There have been a lot of new guys joining WCR and asking how to get started. So I figured this might be a nice place for everyone to post and contribute instead of posting the same info every time someone joins.
If you have specific questions, everyone is happy to give good advice, bad advice, or hijack your thread to argue about soap. We like to argue.
There are a bajillion threads on this forum and the search button is your friend. It’s up in the corner and you will use it often. I do.
You can get started for under $1000. Here’s a basic list of tools.
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Swivel squeegee handle - Unger and Ettore are popular.
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Squeegee channels- At a minimum get an 18", 12", and 6". Practice with the 12 and once you get your technique basically down, use the 18 on everything you can. Once you’re good with the 18" you can buy larger channels.
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Rubber - hopefully you’ll need a lot of this but get at least a 12 pack. The 18" will wear out quickly, then you can cut that rubber down for your 12, and your 6" rubber will last forever.
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Mop & T-bar - At a minimum get a 12 & 18 T-bars with matching mops
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Blue huck towels - buy a ton of these. Wash your mops and towels in the washing machine and you probably won’t need soap since they’ll already have soap on them. Don’t dry your mops in the dryer, they’ll fall apart quicker. Don’t use fabric softener or bounce sheets with your towels because it’ll retard water absorption.
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Pole - 8’ or 12’ - this will get you by for 90% route work.
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Soap - Dawn, Ecover, and Glass Gleam 4 are popular. Don’t use too much soap to start or you’ll have problems. If you use too little your squeegee won’t “slip” over the glass. Play around with the soap and find out what you like.
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White scrub pad - Get about 10 of these and cut them in half. You’ll get twice the life and it’s easier to use.
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Bioclean - if you want to remove hard water stain, it’s safe and will keep you out of trouble (compared to acid).
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Can opener - Buy the ones from walmart. These are the best tools for getting screens out of windows. The free ones from home depot and lowes are too bent.
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2" chip brush - you can get these at walmart and they’re good for brushing dust off sills or out of tracks.
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Shoe covers and drop cloth - you’ll make a great impression in houses.
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Wet floor sign - if you’re going to do mall work.
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17’ little giant - probably the most versatile ladder in the world. When you get bigger, look at stack ladders and extension ladders.
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Razor & blades - learn about fabricating debris and get a waiver written up
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Business Cards, estimate sheets, & door hangers - join WCRA and you’ll get stuff printed at cost.
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T-shirts - get at least 5 of these with your name and logo on front and back. This is easily the easiest advertising you can do.
Get insurance.
Register your business (LLC or sole-proprietor) and get your business licenses from your town.
Get a Customer Management System - look at Jobber and The Customer Factor
Visit the the Work Belt Setup Thread for ideas on work belt setups.
For those of you who have more than $1000 definitely get a vehicle of some sort and get it logo’d or wrapped. This will set you apart from most window cleaners. Van, Minivan or Truck.
Get a website and look at Proposal and Responsibid.
There are a lot of threads on EDDM (direct mail).
Get a water fed system. There are a lot of threads on different systems and poles.
There are a lot of threads on pricing. For commercial, it seems like most bid at $1.50 to $2.50 per pane inside and out. For residential, it seems most bid at $4 to $6 per pane.
Other members, please jump in because I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting stuff.
