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myHow Much Do Window Cleaners Make?
Window cleaning is a very common and essential trade. Professional window cleaners will work in a range of different settings, from residential homes to busy work offices and large commercial buildings. Window cleaners are very important, and if you're considering working in this field, you may be wondering how much a window cleaner earns. So, how much does a window cleaner make?
Well, the income earned by window cleaners can vary significantly. There are several factors that can affect how much window cleaners earn, including experience, location, employment type and the number of regular clients. These factors all play important roles in determining a window cleaner’s pay.
Employed window cleaners typically enjoy a more stable income. However, those who choose to take the self-employed route have the potential for higher earnings but with fluctuations in client numbers and strategic pricing.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the typical and potential earnings for window cleaners in the UK. Here, we will look at average salaries, the various factors that can influence income, and some practical strategies for boosting earning potential. Take a look at the article below to find out everything you need to know about how much window cleaners earn…
Table of Contents
Average Salary of a Window Cleaner in the UK
Basic Salary Information
So, what is the average salary of a window cleaner? Firstly, it is important to note that window cleaner pay can vary quite a lot. Below is an overview of the average salaries of window cleaners in the UK:
Basic Earnings Breakdown
Hourly Rate
The hourly rate can vary significantly. For employed window cleaners, the range is usually somewhere between £10 to £13 per hour. Self-employed window cleaners can potentially earn significantly more than this. These professionals tend to earn around £20 - £30+ per hour, depending on how efficient they are and their client base.
Daily Rate
For a full day’s work, an employed window cleaner can expect to earn around £80 - £100 per day. Self-employed window cleaners can typically earn around £150 - £250+ per day.
Annual Salary
Employed window cleaners will usually earn around £18,000 to £25,000 per year. More experienced employed window cleaners may earn up to around £32,000 per year. Self-employed window cleaners will typically earn around £20,000 to £40,000 per year. However, more successful businesses can potentially earn more than this.
Entry-Level vs. Experienced Pay
So, how can the pay differ for entry-level window cleaners compared to experienced window cleaners?
Entry-level positions will usually start at the lower end of the hourly and annual salary ranges. As professionals develop their skills and self-employed businesses build their client base, their earnings will increase.
Experienced self-employed window cleaners who have optimised their routes and built strong customer relationships can significantly increase their income.
Table Showing Window Cleaner Salaries
| TYPE OF WINDOW CLEANER | AVERAGE HOURLY RATE | AVERAGE DAILY RATE | AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | £10 - £11 | £70 - £90 | £18,000 - £21,000 |
| Experienced | £12 - £13 | £90 - £100 | £25,000 - £32,000 |
| Self-Employed | £20 - £30+ | £150 - £250+ | £20,000 - £40,000+ |
Employed Window Cleaners
If you are considering employment within the window cleaning sector, you can expect your salary to fall somewhere between £18,000 and £32,000 per year. However, this figure can fluctuate based on several different factors.
Your experience in the field will play a significant role in the salary level. Entry-level positions will usually start at the lower end of the scale. More experienced professionals will earn higher wages overall.
Location can also impact your earnings. Cities and busier areas will typically offer higher salaries than rural areas. Also, larger companies may produce competitive pay and offer some benefits packages.
Employed positions will typically come with several valuable benefits such as paid holidays and pension contributions, and, in some cases, the employer may provide you with a company vehicle.
While employed positions do provide a more stable and predictable income, they do impose a limit on earning potential compared to self-employed window cleaners.
Self-Employed Window Cleaners
Self-employed window cleaners have the freedom to set their own pay rates and build a personalised client base. The earnings for a self-employed window cleaner are directly tied to the number of jobs completed and the prices that they charge for the jobs.
For example, if a self-employed window cleaner was able to complete 10 to 15 residential cleans each day with an average price of £10 - £20 per household, they could generate a substantial income.
With consistent work, the monthly and yearly earnings of a self-employed window cleaner will significantly surpass that of an employed window cleaner. Self-employed window cleaners can earn up to £40,000 or more per year.
There are many advantages of taking the self-employed route, including the potential for higher earnings, the ability to control your own schedule, and the ability to expand your businesses as much as possible. However, there are also some potential drawbacks to being self-employed, including a lack of guaranteed income, the need to manage customer relationships, and the responsibility for handling all of the business expenses, such as equipment maintenance, fuel, and relevant insurances.
Regional Salary Differences
In the window cleaning industry, your location can lead to variations in salary.
London and other areas in the southeast usually have much higher earning opportunities due to the higher cost of living in these areas and the higher number of commercial buildings that require professional window cleaning services. The demand for window cleaners in these areas is usually consistently higher, so professionals can have more competitive pricing structures.
On the other hand, the North and more rural areas may see lower salaries for window cleaners as there are lower living costs and potentially fewer commercial clients. However, the reduced competition in these areas may also present some good opportunities for self-employed window cleaners to establish a more stable client base. However, people in rural areas may need to travel further to find clients than those in busier city areas.
