Staring through a dirty window can be demoralising at the best of times, particularly if the day is nice and you want to appreciate the sunlight. The windows of a home provide an entry point for natural light, keeping your property bright and welcoming.
If you’ve begun to notice that your windows are collecting grime and dirt, it might be time to think about hiring a professional to give them a good scrub. Cleaning windows can be a dangerous job if you don’t have the correct tools, particularly if you have a house with more than one storey.
We would recommend leaving window cleaning to the professionals, so you don’t risk injury to yourself.
Our guide takes a look at domestic window cleaning, including how much this service is likely to cost, what affects the cost of window cleaning, how you can save money, and the best way to find a window cleaner for your property!
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How Much Does Window Cleaning Cost?
Prices for window cleaning will vary depending on a few factors, such as whether or not you’re looking for a one-off clean and the size of your property. The table below breaks down the common estimated costs for window cleaning in the UK.
| Property Type | One-off Clean (Interior Windows) | Monthly Clean (Interior Windows) | One-off Clean (Exterior Windows and Doors) | Monthly Clean (Exterior Windows and Doors) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | £40-£50 | £30-£40 | £10 | £15 |
| Terraced House | £50-£60 | £40-£50 | £15 | £10 |
| Semi-detached house | £60-£70 | £50-£60 | £20 | £15 |
| Detached house | £70-£80 | £60-£70 | £30 | £20 |
As the table demonstrated there is a variety of charges applicable for window cleaning.
Window cleaners tend to charge more for the first clean – this is due to the thoroughness of that first clean; they will take time to restore your window cleanliness and get rid of any long-standing stains or build-up of grime.
The charge for subsequent window cleans are likely to reduce from then on.
For exterior window cleans, the cleaner will typically use a ladder and traditional cleaning method for the first clean and then use a pole-fed system for later cleans.
If you live in a flat and are looking for a one-off clean of interior windows it is estimated to cost £40-£50, with the charge for a monthly clean of interior windows at £30-£40.
A one-off clean for the exterior windows and doors of a flat is estimated to cost £10, with a monthly clean then costing £5.
To clean the windows of a terraced house will cost £50-£60 for a one-off clean of interior windows and then an estimated £40-£50 for a monthly clean of interior windows.
To clean the exterior windows and doors, it’s an estimated £15 for a one-off clean of a terraced house, with a monthly clean then costing £15.
As you probably expected, the estimated prices for cleaning the windows of a semi-detached house are more expensive, with a one-off clean of interior windows estimated to cost £60-£70 and a monthly clean of the interior windows then costing £50-£60.
The estimated cost of a one-off clean of the exterior windows and doors of a semi-detached house is estimated to cost £20, with the monthly estimated cost estimated at £15.
The estimated cost for cleaning the windows of a detached house are the most expensive ; a one-off clean of interior windows of a detached house is £70-£80, with the monthly estimated cost for interior window cleaning at £60-£70.
The estimated cost for a one-off clean of the exterior windows and doors of a detached house is £30, with the monthly cost dropping down to £20.
If you’re looking to hire a window cleaner for your property, why not use HouseholdQuotes’ easy and quick search function to compare quotes from qualified window cleaners!
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Window Cleaning?
There are a few factors you might want to take into consideration when trying to budget for hiring a window cleaner.
Size of Building
The size of your property will play a role in determining the final cost of your window clean, but it will also vary by company or tradesperson regarding what size they work off. Some will price by the scale of the building and some by the size of the windows.
In any case, detached house will likely cost more than a flat to have the exterior or interior windows cleaned.
The estimated cost for a one-off clean of the exterior windows and doors of a detached house is £30, with the monthly cost dropping down to £20. This is the high-end of the price range for window cleaning services when it comes to residential housing.
Number of Windows
The number of windows your property has will determine the amount of labour needed to clean them all efficiently and this will determine the final cost of the clean.
The bigger a window is, the more time it will take to clean. This will impact the labour time and increase the final cost.
If you have a conservatory on your property this could also dramatically increase the cost as it may need specialist cleaning for the glass. Even if not, the number of windows on a conservatory will add to the final price.
Choice of Products
The cleaning products used by the window cleaner can impact the final cost of cleaning windows.
If you’re hoping to minimise your environmental impact, you may be able to request that your cleaner uses environmentally friendly products, though these will cost more than generic cleaning products.
Similarly, a higher quality cleaning product may increase the window cleaner’s rates but will generally reduce labour time as the clean will go much more quickly.
Any window cleaner should be happy to speak to you about the cleaning products available with their service and the impact this will have on the final price.
Interior or Exterior Windows
If you choose to have both your interior and exterior windows cleaned, then the price of the clean will be more expensive due to the increased labour time to wash both sides of a window.
