What should I check before buying a window cleaning business?

A window cleaning business is a set of routes, a crew and the gear to reach the glass. Two companies can look alike while one runs steady commercial schedules and the other chases one-time home jobs. Your checks should show which kind you are buying, how safely it works, and how much would continue without the current owner.

Route mix and recurring schedules

Ask for a list of customers split between residential, commercial storefront and high-rise work, with how often each is cleaned. Ask how much work comes from recurring schedules and how much from one-off calls. Weather and the time of year also change demand, so ask how the seller handles slow stretches and whether customers sign anything or simply call.

Equipment and vehicles

Inspect the water-fed poles, ladders, lifts and vans, and ask for a list showing age and what each is used for. Check whether any equipment is leased or financed, and ask your lawyer what happens to those agreements in the sale. Ask what the seller would replace in the next year, and what that would involve.

Safety record and insurance history

Work at height carries real risk. Ask for the safety record, training given to staff, and any incidents or insurance claims. Request the claims history from the insurer where you can. Your lawyer and insurance broker can tell you what coverage the company needs and what changes with new ownership.

Crew retention and the owner’s share of the route

Find out which crew members stay and who knows each customer. If the owner cleans many of the windows or holds the key accounts, plan a handover period. Our guide on buying a cleaning business covers the wider questions.