Maintaining your windows will not only help them look fresh and new but can extend their lifespan too.
If left dirty, the glass will prevent natural light from getting into your property, leaving your home dark. Simply cleaning your windows can brighten up your entire home and breathe a new lease of life into your rooms in just a few hours.
Average Window Cleaning Prices in the UK
Quotes for window cleaning in the UK can vary greatly. A quote for a one-off clean could be as low as £8 and go all the way up to £150 depending on the size of the property and how easy it is to access the windows.
The average home will most likely pay between £50 and £60 to have all of their outside windows cleaned.
If you opt for regular, monthly cleaning instead of a one-off, you can save a fortune on costs. As an example, a one-off clean for a terraced house could cost you between £10 and £20, but if you schedule this monthly, it could be just £8 to £12.
It is also worth remembering that some window cleaners might charge you more for the first clean, this is just because it can take them a long time to get rid of any build up or stubborn staining.
The exact price that you are likely to pay to get your windows cleaned will vary depending on a variety of factors. Pricing will be affected by the size of your home, the number of floors the building is over, the size of each window, and where you live.
Your quote will also be affected by how easy the windows will be to clean; some types of windows may require specialist equipment or just be harder or more dangerous to work with, which will increase the cost.
What Affects the Cost of Window Cleaning?
Like most jobs, there are a variety of factors that can affect the price that you are quoted for window cleaning.
One key factor will be the type of property and how big it is. Bigger domestic properties can expect to pay more, as can commercial buildings.
Properties over multiple floors can also expect to pay more depending on how high the windows are that need cleaning.
Higher windows are more dangerous to reach, and so may need extra equipment for the job to be done safely. In the same way, the accessibility of your windows will also influence the price that you are quoted.
Prices by Property Size
For domestic properties, the biggest factor that influences the cost of a window cleaning job is the size of the property and the length of time the job is likely to take.
Flats/apartments
Flats tend to have fewer windows, and so don’t take very long to clean, and therefore tend to be cheaper. However, if you live in a top floor flat, you might end up being charged more if there are access issues.
You can expect to pay between £40 and £50 for your interior windows, and just £8 to £15 for your exterior windows and any doors.
Terraced houses
When compared to other types of houses, terraced properties have the smallest amount of windows. This means you can expect to pay considerably less for this type of clean than other types of houses.
On average, your interior windows will cost you between £50 and £60, and your exterior windows will cost between £10 and £20.
Semi-detached houses
Semi-detached properties will take longer than terraced properties. You can expect to pay between £60 and £70 for your interior windows, and between £20 and £40 for your exterior windows and doors.
Detached houses
Detached houses typically have even more windows, which means this is the most expensive type of property when it comes to window cleaning.
You can typically expect to pay between £70 and £80 for your interior windows, and between £30 and £60 for your exterior windows and doors.
Bungalows
The price of window cleaning for bungalows varies greatly depending on the size of the property. It could be as low as £20 to have your exterior windows cleaned, or could be up closer to £50 if you have lots of windows.
Commercial Properties
Commercial properties can expect to pay considerably more than domestic properties would.
Whilst a domestic property will often receive a quote that is less than £100, commercial properties aren’t this lucky. Depending on the size of the building and how accessible the windows are, a commercial property could be quoted anywhere from £150 to £500.
The difference in price here is because commercial windows are not only more time consuming to clean, but they are potentially more dangerous. The cost can also increase because for larger buildings, scaffolding might be needed.
Conservatory Windows
If you have a conservatory, you will also benefit from having this cleaned regularly. The amount of glass that will need cleaning means that you will usually pay more than other property types.
If you just need the exterior of your conservatory cleaned, you can expect to pay around £76. If you need the exterior and interior cleaned, this can increase to between £90 and £200 depending on the conservatory’s size.
If you need to have your conservatory deep cleaned, you can expect to pay between £300 and £450.
Why Does the First Clean Cost More?
If you have had a quote for your window clean, you might find that you have been given a price for the first clean, and a lower one for subsequent visits.
One reason that this happens is because frequently cleaned windows are much easier to clean than ones that haven’t seen a sponge let alone detergent in years. As a result, the repeat visits can be quicker, and this saving can be passed on to you.
The increased cost of the first visit will also include that an initial visit to the property is required to generate a quote, and to ensure that the job is still worthwhile to the cleaning company if the customer does not opt for a regular service.
How Often Should Windows Be Cleaned?
To keep your windows looking their very best, a 4 weekly clean is recommended. However, for those on a more limited budget, an 8 weekly service will still be of benefit.
Bear in mind, however, that you will likely be able to get better prices the more frequently you have your windows cleaned.
Window Cleaning Methods
There are a variety of methods that could be used to clean your windows, and professionals will use the method best suited for your specific property.
Traditional window cleaning methods involve squeegees, high quality cleaning chemicals and microfibre cloths that will help preserve the glass. This method is best suited to ground floor windows, and any that are easy to reach safely with a ladder.
Water-fed pole cleaning is best used for windows up to around 24m high. Water is sprayed onto the window at height, from a pole fitted with a brush and water jets. This method is commonly used for blocks of flats.
In the case of exceptionally large buildings, such as office blocks or towers, elevated platforms may be more appropriate. These are used for windows that just cannot be reached safely by either a pole or a ladder and can be used to reach windows up to 60m high.
Can You Do it Yourself?
Supermarkets and DIY stores are full of affordable window cleaning products to help the average person clean their own windows.
Whilst you can easily clean ground floor windows or the insides of your windows yourself, it is worth remembering that professionals will be better suited to cleaning the outsides of windows, especially those that are higher up or otherwise harder to reach.
Professionals are trained in how to safely work at height, and they will have all the necessary tools to give you the best results, without accidentally damaging your windows or compromising their safety.
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