Setting up a window cleaning business in Canada is not as complicated as you may think. This guide goes through the steps to follow, and what to consider, in order to launch a window cleaning business in Canada.
You don’t need any formal qualifications to clean windows, nor to start a window cleaning business.
You may need to obtain a criminal record check if you’re working in venues hosting children or members of a vulnerable group – for example, schools or special care homes.
Your business type determines how much tax you’ll pay on the money you make and how personally liable you’ll be for business debts.
Here are your main options.
Incorporating is more expensive and complicated to set up. If you’re launching a small window cleaning business, you may not see it as worth the hassle. You could launch as a sole proprietor or partnership, then incorporate later.
Setting up a business bank account is easy — and usually a required first-step for many small businesses. Depending on the bank and business account you require, you can either apply online, in person or over the phone. The process is similar to opening up a regular chequing or savings account, but may require a bit more paperwork — such as business licence or insurance documentation. Compare online business bank accounts below.
Unless you plan to apply for financing, you don’t need to create a business plan for your photography business. But doing so could still be helpful. Laying out your plan clearly will allow you to spot potential obstacles to your success or reasons why you might want to reconsider starting a business or explore other options.
A great photography business plan should include:
Things change quickly in the world of business, so it’s recommended to review and amend your business plan at least once every quarter.
A window cleaning business is one of the quickest and easiest to set up. It’s unlikely you’ll need dedicated commercial premises. Most window cleaners are able to store their equipment at home or in a van.
You’ll also need to build an online presence if you want to be truly successful. This includes a professional-looking website and social media pages. More on this below.
Related: Best business loans in Canada
A business bank account works similar to a personal account – the main difference is that it’s dedicated to your business’s finances. Knowing businesses will need to process frequent deposits in higher amounts than individuals typically deposit, banks often charge a fee per deposit based on the size or type of deposit (cheque, cash etc.).
You should expect similar features to what you’d get with a personal bank account — such as a debit card, the ability to send and receive payments, optional overdraft option, online and mobile banking and more. You may even want to look into accounts that let you earn interest on your balance to help your earnings grow even faster.
On average, window cleaners in Canada charge between $5 and $10 per window pane. For larger jobs, you may wnat to charge a flat rate. Entire residential homes are often quoted at $200-$300, although larges houses could cost as much as $400.
Many window cleaners charge extra fees for add-ons like cleaning screens, sliding glass doors, window sills and tracks. Screens and window sills and tracks could cost less than $1 up to $5 depending on the size (perhaps more if you have to remove deep stains or paint). Sliding glass doors can similarly range from $2-$8 depending on the size and extent of the job. Due to the extra risk involved, the cost of cleaning may increase for higher levels of a house (above a second floor).
Prices don’t have to be completely fixed. You may choose to charge different rates to different customers. After all, the quote you give a customer will depend on a number of factors, including:
This section will cover 3 of the most common methods of marketing a window cleaning business. These are face-to-face, offline and online.
It’s not uncommon for window cleaners to approach homeowners or business managers and market their services face-to-face. This can be a grind that involves a lot of rejection, but it can pay off.
If you (or your employees) have a likeable personality and can develop some basic face-to-face sales skills, you could secure customers by knocking on doors and pitching your services with less effort than it takes to attract them online.
Better yet, there is no upfront cost to this marketing method (other than the cost of travelling from prospect to prospect).
As you’re likely to launch only targeting specific neighbourhoods, this form of marketing may involve creating flyers, leaflets or ads in local newspapers.
You could post these flyers through letterboxes or pin them where customers are likely to see them. This is a low-effort marketing method, but it’ll cost more and it’s easier to ignore than you directly pitching your services in person.
Nowadays, it’s essential to have an online presence. This means creating a website that illustrates your services and is well-optimized for the search terms that potential customers could be inputting. You’ll also want to ensure your business ranks well in tradesmen listings websites. These websites often include customer reviews, so you’ll need to do your bit to encourage customers to leave a favourable rating.
A strong social media presence should also be desirable. Window cleaning isn’t the most exciting business to show off on the likes of Facebook and Instagram, so get creative! This is perhaps another opportunity to use your personality to gain sales.
Not all insurers offer the same options, but you may find the following types of coverage helpful for your window cleaning business:
Some insurance providers offer insurance coverage tailored to your business’s specific needs, so it’s possible to get multiple types of coverage in one policy.
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