How to Get New Residential Customers—Door to Door!
Want new customers without breaking the bank? Door-to-door with a freebie in hand is a smart, low-cost way for home service pros to win trust and book jobs fast.
KickStart: Ads are expensive, leads are inconsistent, and waiting for the phone to ring just doesn’t cut it. Time to hit the pavement.
Starting any home services business is tough—especially when money is tight. Today, let’s play with what a hungry-for-work window washing startup entrepreneur can do to get new customers. (Or any other home service startup for that matter.)
Here’s a smart, low-cost strategy: Go door-to-door.
I know what you’re thinking.
“Isn’t that old school?” “Does anyone even open the door anymore?” “Won’t it feel weird?”
Yeah, you might be uncomfortable going door-to-door at first. But hear me out: most home service pros won’t do this. And that’s exactly why you should! Listen carefully…
Door-to-door is one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective ways to get in front of your target customer—literally! Still reluctant? I get it. So, remember this…
98% of home service pros will never achieve financial independence. Why not? Because they WON’T do the “uncomfortable stuff” that the 2% WILL do! (Including door-to-door if needed!) 😯
This isn’t about hard selling or cheesy pitches. It’s about sucking it up, taking the initiative, making a great impression, offering real value, and building trust face-to-face.
Struggling with “just calling around” price shopper inquiries? Learn how to convert the “How much” caller with our focused 30 minute course. More info HERE.
Here’s my step-by-step system to make door-to-door prospecting work for you.
1. Choose the Right Neighborhood
Don’t waste time wandering. Be intentional. Look for:
Middle-income or upper-middle-income residential neighborhoods
Homes with multiple stories (more windows = more opportunity)
Places where people clearly care about their home's curb appeal (clean yards, fresh paint, well-kept driveways)
Avoid:
Apartments or gated communities (harder access, fewer windows)
High-end areas unless you're ready with premium pricing and branding
Rough neighborhoods where door-knocking may not be welcome or safe
Pro Tip: Google Maps and Zillow can help you scout neighborhoods from home.
2. Pick the Best Time to Knock
The goal is to actually talk to homeowners—not just drop materials. You want live conversations.
Best times:
Saturday afternoons (12–4 PM): people are home, outside, or in a weekend mindset.
Weekday evenings (5–7 PM): after work but before dinner.
Spring and summer: better weather and people are thinking about home maintenance.
Worst times:
Mornings during the week (no one's home)
Holidays or major sports events
Dinner hours (people won’t appreciate the interruption)
3. Come With a Gift (and a Reason to Knock)
Nobody likes being “sold to.” But everyone likes getting something useful.
Here’s your hook:
“We’re giving away free pro window cleaner to homeowners in the area—no catch. Just a helpful little thing I do to introduce myself and then to (smiling) help you remember me!”
Use a 12 or 16 oz spray bottle labeled with your logo, phone number, and website. Fill it with a safe, pro-quality cleaner. Call it your “Lifetime Refill Bottle”—the homeowner can contact you any time for a free refill.
Why it works:
It’s useful
It’s unexpected
It builds trust
It puts your info right in their house
You are “planting seeds” for future calls
Cost to you? About $1–$2 per bottle
ROI? Easily pays for itself with just one job!
4. Dress Like a Pro
You’re not a random guy showing up unannounced—you’re a business owner and a technician. Look the part.
Checklist:
Branded polo or t-shirt (clean, tucked in)
Work pants or shorts (no ripped jeans or cargo shorts)
Clean shoes or work boots
Hat with logo (optional, but neat)
Visible photo ID badge
Fresh breath, no cologne (some people are sensitive)
SMILE
Think: “First date energy, but with a ladder.”
5. Use a Simple, Friendly Script
Forget slick sales talk. Just be honest and helpful.
Here’s a solid opening:
Knock knock. Door opens. 1) Step back, 2) make eye contact, 3) smile, and 4) enthusiastically say:
“Good afternoon, I’m [Your Name] with [Your Business]. We’re a local window washing company and we’re giving away free bottles of pro window cleaner to homeowners in the neighborhood—just a simple way to introduce ourselves. When this runs out, call or text us and we’ll refill it—no charge, no strings.”
(Hand them the bottle and your card or brochure.)
“We specialize in residential window cleaning—inside and out, tracks, screens, the whole thing. If you ever need help, I’d love to be your go-to window cleaner.”
Then stop talking. Let them respond.
When they say “Thanks,” (they will) you reply:
“By the way, we also do gutter cleaning, screen washing, and hard water stain removal. Just give me a call anytime.”
If they seem interested, ask:
“Would you like a quick quote while I’m here? I can walk around outside and take a look—it will only take two minutes and my quates are good for 6 months.”
Boom—you’re in!
6. What If They’re Not Home?
Don’t waste the walk. If it’s legal in your area, leave behind:
A professional door hanger
A brochure
A business card
A “We Missed You!” note
Make sure it looks clean, not spammy. Tuck it neatly in the door or doorframe—never in the mailbox (that’s illegal).
HINT: Does the front door look like it gets regular use? If not, don’t leave stuff in it. Instead, after verifying they aren’t home, see if you can discreetly place your “leave-behinds” in the door the homeowners’ use.
7. Track What Works
Treat this like any other part of your business. Keep a simple log:
Neighborhood name
Time of day
Number of homes you visited
Number of conversations
Quotes given
Jobs booked
Over time, you’ll spot patterns: which areas convert best, what times are most productive, and which script variations work better.
This data will become gold for your marketing ROI calculations.
8. Stay Consistent
Most guys do one door-knocking session, get a couple of leads, and stop. Don’t do that. Marketing isn’t a “one-time blast.” It’s a process. 🌞
Set a regular schedule. For example:
100 doors every Saturday
2 hours of canvassing per week
1 new neighborhood every month
Think of each conversation—and every “Lifetime FREE refills” bottle you leave behind—as planting seeds. Some take a week to sprout, others take six months. But the harvest will come IF you keep planting seeds!
Bonus Tips
Avoid “No Soliciting” signs. Respect goes a long way.
Bring your child (if appropriate). A clean-cut kid in a mini uniform = doors open way faster and homeowners will be more open. (Hmmm, is there such a thing as “Rent-A-Kid”? 😁
Carry water, wear sunscreen, and pace yourself. This is physical work. Treat it like a job site.
Follow up. If someone asked for a quote or seemed interested, follow up within 24 hours with a friendly text or call. (Faster if possible.)
Don’t be discouraged. One “yes” can easily pay for 200 rejections.
The KickStart Line
Door-to-door isn’t outdated, it’s just under-used.
In a service business like window washing, a trusting relationship is everything. Nothing builds trust faster than a real person with a helpful attitude and a professional approach.
So, suit up, grab your bottle box, and start knocking. You’ve got nothing to lose—and a steady stream of loyal, local customers to gain!
Let the 98% wait around for their phone to ring. You? You’re one of the 2%- making it happen. One door at a time! 👍👍
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