I have had it with my full time job and am ready to go full-time. My concern is my age. I am 48 years old and wonder if age is going to be a factor, I have been cleaning windows solo for 8 years part time, so I am aware of the degree of labor involved. Is there others that do this work at my age Full-time and do you wonder if 5, 10, 15 years down the road if you can still do it? I know everyones body is different, but just wonder if I missed my opportunity and should just deal with the corporate structured job (which sucks). Thanks.
Why not do it on the side to start off?
i started in 2013 after many years of retail. i turned 65 in feb
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Follow the (healthy) passions, even if it’s just to leave the corporate structure and venture out full time into the wild and illustrious world of window cleaning.
48 is NOT too old and you’re in charge of your physical condition, and also scheduling of physically challenging work. I’m 40 and solo(ish), so if I schedule a hard day Monday, I might think about scheduling the easy stuff Tuesday.
I once worked with a 65 year old who was my favorite. He could go all day. Walk roofs, up and down a ladder, water fed with the best. The thing I noticed and admired was and mainly he just believed he could, so he did.
Whatever is in your control- kindly kick butt and take names. 
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I’m of the opinion that a desk job is more dangerous than window cleaning.
But ask me again in another 15 years 
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There is no reason you can’t do it other than you aren’t healthy enough or physically able to do it. I started 13 years ago at the age of 52, 4 months after I broke my back in a mountain bike crash. For obvious reasons it was a slower start for me than I intended. You can do it.
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Scheduling and tools play a big role, IMHO.
As mentioned above, alternate light and heavy days for recoup time. And take advantage of lightweight WFP for exteriors wherever possible, saves the knees. Interior kit and CF poles for high interior work. Every time you take advantage of a body saving technique or piece of equipment, your adding longevity to the back end of your career.
Just floating around this forum, seems to me plenty of older cleaners out there still able to perform at a high level. The old adage: “Work smarter not harder.”
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Thanks all for the great responses. It is very encouraging and inspiring. I have wanted to do this for a long time, but just couldn’t get myself to do it. I really do have to work smarter and not harder as mentioned above. It definitely makes sense to schedule accordingly to help prevent too much workload at a time and too allow my body to recover. That’s been my problem now. I work 5 days a week in an office and then work every Saturday and Sunday plus do jobs after work. Been doing it like that for years and never really allowed my body to recover. I have daily body aches, might be normal for my age. Hoping to get at least get one day of a week to rest. I am ready!
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I started cleaning windows, for a local cleaning company in 1999 at age 46. Started my own business in 2010. I work full time with one employee. Full time to me is 6-7 hours a day, 8 hours is rare and even though I have worked the last 3 Saturdays, weekend work is not the norm. However epsom salt baths and a chiropractor are the norm. 
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I am 47 years old. I started in 2003. I work 4 days a week. I usually try to take off every Wed. It is nice because you get a break midweek. You can definitely do it!
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love this
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you start figuring out what works for you, jacuzzi, chiro, supplements, better stretching, weights, aerobic, and especially what you eat big time makes a difference, even with the aches.
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I’m 47 and work by myself. I wouldn’t think of going full time. It’s been tough for me and I’m by no means out of shape. The sun kills me. I only do about $10K a year. Just right for me.
I’m 55 , an plan on working through my 60s. I’m just not scheduling big days anymore. I start at 8 , and I’m done before 4 all the time.
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65 in a couple of months. 4 pm is a long day for me. Usually done by 2pm but some jobs are just too big to finish before 4 or 5.
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Yer you don’t have to bust your boiler.
Bit older then you just do what your body allows you to do .
So many great members still killing it. That is awesome! All of your responses have really helped me out. I am going to put a game plan together that makes sense and will allow me to continue on for many years to come. I am just really excited to get started, although may be a little longer as I have a few financial goals to meet. But I have never been more determined to meet those goals. You all are awesome and I love the feedback. Thanks.
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We usually do 4-6 hours a day , 4-5 days a week. I’m trying to do the Wednesday offs but it’s not working , summer is coming and we try and be done by noon. No it’s or buts. what helps me a lot is getting the right amount of sleep . I try and take siestas at least on Wednesdays and Thursday’s just to get me thru week . I need to figure something out , probably not going to do 2 story homes after I’m 50. I’m finding out that 2 story homes and 1st time cleanings are what kicks my butt
Hello I’m 62 I’m full time but I have buildings I clean and I can do floor work… so I don’t do windows only… my motto is multiple streams of income and all of my eggs are never in one basket…
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I would be hard pressed to find enough work without 2 story homes in the mix, and even some 3 story. In my area there are a lot of 2 story that people want cleaned. Single story some feel they can do it themselves. Danged DIY’ers…LOL…Although, adding in gutter cleaning and screen repair does help the ticket on single story or easy reach 2 story.
Gutter whitening too. You can charge $1.50 to $2.00 per linear foot of gutter - either clean out or whiten or both.
Screen repair can run $10 to $20 per screen for mesh and spline, and if you need to replace the frame then tack on another $10 to $20+ depending on size. If you don’t want to get into full on pressure washing you simply add in sidewalks-driveways-decks with a surface cleaner.
