How to Become a Window Cleaner

Lily Sweeney, writer

Published at 13/08/2021, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

How to Become a Window Cleaner — Photo © How-to-Become-a-Window-Cleaner.jpg

If you’d like to enjoy a career that guarantees regular demand, varied work and the chance to help plenty of customers every week, you might find that franchising with a window cleaning business is the perfect option for you. The world of franchising is vast, and opportunities are available in many different sectors, including the cleaning services sector. Here’s how to become a window cleaner with a franchise business.

If you’d love to run your own business and be your own boss, but the high risks and high failure rates associated with business ownership are putting you off, why not consider franchising? As a franchisee, you’ll follow a proven business model that safeguards your success at any level of experience. As long as you’re willing to work hard, learn and listen, you’ll be well on your way to building a profitable window cleaning franchise.

What does a professional window cleaner do?

Window cleaners operate in a sub-sector of the cleaning industry, and they’re responsible for washing windows and other glass surfaces, removing built-up dirt and grime. From domestic service providers to high rise window cleaners, window washers of all kinds are undeniably in demand in the UK, and the wider cleaning industry is on track to grow 6.2% by 2022 [Allied Market Research]. Window cleaning is a popular choice with the UK public for the following reasons:

Professionally cleaned windows enhance the appearance of the location
Window cleaners extend the lifespan of windows
Clean windows are allergen, insect and pest free
Window cleaners discover window-related issues early on, enabling a speedier fix

How to run a window cleaning business

1. Assess your skills and narrow down the kind of role you’d like to occupy

Step one when it comes to becoming a franchisee within a window cleaning company is to figure out your strengths, your weaknesses, and the kind of work that you enjoy doing. Though experience isn’t a must for most franchise opportunities (as franchisors should offer franchisees plenty of support and training, there are certain skills and abilities that will set you up for success in the industry, like:

Attention to detail and awareness of safe working practices
Confidence when working from heights
Organisation and time management
Communication
Customer service

If heights aren’t your thing, for example, you should be looking for franchise opportunities which would allow you to take on a more managerial and less hands-on role within the business. Plus, it’s always worth bearing in mind that technological advances and new trends in cleaning mean balancing on a ladder is far from your only option when it comes to washing windows.

Current window cleaning technology allows people to operate from the safety of the ground, should they prefer. Lightweight extendable poles with a soft bristled brush can clean the window, while a jet of pure water rinses the glass at the same time. – Sam Bromley, Simply Business

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2. Consider all the associated costs, from franchise fees to equipment

The cost of starting a franchise will vary based on a number of factors, including brand name, franchise location and franchise size, but the average cost of opening a franchise unit in 2018 was £42,200 [British Franchise Association]. Even without enough money upfront, you might find yourself able to access funding support, but you should always be careful not to bet on support you haven’t secured, or to overinvest with your own money.

As a window cleaner, there are several additional costs to consider beyond your franchise fees and initial investment amount. While some franchise networks will provide you with equipment, others won’t, and you might need to cover these costs (this is something your potential new franchisor can tell you). Be sure to consider the costs of the following pieces of equipment, if you need to:

A vehicle (for transporting other equipment)
A crane or cherry picker
Abseiling equipment
A water purifier
A water-fed pole and filtration system

3. Do your due diligence prior to signing the franchise agreement

When you’ve found a franchise opportunity which is both a professional and a financial match, it will be time for you to sign the franchise agreement, a legally binding contract between yourself and your franchisor which will tie you together for a fixed term, usually of at least several years. Prior to signing this agreement, be sure you’ve done your due diligence, fully assessed the franchise, and asked all the following questions:

How long has the business been franchising for?
What is the business’s current financial status/health?
What is the success rate of existing franchisees?
Do existing franchisees like working with the business?
Do existing franchisees feel supported by the franchisor?
What training and support will you receive as a franchisee?
How will the franchisor handle territory/other disputes between franchisees?
Will the franchisor provide you with site selection support?
Will the franchisor provide you with marketing and advertising support?

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4. Franchise opportunities in the window washing sector

There are many opportunities available in the cleaning industry in 2021, including within window washing, if that’s your chosen specialism. Here are two strong examples of window cleaning franchise investment opportunities to consider...

1. My Window Cleaner

My Window Cleaner is a specialist window cleaning business strongly focused on providing excellent customer service.

Becoming a My Window Cleaner franchisee: The ideal My Window Cleaner franchisee would be a positive, ambitious person with strong people skills and an eagerness to play an active role.

How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £8,000, with franchise fees of £8,000 and a total investment cost of £15,500.

What you get for your investment: You’ll receive comprehensive training (including access to an online portal) and ongoing support and guidance from your franchisor.

2. WindowPayne Local

WindowPayne Local is a domestic window and gutter cleaning business which offers reliable and personalised services on a national scale.

Becoming a WindowPayne Local franchisee: The ideal WindowPayne Local franchisee would be driven, determined, enthusiastic, self-motivated and good with people.

How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £10,495.

What you get for your investment: You’ll receive two weeks of initial training (covering sales, pricing, quoting, scheduling, using equipment safely and cleaning correctly) and plenty of ongoing guidance and support.

Make a career change and become a window cleaner

After reading this article, you should find yourself able to answer the following question: Do I want to start my own window cleaning business? If yes, you should also now know exactly where to start. If you’re interested in the lucrative and always in-demand cleaning sector, but you’re not set on window cleaning, stay on Point Franchise and browse the wider range of available cleaning franchise investment opportunities.