Noob Here - Where/How to get started with new business

The Office Business
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Hey guys,

I have recently left my corporate accounting/cpa job and after some soul searching and research, I think I want to give window cleaning a try. I could write a small novel on how much I hated the corporate world and why I decided to leave, but that will be for another thread.

Can you all give me any advice on how to start a window washing business or any guides online? There are a few start up guides for sale online - but I can’t tell if they are scams or not. I have formed an llc and gotten a bank checking account set up, and set up a basic wordpress website. But I know I need supplies/business cards/branded shirts as well to look legitimate. Would you all suggest just buying a starter pack of the supplies needed for window cleaning and going from storefront to storefront selling my services? I have a lot to learn and any advice/guides would be greatly appreciated as I am feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. Thanks so much for your help!

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Store front or residential or both?

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Buy the guide sold here on WCR. That will probably tell you almost everything.

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Welcome to the forum.

Here a link for the book mentioned above. It’s blue print to success in the residential window cleaning industry.

https://www.windowcleaner.com/marketing-book/

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What @wcs said. Also, use the search bar and you will find everything you need to know.

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I have to agree with buying the Window Cleaners Marketing Blue Print and getting a WCRA membership.

In my opinion, well worth it.

You get access to free flyers, direct mail cards, etc… Also, you get free access to Company Handbooks, System and Procedures, as well as many other business related material. Too bad they don’t provide a free website…I can really use one :grin::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

You might consider hooking up with someone outside of your market and offer to shadow them for a week or on weekends, whatever works best for you and them. Do it for free or offer to help them out on something you know how to do, like CPA.

I am getting back into window cleaning myself…it’s hard finding the right balance between getting all the “Office Stuff” going and getting out in front of potential customers. There is a lot of information and ideas here on the forum. There are a lot of helpful people here, too.

For me, pricing a job is still the hardest thing. I bid a liquor store yesterday for $15 outside only, with first time clean of $35…it was nasty dirty. Lady relied, “Last guy would clean it for a six pack.” At this point a lot of things went through my mind, but I said “I am a professional window cleaner. I am insured and licensed by the state. I don’t work for six packs. Now, I might be able to do it for a large bottle of Captain Morgan” That put a smile on her face. I don’t expect she will be calling…oh well, her loss.

As far as guides go, what are you looking for:
Starting a Business
How to clean windows
How to market

I have bought several in the past, they all basically say the same thing and a lot of it is location specific or job specific…and it is dated material.

As already mentioned, the WCMB is well worth buying for marketing and other things

How to clean windows, if you want a book to read, ‘Taking The Pane Out Of Window Cleaning’ by John Baxter
ISBN 0-9632123-1-1 96 pages 1992 ****It might be old, but no BS or Hype and it will help you troubleshoot your technique.
*** Youtube Rant Coming ***
I would suggest youtube, a lot of people here have some really good stuff on youtube, however for me it can be a huge time-waster and there is a lot of wrong stuff on there too. As someone just starting out it is hard discerning what is good information and what is basically an infomercial or a brag session. I love watching these well produced videos about the latest squeegees, but look closely, most of the time the windows are already clean. No chance of leaving anything behind.

I will make one suggestion to watch on youtube:
My personal favorite is He_Man, but I am a DIY kind of guy, his technique is awesome. Watching him move a long blade Sorbo around is impressive.

What is it you are asking help with?

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First, I would suggest getting some experience…

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For YouTube I would also suggest @luke3636 (Luke the Window Cleaner) and @TheWindowCleanse (The Window Cleanse). There are also a few great videos from ettore and Unger.

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Thanks for your help guys. I placed my order for the Window Cleaning guide that you all suggested and I am talking to a guy that owns Window Genie in my area for a job so that I can get some hands on experience. I’m just not sure if I should tell him that I am thinking about opening up my own window cleaning business… I think I will keep it to myself for now. Thanks again for your help.

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A lot of those franchise, and larger window cleaning companies, have a “No Compete Clause” you have to sign before you start work with them…as they should. I will have one with my company when I start hiring. However, I would never sign one unless I was planning to move to start my business.

Don’t misunderstand, learning a craft/skill/trade from someone can be a shortcut to success. But, most people who have a craft/skill/trade aren’t capable/willing to pass it all along. I know a lot of people who do day trading and Stock Market investing but I wouldn’t let them touch the pocket change sitting on my dresser.

It’s possible to work for someone for ten years and still not know enough to be successful in business. As long as you are legal to do business and have insurance I wouldn’t let this prevent me from starting my own service company now.

Try to find someone outside of your area to work with for a while, even if it’s weekends. Get some storefronts and get your squeegee wet.

