[Bobbert]

Hello
I’m new to this. I’m thinking of going into window cleaning. What would you experienced guys recommend as the best way to get up and running:
Getting customers? (Adverts, Door knocking )
Equipment at min cost?
Your advice appreciated.

[AuRavelling79]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd say it depends upon your circumstances. How soon do you need to be paying your way?

What is your health like?

What is your financial situation?

Some of us have built our own system, others buy an off the shelf system fitted in a van.

Some start part time, build up a round and keep a wage job as they build it up, others chuck tens of thousands into it and get a website and go door knocking.

And everything in-between.

[Smudger]

As always MR Gold - a great post

[zesty]

Worth considering it’s saturated market these days, but anyone with a strong will can make it work.

[Shrek]

I wouldn’t advise anyone to start up window cleaning now , too much competition and the market is saturated. Supply and demand - and it’s getting to the point where there is too much supply.
I think aldi have decent jobs going £15 an hour 👌

[deeege]

Good luck. I’d hate to be starting out these days, no chance I’d have the drive and desire  to make a success of it tbh.

[zesty]

Yes it would be a different ball game trying to build a round now.

Every other van in my area is a window cleaner these days.

I’ve  noticed some of the newer companies have plowed huge amounts of money into advertisement and SEO.

There is absolutely no chance you’re building a successful round with commercial work without putting big money into advertising.

Unlike years ago when window cleaners were like gold dust.

[KS Cleaning]

I would move down to Splash and Dash’s patch, apparently there’s a shortage of shiners down there.

[AuRavelling79]

Pay no attention to the naysayers, OP - it depends what you want to achieve.

But you need to explain what you want to do.

[Scrimble]

better off getting a proper job

[PHILIP HARDY]

Getting customer: buy some established work as you will be getting customers who want a window cleaner and are used to paying for the service, after you are up and running that way Leaflet drop with a follow-up door knock about Five days later, then you can choose your area and quote on the spot to anyone who shows interest.
Get a sign written van,
I would strongly advise a DIY system, Tank, Battery, pump, controller, hose & reel, Pole and Brush can all be purchased a lot cheaper individually than as a package, plus you have the knowledge of how everything works.
The get a job brigade are not wrong, my missis runs a warehouse where the average wage for say fork lift operative is circa 33K a year, you won't get that kind of money window cleaning for at least two years.
All I can say is if you fancy it and are prepared to work hard do it, if it's just a whim and fanciful, go on someone's payroll.

[p1w1]

My advice , Do some research....Read through all the old post of this forum, it will answer many of your questions and give you a good idea what's involved and what to expect. Then any questions after that, I'm sure you will get the help from here you need.

[Splash & dash]

I wouldn’t advise anyone to start up window cleaning now , too much competition and the market is saturated. Supply and demand - and it’s getting to the point where there is too much supply.
I think aldi have decent jobs going £15 an hour 👌

Depends ware you are we have a huge shortage of cleaners here and far to much work

[zesty]

Where are you based?

Here in Essex it’s absolutely saturated. Pages and pages of window cleaning business’s on Google search.

[Shrek]

I just don’t think it’s helping anyone - basically handing over a step by step guide to your competition on how to set up a business that could potentially impact your business.
This guy could start out a one man band , then turn into a multi van set up and ruin an area . One or two employees down the line leave and set up themselves, it’s never ending.
How would you guys feel if you help set someone up and the next thing because you didn’t realise this guy actually lives in your area is knocking on your customers doors and undercutting you?

[zesty]

I just don’t think it’s helping anyone - basically handing over a step by step guide to your competition on how to set up a business that could potentially impact your business.
This guy could start out a one man band , then turn into a multi van set up and ruin an area . One or two employees down the line leave and set up themselves, it’s never ending.
How would you guys feel if you help set someone up and the next thing because you didn’t realise this guy actually lives in your area is knocking on your customers doors and undercutting you?

And that’s why I never post my website, where I work and what I charge etc.

You’re all competitors, what I really want is for you all to go bust 

[dazmond]

Good luck. I’d hate to be starting out these days, no chance I’d have the drive and desire  to make a success of it tbh.

That's only because you ve been at it for years.as a 22 year old newbie I had a lot of drive and determination to make it work.

Anyone can make it work if they put in the time,effort and dedication

Even more so now there's so much more info out there and opportunities in regards to websites,social media,etc.

[dazmond]

I just don’t think it’s helping anyone - basically handing over a step by step guide to your competition on how to set up a business that could potentially impact your business.
This guy could start out a one man band , then turn into a multi van set up and ruin an area . One or two employees down the line leave and set up themselves, it’s never ending.
How would you guys feel if you help set someone up and the next thing because you didn’t realise this guy actually lives in your area is knocking on your customers doors and undercutting you?

It simply doesn't happen mate!your being insecure and paranoid my friend!

If your running your business in an efficient and timely manner and charging a fair price you WILL NOT LOSE VAST AMOUNTS OF WORK TO ANYONE!!

it's all in your mind!

[Shrek]

I just don’t think it’s helping anyone - basically handing over a step by step guide to your competition on how to set up a business that could potentially impact your business.
This guy could start out a one man band , then turn into a multi van set up and ruin an area . One or two employees down the line leave and set up themselves, it’s never ending.
How would you guys feel if you help set someone up and the next thing because you didn’t realise this guy actually lives in your area is knocking on your customers doors and undercutting you?

It simply doesn't happen mate!your being insecure and paranoid my friend!

If your running your business in an efficient and timely manner and charging a fair price you WILL NOT LOSE VAST AMOUNTS OF WORK TO ANYONE!!

it's all in your mind!

Of course you will , it happened to me last year . I’m probably not as cheap as you though

[dazmond]

better off getting a proper job

What a stupid post!

Starting up a window cleaning round nearly 31 years ago is the best decision I ever made in my working life!