Window Cleaners and Insurance
27 February 2024Window Cleaning Franchise Course
4 March 2024Do window cleaners clean all year round?
The answer is yes to do window cleaners clean all year round. There are many reasons which we have tried to answer below.
Window cleaning is a full time business.
When starting a business in the UK, there’s a lot to think about. Many people wonder if they can make enough money to support their family and lifestyle. For a window cleaner, the initial investment is significant. Here’s a breakdown:
- Van Purchase: You’ll need a suitable van, new or used, costing between £15,000 to £40,000.
- Insurance: Business vehicle insurance can range from £1,000 to £3,000, depending on various factors.
- Cleaning System: A purified water window cleaning system, depending on the brand, is between £5,000 and £15,000.
- Cleaning Tools: Long-reach water fed poles range from £250 to £3,000, while hoses and hose reels add another £350.
- Liability Insurance: Business public and employees liability insurance is between £500 – £1,000.
- Work Gear: Uniform, work boots, and wet weather clothing can cost between £250 – £350.
- Additional Equipment: Ladders, buckets, cloths, safety signs, and other equipment can add a few hundred pounds.
And all this is before even thinking about how to brand and market the business.
Advertising, Marketing and Other Costs
Building a recognisable brand is crucial for a window cleaner. Here are some essential costs:
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- Van Branding: To make the van stand out, branding and signwriting can easily cost £3,000.
- Website Development: Creating a website, whether homemade or professional, may range from £100 to £5,000 based on various factors.
- Advertising Launch: Launching the business includes distributing leaflets to 6,000 homes through Royal Mail, costing £2,000. Additional costs like signs and Facebook marketing might add another £500 – £1,000.
- Software for Rounds: They’ll likely need software to manage their cleaning “rounds,” costing about £350 per year per person.
- Accounting Setup: Setting up an accountant and using accounting software like Xero or Quickbooks could be an additional £200 and more.
These are important investments to ensure visibility, professionalism, and efficient business management.
Window cleaners, like everyone else have overheads to pay.
Window cleaners face ongoing costs to keep their business running smoothly. Here’s a breakdown:
- Vehicle Expenses: This includes servicing, maintenance, tax, and fuel, and it will cost at least £2,000 per year.
- Salary: Window cleaners need a salary to do the work, estimated at £500 – £750 per week. To achieve this profit, they’ll need to clean a substantial number of windows and work long hours.
- Water Costs: Water isn’t free, and a typical window cleaner will use about 500 liters of water per day, costing around £10-£15 per day.And all this is before even thinking about how to brand and market the business.
- Filter Replacement: Occasionally replacing filters to ensure spot-free water adds another £10 or more per week.
- Phone Answering: Customers love to phone us, we therefore need to pay someone to answer the phone as we grow the business. Starting off with a call answering service like office genie costs about £40 per week. As the business grows a full time employee will need to be added at circa £30k per year (and that’s without thinking about office space!)
These ongoing expenses are essential considerations for sustaining a window cleaning business.
Many window cleaners decide to buy into a window cleaning franchise which has additional costs but has a better chance of true success
Window cleaners, like the rest of us need an income all year round.
Considering the year-round expenses, it makes sense for the window cleaning business to offer services consistently. Treating window cleaning as a maintenance service is a smart approach, aiming to keep windows clean permanently. Clean windows not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also contribute to the longevity of the glass. This consistent service model not only benefits the customers by maintaining a clean appearance but also ensures a steady income for the window cleaner, helping them support their family and cover ongoing expenses.
Glass windows keep getting dirty all year round.
The great British weather, with its mix of sunshine, fog, wind, and rain, creates a climate unlike many other countries. Because of this, regular scheduled window cleaning is essential for homeowners and businesses. Leaving a window to get really dirty before cleaning it makes no sense. Windows are designed to let light in and see through. Do window cleaners work all year round? Now you know the answer. Please feel free to ask any questions; we would love to answer them for you.