How to start a window cleaning business

Choose your market

Many new businesses start with residential and storefront work, which needs less specialized equipment, and add higher work only after building skills, training and insurance.

Set up the business

1. Choose a business structure. Many owners start as a sole proprietor or LLC; see our guides to sole proprietorships and C corps vs S corps.
2. Register the business name with your state or county as required.
3. Get an EIN from the IRS, which you need to hire employees; see how to apply for an EIN.
4. Get licenses and permits required by your state, county and city for window cleaning; see how to get a business license.
5. Open a business bank account to keep finances separate; see how to open a business bank account.
6. Set up insurance, including general liability, commercial auto and workers’ compensation once you hire.
7. Set up bookkeeping, payroll and time tracking before your first employee starts.

Equipment you will need

• Squeegees, scrubbers, scrapers and buckets in several sizes.
• Water-fed pole system with purified water, which lets you clean upper windows from the ground.
• Ladders rated for commercial use, with stabilizers and levelers.
• Microfiber cloths, towels and cleaning solutions.
• Fall protection equipment if you will work at height, used only with proper training.
• A vehicle with secure storage for poles and ladders.
• Scheduling, invoicing and time tracking software.

Water-fed poles cost more up front but reduce ladder use, which can improve safety and speed on many jobs.

Safety at height

Falls are the biggest risk in window cleaning. Federal OSHA rules for general industry cover ladders, fall protection and, for building exteriors, rope descent systems, which include requirements such as certified anchorages and limits on how high rope descent systems may be used. Employees must be trained to recognize fall hazards and use equipment correctly. For high-rise work, building owners and window cleaning contractors share responsibilities for anchor inspection and safe work plans. If you plan to work above ground level, study the standards that apply, invest in training and never send untrained employees up.

• Prefer working from the ground with water-fed poles where possible.
• Inspect ladders before each use and set them on stable, level ground.
• Use fall protection where required and inspect it before use.
• Do not work at height in high winds, rain or icy conditions.
• Never work alone at height; use a buddy system or check-ins; see our lone worker safety guide.

Pricing your services

Whatever the method, base your price on real costs: labor time including travel, wages plus payroll taxes and workers’ compensation (which can be significant for work at height), equipment, supplies, insurance and overhead. Add charges for screens, tracks, hard water stains or post-construction cleaning, which take extra time.

Finding customers

• Build a storefront route by visiting shops in a compact area and offering a regular schedule.
• Use local search profiles with before-and-after photos.
• Offer recurring residential plans, such as spring and fall cleaning.
• Partner with house cleaners, painters and property managers for referrals; see our guide on how to get cleaning contracts.
• Ask for reviews after every job.

Hiring and managing employees

As you grow, you will need reliable technicians. Window cleaners are usually employees because you control their schedule and methods; see our contractor vs employee guide. They are generally non-exempt and entitled to overtime over 40 hours in a workweek. Time spent loading the van, traveling between jobs during the day and attending required safety training is generally paid. Train every new hire on your safety procedures before they work at height, and keep training records.

Writing service agreements

• Scope: which windows, inside and outside, screens and tracks.
• Frequency and scheduling windows for recurring service.
• Access requirements, such as keys, alarm codes or building management contacts.
• Weather policy and how rescheduling works.
• Damage and liability terms, including pre-existing damage notes.
• Pricing, payment terms and late fees.

Written agreements protect both sides and are especially important for commercial clients and property managers.

Running routes efficiently

1. Group jobs by area to cut drive time.
2. Plan routes weekly and adjust for weather.
3. Give technicians job notes, access instructions and photos on their phones.
4. Track time per job to see which jobs are profitable.
5. Confirm completion with photos, especially for commercial clients.

Seasonality and cash flow

Residential window cleaning often peaks in spring and fall, while storefront routes run year-round. Plan cash for slower months, encourage customers to book recurring plans and look for commercial contracts that pay monthly. In colder regions, winter weather limits outdoor work, so interior cleaning, commercial interiors and related services such as holiday lighting can help keep crews busy.

Customer experience that brings repeat business

Arrive on time, protect floors and furniture, leave the site cleaner than you found it and walk the customer through the finished work. Note any cracked glass or damaged seals before you start and tell the customer. Small habits like these turn one-time jobs into recurring customers and referrals.

Growing the business

• Add related services such as gutter cleaning, pressure washing or solar panel cleaning; see our pressure washing business guide.
• Sign commercial contracts for steady year-round revenue.
• Promote a lead technician to supervise crews.
• Invest in training and equipment before moving into higher work.

Common mistakes

• Taking on work at height without proper training, equipment or insurance.
• Underpricing to win jobs and ignoring travel time.
• Paying technicians as contractors when they should be employees.
• No plan for slow winter months.
• Skipping written agreements with commercial clients.

Managing window cleaning teams with EZTime

EZTime helps window cleaning businesses run routes and crews. Technicians clock in at each job with the mobile app, routes and assignments are planned with scheduling software, job checklists and photos are handled with task management and safety training records live in each digital employee file. See EZTime for cleaning businesses.

Frequently asked questions

Where to go next