@jeanRio your welcome. I grew up near Orlando until I left at 22. On most days in the rainy season you can set your watch by the rain, so like @apkwindows said you just plan around it. Also, living expenses/real estate is largely better than NJ I believe. I’ve also heard that FL has decided to fully reopen, which would be good for business. Best of luck!
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I hope this doesn’t come off as discouraging, but I just want to give you a realistic outlook. We started our business 5 years ago today in the Orlando area. We’re at a point now that we’re very busy, but it took a couple of years to get to this point. The beginning was really hard. It takes time to learn the market, what works as far as getting work, etc.
Do you have window cleaning experience? Or experience in running a business? Or sales experience?
Also, the cost of living is not exactly cheap here. Just something to keep in mind. So definitely keep doing research as you said you’re doing.
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Why would you move for a few months during winter to make money? It’s gonna cost you more than you realize to set up a temporary work location 100’s of miles away.
Why not diversify your services during the winter? Why not leverage the fact that during the hard winter months a lot of your competitors end up not hacking it and close up shop? Can you score some profitable storefronts?
Or, what about an add on service? Snow removal? Or, even explore the possibility of a profitable side hustle?
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Definitely look at warmer climates if you’re trying to clean windows year round in Jersey.
I’m 15 minutes away from you in Denville, and it entirely falls off shortly after Thanksgiving. It took me years to become established enough to put a truck on part time in February.
There’s always storefront, but that market is already super saturated and demand is down because of COVID and the shutdowns.
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Thanks for the enlightenment brother. I think you got a point, before I make any move, I will study the possibilities unless I decide to move to Florida permanently. I was thinking about Gutter cleaning or Gutter safeguard installation. I do have to explore the possibility of a side hustle. Thanks for the great advice.
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Thanks ChrisTripleC for your input. I know your are, Denville very well. I’m thinking about taking an alternative path while the winter is over. Do you think Gutter cleaning or Gutter guard installation is over saturated in the area? thanks
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Come on down to Florida brother. Set yourself up on either east/west coast where the ocean is (you can live 20-30 miles inland so you aren’t paying the oceanfront taxes…aka WATER AND SAND…) and you can work 365 days a year…well, unless it rains-- which we had about 17 inches of last week lol. People don’t understand how much WORK the ocean creates for window cleaners. Anytime it blows, the salt from the ocean and waves come onto the glass-- I’ve seen it COMPLETELY frost a window over in under 12 hours— and as quick as 30 minutes after I clean I can put my finger on the glass and the salt spray is already returning). It generates work for you. A lot of it.
There is plenty of competition here. But there is plenty of glass out there for everyone. Good luck!!!
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@jeanRio Just be reasonable with your goals-- as someone mentioned above— Rome wasn’t built in a day-- it may take years for you to be a busy business. But there is a market for this trade… It is a niche trade…and to be honest if you can learn OTHER trades (pressure washing, paver sealing, roof cleaning)-- you can combine these together and you CAN generate work year round— IF you can get the customer base that wants that kind of service. I love it here in Florida, I’ve lived here since 1992 moved from Chicago. Cost of living is high here, but I guess that depends on where you are coming from.
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HI Thank you for your sincere advice brother. I’m really thinking about moving down to Florida or maybe do Gutter cleaning or Install Gutter filters? I think there’s a market for the gutter filter in Jersey. Gutter cleaning is ok but it will not last long when all the lives are over, so I thought about installing the filters… I really appreciate your inputs encouraging me to go to Florida… a really self-contented professional and not worried about competition… thanks brother… if you can, let me know what you think about the gutter guard installation idea? I need to start with something I don’t have to invest much as my resources are limited at the moment. again, thank you so much, brother!!!
