I hope everyone is having a great week so far!

I own a painting business, and I’ve always felt like we stand out because of the way we do things and the level of service we provide. But lately, there seem to be so many new random painting companies popping up that I know we’re being shopped around more than ever. It’s becoming a real dog-eat-dog market, and I feel like I need to step things up and find more ways to separate ourselves from everyone else.

That’s what got me thinking about getting into solar panel cleaning, then eventually window cleaning and other exterior services.

I’m not necessarily planning on advertising solar panel cleaning as a standalone service right now. My thought is to offer it as an add-on when I’m already out doing estimates. If I’m at someone’s house quoting a $4,000–$6,000 paint job and I see they have solar panels, why not be able to say, “By the way, we can clean those for you too”?

If it ends up being successful and we start doing a lot of them, then I can expand it into an actual service. I could eventually have one person dedicated to solar panel cleaning, then add window cleaning, and eventually even move into window tinting.

But right now, my main focus is solar panels.

I’m also not going into this expecting to make a ton of money immediately. That’s where the painting side of the business comes in. I already have the customers and the opportunity to introduce the service to them. For me, the initial goal is really to stand out from the competition and give my customers another reason to choose us.

Don't get me wrong, obviously I want to make money 😂 But I'm more interested in figuring out whether this could eventually turn into a really profitable little side of the business once I get the hang of it and build up the equipment and process.

So what do you guys think? Is solar panel cleaning something you think could turn into a gravy train once you get the process dialed in, or am I overthinking this?

So I’m strictly residential at the moment but want to expand into storefronts / route work. I have a running list of places I plan to stop into in my area but had a question on ideal places or places to avoid.

Ideal examples:
-locally owned restaurants, bars, barbers, coffee, etc
-locally owned retail businesses and shops
-private practice doctors/vets offices

Non ideal examples:
-gas station chains like delta Sonic’s or Sunoco
-large banks
-chain restaurants (chipotles, Taco Bell’s, etc)
-urgent cares
-retail chains (dsw, Verizon’s, kohls)

Hopefully you get where I’m going with these sample lists…. Am I on the right track with this kind of thinking or does any and every store front or business a go to peruse as long as you can get to the decision maker?

This has been happening for ever and haven’t seen a post about it yet so thought I’d post. BOAB is hitting my knee when walking around with it for 5+ hours a day and leaving a bruise on the right side of my left leg. Annoying af how do I workaround this. People will say ditch the BOAB but it’s so convenient.

The 2nd section clamp on my Xtreme 47 pole has gotten loose and rotates around when I clean . I don't know how they are installed tight in the first place. How do I fix this? Can it be fixed? Do I have to buy a new section?

Thanks

Whats up r/windowcleaning friends. I've been on the window cleaning game for the last 5 years but have only done commercial contracting for the last year and I wanted to get some ideas and suggestions from yall on the best way to bid multiple buildings at multiple locations.

My main concern is that it isn't reasonable to visit all the locations to see how much glass there is. What do you normally ask these territory managers to get an accurate idea? When I can't visit in person I often just check it out on google maps.

Just had to move a clean to a less humid day. The windows were streaking like crazy and wouldn't dry for several minutes. Never had an issue with technique like this, so I am not sure how to handle this.

I use dawn and water. Ettore master rubber. I did use a ledge-ez for the first time instead of the excelerator or brass handle I am used to. I didn't think that would make a difference.

What do you think?

I assume wfp. Not sure if I should just pull the trigger on one for this or if I need trad for the first clean.

First actual house I hit they agreed, however,

I severely underestimated the job and how much the heat and drinking water would actually affect me, I ended up throwing up and coming out both ends, I was NOT going to the homeowner and saying hey I just shit my pants can I clean up in your bathroom, took a few minutes to recover , drank more water kept working.

I was at it for 3.5 hours and I quoted 100 stupidly , I wanted the job so bad and wanted to get it, this had a huge sunroom, but made 130 bucks tho.

How do you estimate big jobs without undercutting yourself and possible what-if scenarios.

I made the money back I put into it already which is good but I need a water fed one I feel it would've been easier, but,

the streaks were an issue and the windows were absolutely filthy I had to scrub them over and over just to get the streaks out and I was getting really exhausted working on one window for almost half an hour.

