The perfect window cleaning business

I only clean residential windows. I clean in/out on most houses, others only the outside. Post any questions you have on the forum. There are so many great window cleaners on here to help you work part time and make some money!

Exterior only window cleaning
Primarily roof cleaning and soft washing since that has the biggest margins and least amount of labor

Then it’s trimming it down to 3-4 days a week with about 8 weeks of vacation

I love this subject. I think about it all the time. Along with the “perfect business” being different for each person, it’s also different depending what stage of life your at. 27 years ago with two kids in diapers and a stay at home wife I envisioned a business covering 3 states with a group of supervisors running the show. I never made it that far, not even close. I realized that a game of kick ball with my kids was far more rewarding then any window cleaning job or fat check. Traveling to chaperone my sons class trip brought more memories then any window cleaning contract in a neighboring city. I run four crews a day and my numbers aren’t huge, I draw a good salary and life is good. I realized the perfect window cleaning business is when I’m happy. That’s the exact perfect size, when the owner feels good, is paying his bills and has a smile on his face.

ALong with that, the emyth SOBO report pointed out that most have it backward, assuming revenue first then one has control, but the opposite is true from their surveys, revenue comes out of control first

interesting

when there’s control (and no doubt balance too) the revenue follows more abundantly

although having control first without enough revenue is root obstacle as i see it in this round robin

I would have to speculate that there is no perfect set up do to the law of diminishing returns. What taste sweet the first time is never as sweet the second time around and continues to lose its stimulation over time. But for the sake of kicking the can around here are some thoughts.

I think every set up has some benefits and some draw backs. One man shows tend to have more control over the variables which can mean less headaches, but also means that when they don’t work money is not made. The more employees the more headaches but if managed right, more profits and when you take time off from time to time money is still made. That said I would have to agree with others that a small operation with a few employees would strike the best balance between the two. This way there may be a few headaches but you can take time off and still make money. Proverbs 14:4 says, “[COLOR=#001320][FONT=Trebuchet]Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.”

[/FONT][/COLOR]The other aspect to consider is the specialization. For me as much as possible without diminishing opportunity would increase profits and minimize efforts which would be ideal. On the flip side specializing too much can limit opportunities that can prove to be valuable and keep things going from time to time. That said my ideal specialization would be just low rise commercial (no route work) and residential. This would exclude add ons like chandeliers, porch lamps, gutters, pressure washing etc. this would maximizing marketing emphasis, making it more effective, minimize the ammount of equipment needed, and make you and your crew highly efficient at what you do. Less things to train employees on as well. you just clean windows and that’s it $100.00-$150.00 minimum.

The third aspect would be pricing. I would not be too high or too low but middle high. your specialization and efficiency of operations would make up the difference in the profits and it would still leave you competitive on price. Your brand would be “best value”.

I wanna stay in the office! Wear a jacket when its 100+ outside! And have employees work for me… Thats my goal…

I imagine it to be a window tinting business and that is what it is for me. I cleaned 2 rezi jobs in july and none so far this month mostly film for me and i dig it.

Thats cool… how are you finding “window tinting work”?

Excellent but I have been tinting for 19 years, cleaning windows since 2011.

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tell us a bit about what you would envision the ‘perfect gross revenue’ to be for that scenario Chris?

There is a lot of great insight in this thread, if you can read between the lines.

Just thought I would revive this thread.

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Everyone has a different Why they started. I think that this is as much of an exploration as the next thing. Some people do good from the get go and they quickly become masters of the universe and start getting into everything because they are confident. If I can do this, then amadgine if I do that, sort of thing.

I am sure a big % of folk that have a window cleaning business that know Chris story would say they would like their business to be as successful as that.

I would even say it myself, however I like the thought of a business that allows me to become a better father, husband, and human being in general. Not saying Chris does not have these things. The world is not enough! We all have a tendency to be unquenchable when it comes acquiring more stuff.

Even Donald trump can’t keep up with those around him that have more stuff. I guess what I am saying is everyone would be better off running their own race not comparing them selves to those that they procieve to have more. We all get the same 24 hours per day.

Last year I worked all over the east coast as a welder. Made over $100,000 I was away from home half the year. My kids and wife have to moter on with out me home. Decent money but no quality of life. This year I am trying to figure out if I can get this window cleaning thing going so that I can be home. Make enough to pay the bills and build a life of freedoms.

I may not have answered the question clearly. I may have went into the spirit world. Lol :star_struck::star_struck:

I think it can be good to revive threads like this, so I will chime in. The perfect WC business for me is working 8 months a year on mostly low and midrise making 100+ an hour, 20- 30 hour weeks on my on months. Target income 72k annually. This would allow me to have time outside of work, would be very profitable and would fund/allow my ADD self the ability to go after other business ideas. I want to get into day trading and other investing, maybe house flipping. Even If I end up working 35-40 hours a week, at least I would have 4 off months to do other things. I’ve looked at scaling, and I don’t think it’s for me.

Quality of life is huge to me as well as involvement in things of life that are of greater value. For me 3 days a week work year round is the perfect balance. There is room for me to add during the busy season as well as the ability to shift things around when they get slower or weather is bad.

To accomplish this, formula is simple:

  1. live within your means. I stay debt free as much as possible. If I anticipate needing a new vehicle, I save during the busy season, pay as much cash and finance the difference. Enjoy vacations that are saved for in advance (Marrakesh this year!) Cut back on luxuries or ‘extras’ if I do have to carry some debt. Yes, it stinks to not get a vacation in. But if the cash isn’t there, then it’s not a priority.

  2. Especially if you are young - don’t get a divorce. Seriously, this is devastating for you emotionally, mentally and financially. If you are single, think about marriage carefully and try to avoid having kids beforehand. If you are careful in these areas, you will have tremendous freedom and motivation to build your own perfect business.

I know these aren’t business suggestions per se, more like life suggestions. If you can start off making good life decisions, then you will be better equipped to implement the many business suggestions you will find here and elsewhere.

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Well said.

Richard good post, thanks for sharing the basics of the way you have your business set up.

@TexasRich. Living within your means is so important. Glad you mentioned that. My parents taught me that at an early age. This is how I am able to work a 4 day work week. We get so much rain, I have to leave a day open each week to move things around if needed.

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Chad which day do you leave open, out of curiosity?

I like to leave Wednesday open for reschedules.

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Every week is different. I try to leave Wednesday open as well. It makes it easier because that is the middle of the week.

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Thanks for the quick reply Chad.