Secrets of the Window Washing Business
by Blair Kasfeldt
Published by Blair Kasfeldt at Smashwords
Copyright 2012 Blair Kasfeldt
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Table of Contents:
Secrets of the Window Washing Business
Essential Window Washing Equipment
Non-Essential Window Washing Equipment
The "Secret" Professional Window Washer's Solution
Use Your Scrubber to Clean Windows
Coming Up With a Name: Doing Business As (DBA)
Buy Business Cards and a Cell Phone
Pricing for Business or Commercial Accounts
Pricing Houses for Window Washing
Secrets of the Window Washing Business
For less than a $100 investment in basic equipment and promotional materials you can set up a seasonal or year round window washing business. You can supplement your current income washing windows, or you can develop a full-time income from professionally washing windows.
I ran a part-time window washing business for years to supplement my income and made thousands of dollars per year washing both commercial business windows as well as residential windows. And that was in a small town of 15,000 people. Running a window washing business is easy to do if you have the motivation to start your own business.
Essential Window Washing Equipment
I wasted hundreds of dollars on equipment that was not necessary when I started. Use this list to save yourself money on buying unnecessary equipment. Here is a list of the most basic items you will need as well as my recommendations:
1. A "Squeegee."
This is what you will use to clean the water off the windows. I recommend starting with a 14" squeegee. It is not so large that it is difficult to use, but large enough to clean a large surface area. I recommend buying the Ettore brand.
The squeegee consists of a handle and a blade or "channel" that comes in various sizes. Purchase a "quick release" handle so when you buy other blades or "channels" of various sizes (ranging from 6"-22") you can quickly change blades. Otherwise you will need a screwdriver to replace the channel.
2. Buy additional "rubbers" for your squeegee and, if you bought an Ettore channel, you will need to purchase additional "clips" that hold the rubber inside the channel or blade.
I highly recommend Ettore rubbers. Do not buy cheap replace rubbers as they will leave streaks.
3. You will need a "scrubber" - that is how you wash the actual glass.
It is a cloth or microfiber slip. I recommend buying the Ettore 14" microfiber scrubber.
You will also need a "T-Bar" to place the scrubber on. Any brand will do, just make sure it is the same length as your scrubber. I recommend 14" scrubbers because they fit easily into a bucket.
4. Bucket that will accept your 14" scrubber.
You may also buy wide, window cleaning buckets designed specifically for scrubbers. I recommend the Ettore window washing bucket with lid.
5. 6" Scraper and replacement blades.
You will need these to scrape off dried on paint, tree sap and whatever else cannot be removed by your scrubber. Any decent scraper will work.
6. Microfiber towels or Terry towels.
Buy 1-2 dozen to start. You will need these to clean the edges of the windows and window sills. I recommend spending a little more and buying all microfiber towels.
7. Cheap sponges.
Used to clean dirty window sills in order to save your good towels.
8. Screwdrivers - both Phillips and flathead.
You'll need these to change your channels if you bough a non-quick change squeegee handle. You will also need them if you plan on encountering storm windows.
9. 6' A-Frame ladder.
10. Any liquid dish detergent.
11. Any cheap Ammonia.
12. Transportation.
Non-Essential Window Cleaning Equipment - But Nice to Have
1. 8' extension, telescoping pole.
I recommend Ettore. You will need a pole when you are doing commercial accounts that have high windows. In some cases you may need to use an extension pole for residential accounts as well.