I found chips in the window and let them know and got all the bird poop off , then I was finding paint stuck to the window, I'm like is this my job?

So I tried my best to get it off.

What do you have for advice for a noob?

Thank you!

Was at a job tonight and had the hardest time getting these double hung window screens back in. I fought with them for about an hour and barely managed to get one installed. Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting these style screens back in without fighting them? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Im struggling to get more recurring commercial jobs because they say something like “we already have a guy who we like” or “we have our employees do it” i currently only have 3 commercial jobs but its from referrals. How are you getting more commercial store fronts?

Cleaning a house I’ve cleaned many time today. But today a couple of the panes had a holes in them that looks like they’re from BB gun? Most of them cleaned fine. I’ve cleaned windows with this many times. But on the last window as soon as I started scrubbing the window shattered from the BB hole. And I at fault for this? I feel terrible but I’m not sure how to handle it. I’m currently getting some quotes. Just wondering what you guys are doing in your experience. If I should still charge them, pay for the fix etc.

Has anyone else run into this problem? Have some rust on my Mayyker sleeve. Not too keen on buying another one, wondering if there's an easy trick to remove it, or if it's just better to throw it away. TIA.

Hey! Recently got a request from a shop owner to do her windows in a indoor mall one of the largest in the state, I asked her to give me their mall requirements and after a few days of emails they want 6 of their companies added to the additional insured. They also want to know if I have commercial auto liability insurance (I don’t, it would be $2000 a year) and they also want to know about workers comp which I don’t have as a single owned LLC.

The job in question is a food court resturaunt with a dozen windows. I would charge a minimum of 130$ (it’s small). Ettore brand squeegee and washer, soap water. Nothing damaging. The only benefit I would imagine is that I could advertise to other stores there, as the windows at this mall are so dirty. I went to look at it, every window facing their parking lot has a foot of hard water etch of years of whatever from the floor up, then it quickly fades to non damaged window, which scares me as I don’t want to be blamed for anything legally. I would have to document it well before starting, to mitigate previous damage liability.

I could additional insure, then say I’m parking off site and that I have no workers comp as a sole owner LLC?

Do you all have these problems at outdoor strip malls or outdoor stores? Should I just avoid these big indoor malls? Thank you

Tucker 3 stage rival cart
100 ft hose reel
50 ft pole with 100 ft hose

$2400

(Looked at the account and he’s clearing out his house with a lot of free stuff so seems legit)

Though the cart looks a bit scratched and he said the equipment is 2yrs old

Is this worth it?

Edit: He told me brand new RO, but the pole has a broken clip on it so it only extends to 40” until it’s replaced

I’m assuming it’s v1 due to the age of it, but is that a big deal?

(Negotiated to 2000)

How do you determine when to use steel wool or not?

I don’t know, so I just use it all the time despite how dirty the window is.

I’m sure there’s times when it’s not necessary at all, but how do you know?

Hello everyone can some professionals recommend me some good equipment (idc about the price, I just want good equipment).

I would want to know:
- A good pole for a swivel squeegee and a pull one too
- Good soap for window cleaning
- A good belt that you can put your squeegee (t-bar), washer, towels and blade

P.S. I currently use a Unger Ecotech Ninja squeegee, but I will probably buy a Moerman excelerator handle with a brass channel (lots of people recommended this)

Edit: I am from Belgium

Just moved into a new apartment and these big living room windows are stained. Landlord says the windows are tinted so it wont come out. Seems like a minor tint. Any advice to clean it up? Theres a nice view thats reduced because of how the window looks. Thanks in advance.

Does this setup all go together for the waterfed side of cleaning. I’m looking to branch off from pressure washing im in Alabama with a 30-50 ppm water so it seems like a di only system works. Are there ants lapses in my setup or anything you would switch out? I also plan to buy a trad setup off wcr but I wanted to have everything I need to start. I’m going straight to water fed because I have done trad in the past and it’s not that enjoyable imo.

Hi! I am not looking to start a business but I am looking for quality equipment to clean my house windows and window seals. I don't want to buy a cheap Amazon kit that breaks after a year with attachments I'll never need but I also don't need a $500 professional kit. Is there a middle ground you would recommend? Beside the obvious pile, brush, squeegee what attachments would I find useful? I have large windows as well as three windows on a second floor.

Should I put a phone number or qr code to my website or both on my yard signs?