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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
Start by searching for other window installation companies in your area. Take note of how many operate near you and decide if there are:
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:
Decide what fits in your area, then focus your efforts on creating a company that meets those demands.
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.
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:
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.
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:
After your business is registered and legal, you can focus your attention on building your brand and customer base.
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.
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:
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.
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:
Develop an achievable marketing strategy and stick to it to maximize your business’s growth potential.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Maintaining positive customer relationships is essential for:
Always ask for reviews on platforms like Nextdoor and Google—98% of people use them to inform their purchasing decisions.
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:
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.
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.
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