Take a stroll around your neighborhood and look at all the houses. Notice any commonalities between them?
They likely all have windows, and the majority of the time, the homeowners inside didn’t install them themselves.
Window installation is a rewarding profession that can improve homes, save energy to preserve our planet, and earn you a healthy income in the process. But if you want to awaken your inner glazier, you’ll need to know how to start a window installation business. From market research to branding, licensing, and more, we’re giving you a clear look into getting your window installation company off the ground.
Why start a window installation business?
Perhaps window installation is a family trade, or maybe you’re searching for a new skill to learn and monetize.
Consider these key reasons for entering the business to see if they align with your personal motivations and goals.
Growing demand in home improvement
The American home improvement market is expanding by nearly 3% year-over-year and is expected to reach over $615 billion by 2029. This healthy growth is fueled by demands for:
- Raw materials, like lumber
- Building supplies—including nails, tools, and more
- Prefabricated housing products such as doors, decking, and, of course, windows
Windows are a key driver of renovation demand as they generally don’t last the entire lifetime of a home. Their lifespans vary, but many homeowners choose to replace older windows even if they're not fully broken or on their way out.
That’s because up to 30% of the energy used to heat and cool homes can be lost through older, draftier windows. Replacing them isn’t only an aesthetic concern for many homeowners, but also an investment in their property that can save them money in the long run.
Profitability and Return on Investment (ROI)
Local window installation businesses can be highly profitable and offer a healthy ROI as they require minimal materials to start in comparison to other trades. You won’t need any heavy equipment like bulldozers or backhoes, but instead use smaller tools like:
- Ladders
- Impact drills
- Utility knives
- Caulking guns
Window replacement also offers an ROI of 70-80% when homeowners sell—making them one of the most worthwhile upgrades available. In a market with low startup costs and high demands, window installation offers a less risky option than joining other, more costly trades.
Essential steps to starting your window installation business
From the people to the profit, you’re convinced of the upsides of becoming a glazier. Now, it’s time to find out exactly how to start a window installation business for yourself.
Research your market and define your niche
Start by searching for other window installation companies in your area. Take note of how many operate near you and decide if there are:
- Too many – An overabundance of competition can make it difficult to enter a market, especially if other companies are already reputable and established.
- Too few – A relative lack of other window installers could be a sign that there’s low demand for such services in your area.
Besides researching your competitors, consider the kind of area you live in. Are the buildings mostly commercial or residential? This can help you narrow in on a focus for your services.
On top of your market segment, you can also find your niche by considering what type of windows your customers want. Are they looking for:
- Energy efficient window upgrades?
- Beautiful, luxury window frames?
- Functional, cost-effective replacements?
Decide what fits in your area, then focus your efforts on creating a company that meets those demands.
Secure licensing, certifications, and insurance
Whether you want to become a glazier or learn how to start a repair installation business, the first step is obtaining a contractor’s license. The requirements vary state by state and, in certain cases, you may need other permits as well. Either way, a contractor’s license is the place to start regardless of location.
You’ll also want to look into certifications—such as the InstallationMasters Certified Installers Program from the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance—to enhance your credibility. Certifications tell homeowners you’re determined, trustworthy, and qualified to replace an existing window or install a new window entirely.
Find and partner with reputable suppliers
Finding reliable suppliers is essential to your success as a glazier. Your skills are important, but even the best installation can be drafty or inefficient with poor-quality windows.
When searching for suppliers, look out for:
- A wide range of different window types to suit any job you’re hired for
- Moderate prices that don’t gouge you, but also indicate high-quality manufacturing
- ENERGY STAR-rated products that meet the government’s strict efficiency standards
Your suppliers' products represent your business, even if you don’t make them. Seek out the best to boost your own reputation as a professional window installer.
Setting up your local small business legally and financially
Almost every business, regardless of industry, has to obtain a business license to operate legally in America. These licenses are generally administered at the county level. Check with your local office to get your company registered and running legally.
You’ll also have other concerns to think about to start operating legally, such as:
- Business insurance – The exact type of insurance you’ll require varies based on your state but, in general, you’ll need liability and worker’s compensation coverage at a minimum.
- Accounting setup – Professional accountants understand tax, payroll, and other obligations to keep your company legal and compliant.
- Initial expenses – Calculate startup costs—like tools and labor—to see if you can make the leap to opening your own small business.
After your business is registered and legal, you can focus your attention on building your brand and customer base.
Building your brand and marketing your local small business
Learning how to start a repair installation business and registering your window company is only half of the journey. To really get established, you’ll need to build up your brand, market your services, and develop a trustworthy reputation in your area.
Naming and branding your business
Your name is your customers’ first introduction to your company. Pick a name that’s catchy, easy to remember, and speaks to who you are as a company.
Then, make sure that name is available in:
- Local registries
- Social media
- Website domains
Your customers will find you through these channels—especially via Nextdoor, which promotes local businesses to nearby homeowners. Secure the name you want and register it everywhere to maintain a consistent image for your company.
