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Window Cleaning
The lowest-cost business you can start this weekend
| Startup cost | $500 - $2,000 |
| Year 1 income | $40,000 - $80,000 |
| Difficulty | 1/5 |
| Time to first dollar | 1-2 weeks |
First 48 Hours
Don't read the whole guide yet. Do these 5 things today and tomorrow.
- Buy a basic squeegee ($10), a strip washer ($10), a bucket ($5), and dish soap — total $25-$30 at any store
- Watch 2-3 YouTube videos on squeegee technique (The Window Cleaner channel is best) — 1 hour
- Practice on every window in your house until you get a streak-free finish — takes about 30-60 minutes to get the motion down
- Text 3 friends: 'Can I come clean your windows this weekend for free? I'm starting a window cleaning business and need practice'
- Search 'window cleaning' on Nextdoor in your area — see what people charge and what customers are asking for
Overview
Window cleaning is the cheapest real business you can start. A squeegee, a bucket, a scrubber, and a ladder — that's $200-$400 in equipment. Add insurance and you're under $1,000 total. Every home and every business has windows that need cleaning, and almost nobody wants to do it themselves. You charge $8-$16 per window, clean 20-30 windows per hour once you have technique, and earn $50-$70/hour from day one. The skill ceiling is low — you can learn professional squeegee technique in a single afternoon watching YouTube. Commercial contracts (office buildings, storefronts, restaurants) create recurring monthly revenue that stabilizes your income. And the natural upsell into pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and solar panel cleaning means you can grow without starting over. If you need to make money fast with almost zero startup capital, this is the move.
The Playbook
Week 1: Learn the Basics
Search 'how to clean windows professionally' and 'squeegee technique for beginners.' Key channels: The Window Cleaner (UK-based but best technique videos), Clean That Up, and WCR (Window Cleaning Resource). Focus on the fanning technique and straight pulls.
Time: 3-4 hours · Cost: $0
Buy a basic squeegee ($10-$20), a strip washer/scrubber ($10-$15), a bucket ($5), and dish soap. Practice on every window in your house. Master the technique: scrub with the washer, squeegee from top to bottom, wipe the edges with a rag. A streak-free finish takes 30-60 minutes of practice.
Time: 2-3 hours · Cost: $30 - $40
Do full houses — interior and exterior windows. Time yourself to understand how long jobs take. Take before/after photos. Ask each person to leave a Google review once your profile is live.
Time: 4-6 hours total · Cost: $0
Count windows by type (standard, large, french doors, skylights). Standard residential pricing: $4-$8 per pane or $8-$16 per window (both sides). A typical 20-window house = $150-$250. Practice counting and quoting on homes in your neighborhood.
Time: 1-2 hours · Cost: $0
Week 2: Get Legal & Set Up
File a DBA (sole proprietorship) at your county clerk's office for $10-$50, or form an LLC through your state's Secretary of State website for $50-$500. Sole proprietorship is fine to start — you can upgrade to LLC later.
Time: 1-2 hours · Cost: $10 - $500
Apply through Next Insurance or Simply Business. Window cleaning insurance costs $30-$60/month for $1M coverage. You need this before your first paid job — one broken window without insurance could bankrupt you.
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: $30 - $60/month
Open a free business checking account at your local bank or online (Relay, Mercury). Deposit all business income here. Pay business expenses from here. This separation is critical for taxes.
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: $0
Create your profile at business.google.com. Add business name, phone, service area, hours, and your before/after photos. Select 'Window Cleaning Service' as your primary category. This is how people find you on Google Maps.
Time: 1 hour · Cost: $0
Start with a Google Voice phone number (free) and a simple Google Calendar. When customers call, book them into time slots. As you grow, upgrade to Jobber ($29/month) for scheduling, invoicing, and CRM.
