How to hire window cleaning

A first-floor double-hung you can reach with a step stool is a 90-second job; the same window 22 feet up the rear elevation of a colonial requires a 28-ft extension ladder and OSHA-compliant fall protection above the eave. Pros price per pane with an access multiplier: second story typically 1.5–2× first floor, third story or steep terrain 2.5–3×. Water-fed pole work from the ground can flatten that premium on accessible elevations but does not replace ladder work on every window — ask whether your home is a fit.

A single-pane picture window cleans in 60 seconds. A six-over-six colonial double-hung with true divided lites takes 6× longer because every grid square is hand-detailed. Most pros count a true divided-lite window as 6 panes, not 1, because that is what the labor reflects. Snap-in (removable) grids are quicker than true divided lites but still add 50–100% over a clean sash. Count windows by sash and grid pattern when describing your home, not by "windows" alone.

Skylights are the highest-margin per-pane work because they need roof access, fall arrest, and careful technique — pressure on the wrong spot can crack the dome or break the seal. Walkable pitch under 6:12 is straightforward; above 8:12 the crew needs roof anchors. Self-cleaning low-E skylights (Velux Active, Pella SunSmart) should be cleaned with plain water only — the hydrophilic coating breaks down with detergent.

Post-construction glass has paint speckle, drywall mud splatter, silicone smears, and stucco overspray that have to be razored off pane-by-pane — 3–5× the labor of a standard clean and the scope should be quoted separately. Hard water staining from irrigation overspray etches into the glass surface within months and requires acidic restoration (cerium oxide polish, oxalic-acid pastes) rather than cleaning. Ask the pro to inspect before quoting if your sprinklers hit the glass or the house is new construction.

Screens are typically $2–5 each to remove, hose-wash, and reinstall. Tracks and sills add $2–4 per window when scoped — vacuumed out and detailed rather than wiped quickly. Storm windows (common on RI/MA older homes) double the glass surface and the work; quote them as a separate add-on or as part of a seasonal package. Mention storms upfront so the quote reflects them.

Twice-a-year (spring + fall) is the residential default and the cadence most homeowners settle into — the spring visit removes winter salt and pollen, the fall visit handles summer dust and prepares for low-angle winter sun that highlights every streak. Quarterly is appropriate for coastal homes with salt spray, properties under heavy pollen drop, or anyone whose interior lighting makes streaks unbearable. One-off cleans price 20–40% higher per visit than recurring because there is no schedule density.

Most window-cleaning companies have a $150–250 minimum because rolling a truck and crew for a 6-window job loses money. If you have fewer than 15–20 windows, ask whether they bundle with neighbors or whether their minimum applies regardless. A pro who is transparent about minimums upfront is easier to work with than one who buries it.