How to Start a Window Cleaning Business in 2026

The Reality: Window cleaning is a route-density business. You do not make real money on one-off jobs. You make money on a repeatable round where each stop is close, priced correctly, and paid on time.

Plug this into the broader growth system outlined in From Van to Empire Scaling Guide, How to Scale from One Van to Three, and Service Business Pricing Mastery 2026.

Choose Your Window Cleaning Model

Pick one model to start. Mixing everything too early creates pricing mistakes and broken routes.

Model	Best for	Revenue pattern	Notes
Domestic round	Solo operators	Predictable monthly	The most stable base if you keep density
Commercial contracts	Teams	Contracted	Higher admin and SLA requirements
One-off cleans	New starters	Lumpy	Use to seed a round, but price higher
Add-on services	Existing rounds	Upsell	Gutter, fascia, conservatory roof

Decision shortcut:

• Start with domestic if you are solo.
• Add commercial once you can guarantee coverage.
• Use one-offs to fill gaps, not to build the business.

Traditional vs Water-Fed Pole (WFP)

You can start traditional, but WFP wins in speed, safety, and results once you have the volume.

Traditional (ladder + squeegee):

• Low startup cost
• Faster to start
• Higher risk at height

Water-fed pole:

• Higher startup cost
• Faster on larger properties
• Safer (less ladder work)
• Better for privacy-sensitive customers

If your goal is 30+ cleans per week, WFP pays for itself quickly.

WFP Maintenance Checklist (Keep It Reliable)

Dirty filters and high TDS water lead to poor results and complaints. Keep it simple:

• Test TDS before every shift (aim for 000-010 ppm).
• Flush RO filters weekly and change pre-filters monthly.
• Change DI resin when TDS creeps above 010 ppm.
• Drain tanks and hoses before freezing nights.
• Keep a spare pump and hose connector in the van.

Legal and Safety (UK)

There is no license required, but you must follow safety rules.

Working at Height

UK Working at Height Regulations apply. You must:

• Use the safest method available (avoid ladders when possible).
• Perform a simple risk assessment per job.
• Ensure ladders are secured and inspected.

Data and access

• Keep customer access codes secure.
• Get written permission for side access or locked gates.

Insurance You Need (Do Not Skip This)

Glass damage and falls are expensive. Protect the business properly.

Insurance type	Typical cover	Why you need it
Public liability	£2M to £5M	Covers accidental damage or injury claims
Employers' liability	£5M+	Legally required if you hire staff
Tools and equipment	£2K to £10K	Covers theft and damage to poles and pumps
Commercial vehicle	Varies	Business use and tools in transit

For a deeper breakdown, see: Field Service Insurance Guide 2026.

Startup Costs: Lean vs Professional

Lean Start (£1,500 to £3,500)

• Ladders and stabilisers
• Squeegee, applicator, scrim, buckets
• Basic van or estate car
• Insurance and marketing

Professional WFP Start (£6,000 to £15,000)

• Van mount or trolley WFP system
• RO/DI filtration and tank
• Carbon pole and spare hose
• Van racking and secure storage
• Branded uniform and signage

Essential Equipment Checklist

Tier 1: Must-Have

• Ladders with standoffs and levellers
• Squeegee + applicator kit
• Scrim cloths and detailing towels
• Buckets, belt, and safety gloves
• Basic WFP kit or traditional kit (choose one)

Tier 2: Add Once Cash Flow Is Stable

• WFP van mount system
• Carbon pole for tall properties
• Pure water testing (TDS meter)
• Gutter vacuum or inspection camera

Pricing Strategy That Actually Works

Window cleaning is margin-sensitive. Price for travel, access issues, and skipped cleans.

Set your hourly floor

Target monthly income + overhead + taxes = revenue target Revenue target / billable hours = hourly floor

Example: £4,000 target income + £800 overhead = £4,800 £4,800 / 90 billable hours = £53 per hour minimum

Pricing rules that protect profit

• Set a minimum price per visit.
• Charge more for first cleans (extra dirt).
• Increase price for access challenges or heavy traffic zones.
• Build a frequency ladder so the best price is the most frequent clean.

Frequency ladder (domestic rounds)

4-weekly = base price 8-weekly = base price + 15 to 25 percent 12-weekly or one-off = base price + 30 to 50 percent

First clean uplift + re-clean policy

First cleans are slower and dirtier. Charge 30 to 50 percent more and set the expectation:

• First clean includes frames and sills.
• Re-clean within 48 hours if you missed something in scope.
• No free re-clean for add-ons not purchased (interior, skylights, gutters).

Build a Service Menu (So You Can Quote Fast)

Start with three core services and clear inclusions.

Service	Best for	Notes
Exterior windows (WFP)	Recurring rounds	Fast and scalable
Interior windows	Premium add-on	Booked less frequently
Frames and sills	Standard add-on	Include in recurring price

Add-ons to upsell:

• Gutter clearing
• Fascia and soffit wash
• Conservatory roof clean
• Skylight cleaning

Route Density: The Profit Multiplier

You make money when jobs are close together.

• Start in one postcode.
• Offer a small discount for neighbours on the same street.
• Route by day so the same streets repeat weekly.

Five stops in one street beats ten stops spread across town.

Round Economics Example (What "Good" Looks Like)

Use this to sanity-check your route:

• 18 stops per day at £18 average = £324/day
• 4 days per week = £1,296/week
• 4-weekly round = about £5,184/month

If your average stop is £12 or your travel time is high, the round is too thin.