Time: 30 minutes · Cost: $0
Week 3: Get Equipped
Get an Ettore or Unger pro squeegee handle ($10-$20), 3 squeegee channels in different sizes (10, 14, 18 inch — $8-$12 each), a strip washer/T-bar with sleeve ($15-$25), a bucket with sieve ($15), a pack of replacement rubbers ($10), microfiber towels ($10), and a holster/tool belt ($15-$25).
Time: 1 hour · Cost: $100 - $150
Get a 6ft stepladder ($60-$100) for most residential work. Add a 16-24ft extension ladder ($150-$300) only if you plan to do two-story homes. A water-fed pole ($150-$500) can replace the extension ladder for safer two-story work.
Time: 1 hour · Cost: $60 - $300
Professional window cleaning solution: mix Dawn dish soap (a few drops per gallon) with water. That's it — seriously. Some pros add a splash of rubbing alcohol for fast drying. A $4 bottle of Dawn lasts months. For hard water stains, get Bar Keeper's Friend ($5).
Time: 15 minutes · Cost: $5 - $10
Order vehicle magnet signs ($30-$50 pair from Vistaprint), 250 door hangers or flyers ($40-$60), and 250 business cards ($15-$25). Keep the design simple: business name, phone number, services, and a clean photo.
Time: 1 hour design, 3-5 days shipping · Cost: $85 - $135
Week 4: Get Your First Clients
Post: 'Professional window cleaning — introductory rate! $5/window (interior & exterior, normally $8+). Licensed and insured. Booking this week and next.' Include a before/after photo. Nextdoor is the single best platform for residential window cleaning.
Time: 15 minutes · Cost: $0
Target neighborhoods with large homes, HOAs, and well-maintained yards — these homeowners invest in property maintenance. Hang 50-100 per session. Focus on homes with visibly dirty windows.
Time: 2-3 hours · Cost: $0 (already printed)
Visit restaurants, retail stores, salons, and offices on your local main street. Walk in, introduce yourself, and offer a free quote. Storefront cleaning is typically $40-$100 per visit and businesses need it weekly or biweekly.
Time: 3-4 hours · Cost: $0
Email or call 5-10 local property management companies. Offer window cleaning for their rental properties, apartment buildings, and commercial spaces. One property manager can give you 10-50 regular jobs.
Time: 2 hours · Cost: $0
Create a Thumbtack profile with photos and competitive pricing. Leads cost $5-$20 each. Respond within 5 minutes — the first responder wins 40% of the time. Budget $50-$100/month to start.
Time: 30 minutes + ongoing · Cost: $50 - $100/month
Text or call 20+ people: 'Hey, I just started a professional window cleaning business. If you know anyone who needs their windows cleaned, I'd appreciate a referral! Here's my number.' Personal referrals are your easiest first clients.
Time: 1 hour · Cost: $0
Month 2-3: Build & Grow
After every job, text a direct link to your Google review page. Aim for 15-20 reviews in your first 3 months. Reviews are the #1 factor in getting found on Google Maps. A 4.8+ rating with 20+ reviews puts you ahead of most competitors.
Time: 2 minutes per customer · Cost: $0
Convert storefront clients to weekly or biweekly contracts. Offer a 10% discount for monthly recurring service. 10 storefronts at $50/week = $2,000/month in guaranteed recurring revenue.
Time: Ongoing · Cost: $0
When you're already on a ladder cleaning windows, offer gutter cleaning for $100-$200 extra. It takes 30-60 minutes and requires minimal additional equipment (a scoop and a bucket). This boosts average job size by 30-50%.
Time: 1-2 hours to learn · Cost: $10 - $20 for a gutter scoop
Use Wave (free) or QuickBooks Self-Employed ($15/month). Log every job, every expense, every mile driven. Set aside 25-30% of income for quarterly estimated taxes. Photograph every receipt.
Time: 15 minutes/week · Cost: $0 - $15/month
Offer spring and fall cleaning packages: 'Complete Window + Gutter Package — $299 (saves $75).' Seasonal packages batch work efficiently and increase average order value.
