a window cleaning business, but there's room in every town for a few window cleaning businesses.

If this method winds up working for your window cleaning business, the shop may let you put a small flyer up on the window for free advertisement for your window cleaning business (and an example of your handiwork).

Safety First When It come To Window Cleaning

Something to consider for your window cleaning business is that you may want to use something a little more industrial than the same blue cleaning fluid you're using on your countertops at home.

Do a little bit of research on the fluids and soaps available, experiment a little, and decide on which fluids work best, and don't be afraid to try a new product now and then.

While shopping for cleaning chemicals for your window cleaning business, do some research on the chemicals themselves and how to properly and safely handle them.

One of the benefits of hiring a window cleaning business is that they have industrial strength chemicals that most people don't have laying around under the sink.

You may need to obtain a license to handle potential dangerous chemicals, and for good reason. Again, do the research! Some chemical mixtures can create toxic fumes. Look into the regulations in your area and see if you need any special qualifications to handle the materials you're going to be using.

A Steady Investment

The window cleaning business may not seem like a great way to get rich quick or anything, as you won't be charging any individual client all that much per cleaning.

However, take a walk downtown. What you're going to see on every single building is several square feet of glass. Glass is constantly getting dirty, and there are most likely dozens of small stores per block in the commercial districts of your city. The way most of these places stay looking nice is thanks to window cleaning businesses.

If you choose to upgrade your window cleaning business, you'll need to look into some more equipment, and you may need to hire on some employees. This is especially true if you manage to get work from the owner of an office building.

Such equipment to upgrade you window cleaning business might include:

Scaffoldings
More general equipment (more squeegees, sponges, washcloths, towels, etc)
More heavy duty chemicals (you're going to be covering a larger area, and you don't want to rely on elbow grease alone for a twelve story building)

If you're looking to upgrade to scaffoldings and high rises with your window cleaning business, make absolutely sure you're acknowledging all of the requisite safety concerns.

It looks like fun, but working on scaffoldings is dangerous. Invest in harnesses and other safety equipment. Don't rely on your catlike sense of balance! You may need to obtain additional licenses for yourself and your employees to work on a scaffolding, as well.

Keeping it Clean

A window cleaning business may sound like a lot of hard work, but without window cleaners, our cities wouldn't be the beautiful testaments of human achievement they are.

window cleaning business resources

Minimum Start Up Cost	$100-5,000
Minimum Start up Equipment	Mobile phone, late-model computer with broadband connection, buckets, soap, squeegees, rags, transportation
Optional or Advanced Equipment	Scaffolding
Associations	IWCA - International Window Cleaning Association
Courses	Both small businesses could be helpful but, are not necessary. It's often best to apprentice with another professional, instead.
Reference Sites	How to Start a Cleaning Service Start a post-construction cleaning business How To Start a Window Cleaning Business - Streak Free Profits

Related Businesses:
How To Start A Pressure Washing Business

Make sure this Business is for you

See: What Are Your Reasons For Getting Into Your Own Business?
And
The Pros and Cons of Owning and Operating Your Own Business
And
Five Ways to Find the Right Business for You

Is it Better To Build or Buy?

See : Build or Buy A Business?

Look into the legalization

See: Play By The Rules - It's the Only Safe Way To Do Business!

Look Into Start up Cost

See: Estimating Startup Costs

Ensure You Have Enough Money To Start:

See: How To get The Money You Need For Your Business (Start-up Capital)

Find The Right Location

See: Finding The Best Business Location

Create The Right Name

See: Choose a Business Name

Consider A Tag Line

See: Creating A Tag Line

Create A Logo And Business Cards

See: Make Your Business Card A Silent Salesman

More Business Ideas:

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