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Window Cleaning
The lowest-cost business you can start this weekend
Updated April 02, 2026
| 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). About 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 to 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 the 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 you can naturally grow into pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and solar panel cleaning without starting over.
If you need to make money fast with almost zero startup capital, this is the move.
Deep Dives
Standalone guides for the specific things people ask about most. Skip straight to any topic.
Income Calculator
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Expense breakdown
| Gas / fuel | $100 - $250/mo |
| Cleaning supplies | $20 - $50/mo |
| Insurance | $30 - $60/mo |
| Marketing (Thumbtack, flyers) | $50 - $150/mo |
| Vehicle maintenance | $40 - $80/mo |
| Phone / software | $30 - $60/mo |
| Equipment replacement | $20 - $50/mo |
Typical Scenarios
| 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. |
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.
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 because 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.
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
Marketing Kit
Ready-made templates, scripts, and tools to market your window cleaning business. Canva designs, 25+ customer scripts, 30-day posting calendar, pricing calculator, client tracker, and more.
$29 one-time. Works for any service business.
See What's InsideSeasonal Calendar
What to focus on each month of the year.
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| January | Slow for residential. Focus on commercial accounts. Storefronts, offices, and 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. |
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, and 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
As low as $500 to start, $1,500-$2,000 for a proper setup. Minimum kit: a professional squeegee ($25-$40), a T-bar scrubber ($15), a 5-gallon bucket with a sieve ($20), Dawn dish soap, a microfiber towel pack ($20), a 24-foot extension ladder ($200-$300), and a water-fed pole for second-story work ($300-$600). Add $50-$150 for business registration and $50-$80 for your first month of insurance.
Almost nowhere in the US requires a special window cleaning license. You register a business locally (sole prop or LLC is fine), get general liability insurance, and you’re legal. A few cities require a generic contractor or business license for anyone working on commercial properties. Check the licensing section above for your state.
Solo operators commonly earn $40,000 to $80,000 in year one working full time. The math: 5-6 residential jobs per week at $250-$400 each = $1,500-$2,400/week gross, or roughly $60,000-$90,000/year. Add commercial contracts (which pay less per window but repeat monthly) and year-two income typically jumps 30-50%. Use the income calculator above to model your own numbers.
One to two weeks if you follow the playbook. Week 1 is buying a $200 kit, watching YouTube (Luke the Window Cleaner and The Window Cleaning Business Channel are the standards), and practicing on your own windows. Week 2 is setting up Google Business Profile, posting on Nextdoor, and offering a free clean to one neighbor for before/after photos. Your first paid job usually comes from that Nextdoor post or a walk-up commercial ask.
No. Professional squeegee technique takes one afternoon to learn. The rest is endurance and consistency. Start by practicing on your own home until you can do a window with no streaks in under 60 seconds, then practice on a friend’s house. The business side (insurance, quoting, scheduling) takes longer to learn than the cleaning itself.
One of the best. Startup cost is the lowest of any real service business ($500-$1,000), jobs take 1-3 hours, and most customers prefer weekend or early morning appointments anyway. Two residential jobs a Saturday at $250 each = $2,000/month part-time. Many people start on weekends, keep their W-2 until they have 15-20 regular clients, then go full time.
A 10-inch and 14-inch professional squeegee (Ettore or Sorbo), a T-bar scrubber with a washer sleeve, a 5-gallon bucket with a sieve, a few microfiber towels, Dawn dish soap, and a 24-foot extension ladder. For second-story exterior work add a water-fed pole ($300-$600). Skip the pressure washer and chemicals for now. The equipment section above breaks down minimum, recommended, and pro setups with specific products.
Yes, before your first paid job. General liability covers broken windows, scratched frames, damaged landscaping, and property damage from ladders. Minimum $1 million per occurrence. Costs $50-$80/month from Thimble, NEXT Insurance, or Hiscox. Commercial clients will always ask for proof of insurance before hiring you, and one broken storefront window can wipe out a month of revenue.
Per window is the most common model: $8-$16 per pane for residential (inside + outside counts as 2 panes), or $5-$8 per pane for commercial storefronts. A typical 20-window home runs $200-$320. Alternative: by square foot for commercial ($0.50-$1.25/sq ft). Starting out, undercut local competitors by 10-15% to fill your schedule, then raise rates after your first 20 jobs and 10 reviews.
Residential pays more per window ($8-$16) but is one-off or quarterly. Commercial pays less per window ($5-$8) but repeats monthly or weekly, which creates predictable recurring revenue. Most successful solo operators build a mix: 60-70% residential for the higher ticket, 30-40% commercial storefronts to smooth out the slow weeks. Commercial also lets you clean early mornings before stores open, which frees up your afternoons.
In most of the southern half of the US, yes. In northern climates, exterior cleaning pauses when temperatures drop below freezing (water freezes on the glass), which costs you 2-3 months. Smart operators stay busy in winter with interior-only cleans, commercial contracts (storefronts get dirty regardless of season), and adjacent services like gutter cleaning or holiday light installation. The seasonal calendar above shows what to focus on each month.
Nextdoor and Google Business Profile are the top two residential channels. Set up a free Google Business Profile, get 5-10 reviews from your free practice jobs, and post before/after photos weekly. For commercial, walk into local businesses (dentists, restaurants, boutiques, law offices) and hand the owner a printed quote for monthly service. Walking in cold converts at 10-20% and skips the ad spend entirely. Paid ads are usually unnecessary in year one.
Launch Checklist
Print this and check things off as you go.
Window Cleaning - Launch Checklist
gritwork.io/jobs/window-cleaning/