If you are going to do some free or near-free work to get some practice, do a little networking at the same time, find an active realtor in your area and offer your services at a deep discount. Be honest with them and tell them you are braking into the trade and you just need to iron out some kinks in your process. Remind them how it was when they first became an agent, it’s hard to get your first break, and tell them you need someone like them on your team.

You need a single level home, not a construction clean-up, something with a bit of a challenge. Preferably no storm windows or french panes. If you don’t get a bite, but you see a ‘maybe’, tell them, “If it’s twenty windows or less I’ll clean it for free if you(or their client) will give me a proper rating on Yelp, Google Maps, etc…” And, you want to use the picture for ads, so they will want to sign a release. You’ll also mention the Realtor Agent in any ads where the pictures are used. [Of course you have to do a good job for them.]
I wouldn’t mention a future working relationship unless they mention it. If you do a good job this will happen naturally. No matter if they do this with you or not take some of their cards and pass them out,after you write you company info on the back of the card. It may not get you work now, but it might in the future. Good agents aren’t stupid, they have people wanting to network with them, but they have a lot of time-wasters trying to ride their coattails to success.

When I get a web site I will have a link page and list any professional that works with me and any professional I want to aspire to work with. No one but me needs to know the difference.

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start quickly. the day your tools arrive start pounding the street as your own man

,its important you get some experience the first day or 2 so go in cheap if necessary

if you dont start on your own soon, its easy to get cold feet

iv seen this before on the forums , mulling over the ifs and buts ,delaying the start = failure in many cases

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Don’t go in cheap once you get a customer you want to keep that customer. If you go in cheap you will lose that job in the near future when you realize you make no money at that location and when u try
To increase their price they’re going to say no thank you.

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If you need experience do pro bono work for non-profits. They will be very appreciative and you might get some referrals.

Due to their budgets their glass will probably be very dirty. This is good training, as a higher percentage of the customers you get will also be first time cleans with real dirty glass. Many of the easy-to-clean-maintenance-cleans in your area probably already have regular WC services. Eventually the first time clean customers will become repeat customers and will be easier to clean.

Edit: Hello and welcome to the forum!

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Good advice Malcolm.

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Thank you all for the great advice.

I spoke to the owner yesterday of a local Window Genie franchise and he also came from the corporate world before getting into window cleaning. He told me that he pays 15 an hour and 11 an hour for the first month of training. He also told me that he was trying to talk me out of getting into window cleaning and to learn a master trade instead - like plumbing or electrician. I never told him that I was looking to start my own window cleaning business - but I would assume that he would know I wouldn’t be content working for $15 an hour and coming from the corporate world.

Do you think that he was trying to talk me out of getting into window cleaning because I would be his competition? Would it be unethical to work with him for a month to learn the skills needed for a few months before going out on my own? He said there was so much work right now that he could double his staff - so I know there is enough work to go around.

I purchased the book that you all suggested but have not yet bought the cleaning tools. What tools would you all suggest to get started?

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If you have to ask then you don’t have to ask. Best to get into the industry on a good footing with other WC companies vs. burning bridges in the beginning.

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Moerman Liquidator with lots of channels and Moerman poles (9’ & 16’),a 3 gallon Ettore bucket, Moerman BOAB and belt. All are available at the WCR store.

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You don’t even know if you like doing Windows yet. I’d forgo the branded shirts and cards, get some simple tools and GET THE WORK first. You’ll find yourself thinking “it be nice if someone made this to make the work easier” And more than likely, they do, then you can buy what you truly need to make the work go more efficiently and make more per hour as you get better. You don’t know what you need if you don’t GET THE WORK first though.

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Welcome to hell and the forums!!My advice would be to hit the streets now and start banging down doors before your equipment even arrives so you can have a healthy line up of work to do when it does arrive.I would hit residential and storefront that way you can find which suits you best or which you ll prefer to stick with.
My next point is nt meant to come across in any way bad or sounding like a prick so apologies in advance if it sounds harsh.
Have you got a back up plan if it turns out you are nt suited or don’t like window cleaning?I only ask because i’ve seen people post simialar threads to this in the past and it has nt always worked out for them or they realised they hated window cleaning.Its not a line of work that is suited for everyone even though it may look easy to the average joe walking by saying you missed a bit or dont leave any streaks!!:joy::joy:
I would nt recommend going out training with that genie franchise.The guy to me is clearly trying to make sure he is nt having to deal with another possible competitor coming into the area.He may also make you some sort of contract stating a non compete ruling judging by what you ve said of him.so if you only work a month with him you may end up ruling yourself out of any area he works for a couple of months to a year if he did that.Sounds paranoid but i ve heard guys getting screwed like that before from just some training off what they thought was just another friendly neighbourhood window cleaner!!
Anywho this rant has gone on long enough and you re probably bored now!

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If you where in my area I would have no problem with having you work with us assisting you and getting started. I believe someone like a window Genie owner would be different in that regard

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