Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can start a automated window cleaning business.

Windows Mastered

Clear View Cashflow: How to Start a Hands-Off Window Cleaning Business

Build a simple service business, automate the labor, and earn $5K–$10K+ per month without picking up a squeegee.

Window cleaning might sound old-school… until you realize it’s one of the most profitable, low-overhead, easy-to-automate service businesses you can start today.

It requires minimal startup money, doesn’t need special certifications, and—most importantly—you don’t actually have to do the cleaning yourself. With the right systems, you can run the entire operation hands-off while crews work for you and automated software books jobs in the background.

If you’re looking for a business that’s low-risk, high-margin, and easy to scale, this may be the smartest play you ever make.

Here’s your step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Understand the Window Cleaning Business Model

A window cleaning business is simple and powerful:

1. Customers need clean windows (homeowners, businesses, storefronts).

2. You send a crew to clean the windows.

3. You earn the difference between what clients pay and what cleaners are paid.

The model works because:

• Demand is constant

• Jobs repeat every 2–12 weeks

• Homeowners and commercial clients both need ongoing service

• Labor is easy to train and outsource

It's a perfect hands-off model once you build the right system.

Step 2: Decide Your Business Type

You can choose between:

Residential Window Cleaning

• Houses, condos, apartments

• Average job: $120–$350

• Higher tips

• Less equipment required

Commercial Window Cleaning

• Storefronts, offices, gyms, restaurants

• Monthly or weekly recurring contracts

• Average job: $50–$300 per visit

• Easy to scale

• Predictable cashflow

Start with residential for fast cash, but build toward commercial for long-term, low-effort income.

Step 3: Register Your Business & Get Insurance

This business requires minimal paperwork:

• Register an LLC

• Get window cleaning liability insurance (usually $30–$60/month)

• Open a business bank account

• Create professional invoicing templates

This protects you legally and looks more credible to customers.

Step 4: Build Your Cleaning Team (So You Don’t Clean Yourself)

To make this hands-off, you will need reliable workers.

Your options:

Option A: Hire Employees

Pros: Long-term dependability
Cons: More paperwork

Option B: Use Independent Contractors

Pros: Simplest, cheapest way to start (no payroll needed)
Cons: Must ensure quality training

Find contractors through:

• Facebook Groups

• Craigslist

• Indeed

• Local gig workers

• People with construction or cleaning experience

Pay workers 30–50% of each job, keeping the rest as profit.

Step 5: Train Your Team Quickly

Window cleaning is easy to teach. Training can take 1–2 days, covering:

• Safety

• Ladder handling

• Proper squeegee technique

• Streak-free cleaning methods

• Customer service skills

• Uniform and professionalism

You can even send workers free YouTube tutorials and give them a practice day on your home or office windows.

Step 6: Get the Right Equipment

Good tools make your workers more efficient.

Essential Gear:

• High-quality squeegees

• Extension poles

• Buckets and holsters

• Microfiber cloths

• Eco-friendly cleaning solutions

• Shoes with good grips

• Ladders (16ft–24ft)

• Water-fed pole system (optional but powerful)

Advanced Gear for Faster Scaling:

• Portable water purification system

• Electric water-fed pole (for 3+ story buildings)

• Branded uniforms

Total startup cost: $300–$1,500 max.

Step 7: Build a Simple Online Presence

You don’t need a fancy website—just be findable.

Create:

• A Google Business Profile

• A Facebook Page

• A simple landing page (use Wix, Squarespace, or Carrd)

• Professional email + phone number

• Before/after photos

• Online booking form

Your website should highlight:

• Pricing

• Service areas

• Photos

• Reviews

• Contact form

Once you're online, customers will come to you.

Step 8: Get Clients FAST

Here are the easiest ways to get your first customers quickly:

• Post on local Facebook groups

• Run a $10–$20/day Facebook ad

• Distribute flyers in higher-income neighborhoods

• Offer a first-time discount

• Drop in to storefronts and introduce your service

• Partner with realtors and property managers

• List on Thumbtack, Angi, Yelp, and TaskRabbit

You can land clients within 48 hours using these.

Step 9: Systemize the Business So It's Hands-Off

Now the fun part — automation.

Automated Tools You Should Use

• Jobber or Housecall Pro – Scheduling, bookings, invoicing, payment processing

• Calendly – Automated appointment setting

• Zapier – Automate notifications and follow-ups

• QuickBooks – Accounting and tax tracking

• Google Voice – Business phone number

These tools allow your entire operation to run with minimal input from you.

Step 10: Hire a Sales/Outreach Team to Grow Revenue Automatically

This is where you scale BIG.

Your sales team can:

• Call nearby businesses to offer window cleaning

• Email property managers

• Follow up with leads

• Upsell recurring cleaning packages

• Secure storefront contracts

Start with one commission-based salesperson so you only pay for results.
Eventually build a small automated sales team so you can land multiple contracts per week without lifting a finger.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

Window cleaning profits are strong and consistent:

Small Operation (Hands-Off Beginner):

• 3–4 jobs per day

• $150 average job price

• ~$450–$600/day revenue

• ~$5,000–$8,000/month with a small team

Growing Operation (Residential + Commercial):

• 10–15 recurring business clients

• 5+ residential jobs per day

• $10,000–$20,000/month

Scaled Operation (Fully Automated):

• Multiple crews working daily

• High-rise or large commercial clients

• $20,000–$50,000+/month possible

Requirements to Start

• $300–$1,500 startup budget

• Smartphone and basic software

• Workers or contractors

• Liability insurance

• Simple website and Google listing

• Basic organizational skills

Pros

• Low startup cost

• Fast to scale

• High demand all year

• Recurring clients

• Easy to automate

• Minimal skill required

Cons

• Weather can affect outdoor work

• Managing workers requires trust

• Some clients need urgent service

• Competition exists—but branding solves this

Summary: How to Grow a Hands-Off Window Cleaning Business

1. Start small with basic supplies and a couple of workers.

2. Build a simple online presence and offer competitive pricing.

3. Use management software to automate scheduling, payments, and reminders.

4. Hire reliable contractors and train them quickly.

5. Add a sales team to outreach to businesses and secure recurring clients.

6. Reinvest into equipment, uniforms, and marketing.

7. Scale to multiple crews and let the business run without you.

With the right systems, a window cleaning business becomes predictable, profitable, and nearly fully automated, giving you both financial freedom and time freedom.

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That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

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