Time: 1 hour to create pricing · Cost: $0
Equipment
| Item | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Unger 18-inch Professional Grip Swivel Squeegee | $19 | Amazon |
| Squeegee Channels (10, 14, 18 inch — buy individually) | $25 - $35 | WCR, Amazon |
| Unger 14-inch Strip Washer with Microfiber Sleeve | $18 | Amazon |
| Unger Professional 3-Gallon Cleaning Bucket | $22 | Amazon |
| Unger Replacement Squeegee Rubber, 18-inch (cut to size) | $5 | Amazon |
| Fantasticlean Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (60-pack roll) | $20 | Amazon |
| Unger ErgoTec Adjustable Tool Belt (32-50 inch) | $38 | Amazon |
| Louisville 6ft Fiberglass Step Ladder, Type IA, 300 lb | $157 | Amazon |
| Dawn Platinum Plus Dish Soap | $4 | Amazon |
| Item | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Unger Connect and Clean Total Pro Kit (squeegee + scrubber + pole) | $46 | Amazon |
| Louisville 24ft Fiberglass Extension Ladder, Type IA, 300 lb | $418 | Amazon |
| Unger ErgoTec Ninja 6-inch Glass Scraper | $35 | Amazon |
| Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser (12 oz, 4-pack) | $19 | Amazon |
| Unger ErgoTec Ninja Bucket on a Belt | $50 | Amazon |
| Vehicle Magnet Signs (custom, pair) | $30 - $50 | Vistaprint, 4imprint |
| Surgical Huck Towels, 100% Cotton (12-pack) | $18 | Amazon |
| Item | Price | Where |
|---|---|---|
| IGADPole 28ft Water-Fed Washing Kit with Squeegee | $150 | Amazon |
| iSpring Spotless DI Water System with Cart | $315 | Amazon |
| RO/DI Pure Water System (professional) | $500 - $1,500 | Tucker USA, WCR |
| Werner QuickClick Ladder Stabilizer, 45-inch | $79 | Amazon |
| Jobber Software (scheduling + CRM) | $29/month | getjobber.com |
What to Charge
Starting Out
- Per window (interior + exterior): $5 - $8
- Per pane: $3 - $5
- Average residential home (20 windows): $100 - $160
- Storefront (weekly): $30 - $60
Market Rate
- Per window (interior + exterior): $8 - $16
- Per pane: $4 - $8
- Average residential home (20 windows): $150 - $250
- Large home (40+ windows): $300 - $500
- Storefront (weekly): $40 - $100
- Add-ons: screens $2-$5 each, tracks $3-$5 each
Commercial
- Per square foot of glass: $0.50 - $2.50
- Office building (per visit): $200 - $800
- Restaurant (weekly): $50 - $150
- Multi-story surcharge: $3 - $5 per window above 2nd floor
- High-rise (per window): $5 - $15
Pricing model: Per-window or per-pane pricing is standard for residential. Commercial can be per square foot or flat rate per visit. Always count windows during the estimate and give a firm quote. Never charge by the hour — customers hate open-ended pricing.
When to raise: Raise prices after 20+ reviews or when you're booking 2+ weeks out. Increase by $1-$2 per window. Grandfather existing recurring clients for 3 months, then raise.
How to estimate: Drive by or have the customer send photos. Count every window and pane. Factor in: single vs. double-hung, french doors, storm windows, skylights, and accessibility (ladders needed?). Quote a firm total price, not a range.
Income Calculator
What you could earn depending on how much time you put in.
| Scenario | Jobs/week | Avg price | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend side hustle | 3 | $175 | $2,100 | $25,200 | 3 residential homes on Saturday. Realistic for someone with a Monday-Friday job. |
| Part-time (3 days/week) | 8 | $175 | $5,600 | $67,200 | 2-3 residential homes per day plus commercial storefronts. |
| Full-time solo | 14 | $200 | $11,200 | $134,400 | 3 residential homes per day, 5 days per week, plus 5 commercial accounts. |
| With commercial contracts | 14 | $200 | $11,200 | $134,400 | Same volume but 40% is recurring commercial. More predictable income, less marketing needed. |
How to Find Clients
Walk into local businesses and offer a free quote. Restaurants, salons, retail stores, and offices all need regular window cleaning. One afternoon of walk-ins can land 3-5 recurring commercial accounts.
