You may be a homeowner whose house has hard-to-reach windows or a building manager whose building property has a glass façade in need of washing. In either case, you may require the services of a professional window cleaner.
In many countries, there would be an industry association setting the industry SOPs and guidelines as well as the certification of Window cleaning professionals. These SOPs are essential for the proper execution of cleaning services as well as ensuring the safety of window cleaners in the delivery of their service. The latter is critical as it is often the case that professional cleaners are hired for cleaning windows located in hard-to-access or elevated areas which could be physically unsafe to access.
When prospecting the services of a professional window cleaner, you can expect the following standard procedures to happen:
Getting Price Quotes
A professional window cleaner can normally accept phone inquiries. Expect to be asked the following details: number and size of windows to be cleaned, the kinds and condition of the windows, and their location/accessibility.
In the event that the windows are standard in size, made of standard materials familiar to the cleaner, requiring no special cleaning, and located in very easy-to-access areas, the professional cleaner may be able to provide a firm quote over the phone. For more complex jobs, professional cleaners would prefer giving price estimates only over the phone and providing a firm quotation on the actual delivery of the service or when the cleaner has done an ocular inspection of the windows. The cleaner needs to confirm if any special cleaning solutions are required or special equipment will be needed to access windows.
How Professional Window Cleaners Price
Professional window cleaners rarely price their service based on the number of windows to be cleaned. Typically, they set a minimum basic service fee and add charges based on size of windows, trouble of cleaning (e.g., some windows may already have extreme earth develop or hard water stains) and accessibility. They will also charge extra for cleaning window accessories like screens, storm windows, etc.
Prepare Area for Window Cleaners
On the day of service delivery, the homeowner should make sure to clear windows of objects that could deter access to window cleaners. Some window cleaners would be okay with doing this clearing yet some would not be. At the same time, this activity eats up into the time of the cleaner, time better spent on the actual cleaning of the windows. In certain cases, this may require the homeowner to cut branches from obstructing trees/plants, move heavy furniture, remove curtains/blinds from windows, etc.