Plumber or Window Cleaner? How to Pick a Trade
Plumber or window cleaner? An honest comparison of years to learn, cost to start and first paid job, including who should choose plumbing over my trade.
If you are trying to pick a trade, you may be asking: plumber or window cleaner? I respect plumbers. I also think window cleaning is the option most people never consider. Here is my honest comparison, including who should choose plumbing. I charge in euros in Vienna, so the figures here are rounded to dollars, and the plumbing ones are my own estimates.
TL;DR
- Time to learn: years for a plumber, weeks to months for a window cleaner.
- Tools: I think a plumber needs about $6,000 to $23,000 to set up. The 5 beginner window cleaning tools cost $35 to $60.
- First paid job: window cleaning is quicker to find, because almost everyone has dirty windows.
- Choose plumbing if you have a plumber in the family, or if pipes and those tools really interest you.
What a plumber I know says about the work
I know a couple of plumbers. One is a local plumber here who is doing very well. That plumber had to learn the language first, then did a three-year apprenticeship, and collected the tools along the way. Plumbers need quite a collection to cover everything from the old pipes to the new ones, and they have to keep up to date.
After those three years, I think you still need many more on the job to cover all the different parts of plumbing.
On the body, I think the up and down, the in and out and the dirt are more tiring than window cleaning. My plumber friend is still fit and strong, but I know there are hard days. It is tough on the body, and I will be honest, so is window cleaning in high season.
Plumber or window cleaner: the honest comparison
- Years of learning. Plumber: a three-year apprenticeship, then years on the job. Window cleaner: weeks to months.
- Cost to start. I think the tools are the biggest hurdle for a plumber, about $6,000 to $23,000, not including a car. The window cleaning basics are 5 tools for $35 to $60. After 27 years I have maybe $8,000 to $9,000 of tools covering every job, including rope access, pure water systems and traditional tools. You can level up as you go.
- Other costs. The accountant and the business setup are the same either way.
- Licence. Here in Europe, trade licences are more or less the same for a plumber and a cleaner. Check the rules where you live.
- Money per job. On an hourly rate or per job, a plumber might earn more.
How fast the first paid job comes
I think window cleaning work is simpler to find. Start with your mum and dad. Then your neighbours. Then all the contacts in your phone and your email. Ask them to ask their neighbours, and make a list to go through until you have 50 customers.
Almost everyone has dirty windows, and almost everyone does not want to do them. The ones who do are not a customer for you. Try the same thing asking everyone if they need a plumber. It is not always something they need that day.
Who should choose plumbing
I will say it straight. Maybe you have a plumber in the family. Maybe you are more interested in the technique of pipes and those tools. Then choose plumbing.
A plumber's work is mechanical and heavy: pipes, breaking through concrete, digging holes. Window cleaning is simple and light, and you are a fine hand worker doing detailed work. You are the last tradesperson in the building process. If that sounds more like you, this is your trade.
How to become a window cleaner
Start with the skill, then ask for the work. The Skill is $69, and it shows you what I do from start to finish. If you want to try it first, start free with the Manifesto. Then read how to start a window cleaning business.
Related guides
- Best trade to learn right now, from a window cleaner
- AI-proof careers: 5 trades that stay human
- How much do window cleaners make?
- What it costs to start a window cleaning business
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to be a plumber or a window cleaner?
Finding this useful?
It depends on you. A plumber might earn more per job, but it takes years to learn and much more to set up. Window cleaning takes weeks to months to learn and costs far less to start. I am a window cleaner, so weigh my answer knowing that.
How long does it take to become a window cleaner?
Weeks to months. 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.
How do you pick a trade?
Look at the years of learning, the cost to start, how fast the first paid job comes and what your body can do long term. Then ask which work you are really interested in. If it is pipes, choose plumbing.
Who should choose plumbing over window cleaning?
Someone with a plumber in the family, or someone more interested in the technique of pipes and those tools.
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.