Long-term, this is your #1 source. Most homeowners search 'window cleaning near me.' Optimize with photos, reviews, and service area. Aim for 20+ reviews with 4.8+ average.
The single best platform for residential window cleaning. Post every 2 weeks with a before/after photo or seasonal offer. Neighbors recommend each other constantly on Nextdoor. It's free.
Offer existing customers $20 off their next service for every referral that books. Window cleaning customers talk to their neighbors — word of mouth is powerful in this business.
Contact 5-10 property managers. They need windows cleaned in rentals between tenants and in commercial properties. One relationship = many recurring jobs.
Distribute in upscale neighborhoods with large windows. Include before/after photo, pricing, and a seasonal offer. 1-3% response rate. Best results in spring and fall.
Place a small sign at every job site. 'Windows Cleaned by [Your Name] — Call XXX-XXX-XXXX.' Leave it for 24 hours if the homeowner agrees.
Post in local community groups. Respond when someone asks for window cleaner recommendations. Include your Google review link.
Offer discounted pre-listing window cleaning. Clean windows photograph better and help sell homes. Build a referral relationship.
Pay-per-lead at $5-$20. Good for filling gaps in your schedule. Respond within 5 minutes. Best in metro areas.
Real Examples
Coming soon — we're collecting real examples of successful job postings from Nextdoor, Google Maps, and Facebook for this trade. Check back.
Coming soon — we're finding real examples of workers who use TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to grow their window cleaning business.
Run Your Business
Once you're getting clients, you need a way to manage quotes, invoicing, and scheduling.
Try Jobber Free
After the Job — Follow Up
| When | Every 4-6 months for residential, monthly or biweekly for commercial |
| How | Text message for residential, email for commercial |
What to say: "Hi [name], this is [your name]. I cleaned your windows back in [month] — they're probably ready for a refresh before [season]. Same price as last time. Want me to put you on the schedule?"
Residential windows need cleaning 2-3 times per year (spring, fall, maybe summer). Commercial storefronts need weekly or biweekly. The goal is to convert one-time residential clients into semi-annual recurring. Keep a spreadsheet with name, date, price, and number of windows for every job.
Recurring offer: Offer a twice-yearly plan: 'I'll come in April and October, same price, automatically scheduled. You don't have to think about it.' This converts 30-40% of happy customers.
What Could Go Wrong
Nobody talks about this stuff, but it's what scares people most. Here's what can happen and how to handle it.
Razor blades used for scraping paint or stickers can scratch tempered glass (common in newer homes). This is the #1 insurance claim in window cleaning.
Prevention: Never use a razor blade on tempered glass. Test in a corner first. Use a plastic scraper on any glass you're unsure about. Ask the homeowner if they know whether their windows are tempered.
Ladders are the biggest safety risk. Falls cause serious injuries. This is not hypothetical — it happens.
Prevention: Use the 4-to-1 rule: for every 4 feet of height, the base should be 1 foot from the wall. Always have 3 points of contact. Never lean sideways. Consider a water-fed pole system to avoid ladders entirely for 2-3 story work.
Customer calls you back because windows have streaks or drip marks. Embarrassing but fixable.
Prevention: Change your squeegee rubber every 2-3 days of use. Wipe the rubber between each pull. Work out of direct sunlight when possible — sun dries the water before you can squeegee it. Always detail the edges with a dry cloth.
Customer wants third-story windows cleaned and you only have a stepladder.
Prevention: Be honest about what you can reach when quoting. Invest in a water-fed pole ($500-$2,000) to clean up to 3 stories from the ground. Or price high windows at a premium to cover extension ladder rental.
You quoted $200, customer expected $100. Or they want interior-only but you quoted interior + exterior.
