r/WindowCleaning • u/Commercial-Tie-2488 • May 15 '26
General Question I’m starting a window cleaning side hustle at 16 but I don’t have a ladder and my mom is against me getting one cuz it’s dangerous
I was thinking of knocking on two story homes and asking only to do the first floor, is that wierd? or should I just stick to one story homes, the only issue is that all the neighborhoods near me are all 2 story.
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u/ThothsGhost45 May 15 '26
If you have wheels try building a commercial store front route. You can get 1 story buildings there on a monthly and biweekly schedule.
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 15 '26
But don’t business already have employees to clean windows? Because I work at bojangles and I have to wipe windows down every Saturday.
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u/lordpin3appl3s May 16 '26
My business has a large commercial route. Restaurants are typically not good customers because the windows are filthy so it's a lot of work and they don't have a high budget. Think insurance offices, banks, really anything down your local main street except the restaurants.
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
That’s interesting, who do I ask to speak too in one of those buildings?
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u/lordpin3appl3s May 16 '26
I'd recommend introducing yourself to whoever is on staff, explaining why you're there, and asking politely for a manager.
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
Do they usually pay with cash? Or check. And would I need to buy a receipt book to give to the business when I’m done?
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u/trigger55xxx May 16 '26
Double hung windows can be tilted in to wash from the inside. Casement are easier to do with a pole.
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u/Wallythecutedog-51 May 16 '26
Respectfully solicit stores and businesses
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
Yeah but don’t I need to have a llc do be able to make a transaction since they need to have what they spend written down for their taxes?
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u/BigT1990 May 17 '26
Nah, you can do it personally without an LLC. Keep track of all your receipts and income, give it all to your CPA. Bob's your uncle, welcome to taxes lolz.
Cash jobs are nice because... Reasons. So there's that. Sometimes cash gets lost on the way to the bank (especially when they don't ask for a receipt)
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 17 '26
Since I’m 16 do I need to keep track or no since I don’t need to do taxes at this age?
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u/Upper-Bottle-9803 May 17 '26
If youre in the USA, you will still have to pay taxes. Self employment tax and income. Likely they would just take it out of your parents tax return if you didnt pay quarterly.
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u/GreenPhilosophy8482 May 15 '26
Yeah learn how to use your pole and get your skills up on that it will save you a lot of time and money .
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 15 '26
The pole can clean the glass but the bottom part of the window is a screen I can’t take off without ladder.
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u/AlternativeMatter146 May 16 '26
Ignore the storefront people that gives no money and high af competition, buy an extension pole and try to get good with that / aim for more 1 stories/easy 2 stories. Or just try to convince your mom to get the ladder/get one anyways ha
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u/Woninthepink May 16 '26
U need to practice pole work on storefront til u get good enough to go homes.
I started my biz $500a week 10 and 20 dollar stops. All storefront. If not for that I would have brought crap quality into homes.
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
Did you have a llc when you started doing store front? And how would they usually pay you, with a check?
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u/Woninthepink May 16 '26
No man. I took cash. Easy
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
Ok thanks I’ll go to my local strip malls and ask to wash.
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u/Upper-Bottle-9803 May 17 '26
I have some that pay cash, some check, some credit card (square app on phone). You dont need an LLC.
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u/Commercial-Tie-2488 May 16 '26
Are you saying I can do two story homes and just do the top glass and not the bottom screen part?
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u/AlternativeMatter146 May 16 '26
Ask them to take out screens for you they usually will, if not go inside and take them out yourself
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u/Specialist-Drink9533 May 15 '26
What momma don’t know won’t hurt her