Residential window cleaning route

Homeowners, especially in neighborhoods with larger homes, plus landlords and property managers with single-family rentals.

Price per job based on the number and type of panes, often with an add-on for screens and tracks. Regular customers booked twice a year or quarterly give steady repeat work.

• Comfortable on ladders and working at height
• Attention to detail for streak-free results
• Quoting jobs accurately
• Friendly, reliable customer service

• General liability insurance, since broken glass or property damage is a real risk
• Check with your city or county whether you need a local business license
• Ladder safety and falls, especially on second stories; consider training and proper equipment
• Workers' compensation insurance once you hire helpers
• Weather can cancel jobs, so plan for uneven income in winter or rainy seasons

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $400 to $3,000, depending on your equipment, such as ladders, squeegees and scrubbers, and whether you add a water-fed pole. Insurance and training are further costs to consider.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $800 to $4,500, depending on how many customers you build and how often you work. The low end assumes roughly 10 hours a week. Weather can make winter income uneven.

Check with your city or county whether you need a local business license. Also check general liability insurance, since broken glass or damage is a risk, ladder safety and training, and workers' compensation once you hire helpers.