I use a 4 gallon backpack garden sprayer that works well. If I am quick on the valve I can go for about 25 windows before I have to refill. It’s just really hard on the shoulders/back to be using a pole and having the weight on as well.

I think I did it all for under $40.00. I just went to The Home Depot and got a pump up backpack garden sprayer. I had to spend a little time in the fittings department, but I found it all there.

Matt Blankman
Window Pro Inc - Omaha, NE

I use mine year round, but my DI is in the basement. I fill tanks in the van and take the water to the job. You will want to wrap your system with insulation. Also get an air tank and blow all the water out of lines. You do not want any lines or fittings to freeze overnight. You might want to put some type of portable heater in your garage, or in your van.

John Lee
John Lee Window Cleaning - Smoky Mountains, TN

You can clean in marginally freezing daytime temps, because the building heat will keep water from freezing on the glass. And sunny weather helps. But it's hard to guess whether it will get cold enough at night to ruin hoses, fittings or filter cartridges, so you need to be smart about that. Drain everything that can freeze, or run a heater. In the north, it keeps getting colder at night. You'll know when to pack it in for good; when it's no longer worth the hassle of draining or heating your system every night, or when your customers have turned off all their outside hose bibs.

Gary Mauer
Window Cleaning Network - Oconomowoc, WI

A book keeper is someone, generally not college degreed, who understands basic double entry accounting and can maintain the accounting records of your business using a chart of accounts either prepared by him or her or by an accountant. A book keeper is capable of paying your bills, managing your accounts receivable and accounts payable, making deposits, reconciling accounts, and sometimes processing your payroll and payroll taxes. An accountant is almost always college degreed, and a CPA is an accountant who has passed rigorous tests and has "hands on" practical experience in the field. A CPA can do everything a book keeper can do plus provide guidance and advice in such areas as making acquisitions, creating a business that could be sold at a profit if and when you would decide to leave the trade, help you plan for your retirement, assist in developing a strategic plan for your business, prepare your annual tax returns, income tax planning, process your payroll and handle payroll taxes, etc. You would benefit most from a CPA who specializes in small business accounts.

A CPA may charge twice per hour or more than a book keeper would charge. A good CPA could teach you fairly quickly to keep your own set of books if you would choose to do so.

Wise small business owners include a competent CPA on their team of advisors which usually also includes an attorney, a small business insurance specialist, and a banker at a minimum.

Doug Miller
ClearPro Window Cleaning - Phoenix, AZ

Microfiber cloths & deionized water. One damp cloth, one dry. Easy, safe, effective, and cheap. I do not recommend getting any of the metal wet. Most light fixtures have a clear coat over the metal (brightwork) and over time, microscopic cracks can form. Introducing liquid to this equation can cause irreparable damage to the brightwork, tarnishing, etc. We dry dust all metal with a treated dust cloth first, then concentrate on the glass/crystal/bulbs. I recommend taking a lot of pictures, not just for your brag book, but in case you have to dis-assemble anything.

How many hours do you think it will take? At my 85.00 per hour on "easy" fixtures, your $4,000 would give you 47 hours to do them. Divide that by 2 guys. Some fixtures need a "catcher" under them, and the catcher swaps out with the cleaner to reduce fatigue.

Jeff Klass
First Klass Window Cleaning Inc - West Allis, WI

I'm wondering, what type of treated cloth do you use on the metal?

Chris Hulme
ClearView Industries, Inc - Santa Barbara, CA

I've had excellent results with Ritz branded dust cloths.

Larry Laczko
Best Window Cleaning Service - Paradise, CA

I would think that if you signed a no-compete agreement you should live up to your end of the agreement that you signed. If you have hired or plan on hiring employees you are going to expect them to abide by the written agreements you make with them.

Geoff Shaule
G&S Window Washing, Inc – Troy, MI

I agree, however there are situations of employment that one can be deceived or even cheated by an employer. That makes such an agreement a breach of contract. (Pay cash, send a 1099 like your are a sub, no mileage when promised mileage for your own auto, ext.)

Mark S. Reinhart
Award Window Cleaning Services, Inc - Grand Rapids, MI

A lawyer needs to look at the non-compete. My lawyers taught me that a non-compete is only good if it was signed before the employee started, or if the employee received some type of additional compensation for signing. An example would be if you are being promoted and have additional pay and responsibilities.

If they signed during employment, they signed under duress and the document is worthless. Companies force employees to do many unfair things. A non-compete for a manager, supervisor or someone who has confidential knowledge about your operation, these hold up in court. Most non-competes are too broad and will not hold water. You can not stop a window cleaner from leaving you and going to another company; this is restraint of trade and the courts have ruled against this time and again.

Ron Friman
Expert Window Cleaning - Round Lake Beach, IL

The right thing to do would be to go to the company that you signed that agreement with and see if there's any way you can work out an arrangement. That's what you did when you signed the agreement - that's what you need to do to try to work around it. If anything you are doing is felt to impede on that previous employer, even if you don't necessarily agree, you have given your word - what do you want that to be worth?

Paul Gaston
Leo's Window Cleaning - North Texas

I know I’ve tried to help former employees when they’ve kept their word. You just never know how and when, but good things happen when you are a person of integrity

You can keep your word AND go in business by:
a.) Moving.
b.) Driving to your work, (since non-competes must be a reasonable area),
c.) Call or visit to your previous employer, let him know that you do not intend to go after his work, and try to work it out so everyone is happy. For example, suggest you do residential if he is a route company.

Lianne Miller
Great Lakes Window Cleaning - Lansing, MI