I've officially given up window cleaning...sort of.

[Hodge]

I finally decided that I can't make a decent profit from window cleaning. Or, I'm at least frustrated by the drop in profit from cleaning carpet. So, while I've stopped cleaning windows, I'm going to increase my marketing and rely on a friend to sub them out to. I think I'll be much happier this way.

[Matt Strader]

Have you thought about just charging more? Even if most people say no, you still might get a few that say yes and will pay the profits you are looking for. It could bring in a whole new clientele for you.

[Jason Whaley]

I stopped offering it years back too. Once you make $100.00 - $200.00 an hour the $50.00 an hour just seems like a waste of time!

Not to mention what happens when you take a fall off the 40 foot extension ladder.....

[Lance Golden]

Have you thought about just charging more? Even if most people say no, you still might get a few that say yes and will pay the profits you are looking for. It could bring in a whole new clientele for you.

Excellent advice Matt... As with any "new" venture, it is not just a curve to learn, but a curve to become efficient. Then the $$$ per hour begins to show... Lets face it, not everyone can be a window cleaner, it is an art.

I stopped offering it years back too. Once you make $100.00 - $200.00 an hour the $50.00 an hour just seems like a waste of time! 3 words Jason... water fed pole

Not to mention what happens when you take a fall off the 40 foot extension ladder.....

3 words Jason.... Water fed pole

[Jason Whaley]

We used those at Service Master years back on large commercials. They were cool!

[Lance Golden]

We used those at Service Master years back on large commercials. They were cool!

Oh yea.... scrub, rinse, and walk away. No soap either. unless the screens need to be removed from the outside... no need for ladders. And I bet the poles today weigh less than 1/2 of what you probably used then.

[Jason Whaley]

No joke! Those things were so heavy. It was a machine mounted in a trailer with many different poles.

How is it done today?

What type of equipment do you need to run the poles?

I thought I remember having spotting issues on the windows but I can't remember. It was 15 or more years ago! I could see making some good cash by using them.

[Matt Strader]

I have a friend that does window washing. I've seen him do it and I see all the dirty water fall on the exterior of the building. Sometimes it gross.
I have read about these water fed poles. Is there a product that will allow you to hook up your vacuum to the poll so you don't have to worry about the dirty water on the exterior of the building? It would be a great USP....

[Lance Golden]

[QUOTE=Jason Whaley;90398]No joke! Those things were so heavy. It was a machine mounted in a trailer with many different poles.[QUOTE]

I would guess the original "Tucker Poles", which may as well be made out iron.

How is it done today?

The same as it was 20-25 years ago, just the tools have "evolved" I.E. better brushes, lighter weight materials for the poles.

What type of equipment do you need to run the poles?

once you have the Pure Water... a sureflo 1.5 gpm demand pump is good enough

I thought I remember having spotting issues on the windows but I can't remember. It was 15 or more years ago! I could see making some good cash by using them.

If you were having "spotting issues", more than likely your your TDS levels were too high.... in "most" cases, you can get away with up to a 015 TDS reading, before "visable spotting" begins to show up on glass.

http://www.purerinse.com
http://www.jracenstein.com/store/ite...&Cc=00037Ergo3

[Lance Golden]

I have a friend that does window washing. I've seen him do it and I see all the dirty water fall on the exterior of the building. Sometimes it gross.
I have read about these water fed poles. Is there a product that will allow you to hook up your vacuum to the poll so you don't have to worry about the dirty water on the exterior of the building? It would be a great USP....

What is worse, is what comes off of the glass INSIDE.... ALWAYS dirtier than the outsides!
No tool that I know of ....yet.

[Matt Strader]

So lets get together

[Jarrod E]

i have always thought that window cleaning is a bonus for your CC business, window cleaning relies on 99% labor an 1% products, its very cheap to start up and is definitely something you can incorporate to a cc business when doing end of lease cleans, I don't see how i will ever give up a service that cost me 300 dollars to start up.

[jwhatley]

I agree with a few post above.