Prevention: Always specify exactly what's included in your quote: number of windows, interior/exterior, screens, tracks. Put it in a text message so there's a record.
Insurance
You need insurance before your first paid job. One accident without coverage could bankrupt you.
| Type | General Liability |
| Minimum coverage | $1,000,000 |
| Monthly cost | $30 - $60 |
| Annual cost | $360 - $720 |
| Where to get it | Next Insurance, Simply Business, Hiscox |
Business Structure
- Recommended: Sole Proprietorship to start, LLC within first year
- Sole Proprietorship: $10 - $50 (DBA filing)
- LLC: $50 - $500 (varies by state)
Licensing
Window cleaning does NOT require a specific professional license in any US state. You need a general business license to operate legally, and liability insurance is essential. Some cities have additional requirements for commercial or multi-story work.
No special license required in: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and most other states. Just register your business locally.
Seasonal Calendar
What to focus on each month of the year.
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| January | Slow for residential. Focus on commercial accounts — storefronts, offices, restaurants need year-round service. |
| February | Slow. Good time to walk into businesses and pitch monthly cleaning contracts. Update your Google Business Profile. |
| March | Spring cleaning demand starts. Post 'spring window cleaning' offers on Nextdoor and Facebook. |
| April | Busy. Spring is the #1 residential window cleaning season. Book heavily — people want clean windows after winter. |
| May | Peak residential. Full schedule. Upsell gutter cleaning and screen repair while you're there. |
| June | Busy. Mix of residential and commercial. Start pushing fall booking: 'Book your fall cleaning now.' |
| July | Moderate. Some residential slowdown in heat. Commercial stays steady. Early morning starts to avoid midday sun. |
| August | Moderate. Push back-to-school prep — 'Get your home sparkling before fall.' Commercial steady. |
| September | Fall season starts. Second peak for residential window cleaning. Push 'pre-holiday' cleaning packages. |
| October | Busy. Fall cleaning demand plus gutter cleaning upsells (leaves falling). Great month for combo packages. |
| November | Winding down residential. Push holiday prep packages. Lock in commercial contracts for next year. |
| December | Slow residential. Commercial holiday cleaning. Review your year, plan equipment upgrades, send holiday thank-you texts to customers. |
Why This vs. Trade School
Trade school (general): 6-24 months, $5,000-$40,000 tuition, then job hunting. Electrician apprenticeship: 4 years, $1,000-$5,000 in school costs, earn $15-$20/hr as apprentice. Coding bootcamp: 3-6 months, $10,000-$20,000, and AI is now writing code faster than juniors. Window cleaning: $200-$400 in equipment, 1 afternoon of YouTube practice, first paying customer by next weekend. Zero tuition. Zero classrooms. Zero waiting. And AI can't hold a squeegee.
Growth Path
Solo Residential to $40K-$60K (Year 1): Focus on residential window cleaning. Build routes — group clients by neighborhood so you're not driving all over town. Clean 20-30 homes per week at $150-$250 each. Add gutter cleaning as an upsell to boost average job to $200-$350. Add Commercial for $60K-$100K (Year 1-2): Land 10-20 recurring commercial accounts (storefronts, restaurants, offices). Weekly or biweekly visits at $40-$100 each create $2,000-$6,000/month in predictable recurring revenue on top of residential work. Add Services for $80K-$150K (Year 2-3): Add pressure washing and solar panel cleaning. You already have the customer relationships — these are natural upsells. A water-fed pole system lets you clean 2-3 story windows from the ground, opening up more residential and commercial work. First Employee at $120K-$200K (Year 2-3): Hire a helper at $15-$18/hour when you're consistently 2+ weeks booked out. Train them on residential while you handle commercial and sales. Double your daily output. Multiple Crews at $250K+ (Year 3-5): 2-3 crews running daily routes. You focus on sales, quality control, and commercial account management. Add holiday light installation as a Q4 revenue boost.
Launch Checklist
Print this and check things off as you go.