Starting a Window Cleaning Business: A Smart Entrepreneurial Choice
It might not seem like the most exciting path to entrepreneurship — the glamour of launching the next tech unicorn or a trendy new café probably doesn’t come to mind — but for many would-be entrepreneurs, starting a window cleaning business offers one of the most accessible, low-risk and surprisingly lucrative routes to financial freedom. If you need a side hustle or are ready to leave your 9-to-5, then window cleaning is your way in—with a low investment, no college degree needed and a quick path to earning serious money.
If you ever typed “how to start a window cleaning business” in Google, you probably want more than a checklist. You want to ask: What do I really need? How much will it cost? Is it actually profitable? How do I find customers? This blog answers, based on the real questions people are asking what you need to know before you begin.
How to Start a Window Cleaning Business: Tools and Equipment Required
The good news? So you don’t have to get a loan to start. The essential trade tools are simple: a high-quality squeegee, a scrubber (also known as a washer), a bucket, microfiber cloths, dish soap or glass cleaner, and, if necessary, a ladder. You can expect to pay about $150 to $300 for a starter setup. Branded uniforms and even a small website look more professional and lend you some credibility, but they’re not a necessary expense on day one.
Window cleaners do later purchase water fed pole systems or deionized water tanks (in which you store gallons of deionized water) for commercial or multi-story work, but those are considered luxury, not necessity. In transportation, your regular auto will be good enough to begin with. Just as long as you can haul your gear and show up to jobs reliably, you’re good to go.
How Much Investment Is Required to Start a Window Cleaning Business?
One of the top benefits of this business model is the low barrier to entry. Here’s an approximate guide to what you may pay:
Basic equipment: $150–$300
Marketing Materials (Flyers, Cards): $50–$100
Business license and registration: $50–$200 (varies by location)
Insurance (monthly): $30–$80
Optional: website/domain name: $50–$100 for setup
All essentially getting started for less than $500. That’s cheaper than nearly any other trade or small business.
Do You Need a Business License or Insurance to Start?
Yes — and it’s a mistake that many first-time business owners wish they hadn’t made. The big step will be registering your business name and applying for a local business license, which you’ll need in most U.S. cities. While this is often a simple and inexpensive process, it does give you legal standing and credibility with clients.
And liability insurance is just as essential. It covers you if you injure someone or damage a client’s property. Bonding is not required, but it provides an extra layer of trust — especially when working inside of people’s homes. Workers’ compensation may be required by law if you hire employees.
It may not feel sexy to get these in place, but they signal to customers that you’re running a legitimate, professional business.
How Do You Source Clients and Monetize What You Do?
This is where some elbow grease and a sprinkle of creativity will get you a long way. Most window cleaning businesses get started with door-to-door outreach, flyers, and referrals. Begin with friends, family, and neighbors. Discount them to leave a review or a testimonial. Get some initial “before and after” photos to use on social media and a simple web page.
Setting up a Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) is a critical step for local SEO—this is your online portal for new customers. Request reviews from happy customers. Platforms like Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace and Yelp also can generate surprisingly free business.
Gradually, consider investing in basic paid ads (Facebook and Google) and network with real estate agents, property managers, small businessowners with regular clean-up needs.
How Much to Charge for Window Cleaning?
You charge on a per job and job type basis. You may charge per window pane (generally $2–$5 per pane), by the job (for example, $100 for an average single-story home), or by the hour ($40–$75/hour is common in many regions).
Include travel time, equipment and insurance in your pricing structure. A good idea is to sell tiered packages — basic cleaning, deep cleaning (for first-time customers or particularly dirty windows) and premium (screen cleaning, cleaning of interior glass, mirrors, etc.). This allows customers to select and gives you an opportunity to upsell.
Do You Need Training or Experience TO be A Window Cleaner?
Not officially. Most people learn by doing or by watching professionals make YouTube videos. For residential window cleaning jobs, window cleaning is more powerful in terms of experience and skill rather than certification. That’s not to say technique doesn’t matter: Mastering how to leave streak-free results, and fast and safe, will vastly affect how many clients you can serve — not to mention how happy they are.
For tall buildings or commercial properties, safety-related courses or certifications may be needed, especially for using ladders or high-access equipment. OSHA also provides useful safety resources for small businesses.
How do You Make a Window Cleaning Business Profitable?
In a word: yes. Because of the low overhead, high demand for work, and booming landfills—especially in suburban and commercial areas—many window cleaners make a full-time living. A one-man band can make $30,000–$60,000 a year very quickly. Add a helper, take commercial contracts, or provide recurring services, and it’s potentially six figures for you.
As with any business, your earnings will build over time, consistency and reputation. The better, more professional you are, the more repeat clients you’ll get—and this is where the magic happens: Recurring income!
What Is a Day in the Life Like?
In warmer climates, window cleaners come out early in the morning, for example. A normal day could consist of 2–4 jobs from small homes to storefronts. You’ll be outdoors a great deal, moving, climbing ladders, cleaning glass and interacting with customers.
It’s a physical job, though liberating. You don’t have some boss hovering over you. You control your schedule. And at the end of each day, there’s something gratifying about gazing at the clean, shiny windows and knowing you did that.
Top Three Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Window Cleaning Business
You're underpricing what you do: Get clear on your value.
Skipping insurance or legal steps: It may be tempting to skip paperwork, but don’t risk it.
Not always good: One bad job can damage your reputation. Always overdeliver.
Not following up: send thank you notes, request reviews, offer maintenance plans.
The Bottom Line: Starting a Window Cleaning Business Is More Doable Than You Think
If you want to start a business that has little cost and can yield big results, but doesn’t require a college degree, a large investment of capital or a history in sales, window cleaning might be your calling! It’s not without its challenges — hard work, physical demands, requiring some level of consistency — but it provides freedom and flexibility as well as the chance to start an empire of, essentially, your own.
So, if you’re still asking yourself how to start a window cleaning business, I’ll tell you: Start small, start smart, and start now.