Operations That Keep Customers (And Reviews)

Bad weather policy

Light rain is fine for WFP. Heavy rain or wind is not. Set expectations: "We clean in light rain. High wind or storms will be rescheduled."

Access rules

If a gate is locked, either skip and reschedule or charge a call-out fee. Make this clear before the first clean.

Skipped clean policy

If a customer cancels twice in a row, move them to a higher price tier. Your round should reward reliability.

Copy/paste policy template

Use this in your welcome message or invoice footer: "We clean in light rain. High winds or storms will be rescheduled. If access is blocked, we will skip and rebook. Two skipped visits in a row may move you to the next price tier."

Seasonal Cash Flow + Off-Season Upsells

Window cleaning dips in winter. Build add-ons that keep the round alive.

• Sep to Nov: gutter clears, fascias, conservatory roofs
• Nov to Feb: interior windows, commercial sites, builders cleans
• Mar to Apr: first-clean blitz to reset the round

Sell the add-on at the clean before the season changes.

Get Paid Without Chasing

Recurring work should be automatic.

• Offer pay-by-bank or card on file for monthly rounds.
• Send the payment link the same day as the clean.
• If a payment fails, pause the next clean until it is cleared.

Winning Customers (Fast)

Window cleaning is local and review-driven.

• Google Business Profile with weekly photos
• Leaflet drops on streets where you already have customers
• Ask every customer for a review after the first two cleans
• Partner with landlords and property managers

For local SEO that works, use: Local SEO for Trade Businesses 2026.

Door-Knock Script and Walk-Ups

Door-knocking still works when you are already cleaning on the street. People trust what they can see. Keep it short and give a clear price.

Door-knock script

Hi, I am [Name]. I am cleaning windows for [House Number/Street] today and I am building a local round.
I have space on [Day]. A standard clean for a house like this is £X and takes about [time]. 
Do you want me to add you to the round?

Walk-up script (when someone asks while you are working)

Thanks for asking. I can take a look after I finish this job.
For a standard clean, it is usually £X for front only or £Y for front and back.
If you want, I can do it today and then keep you on a 4-week or 8-week schedule.

Walk-up tips that increase conversions

• Quote two options (front only vs front and back).
• Offer the next available slot if today is tight.
• Ask for the preferred frequency on the spot.
• Capture the address and access notes immediately.

Leave-Behind Card Template (Copy/Paste)

Keep it simple. One job, one price, one next step.

WINDOW CLEANING
[Your Name] | [Phone] | [WhatsApp]
Local round: [Day/Area]

Standard clean:
Front only £X | Front + back £Y

First clean includes frames + sills.
Book by text or WhatsApp. 

Quick Pricing Cheat Sheet (Starter)

Use this to set your first round, then tighten with real job times.

Property type	Typical time	Starter price
Small terrace (front only)	15-20 min	£10-£18
Small terrace (front + back)	20-30 min	£18-£30
Semi-detached	25-40 min	£22-£35
Detached	35-60 min	£30-£50

Add-ons and modifiers:

• First clean: +30 to 50 percent
• Access issues or heavy traffic: +10 to 20 percent
• Interior windows: add a separate line item

Commercial Contracts: Get Bid-Ready

Commercial clients want documentation and reliability.

• Insurance certificates (often £5M public liability)
• RAMS (risk assessment and method statement)
• Out-of-hours coverage plan
• Clear invoicing terms and service logs

Hiring Your First Cleaner

Hire when you consistently have 25+ hours of weekly work you cannot cover.

Minimum hiring checklist:

• Written service checklist and quality standards
• Ladder safety training
• Trial shift with a real route
• Right to work checks completed

Metrics to Track Every Week

These metrics show whether the business is healthy:

• Revenue per hour
• Average price per stop
• Jobs per mile
• Customer churn rate
• Re-clean rate
• Overdue invoices count

Software That Actually Helps

Avoid heavy software until you have stable demand.

Month 1 to 3: Keep It Simple

• Scheduling: Google Calendar
• Quotes and invoices: Toolfy (£29/month includes scheduling + invoices + payment tracking)
• Customer details: Spreadsheet or notes app

Month 3 to 12: Systemize

• Job management: Toolfy handles scheduling, invoices, customer records, and payment tracking
• Payments: Send card or bank transfer links the same day
• Reminders: Automated payment follow-ups for late invoices
• Reviews: Trigger review requests after every completed clean

Toolfy quick setup (30 minutes)

• Create service templates for exterior, interior, and add-ons.
• Save your cancellation policy in invoice footers.
• Add a "round day" tag for routing.
• Turn on payment reminders for overdue invoices.

Your First 90 Days Action Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation

• Register with HMRC
• Get insurance quotes
• Choose your equipment path (traditional or WFP)
• Build your service menu and prices

Week 3-4: Go Live

• Create a Google Business Profile
• Print 200 to 500 flyers
• Book 10 starter cleans and get 5 reviews
• Build a simple referral offer

Week 5-8: Build the Round

• Focus on one postcode
• Offer neighbour discounts to cluster jobs
• Track job times and adjust pricing
• Set up Toolfy for scheduling and invoicing

Week 9-12: Tighten Systems

• Create checklists for each service type
• Standardise your bad weather policy
• Review margins and drop low-profit jobs
• Plan your first hire or subcontractor

Final Word: Density Wins

Window cleaning is not a volume game. It is a density game. Build a tight round, price for reliability, and keep admin light with clear systems.

Need job management software built for window cleaners? Toolfy handles scheduling, quoting, invoicing, and payment tracking for £29/month. Built for UK service teams that want to get paid faster with less admin. See how Toolfy works ->