How to Calculate Start Up Costs for a Window Washing Business

Starting a window washing business can be lucrative, if you calculate start up costs correctly. Start up costs include everything needed to get the business up and running, including supplies, licenses and equipment. Investments differ for every window washing business, based on the type of clients you have and the size of the operation.

Instructions

1. Research required licenses, including a business license, training and legal fees for setting up your organization, if any. In window washing, most cities require an operator's license at the very least which you can learn more about from City Hall.

2. Estimate initial expenses for equipment including ladders, washing supplies from your distributor, protective gear for high rise locations and trucks to take you from place to place. Get estimates of these costs by finding retailers online or locally for both one time purchases and ongoing supplies.

3. Set up an office or accounting center in your home or place of business. Calculate all expenses for set up, renovation, rent, signage and accounting software. The expenses of establishing an office may not be needed at the beginning of the window washing business, but you need to keep accurate records for taxes and invoicing.

4. Determine what ongoing costs are present in the business such as cleaning supplies and marketing costs. Include rent, utilities, taxes, insurance, payroll and maintenance. For start up costs, you need to know what the first monthly expenses are in particular, yet having funds for the first six months is sometimes necessary.

5. Add initial expenses and ongoing costs to determine the start up costs of the window washing business. Ongoing expenses for the first three to six months should be considered part of the start up costs. Business start up costs are determined based on your individual business costs.