Okay, so there’s been a lot of new people coming onto the forum looking for tips to get started and I’m not sure anybody actually put you on to how much work window cleaning actually is. This job isn’t all peaches and cream. There’s a lot of info on the forum about what items you need to become a window cleaner but nobody really filled you in on the grit of the day to day work we deal with. Do you really know what it takes to be a window cleaner? First of all, you need to know how to work like a dog all day long. If you’re afraid of hard work then go back to your day job, your boss will love you. Window cleaners bust ass. This business is hard work and if you can’t handle hard work then go home. We don’t wine for breaks every ten minutes. Do you need a break now? Second, you better be able to handle a ladder. If you can’t handle a ladder, forget about it, you’re done. Third, you’d better be thick skinned and be prepared to hear NO multiple times before a yes comes along. And finally, you gotta have an eye for detail. You either got it or you don’t. If you think you can’t do it move over for the guy that’s already doing it. Being a window cleaner means you’re able to adapt to whatever situation comes your way even if you’re not always liked. If you find it hard to do any of these things you’re probably not cut out to do this kind of work. Go back to being an electrician, lawn mower man, or whatever. This world needs you guys too. Stick with what you know. If the thought of cleaning windows is still burning within your soul then look a little deeper and you might actually find yourself where you want to be. Cleaning windows all day.
I kind of think this is about the easiest time there ever was, to become a window cleaner.
I was ‘shooting the shit’ with some other guys about my first time in the chair. the other day…
Truth be told, if I did it tomorrow, I would probably do that move from the ground.
“Modern Technology.”
Now, do I think there are people who aren’t AT ALL ready for some of the tougher tasks we deal with? Yes.
But do I realize that there are plenty of people who can still make a living, without ever having to worry about it? Yes.
If anything, I give this forum credit for being humble (in one sense.)
If they can’t get a window, they will pass without a second thought.
I’m kind of not that guy.
- but I’m perfectly fine, and appreciative (as an owner)for those who are.
One of the things I love most about our industry is the ease of entry. One of the things I hate the most about our industry, also the ease of entry. People trip and fall into window cleaning and pressure washing every day. This will always be the case because of the lack of licensing and cost of equipment.
It absolutely doesn’t matter. Window cleaning is hard work, it also isn’t the hardest or worst work in the world. The OP hit it on the head, be OK with working long hours and good with heights. But even if you aren’t OK with those things, you can still clean ground floor windows while taking forever to finish jobs because you take a 15 every hour. Being told “no” and “you’re too expensive” is always going to happen, especially in the service industry.
This industry helped change my life and I think if anyone wants to try it out, be like Nike. Time has a way of weeding out the dabblers.
You know I was just thinking about this very point. I have seen quite a few of new people asking for advice on coming into the window cleaning world. Which is not a bad thing. But I like the point that was made. I just work for a company and we joke between the guys how we be working our little white buns all over this city. But to be honest we really do. I start before 8 am and sometimes don’t finish a house or job until 6. With just a lunch break. Then on top of that it could be raining, windy, cold ,but we still have to keep up the pace. Its hard work just to be a worker. But to have a new biz with no idea what your getting into …don’t get me wrong. There’s a few days that I’m hitting all the right jobs and make bank with a nice and easy pace. But it takes hard work to get there. So be prepared.
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This surge of new people happens every year. Some will make the cut, most won’t.
The biggest thing I see around here is people that worked as subs for someone for a year, an then they try to go out on there own. They go an do things cheaper cause that’s what there were getting paid as a sub and don’t last a year. That’s when “Wow That’s Not Want I Paid Last Year” seems to come up. I don’t remember who said it on here but “A Good Window Cleaner Is A Fast Window Cleaner an A Fast Window Cleaner Is AGood Window Cleaner”.
I’m a new guy who just started posting. I’m not a stranger to hard work. Painted houses, did carpentry in the military, and currently work in pest control. To me it’s more about being my own boss. That’s why I want to start
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I typically lose about 10lbs by June every year. Yes, a lot of that is from not much work in winter but it shows me how hard I’m really working during busy season, the fat just melts away. By Thursday and Friday the legs and back is sore. It’s a physical job that’s for sure. There are definitely harder jobs out there but if you want to make money you’re sometimes killing yourself for it.
Some people just do some soul searching. They crave a change in their lives. Yes, Window Cleaning can provide that but you have to have it in you. If someone tries it out and fails, so be it, live and learn.
I’m a weekend warrior window cleaner and the above is all true. Major props to all of you who do this full time!
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@FastFanner-Man
Excellent points FastFanner-Man…
You newbies open up to what is being done by truly trained window cleaners ergo “Sons of Ettore”, at some point you’ll be Top Dog in window cleaning. The # one thing in window cleaning is to work safe, and never cut corners for safety, nor cut corners for Quality Window Cleaning…
DangerousDave2u
Let’s not forget to mention that it’s dangerous and if you really don’t know what you’re doing that makes it even more dangerous. People die washing windows.
Dangerous Dave: That’s funny we were both posting something about safety at exactly the same time. Happy Easter my friend.
[MENTION=441]BostonMike[/MENTION]
Amen Brother Mike “we is both” on the same track, and we both been doing this (W/Cling) close to 40 years eh…
Dange
You guys rock… Keep on keepin on…
I really wanted to be clear to the newbie that wanted to know if he could make 55k cleaning windows. I’m thinking yea! But do you realize how many panes of glass you need to scrub to get to the 55k mark?
Sounds like a case question.
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Forget how hard the work is, that’s just one part. Customers are more demanding than ever. You better be more than just the “best window cleaner”. At the end of the day if you have a competitor that isn’t as good as you at cleaning a window but he/she is willing to put in a little extra effort, their window is going to look just as good as yours. If that competitor is better at you at running a back office, they’ll end up crushing you. You have to have more than just yourself to really make it now. At the minimum, someone answering the phone live, scheduling, dispatching, etc. We’re an on demand society now and that’s just the way it is. I can’t believe how many " companies " don’t friggin answer their phone. A window cleaner called looking for a job a couple weeks back and said he tried to do his own thing and wasn’t making it. I told him I would call him back the next day. No answer, left voicemail. He called back at 6pm and said oh I was at a big house and I leave my phone in the truck when I work. Smh. How many other calls did he miss?
Yeah… Be nice, answer your phone, and respect your blade.
