Average window cleaning cost

Summary: How much does a window cleaner cost, average cost of a window cleaner and average cost of window cleaning materials.

Dirty windows. Like death and taxes they are one of the certainties of life. OK, the interiors are not too much of a problem. All you need is your cleaning agent of choice, a few cloths and sponges and you are ready to go. If you are thrifty you might even scrunch up some old newspapers, dip them in a bucket of hot water and use them to clean the windows. It’s the methylated spirits in the printer’s ink, shifts dirt from glass like magic.

But the outdoor windows are another matter. Unless you live in a bungalow, or an apartment block where this is covered under the maintenance charge, sooner or later you’re going to have to confront your window panes. And experts recommend a cloudy day, because sunshine may dry the glass before you finish and leave smears.

Average Cost

Costs to consider

Is DIY a cheaper option? The costs for a do-it-yourself job will need to cover the brand of cleaner, a squeegee or sponge on a long handle, an old tee shirt, a glass scraper for removing paint, mud and dried-up bird poop, a bucket and one more thing. Ah, yes, you are going to need a ladder! And not just a stepladder but a proper extendable ladder to reach that first or even second floor.

So straight away we have a huge health and safety issue. Nearly fifty thousand people turn up at Accident and Emergency wards every year with some form of ladder-related accident. The smorgasbord of possible injuries include bruised backs, broken bones, severed fingers, traumatic head injuries and worst of all, fatalities.

If you are not a professional window cleaner please think carefully before you begin. Do you need a second person to stabilise the ladder and avoid it slipping? Are you wearing appropriate gripping footwear. Never reach out while up the ladder, it is much safer to move the ladder itself. Place the ladder on hard, firm ground. Check you lean the ladder against the wall at a ratio of one to four. For example for every four steps up, rest the ladder the distance of one step out from the wall. And while you are on top, take care not to drop anything on your partner down below, or your neighbour or any unfortunate passer-by. You wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of a law suit.

Ladders are just as dangerous before you put them up. Carrying something as long as a ladder round the back of your house is tempting fate. Think of all those Laurel and Hardy comedies where one guy has a ladder on his shoulder, something distracts him, he turns sharply and smashes a window or pokes his mate’s eye. Only it is not so funny when it happens to you.

Factors to consider

Right, we are beginning to see why ladders are connected to superstitions of bad luck. It might just be safer to hire a professional and save yourself all the risk. They are likely to have better, more professional equipment too, such as water fed poles for those tricky nooks and crannies.

In all likelihood there are a couple of chaps who come round your neighbourhood every so often offering their services. You can wait till they are next doing their rounds. However if you have any doubts about them it is easy enough to search online or thumb through your Yellow Pages.

The advantage of searching for a window cleaner online or in the book is that it’s easier to check their credentials. Are they qualified? Do they have proper liability insurance? Do they take their job seriously? Are they reliable and honest? These are some factors you may wish to ask them on the phone or by email before they turn up on the doorstep. And if there is any dissatisfaction you have their address and a phone number in order to make a complaint.

One more point, you know your house better than they do. If you have some hard-to-access feature in your household, such as an attic window above the guttering, or one that is surrounded by flowerbeds, you can make the window cleaner aware of this before they arrive and ask how they will tackle this challenge.

The organisation to consult is the British Windows Cleaning Academy. They provide professional training and accreditation as well as a directory of their members. Visit their web site for more information.

In conclusion let’s not forget that clean windows will lift the room and make everything seem brighter. So it’s worth getting it right.