Completely overwhelmed!
Now with that being said I have not given up on the idea and dream of owning my own business.
I want to start off self employed doing residential and small commercial store fronts, widow cleaning and eventually bringing in power washing, etc.
I need some help with minimal overhead: products material, advertising. Any ideas on how much approx $$$ for initial startup. Is $1000 to low?
I have a full time job and looking to start out part-time and grow
Jason in AZ
If you are thinking of the traditional method for cleaning window then that’s enough for equipment but you might need a little more for marketing.
Welcome to the site … I also live in Surprise myself. Why you overwhelmed ? Have you worked for anyone cleaning windows and thought you could make the wheel better ? It is one of the easiest businesses to run if you run it right.Overhead is very low. Tools are cheap unless you start getting into the WFP system and the scratch repair systems. Your first day out should cover your tools if you already own a ladder. Website , domain name , business cards , shirts are all very cheap. As far as ADVERTISING … Well that can be as much as you are willing to spend. doing flyers is very cheap if you can do it your self then hand them out and knock on doors. As far as pricing goes on jobs i think your going to have to figure that one on your own since everyone has there own pricing but we are here to help you as much as possible. I have been doing windows for over 20 years and turned it into a full time job 10 years ago. Being your own boss is great but you have to have self discipline. Since you know how the heat gets here you will have to man up and work through it whether cleaning windows or passing out flyers.
As far as $ 1,000.00 to start up you should have plenty but depends on you.
Anyways good luck. feel free to ask if you need any help. I am sure some from AZ that are on here will be willing to help also
You can get a good start for less than $1000. There is a starter kit avail here on the WCR store. That’s about $200. You’ll need a ladder and some basic stuff to get started. That should leave you a few hundred dollars for some mailer or flyers to get your name out there. As you start making $$ you can add to the tool arsenal. As soon as you can you will want to get liability insurance. I pay $55 a month for a million dollar policy. Read all you can here and watch the videos. Ask questions and practice as much as you can on your own windows or windows of neighbors and friends. Good luck, this is the best forum for learning.
Thanks getnbusy
My name is Jason by the way.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your input. It is much appreciated.
I used to be a custom glazier for about 3 yrs and then the economy dumped on us all. My wife and I are expecting our second boy any day now and I am looking for additional work and eventually wanted to go out on my own. I love glass and I think I am fairly good with most aspects as well as cleaning. I have been watching tons of videos on youtube and so far I like the stuff from the Sorbo guy the best. Other than that I am not very familiar with the professional cleaning equipment you pros use. I do have a lot of regular tools and glazing stuff ladders, etc. but no cleaning gear. I have a reliable 09 Silverado looking to put signage on the back window for advertising.
I am still doing research in all the other advertising stuff. But more than anything I need to start making some additional $$$ soon. I currently am a school bus driver in Deer Valley and looking to fill my midday and weekends with work. And I have an open summer since school is seasonal coming up real soon.
How hard is it to clean the windows when its 115 out and direct sun? I see they have a glide type stuff and speed but I would still think it would be hell.
Anyway thanks again and look forward to hearing from you soon
Jason
114th Ave and Bell Rd.
Thanks Phil very much for your input. You guys on here are very helpful. Seems like a tight knit community and an understanding of wanting to do your own thing. I used to install custom glass, windows butt glaze and interior just never had to do the thorough cleaning. The funny thing is I always had the cleanest installs. It must be meant to be!
Thanks again
Jason
Thanks so far its a common reply you guys have been very helpful.
Sorbo is not that well loved here, and WCR sells a fantastic alternative to his products, for the discerning buyer.
Cleaning in direct sun at high temperatures is SUPER cake with a Waterfed Pole and EZ Pure!
Well jason … To clean windows when it is 115 here can be brutal i just use more soap in the water ( thats what helps me ) to help keep the water on longer but you for sure need to have some speed to get it off ! Doing pole work can be really tough at times when the glass is extrememly hot. The videos will give you an idea on how to clean windows but the best way is to practice … practice … practice. I use Sorbo since i have used them for several years and they seem to work great for me.You might want to pick up a few different ones to try out then once you see and feel how they work then you can choose the different sizes as you think you need. Most important is to get all of your ducks in order as far as INS & LIC,
I see you have your business name and that is great… Dont think i have seen that name used around here before or anywhere else on the web. Business license is pretty cheap here and Ins, is pretty cheap but depends on how much coverage you are wanting.
Dont get discouraged at how long a house takes to clean as you are starting out because speed will come within time and your dollar per hour will go up. Just make sure you do a awesome job and look at your surroundings where you are working … Some customers can be pretty picky on how you move things. I always ask new customers if they have anything that is valuable if they would move it ( around or on the inside of windows etc, There is nothing worse than breaking something that has very sentimental value and it cant be replaced and you have to do the job for free so hopefully you are not like a bull in a china cabinet !!!
There will come a time here and there where you will have to replace a screen so make sure when you do a estimate you note all damages
( bent / broken screens , cracked glass , hardwater spots paint / stucco on the glass etc)
How you charge will be entirely up to you whether its by the window , hour , square foot, Everyone has there own method but at the end of the day it comes down to what you actually made per hour. I do not do any store fronts … To me its a waste of time unless you can get a lot in one center but to do a couple at a very low amount its just not worth it. There is a few businesses here that do very well doing store fronts. I do not know if SERVICE 1st is still around here in phoenix but in the 90’s they were killing it here. They had a lot of employees and i think they paid 50% but you had to use your own vehicle and pay your own gas !
If you do not already have shirts or your truck lettered let me know. The two guys that i use are VERY reasonable.
I am sure there will be some other great guys that will chime in to help you out.
shoot me a email and i will shoot you my # to you.
Brien
