How to Start a Window Cleaning Business in the UK

Window cleaning is one of the most straightforward businesses to start in the UK. Low startup costs, regular repeat customers, and the ability to scale at your own pace make it an attractive option for anyone looking for self-employment.

Do You Need a Licence?

No national licence is required for window cleaning. However:

• Some local authorities require you to notify them or obtain a street trading consent if you canvass door-to-door
• If you clean windows above a certain height, you need to comply with the Working at Height Regulations 2005
• Water-fed pole systems (WFP) have largely replaced ladders for residential work, reducing working at height risks

Qualifications and Training

No mandatory qualifications, but useful training includes:

• Working at height training — essential if using ladders
• Water-fed pole training — the industry standard for most residential work
• Health and safety awareness
• Federation of Window Cleaners membership — provides training, insurance, and professional recognition

Sole Trader or Limited Company?

Sole trader is the right choice for almost all window cleaners. Simple, low-cost, and perfectly suited to the business model.

Registering with HMRC

Register for Self Assessment within three months. VAT at £90,000 turnover — some busy window cleaning businesses with commercial contracts can reach this.

Insurance

• Public liability — essential. Covers damage to property (broken windows, water damage) and injury to third parties. Minimum £1 million.
• Employers' liability — if you employ anyone
• Vehicle insurance — commercial cover for your van
• Equipment — water-fed pole systems, pressure washers, ladders
• Personal accident — covers income loss from injury

Specialist window cleaning insurance costs £150–£400 per year.

Startup Equipment

• Water-fed pole system — £500–£3,000 for a good system (pole, brush, controller)
• Pure water system — RO/DI filtration unit, either mounted in a van or portable (£500–£2,000)
• Squeegees, scrapers, and traditional tools — for internal cleaning
• Ladders — if needed (increasingly less common)
• Van — for transporting equipment and water
• Bucket, cloths, and chemicals

Total startup costs: £2,000–£8,000 depending on the system you choose.

Claimable Expenses

• Equipment — water-fed poles, pumps, filtration systems, squeegees, scrapers
• Vehicle costs — fuel, insurance, maintenance, or 45p per mile
• Water costs — if you pay for water supply for your pure water system
• Cleaning products — detergents, glass cleaners, chemicals
• Replacement parts — brushes, filters, hoses, jets
• Insurance premiums
• Marketing — business cards, flyers, van livery, website
• Uniform and workwear
• Phone
• Booking and route software — apps for scheduling rounds
• Federation of Window Cleaners membership
• Home office costs — for admin and scheduling
• Accountancy fees

Accounted handles your expense tracking and categorisation automatically.

Pricing

• Residential (standard 3-bed house) — £10–£25 per clean
• Residential (larger properties) — £25–£50+
• Conservatory roofs — £30–£60
• Commercial — priced per window, per hour, or per contract
• Frequency — most residential customers are cleaned every 4–8 weeks

A full round of 20–30 houses per day at £15 average generates £300–£450 per day. Build your round gradually and aim for regular repeat customers.

Industry-Specific Tax Tips

Cash Business

Many window cleaning customers pay in cash. Record every payment — HMRC expects complete records. Encourage bank transfers or card payments (portable card machines are cheap and convenient).

Round Purchase

If you buy an existing round from another window cleaner, the purchase price is capital expenditure. You cannot deduct it from your profits as an expense, but it may qualify for capital allowances as goodwill (limited circumstances).

Regular Income

Window cleaning provides unusually predictable income because most customers are on regular schedules. This makes budgeting for tax straightforward.

Building Your Round

• Door-to-door canvassing — still the most effective method
• Leaflet drops — target specific streets and estates
• Facebook local groups — post your services
• Google My Business — for local search
• Word of mouth — quality and reliability build referrals
• Nextdoor — community recommendation platform
• Commercial contracts — offices, shops, restaurants

Bookkeeping Tips

• Separate business and personal finances
• Record every payment — cash and bank transfer
• Track customer numbers and round value
• Keep equipment purchase receipts
• Set aside 25–30% of profits for tax

Accounted connects to your bank and categorises transactions with AI. Built for UK sole traders.

Key Deadlines

• 31 January — Self Assessment and payment
• 31 July — second payment on account
• Quarterly — VAT returns if registered

Getting Started

Window cleaning is one of the simplest businesses to start with one of the most reliable income models. Get equipped, register with HMRC, and build your round steadily.

Ready to see your finances clearly? Sign up for Accounted and let Penny handle the bookkeeping while you build your round.