Outsourcing Window Cleaning? Maybe It's Time to Reconsider
There are two ways of increasing your profits as a residential house cleaner—get more clients, or make more on the clients you already have. To maximize your existing contracts, you can offer add-on services, like window cleaning.
Many owners of residential cleaning businesses think window washing is a high-skill project they just can't tackle. Window cleaning makes them think of squeegees and ladders, insurance and injuries. They'd just rather lose out on potential income than take on the perceived liability.
The truth is, however, there are tools on the market that can allow you to quickly and safely clean a home's windows, inside and out.
Big Changes in Window Cleaning
About 15 years ago, the United Kingdom revamped its safety laws to make it basically impossible for workers to be on ladders. This forced manufacturers to rethink window cleaning. The US is beginning to follow Europe's lead. OSHA updated its fall protection regulations (Rule 1910) this year to include stringent safety requirements for ladders.
The solution to the new laws? Manufacturers created water-fed pole systems that don't require a ladder, squeegee, or cleaning solution. A worker stands on the ground and guides an extension pole up the side of a building. Pure water is pumped through the wand to an attached cleaning brush or squeegee, which agitates and scrubs away dirt. Windows are left to dry naturally.
These systems range can be quite small or large truck-mounted versions, and can reach anywhere from one to six stories. Of course as a home cleaning company, you probably don't have any 6-story homes to clean! But you may have a 2-3 story home with different angles, making some of the windows hard to get to.
The goal of the new technology was to get window washers off ladders and rigs. But there's an added benefit. These systems, which require very little training, allow residential cleaners without years of training and experience to clean windows – and do it standing on the ground.
You can purchase a pole for a two-story house for $1,000 or less. The lower costs mean more housecleaning companies can offer windows as an add-on service, and quickly recoup their investment in the equipment.
And the poles are made of durable and lightweight carbon fiber, which makes them easy to handle and less likely to cause injury.
Cleaning Windows is also an Inside Job
Technology has also improved for interior window cleaning. In the past, cleaning windows meant hauling buckets full of water and squeegees around a house. And using ladders to get to higher glass or to reach over furniture. It was a messy and unsafe operation, and one many home cleaning companies opted out of.
Thankfully, manufacturers have addressed these issues with newer interior window cleaning tools. There are extension poles with up to a 36-foot reach, microfiber pads, and pure water systems. All of this adds up to quick and safe cleaning of regular windows or multi-story windows in entries and other grand rooms.
Investing in this type of equipment can allow the owner of a residential cleaning company to quickly train employees on window cleaning and offer the service to clients.
Interior cleaning systems have dropped from about $700 when they were first introduced to less than half that today.
Get Help to Get Started with Window Cleaning
Love the sound of offering window cleaning, but aren't quite sure how to get started? It may be smart to invest in some training. Spending a few hours in a classroom can alleviate your anxiety and eliminate the learning curve.
You can find classes or certifications through the International Window Cleaning Association or request help from a distributor of janitorial cleaning supplies.
Why Add Window Cleaning Services?
Window cleaning is a specialty service that typically comes with a premium price tag. It's best to wash exterior windows two to four times a year—and interior windows at least once or twice a year.
Services are usually priced by the pane (an ordinary double-hung window consists of two panes), with costs averaging $2 to $7 per pane, or hourly. That adds up to about $250-300 for the typical home. Plus, there are upsell opportunities for cleaning window screens.
With multiple clients, that could represent a big boost in revenues.
Plus, adding additional services is important for customer service. It allows you to be a one-stop shop for all of your clients' cleaning needs.
As window cleaning technology continues to mature and become more refined, it will only get easier for residential cleaning companies to offer window cleaning services. This is a great opportunity to increase customer satisfaction while also maximizing the bottom line.
