Now that the weather is starting to break across much of the country this is a great time to start to think about making some extra money cleaning windows.
This is an extremely low-cost way to put some serious dollars in your pocket. We’ve done a lot of window cleaning over the years and the majority of it comes in the beginning part of the spring season.
With that said you can make money off window cleaning as long as the weather is nice, it’s just that people starting thinking about it as soon as the weather gets warmer. My personal philosophy is to be the first person out there as far as promoting window washing services.
I don’t want the competition to get any kind of foothold in my service area. This approach has yielded some really profitable jobs, some well over a thousand bucks. Most however will run in the several hundred-dollar range depending upon the neighborhood you market to.
If you are new to this line of work then target single story homes, as they are some of the easiest accounts to work. No ladders make for a much quicker job! I would also target areas that are more upscale, as they will give you the best results. If you already have accounts, then market to them too (both residential and commercial).
I’ll cut to the chase and talk about the flyer below. I just created this one and to make the most of it you’ll have to make some edits, such as changing your name and phone number. Needless to say whatever else on the flyer that doesn’t match up with your company’s image will need changing too.
Window Washing Flyer Example
As you can see the flyer above is pretty simple and to the point. It tries to get their attention to start, then quickly tells them about who you are and how you can help them. It’s not flashy, it doesn’t have any graphics but it does sum up what you do and how you are different from the competition. I made it generic, so it’ll work for residential and commercial type work.
Window Washing Flyer Downloads
As always, I’ll be making these available in two different formats. The first is in OpenOffice format and the second is in PDF format. Make use of them as you see fit and report back with any success you had using them.
Window Washing Flyer OpenOffice Version – Click Here For Download Page (LOOK FOR FILE #8A)
Window Washing Flyer PDF Version – Click Here For Download Page (LOOK FOR FILE #8B)
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Awesome.. thank you for sharing. Differently will help and a huge way to get some more Business 🙂
Hi Kelly! Thanks for commenting and keep us posted.
as always Tom Is a true genius,
Thanks Tom & Sue for making this a grate web page of knowledge!
Hi Francisco! Where have you been? (and thanks for commenting).
Thanks Tom
what about quoting for cleaning ground level windows, is there a system to quoting.Cherie
Thanks for the upload – it’s always great to see good examples of leaflets and flyers. I’m always keeping the one’s we get through our letterbox (UK) and they make a great reference set.
Thanks
Hi Cherie! We’re going to be doing a post on that down the road, so stay tuned. What I will say is that it’s mainly based upon TIME SPENT. Clean a few windows in your home and see how long it takes, then work a number from there.
EXAMPLE: For instance if you can clean 6 tilt in style ground floor windows per hour (inside and out) now you have a BASELINE reference point. So if you had 18 windows, that would take 3 hours. If you charged 50 an hour you got 150 buck quote (avoid telling people the “per hour” rate. Just give the final price).
Keep in mind that all windows are not created equal. Tilt in windows are easy. But many people don’t have them! Some even have storm windows too. Then you need to factor in some people BLOCK the window with furniture making it tough to get to. Other have funky window coverings you need to work around.
Then if have to clean the outside of the window you may have to dodge shrubs, trees, bushes, bee hives, rocky uneven surfaces plus who knows what else. What I’m saying is “you need to factor all that in”. No two jobs are created equal!
Hi James! I’m happy to help! And your approach is a good one. I always keep the flyers others send me too (the good ones, so I can gain some inspiration for creating my own).
Thank you Tom for your guidance I guess as you say
‘always do an inspection before you quote’ NO over the phone quotes.
Well I’m heading down to a friends shop to do his windows and to time myself for a guild and I might just get some other work from it. I have my uniform on with some flyers in hand. Ta
Hi Cherie! Good luck with that. Keep us posted.
Hi Tom, Is it ok to ask what a account paid for the last cleaning service they had before I place a bid on it?
Hi Ron! I think it’s a good idea. I always ask. Sometimes they tell you, sometimes they don’t.
Im thinking about purchasing your commercial e book- does it have any information in the book on how to work with real estate? Ive been doing move outs and move ins through another cleaning company part time. Ive been listening to you and reading information sent. Its helped me make baby steps . thank you Linda Wallis
Hi Linda! I do cover that, not sure of the exact detail, but I know I do (plus you can always touch base if you have a question after purchase). The course will be a HUGE help if you are just getting started. Lots of info that most overlook.
Hello Tom, I was wondering what would be the best way to jump in and get started on window washing. I have the tools. Should we just go to each business and tell them we are having a promotion or ask if they need the service? Or should we simply place flyers and wait for the business to come; with regular marketing of course?
Thanks for all of you help!
Hi Charmaine! Do both would be my opinion. The “business to business” route is great for a few reasons. You learn some good sales skills plus you’ll drum up business. When you do just have some good business cards made up and if you had a good flyer use that.
DON’T EXPECT people to sign up on the spot! You may get some, but most of this is really an AWARENESS campaign. People won’t rush right in and have you do something right then and there, instead they will take your info and call you later if they are interested. So keep it BRIEF when you stop in!
And YES… stay in front of people with the marketing. Like I always say, “act like the big credit card companies do”. They stay in your face with offers every 4 – 6 weeks and they NEVER give up. Sooner or later we all GIVE IN!