Door Knocking vs 5-Arounds: Which Builds More Business for Exterior Cleaning Companies?

In the world of exterior cleaning, whether you run a pressure washing, soft washing, paver sealing, or window cleaning business, door-to-door marketing is still one of the fastest ways to land new customers.

5er Round Example

But not all door knocking is created equal. If you want to close bigger jobs, build tighter routes, and dominate a neighborhood, you need to understand the difference between traditional canvassing and the powerful system called 5er Rounds.

The Power of Traditional Door Knocking

Regular door knocking is exactly what it sounds like. You canvass an entire neighborhood, introduce your services, and leave behind door hangers for homeowners who aren’t available.

This strategy works especially well for pressure washing and soft washing companies looking to book spring or fall house washes, or for window cleaners promoting seasonal specials. For paver sealing contractors, door hangers are a great way to showcase before-and-after results and highlight long-term value.

Door hangers keep your brand visible even if no one answers the door, and consistent canvassing ensures your name gets in front of as many homeowners as possible. It’s a tried-and-true way to generate leads.

What Makes 5er Rounds Different

A 5er Round takes door knocking to a whole new level. Instead of covering an entire neighborhood, you focus on the five houses closest to the one you’re currently servicing. You knock, introduce yourself, and explain, “We’re working on your neighbor’s property today. If you hear any noise, that’s us. While we’re here, we’d love to offer you the same service at a special rate.”

This approach works beautifully for pressure washing and soft washing contractors, because neighbors often notice the fresh look of a cleaned driveway, siding, or roof. For window cleaning companies, it builds instant trust since homeowners can see your crew already in action next door. For paver sealing businesses, the transformation is so visual that nearby homeowners immediately want the same results.

Why 5er Rounds Close More Sales in Exterior Cleaning

We used to incentivize our teams with bonuses for sales from 5er Rounds because they consistently closed big jobs.

Here’s why this system is so effective across all exterior cleaning industries:

✅ Neighbors see real proof of your work on pressure washed driveways, sealed pavers, or streak-free windows.

✅ Trust builds instantly because their neighbor has already hired you.

✅ A limited-time offer creates urgency to book while you’re nearby.

✅ Route density increases, saving your crews time and fuel.

Instead of scattered jobs all over town, you’re stacking soft wash roof cleanings, paver sealing projects, and window cleaning services house by house, street by street.

5er Round front

How to Build a 5er Round System

Here’s how exterior cleaning companies can put this strategy into action:

1. Print flyers or cards that specifically mention pressure washing, soft washing, window cleaning, or paver sealing and highlight “We’re already working in your neighborhood.”

2. Train your team to be friendly, approachable, and confident when knocking.

3. Offer a clear, time-sensitive incentive like 10 percent off or priority scheduling.

4. Track every sale that comes from a 5er Round and reward your team to keep them motivated.

When your crews finish a driveway, roof, or window job and immediately turn it into another sale just five houses away, your revenue grows and your schedule fills faster than ever.

Ready to Dominate Neighborhoods With Route Density?

At Dab Marketing, we help pressure washing, soft washing, paver sealing, and window cleaning contractors turn simple marketing into powerful growth systems.

If you need help designing, printing, or building a proven 5er Round strategy, reach out to us today. We’ll show you how to fill your calendar, increase route density, and become the go-to name in every neighborhood you work in.