Short answer
The cost of window cleaning depends on how many windows there are and their size, how many storeys the building has, how easy the windows are to reach, and whether conservatories, frames, sills and inside glass are included. A first clean of windows that have not been done for a while is usually a bigger job than a regular visit. A quote based on your property is the only reliable way to know the cost.
Why window cleaning is priced per property
Window cleaners usually price by looking at the property rather than using a fixed rate, because the amount of glass and how hard it is to reach vary so much. A terraced house with a few windows front and back is a different job from a detached house with bay windows, a conservatory and upstairs glass over an extension. Knowing what affects the price helps you ask for exactly what you want.
The factors that change the price
- Number and size of windows: more panes and larger glazing take longer. Bay windows, patio doors and bi-folds all count.
- Storeys and height: upstairs and second-floor windows need longer reach than ground-floor glass.
- Access: side passages, locked gates, steep gardens, extensions, porches and flat roofs below windows all affect how windows are reached.
- Conservatories and orangeries: these add a lot of glass and frame, and the roof is often quoted separately.
- Frames and sills: some cleans cover glass only; others include wiping or washing frames and sills.
- Inside as well as outside: cleaning inside glass means working inside the home and is usually priced separately.
- First clean or regular visits: windows that have not been cleaned for a long time, or are covered in heavy grime, take more work the first time.
- Commercial frontages: shopfronts, office glazing and signage have their own access, timing and frequency needs.
What a good quote should include
- Which windows are included: front, back, sides, upstairs, doors and any conservatory.
- Whether frames, sills and doors are cleaned as well as the glass.
- Whether the quote is for outside only, or inside as well.
- The method, for example water-fed poles and pure water from the ground, or traditional cleaning.
- For regular cleaning, the visit frequency and what happens if a visit is missed because of weather.
- How you pay and whether the price is fixed per visit.
Comparing quotes like for like
Check each quote covers the same windows, the same frames and sills, and the same inside or outside work. A lower price for glass only is not comparable with a price that includes frames. Ask how upper windows will be reached, and whether the company holds public liability insurance. Reviews are a good guide to reliability, which matters a great deal for regular rounds.
If you want to understand the methods first, our guide to water-fed pole window cleaning explains how cleaning from the ground with pure water works.
How often you clean affects value
Regular visits keep dirt from building up, so each clean tends to be quicker than an occasional deep clean of grimy glass. How often is right depends on your location, nearby trees and roads, and how much you mind marks on the glass. Our guide to how often windows should be cleaned helps you decide, and our guide to cleaning windows without streaks covers the inside glass you may prefer to do yourself between visits.
Windows for businesses
Shopfronts and office windows are often cleaned more frequently than homes because they are part of how customers see the business. Timing, footfall and access at height all affect the quote, so a site visit is usually the best starting point for commercial glazing.
When to call a professional
Ground-floor windows are manageable for most people, but upstairs windows and conservatories are where a professional service saves time and avoids working at height. You should never climb onto a roof or lean out of upstairs windows to reach glass.
Our domestic window service covers outside and inside glass by agreement, with frames and sills included where requested. Tell us about your house, bungalow or terrace, any conservatory or extension, and whether you want an occasional visit or a regular clean, and we will give you a clear quote. Business premises are covered by our commercial window cleaning service. Call Jason on 07774 252535 or ask for a free quote.
Rather have it done for you?
Streak-free windows, frames and sills for homes across Essex. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
- Commercial window cleaning: shopfronts, offices and business glazing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does window cleaning cost?
It depends on the number and size of windows, the storeys, access, conservatories, whether frames, sills and inside glass are included, and how often the windows are cleaned. A quote for your property is the only reliable guide.
Is inside window cleaning included?
Not always. Many window cleans are outside only, so check whether a quote includes inside glass, frames and sills.
Is the first window clean more expensive?
It can be, if windows have not been cleaned for a while and there is heavy grime, because the first visit takes more work than regular maintenance cleans.
Related guides
- How to clean windows without streaks: why windows streak and the simple squeegee technique that leaves glass clear, inside and out.
- Water-fed pole window cleaning explained: what a water-fed pole is, why purified water dries clear without a squeegee, and what it means for frames, sills and upstairs windows.
- How often should windows be cleaned?: why there is no single right interval, and how roads, the coast, trees and the type of building decide how often your windows need cleaning.