Some companies will offer a discount on pricing if you choose to have both sides of the window cleaned, but this entirely depends on the company or tradesperson you hire. This is a good way to keep costs low.
Type of Window
There will be a difference in pricing depending on the type of window you’re hoping to have cleaned.
Residential window cleaning does depend on the property size as well as the number of windows, but prices start at £40-£50 for an interior clean.
Commercial window cleaning is a more time-consuming, laborious and potentially dangerous job that can cost anywhere from £100-£500. The reason the cost is higher is due to the size of the building as well as the potential need for scaffolding.
If you’re hoping to have a conservatory cleaned then you can expect this to be a much higher cost for cleaning, as keeping the glass in good condition is challenging. It is estimated to cost £150 for interior conservatory cleaning and £300 for interior and exterior cleaning.
Location
Where your property is located is also likely to impact the final cost of having your windows cleaned. High traffic and highly populated areas such as London can be two or three times more expensive than window cleaning prices in the Northern regions of the UK.
It’s best to try and find a local window cleaner as their prices will not need to include high travel expenses and this will mean your costs will be lower.
How Can I Save Money on Window Cleaning?
There are a few ways you can hopefully keep the costs of window cleaning down.
Firstly, make sure to find out if the potential company or tradesperson you’re looking to hire does a package deal for an interior and exterior clean. This way you can have your house looking bright and fresh, as well as saving money on costs.
Cleaning windows is a job that you could consider yourself, though if you have a house with more than one storey, we recommend calling in a professional to prevent injury to yourself.
Window cleaning kits can be found at your local DIY store and range from £20-£70 to purchase. They vary in quality and equipment, some are simple cloth rags and mops whereas others can include more professional tools.
If you’re intending to clean your windows yourself, you should ensure you have a suitable ladder that is sturdy before you begin to clean the windows.
If you’re hoping to hire a professional for window cleaning, we recommend sourcing between three to four quotes to make sure you find the best price for you. You can use HouseholdQuotes to search between reputable window cleaners and find a qualified professional to get the job done!
Click To Get QuotesWhat Does Window Cleaning Involve?
Depending on the type of window cleaning which is being undertaken there are different processes involved. There are two main types of window cleaning – traditional window cleaning and water-fed pole cleaning.
Typically, the cleaner will rinse the windows with water and cleaning fluid either via a large sponge or cloth. If a cleaning solution or fluid has been used, the windows will then be wiped down to ensure the window dries streak-free.
The cleaner may also wipe the windows down with a cloth or rag before cleaning to remove dirt and debris before the wash occurs.
When it comes to water fed pole cleaning, an extendable pole is used that has water jets and a cleaning brush attached. The pole sprays purified water onto the windows to remove any dirt.
Purified water does not need to be wiped down once used as it naturally dries streak-free. A water fed pole cannot be used indoors, so for interior windows the traditional window cleaning method will be applied.
Most window cleaners will opt to use a water fed pole method where possible as it tends to yield better results and can be used to reach windows in difficult places or on higher floors without needing to use a ladder or scaffold.
If you’ve opted to go for a more intense clean, then the window frames and potentially sills can be wiped down and cleaned also, but there is usually an additional charge for this.
How Do I Find and Hire a Window Cleaner?
It’s always a good idea to seek recommendations from family, friends and neighbours. This way you can be sure to trust the tradesperson or company and their work ethic.
With window cleaning, it’s an especially good idea to seek recommendations from your neighbours if possible, as window cleaners work in local areas.
When it comes to looking at quotes, we recommend you receive three or four to find the best deal possible. Use HouseholdQuotes to quickly search between quotes from vetted tradespeople and companies and find the best offer for you!
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
It’s a good idea to make sure you have a list of questions ready to verify that the company or tradesperson you are hoping to hire is the right fit for you.
- Ask them for a written quote and find out if there is a minimum contract or if you can book on an as-and-when basis. With a written quote, you can see exactly what you will be paying for.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist:
Take a look at the checklist below to give you an idea of the best way to find an experienced service to clean your rug:
- Decide what number of windows you’d like cleaned and whether or not you want both the interior and exterior windows cleaned.
- Speak to a qualified professional about what type of cleaning process they would recommend for your windows.
- Use HouseholdQuotes to quickly and easily compare quotes from professional window cleaners and potentially save yourself 40% off your project quote.
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions:
Why Is Interior Window Cleaning More Expensive?
Traditional cleaning means only one windowpane can be cleaned at a time and the windows must be wiped down to remove excess cleaning solution once finished.
The window cleaners will also need to be aware and careful with the interior features of your home; they will need to make sure they don’t damage any property and are more restricted with their movements.