A typical window cleaning business in the US and Canada that's still open after three years brings in $8.1k a month ($97.7k a year) and keeps about $26 of every $100. That leaves about $25.4k a year.
The top 10% make more than $21.3k a month. The bottom 10% make under $3.1k.
Thinking of starting a window cleaning business?
- Typical cost to start
- $2.4k
- Still open after 3 years
- 66%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $1,900 | $3,400 | $6,300 | $10,800 |
| Year 3 | $4,900 | $8,100 | $13,500 | $21,300 |
| Year 5 | $6,200 | $10,600 | $18,200 | $29,500 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $2,400.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Water-fed pole & pure-water unit | $1,100 |
| Ladders, squeegees & PPE | $300 |
| Insurance (first year) | $400 |
| Leaflets & signage | $300 |
| Software & payments | $100 |
| Vehicle kit | $200 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
66% are still trading after three years, and 55% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Moved customers to direct debit in the first year
- Built rounds densely, under 10 minutes between jobs
- Added gutter and fascia cleaning to raise the average job
How to start one, step by step
Verified window cleaning businesses on HumDays
How Brightside Window Cleaning grew to 1,900 customers on dense rounds and direct debits
Brightside grew from 41 customers to about 1,900 homes and 60 commercial sites by keeping rounds dense, billing everyone by direct debit and adding commercial contracts to cover the winter. Revenue is up 20% on last year.
Pane Street Windows Sheffield
“Every customer pays by direct debit. The van could run the round without me by now.”
Saltwater Window Cleaning
“Salt spray means every beachside house wants us monthly, not quarterly.”
Questions people ask
Is a window cleaning business profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical window cleaning business in the US and Canada keeps about $26 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $25.4k a year. 34% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a window cleaning business?
The typical cost to start is $2.4k. The biggest items are water-fed pole & pure-water unit and ladders, squeegees & ppe.
How long until a window cleaning business makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 3 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do window cleaning businesses fail?
The most common reason owners give is “owner burnout or injury” (31% of closures), followed by “couldn't find reliable staff” (24%).
Is a window cleaning business seasonal?
Busiest April–September. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask window cleaning owners
About 600 regular houses on a 4-week cycle got me to a full-time wage. How close they are matters more than how many: I only take new customers on streets where I already have three.
I went full-time at about 450, but most of mine are big detached houses with conservatories, so each visit pays more.
Yes. I bought a second-hand system in my first month. No ladders for most jobs, and you can do frames and sills on the same visit.
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