How to Start a Window Cleaning Business
Short answer
Window cleaning is cheap to start, $500 to $2,500 for squeegees, a water-fed pole, ladders and insurance, and easy to make recurring. Price per pane or per home, offer quarterly service, and get the first customers from local groups and the neighbours of every house you clean.
- Typical startup cost
- $500 – $2,500
- Typical price
- $5 – $15
- Per pane (exterior)
Step by step
- 1
Start with residential exteriors
Exterior-only jobs are fast, safe at ground level with a water-fed pole, and easy to sell as recurring.
- 2
Buy a water-fed pole early
It cleans second-storey windows from the ground, which is faster and safer than ladders.
- 3
Insure
Liability for broken glass and ladder accidents. Commercial clients will require a certificate.
- 4
Price per pane or per home
Per-pane is simple to quote; per-home packages are simpler to sell. Offer quarterly service at a discount.
- 5
Work the street
After every job, the neighbours have seen you. Combine that with replying to local recommendation posts.
What to charge
Window cleaners price per pane or per home, with inside-and-out costing roughly double exterior-only. Full price list and quoting tips: how much to charge for window cleaning.
Name your business
Pick a name that says the trade and the area, and check the domain and your state's business registry before you print anything. Try the window cleaning business name generator.
How to get your first ten customers
Your first customers are your neighbours. Local Facebook groups, neighbourhood apps and parent groups produce recommendation requests every week, and the first few useful replies win the booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a window cleaning business?
About $500 to $2,500 for squeegees, a water-fed pole, ladders and insurance.
How much do window cleaners charge per window?
Typically $5 to $15 per pane for exterior cleaning, more for hard-to-reach or very large panes.
Is window cleaning a good business?
Yes for its low startup cost and recurring work. Most profit comes from quarterly and monthly clients.
Get told the moment a neighbour asks for a window cleaner
HuddleWatch reads every new post in the local groups you choose and alerts you when someone is looking to hire, so you can be the first reply.
Start free with 3 groups