Factors That Affect Window Cleaner Pay
There are several key factors that may influence the earning potential of window cleaners, no matter if they are employed or self-employed. If you are considering a job in this trade, it's important to understand these factors if you want to maximise your income. Take a look at the factors that can affect window cleaner pay below:
Experience & Skills
New window cleaners will usually start at a lower pay scale while they build their client base, build a reputation, and refine their efficiency. As they become more experienced, they will increase their expertise and also increase their speed on the job.
Experienced cleaners will be able to complete more jobs in a day, which will allow them to boost their earnings. Also, more experienced window cleaners can charge higher rates due to their established reputation and more specialised skills. These skills and expertise are often highly valued by existing and potential clients.
Location
Your location will also play a significant role in determining your earning potential. Cities and other busier areas with high populations have a much higher range of potential clients. Also, the presence of more commercial buildings in these areas, such as office buildings and shopping centres, provides more opportunities for higher-paying contracts.
On the other hand, rural areas and more Northern parts of the UK may have lower prices per job. However, the reduced competition in these areas can allow you to establish a more stable client base, which can be very beneficial for sustaining a long-term business.
Residential vs. Commercial Work
Residential window cleaning jobs are usually much smaller jobs than commercial cleaning jobs. Residential cleaning often involves customers who will continue the services on a regular basis – perhaps a bi-weekly or monthly clean on their property. This allows window cleaners to complete multiple jobs each day and build a nice, steady stream of income.
Commercial window cleaning is typically a much larger job involving buildings such as shopping centres, office buildings, and large shops. These jobs will usually offer a higher pay per job – often exceeding £100 per building. However, commercial work often requires the use of specialist equipment such as water-fed poles and ladders, so going into this type of work may require a higher initial investment.
Employment Type
Employed window cleaners will receive a fixed salary, so these professionals will get a stable and predictable income. These professionals will usually work for a cleaning company or a property maintenance company, and they have the benefit of job security and usually several employee benefits. However, their earnings growth is often limited.
Self-employed window cleaners, on the other hand, have the freedom to set their own rates and take on as much or as little work as they want to. However, these professionals will need to work hard to market their business, and it may take some time to build a customer base. Plus, these professionals will also need to cover their own business costs, including purchasing the equipment and materials.
How to Increase Earnings as a Window Cleaner
No matter whether you are an established window cleaner or if you’re looking to join this trade, it’s always good to know the ways in which you can potentially increase your earnings.
There are some things that can make a significant difference, such as expanding your services, increasing work hours, targeting high-value clients, and investing in better equipment. These can all add up to higher earning potential. Take a look at the list below to find out some great ways to increase your earnings as a window cleaner:
Expand Services
Offering additional services can help you significantly increase your income and attract a wider range of customers. Below are some examples of things you can do to expand your business and the potential earnings for these jobs:
- Gutter cleaning - £40 - £80 per job
- Conservatory roof cleaning - £50 - £100 per job
- Solar panel cleaning - £30 £60 per job
Some additional jobs you could consider include pressure washing driveways, cleaning garage doors, or cleaning eaves and soffits. By adding these services, you can offer a comprehensive exterior cleaning solution for your clients.
By diversifying your portfolio, you can tap into several new revenue streams and increase your overall earning potential.
Work More Hours
Working more hours is an easy way to increase your income. Consider taking on some evening or weekend jobs to boost your earnings. Market your business and aim to grow your client list in order to get more jobs.
Target High-Value Clients
You could consider focusing your marketing efforts towards commercial clients with office buildings, shops or hotels as this could lead to higher-paying jobs.
You could also consider offering subscription-style services to your clients, such as monthly contracts for businesses, as this can help you gain a more consistent revenue stream.
Try to build relationships with property management companies and commercial clients, as this can help you potentially gain some higher-paying long-term clients.
Use Better Equipment
It’s a good idea to invest in some newer equipment, especially if you have been using the same equipment for a while or if you don’t have modern equipment. By investing in new or specialised equipment, you may be able to take on larger and more challenging contracts.
Water-fed pole systems are a great example, as these tools allow you to work faster and clean higher windows without needing ladders. This can improve both productivity and safety for the worker.
An initial investment in newer or better equipment can lead to increased jobs and higher earnings in the long term.
Hiring Staff and Expanding a Business
As your business grows, it may be a good idea to consider hiring some staff to help you with the workload. This will allow you to complete more jobs, expand your businesses to multiple areas, and potentially take on larger commercial contracts.
Scaling your business in this way can lead to fast and significant business growth and will lead to increased profits. A well-managed team will be able to take on a larger workload, allowing your business to accept more clients and generate more revenue.
FAQs
How much do self-employed window cleaners make?
Do window cleaners make more money in cities?
How can self-employed window cleaners expand their business?
It's also very important to build a strong brand and reputation. You can do this by creating a professional website, having a social media presence, gaining reviews and client testimonials, and providing excellent customer service. Strategic marketing is also important for attracting new customers. As the business grows, employing additional staff members can allow more jobs to be completed and will allow the business to extend further geographically.
Do I need any qualifications to become a window cleaner in the UK?
Do window cleaners need to have insurance?
Additionally, equipment insurance is a good idea as this will safeguard your valuable tools against cases of damage or theft. Appropriate vehicle insurance is also important if you are using your vehicle for business purposes. Not only is insurance good for your own or your business's financial security, but it also demonstrates professionalism and helps you to build client trust.