Develop a marketing strategy
Your marketing strategy helps you entice more customers toward your business and expand your brand. Nowadays, social media sites like Nextdoor are the top choice for burgeoning companies hoping to make a splash in their market.
Nextdoor helped plumber John Consigli market his small business via Local Deals. By offering up to 15% off service calls, he was inundated with a flood of new customers. In the end, he saw an ROI of 30 times what he invested in his discount program.
Local Deals can offer the same benefits to your local small business but, beyond Nextdoor, you can also gain ground in your community by:
- Leaving door hangers on houses with aging windows
- Posting on local bulletin boards
- Uploading pictures and videos of your best work to social media
Develop an achievable marketing strategy and stick to it to maximize your business’s growth potential.
Creating an online presence
Over three-quarters of consumers check out a business’s online presence before meeting with them. If you’re not on the internet, you can lose out on a vast majority of your potential customers.
Nextdoor is an essential component of any tradesperson's online presence. When electronic recycler Coco the Geek launched, it was just a small operation collecting unwanted appliances, devices, and other e-waste in its neighborhood. Now, it works across Atlanta, and 98% of its customers find it through Nextdoor.
Aside from Nextdoor, you should also establish your own website and leverage key Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies to increase its visibility, including:
- Using window-related keywords in your body copy
- Backlinking to related (but not competitive) sites
- Including place names from your area to boost your local SEO ranking
Your online presence is what your customers see before they meet you. Ensure you get off on the right foot by claiming your domain, socials, and, of course, your Nextdoor Business Page.
Launching and growing your window installation business
Once your small business is registered, online, and just about ready to open, it’s time to launch and grow your brand. Keep the following concerns in mind for smooth operations, sustainable expansion, and positive customer relationships as you scale.
Managing day-to-day operations efficiently
Use a reliable job management system, such as a scheduling app, to store all your appointments and service calls. Ensure it includes key information like the client’s address and number, the technician on the job, and details about what needs to be done.
To keep your clients happy, consider your work in terms of customer service vs customer experience. Customer service is reactive and deals with problems after they arise. When you learn how to improve your customer experience, however, you’ll give them a positive image of your brand right from the get-go.
Customer service and getting referrals
Maintaining positive customer relationships is essential for:
- Getting referrals to other households in the area
- Building a notable reputation for your brand
- Securing repeat customers who trust you for a lifetime of window needs
Always ask for reviews on platforms like Nextdoor and Google—98% of people use them to inform their purchasing decisions.
Scaling your small business over time
Once your window installation company is up and running, you can consider how to expand your operations. If you already have a solid customer base and a full schedule of work, you may:
- Hire more contractors to increase your manpower
- Extend your reach beyond your local area and into nearby neighborhoods
- Offer more services—like window washing, repairs, and more
Strategic partnerships can also grow your business. Try partnering with local construction firms to install windows on their projects or contracting with large corporations to handle the glasswork on all their physical locations.
Nextdoor also offers a suite of small business tools that are completely free and can be used to develop, optimize, and expand your operations.
Set up for success with Nextdoor
Whether you’re a commercial glazier or an up-and-coming window installer looking for window-washing advertising channels for your small business, Nextdoor is your connection to home and property owners in your area. With a Nextdoor Business Page, you can share testimonials from satisfied customers, meet nearby locals, and receive recommendations on areas that are prime for expansion.
Advertise your home services on Nextdoor to find the homeowners who need you the most.
Sources:
- Research and Markets U.S. Home Improvement Analysis Report 2024: A $615.58 Billion Market by 2029, Fueled by Rising Demand for Personalization and Customization, & Smart Home Technology Integration. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/05/2974817/28124/en/U-S-Home-Improvement-Analysis-Report-2024-A-615-58-Billion-Market-by-2029-Fueled-by-Rising-Demand-for-Personalization-and-Customization-Smart-Home-Technology-Integration.html.
- Department of Energy. Update or Replace Windows. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/update-or-replace-windows.
- This Old House. What Is the ROI for New Windows?. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/windows/roi-on-new-windows.
- US Chamber of Commerce. How to Get a Contractor License. https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/startup/how-to-get-contractor-license.
- Installation Masters. Certified Installers. https://installationmasters.com/certified-installers/.
- US Chamber of Commerce. Starting a Business? A Guide to Business Licenses and Permits. https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/startup/business-licenses-and-permit-guide.
- The Hartford. What Insurance Do You Need for a Small Business?. https://www.thehartford.com/small-business-insurance/what-insurance-do-you-need-for-small-business.
- PR Newswire. 76% of Consumers Look at Online Presence Before Physically Visiting a Business. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/76-of-consumers-look-at-online-presence-before-physically-visiting-a-business-301272462.html/
- PowerReviews. Survey: The Ever-Growing Power of Reviews (2023 Edition). https://www.powerreviews.com/power-of-reviews-2023/.
