Best Trade to Learn Right Now, From a Window Cleaner
The best trade to learn, from a window cleaner since 1999: real numbers on the cost to start, time to learn and how fast you can earn, plus the hard part.
I have been a window cleaner since 1999, so you know which way I lean. But if you are asking what the best trade to learn is right now, I can give you real numbers for mine: what it costs to start, how long it takes to learn and how fast you can earn. I charge in euros in Vienna, so the earnings here are rounded to dollars.
TL;DR
- Cost to start: my course is $69, or $199 for the certified version. The 5 beginner tools cost $35 to $60.
- Time to learn: 3 to 4 days of practice for solid basics, and about three months full time to feel professional.
- How fast you can earn: I would say about $350 to $450 a day at the beginning, and it builds from there. That depends on your customers.
- The hard part: it is physical, all day, for weeks and months of high season.
Why window cleaning over other trades
The cost to start
You can take my $69 course, or a certified version for $199. It tells you everything I do from start to finish, on many different types of windows. The tools are simple, and I still use almost the same ones I started with in 1999.
The time to learn
You can pick up the movements in hours, and it takes 3 to 4 days of practice before the basics are solid. If you repeat my Mastery Course daily for three months, I would say you will be a professional in that short amount of time.
How fast you can earn
That is up to you, and on how many customers you have. I would say you could earn about $350 to $450 a day at the beginning, and then you build from there.
Do the math. $200 a day is $1,000 a week and $4,000 a month. I think that is very doable, and I am well above it now, after 16 years in Austria.
It comes down to budgeting your time and budgeting your dreams. Calculate how many windows you need, and what your time is worth. If you put in the training at the beginning, you can ask for a higher price. Where a window might earn you $1 to start with, you might be able to charge $5. You are five times more valuable, and it goes from there.
The hardest part nobody warns you about
It is physical. You are moving all day, every day, and you are using your hands. Your hands get tired and your hands get dirty. The hardest part is the physical exertion after weeks and months of high season.
How long it took me to feel professional
About three months full time. I remember it as the moment I got my own work van as an employee. I started to notice my hands, and I realized I could turn these movements into money. The tools are so minimal, and the change you can create is so big.
Where to start
The Skill is $69, and it is where I would start. If you want to try it first, start free with the Manifesto and find out if you like the work.
Related guides
- AI-proof careers: 5 trades that stay human
- High paying jobs without a degree: the honest numbers
- What it costs to start a window cleaning business
- Your first 30 days in a window cleaning business
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding this useful?
What is the best trade to learn right now?
I am a window cleaner, so I would say window cleaning. It is low cost to start, quick to learn compared to most trades, and you can keep it for life. You should weigh that knowing it is my business.
How much does it cost to start learning window cleaning?
My course is $69, or $199 for the certified version. The 5 beginner tools cost $35 to $60.
How long does it take to learn window cleaning?
It takes 3 to 4 days of practice before the basics are solid. For me, it took about three months full time to feel professional.
What is the hardest part of window cleaning?
The physical side. You are moving all day and using your hands, and it builds up over weeks and months of high season.
About the author
Justin Orloff is a professional window cleaner since 1999, based in Vienna, Austria. He created the world's first AR-powered window cleaning training program at orloffs.com.
Cleaning Since 1999, Digitally Made Accessible: My industry insights are 100% human-driven. Because I live with dyslexia, I use AI tools to ensure my master experience since 1999 is polished and readable. To my Editorial Policy
Was this article written by AI?
Yes. AI helps me polish and format my writing because I'm dyslexic. The experience, techniques, and opinions are entirely my own. Full details in my Editorial Policy.