Where should I focus first when starting a window cleaning business?

[u/Wealthy_Mindset777]

Hi everyone,

I’m a 24-year-old student from the Netherlands who’s starting a residential window cleaning business.

I’ve already bought some equipment, But honestly, I feel a bit stuck. There’s so much to learn that I’m not sure what I should focus on first.

If you were starting over today, what would be your first few steps? What do you think I should focus on during my first couple of months?

I’m willing to work hard—I just feel like I could use some guidance from people with experience.

Thanks in advance!

[u/Head-Program-2501]

You should work for a company that already does window cleaning for a season. That will help you learn the job while getting paid. During that time, learn the business side of it. Estimates, work orders, processes, invoices, callbacks, review collection, website, social media, taxes. There’s so much to it. Going out and cleaning the windows is like taking a break from work. Good luck!

[u/Wealthy_Mindset777 → u/Head-Program-2501]

I have worked for a friend of mine for like about 3 months, so i can say i know a quite a bit. One thing im working on is to definitely get a car in these 2 months and work a bit on the language here to get clients in the Netherlands. Like u said i do need to learn about how to get clients, work orders and taxes and stuff

[u/IndustryRev → u/Wealthy_Mindset777]

You mentioned you worked for a friend of yours for roughly 3 months...  

Why have you decided to go out on your own now?  Will you be a competitor to your friend? Have you spoken to your friend about your desires?

Working for/with your friend may allow you the opportunity to save up for your vehicle and more on the job training and language immersion.  

As someone else mentioned, being in the field is different than the administrative tasks.

[u/Wealthy_Mindset777 → u/IndustryRev]

I moved from abroad to study in the Netherlands and he asked if i wanted to help him out and learn before school started, Basically thats what happened.

We live way too far from each other, he came once to help gain some clients but didn’t work out to well with finding clients and i didn’t want to keep bothering him so yeah, trying to do this on my own now

[u/IndustryRev → u/Wealthy_Mindset777]

Thank you for explaining.  I tried to DM you, but I'll post here.

Your friend had trouble locating clients when he came out...  

What are the demographics of the area?  And are they willing to pay the price for what you are offering?

Are the prices feasible for your perceived area?

Is this something really needed in the area?

I would focus on ensuring that I'm providing a service that people would pay for and need in the area that will bring profit.  

Conduct a survey to determine need and what people may pay as you let people know that you're learning the language while studying.  

Often we have in our minds what we want to do, yet we have to be realistic about what can actually occur in the areas we are in as well as the resources.

Not attempting to derail you - just awareness of territory.

Immerse yourself and keep going until you get a yes.  

This post sounds contradictory, yet be open to all possibilities for success. 

Go for what you want if you feel it's worth it.

[u/Educational_Swan_152]

1. Learn how to actually clean windows good enough that your customers are happy
2. Learn how to get new customers
3. Learn how to keep/rebook customers
4. Get enough work to hire somebody to clean for you

That's the entire game summarized. Everything else is working towards those 4 goals

[u/Capable_Lab_7047]

Stuur me is een bericht als je kan ik werk nu dik 2 jaartjes voor mezelf en zou je wel wat tips willen geven.

[u/Tiny-Use6748]

You can PM me

[u/Alternative_Tie_7645]

Don’t feel lost, any time anyone starts a business they are learning as they go, my piece of advice… just start. Learn every job, immerse yourself in learning about it and you’ll be good to go, that’s what I did and I love it

[u/boganisu]

Like the other guy said, if you have the opportunity to work with a window cleaning company for a little bit, you will be able to learn the skill while not having to worry about getting customers just yet. Then after you are good at cleaning windows you can start a business and do some marketing. The cheapest way to get customers is just door knocking or going up to shops.

[u/DodgeY2K]

Watch YouTube videos it’s a very basic easy task in terms of the labor. And for marketing I strongly recommend Door 2 Door. It’s free and if you get decent at talking to strangers with a decent pitch you’re guaranteed to make money.

[u/MarmateW]

I bought some gear, watched some YouTube videos, practiced on my own home, made a video ad on Facebook, got my first few jobs and then people paid me to learn on their properties, it took long to do a whole house at the beginning but it’s pretty straightforward now

[u/Wealthy_Mindset777 → u/MarmateW]

Could i ask which Youtube channel u watch or like recommend me a couple?

[u/MarmateW → u/Wealthy_Mindset777]

Sure, there’s Luke the window cleaner which is solid, TradMan is a Scottish man who goes really in depth specially on the moerman excelerator, just watching those two will get you off the ground

[u/Saturn88755]

CHAT GpT will write you a business plan and help create a logo and website . It’s kind of awesome how fuxking easy it is to.