Charge more and be willing to win some and willing to loss the "no money anyway jobs"

The cost to run is much lower than CC. So the needed income per hour is less. But profits could be high as well.

But you could still do well to sub them out - maybe !? If you are very busy in the CC - then yes maybe letting someoen else do it and you make $$$. Some CC do this for carpet repair.

[Kev Berry]

I did window cleaning i the 80's to mid 90's in Orange County Ca. I could never make much out of residential, but commercial was great. Tucker poles are great tools, 8 hors a day doing two and three story windows keeps you in shape.

[LArugcleaning]

I finally decided that I can't make a decent profit from window cleaning. Or, I'm at least frustrated by the drop in profit from cleaning carpet. So, while I've stopped cleaning windows, I'm going to increase my marketing and rely on a friend to sub them out to. I think I'll be much happier this way.

if you think you be better of that way then good luck to your chosen endeavor..
anyway, you can still go back to window cleaning if you decide to,

[one fat windowcleaner]

I did window cleaning i the 80's to mid 90's in Orange County Ca. I could never make much out of residential, but commercial was great. Tucker poles are great tools, 8 hors a day doing two and three story windows keeps you in shape.

Hey Kev,

Most of the money today is in Residential. Every tom, dick and LANCE it seems, is now a "professional" window cleaner since the economy has crapped out. We run about 85% residential and 15% commercial work. I would think that residential windows would be a great add on since the client already trusts you, is familiar with you, and heck your there already! People are looking for convience today and thats what you can give them with window cleaning. Like Lance will tell ya, dont be afraid to charge what you are worth. This isnt a charity gig last time i checked. I am looking to give my clients to total package. Windows, powerwashing, gutter cleaning, and now i am looking into carpet, tile and grout cleaning. The more services i can give to my clients, the happier they are. Ever try to keep a happy lady quiet? Cant be done. They tell everyone! PAID!

[Lance Golden]

Hey Kev,

Most of the money today is in Residential. Every tom, dick and LANCE it seems, is now a "professional" window cleaner since the economy has crapped out. We run about 85% residential and 15% commercial work. I would think that residential windows would be a great add on since the client already trusts you, is familiar with you, and heck your there already! People are looking for convience today and thats what you can give them with window cleaning. Like Lance will tell ya, dont be afraid to charge what you are worth. This isnt a charity gig last time i checked. I am looking to give my clients to total package. Windows, powerwashing, gutter cleaning, and now i am looking into carpet, tile and grout cleaning. The more services i can give to my clients, the happier they are. Ever try to keep a happy lady quiet? Cant be done. They tell everyone! PAID!

Well said Jake, "Ever try to keep a happy lady quiet? Cant be done. They tell everyone! PAID!"

The BEST advertising available!
Seems what a lot of guys don't get, utilize the invaluable database you already own. Learn a diversified cleaning skill and put it to work.So they DON'T go looking for another Carpet Cleaner that also does window cleaning.

[Rob Allen]

Great points guys!

[Kev Berry]

Hey Jacob
Im just getting started in CC so I may add window cleaning as well. When I was doing window cleaning I found commercial work great. Two story windows were best, tucker pole and DI water. Eventually moved into multi story jobs. I did the Playboy building when it was on Sunset BLVD, and put Dan Acroyd on the outside of a building in the movie "Sneakers" . At one time I was the only company allowed to do the J. Paul Ghetty museum in Malibu.
Great fun!!

[one fat windowcleaner]

Hey Jacob
Im just getting started in CC so I may add window cleaning as well. When I was doing window cleaning I found commercial work great. Two story windows were best, tucker pole and DI water. Eventually moved into multi story jobs. I did the Playboy building when it was on Sunset BLVD, and put Dan Acroyd on the outside of a building in the movie "Sneakers" . At one time I was the only company allowed to do the J. Paul Ghetty museum in Malibu.
Great fun!!

Times have changed my man, times have changed for sure. VIP jobs are always fun! I am willing to come on any cool VIP window cleaning jobs u need help on! lol