Every season has its own charm and its own way of dirtying clean windows. If you’re handy, like being outdoors, and are interested in starting your own business, you can make it your mission to return dusty and rain-splattered windows to gleaming condition.

Starting your own window cleaning business has many perks: the initial investment isn’t high, you get to be your own boss, and you have recurring clients—a good model for any service business. Here’s what you need to know before you get started. 

What does a window cleaning business involve? 

Simply put, a window washing business involves cleaning windows of residential and commercial properties. In addition, you can offer a number of add-on services to boost your average order value and book more jobs.

• Hard water removal. This involves removing the calcium buildup from hard water on windows or glass doors. 

• Gutter cleaning. This may require you to invest in equipment such as a telescoping reach tool, but it can raise the cost of your average job by a few hundred dollars. 

• Pressure washing and power washing. Investing in a pressure washer can help you offer even more services to your cleaning business, including washing a whole house, patios, gutters, and fences.

• High-rise cleaning with abseil access or rappelling. Cleaning high buildings and skyscrapers requires specialized equipment, training, and following safety requirements. (More on this below.)

How to start a window cleaning business in 6 steps

1. Make a business plan
2. Set up your business
3. Understand safety requirements
4. Purchase or rent equipment
5. Set your prices
6. Market your business and find customers

1. Make a business plan

Making a business plan is an essential first step for any new business owner. This can help you keep track of your goals, what you need to do, and is a necessary document if you need to apply for a business loan or other forms of business financing.

To start a window cleaning business plan, specifically, here are some key questions to consider:

• What’s your business name? 

• Who is your target market? 

• What business structure will you implement?

• What services can you offer with your current skill set, licensures, and equipment? What would it take to add more services?

• At what point might you need to hire employees? 

• What’s the best marketing strategy to reach your target audience?

• How much money do you need to get started? 

• What will your pricing strategy be?

• How much can you expect to earn in the first six, nine, and 12 months? 

• What does a reasonable implementation timeline look like?

If some of these questions seem overwhelming to answer, don’t worry—we’ll cover them in the following steps. You can also use a business plan template to help you think through them, and start to plan your business operations.

2. Set up your business 

Most states don’t require a specific window cleaning business license to get started. You still need to obtain a general business license in most states, as well as set yourself up to process payments, pay employees and taxes, and get insured.

Get an employer identification number (EIN) 

As a private citizen, you have a Social Security number. Unless you form a sole proprietorship, you’ll need an EIN from the internal revenue service (IRS) to pay taxes and issue payroll and tax documents to employees.

Open a business bank account

Separating your business assets is essential for any legitimate window washing business. A business bank account will allow you to process payments, track expenses, and manage payroll.

Decide on a business structure and incorporate your business

How you structure your service business (e.g., a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC), etc.) has legal, tax, and financial implications. An LLC can be owned by one or multiple partners and is a popular choice for this type of business because it separates your personal assets from those of the business. A legal adviser can help you learn more about the best structure for your business. 

Obtain a business license

Most municipalities require a local license to operate any small business. Visit your city or county’s website for more information about how to open a small business in your specific location. 

Get window cleaning insurance

While there isn’t one kind of policy called “window cleaning insurance,” some companies, like Next Insurance or Thimble, offer bundles of different kinds of insurance—like general liability, commercial property, and workers’ comp. This provides comprehensive business insurance that covers most window cleaners in case of emergency.

3. Understand safety requirements

This is perhaps the most important step in starting your own window cleaning business. When climbing ladders and working on others’ property, safety is of the utmost importance. Below are common resources to get started understanding safety compliance in the window cleaning industry.

Check Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations

OSHA’s website functions like a database of individual requirements for various situations that may arise when operating a window cleaning business. This includes requirements for ladders, scaffolding and rope descent, fall protection, and more.

Consider getting safety certified

While certification isn’t required to get started, it’s a good idea to complete a safety course from an organization like the International Window Cleaning Association. Safety is of the utmost importance when working at heights, so it may be worth it to invest the time and money to get a thorough breakdown of OSHA standards.

Know your state’s code of regulations

Not all states have this for window washing specifically, but California does. If your state doesn’t offer a guide, review California’s, which is comprehensive.

Get certified for commercial window cleaning services

To clean high-rises and offer abseil access or rappelling, get Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) or Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) certified by a reputable organization, like Rigging Group International (RIG). 

4. Purchase or rent equipment

Before you can even book your first client, you need the right tools for the job. Consider both the tools you need for each type of job and service you’re offering and how you’ll transport them from site to site.

Rent or buy a van or truck

Do a cost comparison to determine if renting or buying a van makes the most sense with your business plan, and make sure you have the right kind of auto insurance.

Purchase basic equipment

Professional window cleaners recommend purchasing:

• A squeegee

• Microfiber scrubber

• A rectangular bucket wider than the width of your scrubber

• Window cleaning solution

• Recycled surgical towels and microfiber towels

• Bath towels

• Drop cloths

• Window cleaning belt and supply pouch

• Belt bucket

• An extension pole

Purchase specialized equipment for add-ons

In order to offer hard water removal as an add-on, you’ll need a limescale remover and a non-abrasive scrubber on an extension pole. Make sure you avoid tools or brushes with hard bristles that may leave scratches behind. You can also buy specialized washers for power washing or pressure washing. 

Purchase specialized equipment for high-rise windows. For rope descent work, you’ll need both a main line and a secondary rope. You’ll also need a full-body harness, bosun’s chair, descent device, backup device, carabiners, a suction cup, and a helmet. You might also want to think about an anchor sling in case you need to improvise an anchor and a roof rig. Make sure you complete proper training and learn how to use this equipment before getting started on high-rise jobs.

5. Set your prices

To price services for your window washing business, combine market research on local rates with a break-even analysis to find the minimum charge needed to cover costs. Consider both your variable costs, which change based on weekly jobs, and fixed costs, like insurance, LLC franchise taxes, and vehicle payments, which remain constant.

A key variable cost is labor. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates grounds and maintenance workers make an average hourly rate of $18.50. Compare this average to the going rate and minimum wage in your area to determine how much to pay yourself and your employees for labor.

In general, window washing can be priced by the hour or by task (per window, gutter, or glass shower door, for example). When considering your pricing structure, take your marketing plan into account. Printing “As low as $7 per window pane!” might be more attractive on a flyer or door hanger than “$80/hour.”

6. Market your business and find customers 

Keeping your Google Business Profile up to date and investing in Google Maps marketing and Local Ads can help give your business local visibility. Another way to get discovered by potential clients is by creating a profile on service marketplaces like Angi, Yelp, Thumbtack, and Taskrabbit. These platforms give you access to a built-in user base and robust search functionality, making it easy to connect with new leads. Angi estimates window cleaning has been booked more than 25,000 times on the platform, with users paying an average of $220 for the service. While Angi, Thumbtack, and Taskrabbit charge fees, Yelp is free. Make sure you remind your customers to leave you reviews—the more positive reviews you have, the more likely you are to book new customers.

Home service providers are also increasingly gaining traction by creating how-to videos on social media. Audiences respond to the satisfaction of watching someone make a house (or window!) sparkle. They also respond to the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) they get from hearing the clicking, whooshing, and splashing of a window being washed. And it makes sense—many consumers are heading to YouTube to get information about how to clean their homes. Why not show them you can take the task off their hands?

Offline, many homeowners still use local business directories and pay attention to door-to-door flyers for home services. They also take advice from friends, neighbors, and family members. Ask your existing clients if they’re willing to share your service and contact information with people in their network—word-of-mouth marketing can be a boon for a service business.