Price your window cleaning carefully it’s never too late to re-evaluate your rates, whether you’re a veteran or just starting out. You may not know how much to charge for window cleaning or want to ensure your pricing is fair and competitive.

We’ve compiled a window cleaning price guide with national averages. We help you determine how much to charge based on window size and type and how longer to clean.

Why Researching Local Competitors’ Prices Matters

Before setting your own window cleaning rates, research what local competitors charge. You don’t need to copy them, but knowing the market helps you stay competitive and profitable.

Rates often vary by area, demand, and property type like high-rise apartments in Sydney’s CBD compared to suburban homes. Checking prices from businesses such as O’Brien, Jim’s Window Cleaning, or local independents ensures you’re not overcharging or undercutting yourself.

Benefits of Market Research:

Keep your rates attractive without losing profit
Spot service gaps where you can stand out
Stay aligned with industry standards and client expectations

In short, researching window cleaning prices prepares you to set smart, confident, and sustainable rates.

Window Washers’ Rates

When you hire a professional window cleaner, they use different methods to determine how much to charge for residential window cleanings. Square footage is often used to price large buildings and offices. Most window cleaners find pane-by-pane or window-count billing inefficient. For added value, many also add high pressure cleaning to your window service, offering a more complete solution for tough exterior grime.

In a smaller home, there aren’t enough windows to charge pane-by-pane. Many cleaners charge $2-$7 per pane or more for medium-sized types of windows with fly screens.

In large homes where pane-by-pane counting is impractical, an hourly rate is common. $40-$75 per hour to clean windows, and a but more for high rise buildings.

Simple Window Cleaning Pricing Formula

Setting the right window cleaning rates is easy with this formula:

Final Price = (Labour + Materials + Overheads) + Profit Margin

Labour: Your or your team’s time
Materials: Solutions, squeegees, buckets
Overheads: Travel, insurance, admin, equipment

Add a profit margin (15–25%) to cover costs and earn fairly.
Example: If total costs = $250, with a 20% margin ($50), your price = $300.

This window cleaning pricing formula ensures your costs are covered, your business stays profitable, and clients get transparent quotes.

Typical Price Ranges for Different Window Types

To give you a clearer idea of pricing, here’s what you can generally expect to pay for cleaning various types of windows:

Standard single windows: These usually fall in the ballpark of $5 to $10 each, making them the most budget-friendly option on most cleaning lists.
Double windows: A bit more complex, double windows typically range from $7 to $15, depending on size and accessibility.
Exterior windows: Cleaning just the outside pane can cost anywhere between $20 to $40 per window, especially if the glass is hard to reach or requires extra attention.
High-rise windows: For those dramatic city views, high-rise window cleaning comes at a premium these can range from $50 to $100 per window, thanks to the need for specialized equipment and extra safety precautions.

Keep in mind, prices can fluctuate based on where you live, the window’s condition, how dirty they are, and any tricky architectural features (think bay windows, French doors, or those lovely but stubborn colonial grids). Maintaining pricing transparency helps clients understand these variations and builds trust.

You may also like to read about- “DIY Window Cleaning Tips for Australian Homeowners”

Average Window Cleaning Costs in 2025

So, how much can you expect to pay for window cleaning in 2025? On average, residential window cleaning rates sit around $30 per hour, but the final bill often depends on your home’s window count, style, and accessibility. For a typical job, you’ll likely see base charges land in the range of $45 to $50 for standard residential services.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you might fork out per window type:

Standard single-pane windows: $5–$10 each
Double windows: $7–$15 each
Exterior-only cleaning: $20–$40 per window
High-rise or specialty windows: $50–$100 per window

Of course, these are ballpark figures larger homes or properties with tricky access can cost more, especially if extra staff are needed. For example, a full-day job for a team of three could run upwards of $1,200 per day if you have dozens of windows or live in a tall building.

But don’t worry most window cleaners will give you a detailed quote before starting the squeegee action.

How to Present a Transparent and Detailed Quote

When quoting window cleaning services, clarity builds trust. Break down costs so clients know exactly what’s included labor (per hour or per window), extra fees for hard-to-reach areas, special treatments (stain removal, track or screen cleaning), and supplies.

Providing a written, itemized quote ensures transparency, prevents surprises, and shows professionalism helping you stand out in competitive window cleaning pricing.

Why Setting Clear Timeframes and Expiry Dates Matters

Setting timeframes and expiry dates on your window cleaning quote shows professionalism and builds trust. Stating when you can complete the job and adding a validity period (e.g., “valid for 30 days”) prevents confusion, protects you from price changes, and encourages clients to book sooner.

Clear timelines keep expectations aligned, avoid last-minute disputes, and ensure your window cleaning pricing stays transparent and competitive.

Tips for Presenting Bids and Quotes to Window Cleaning Clients

Winning window cleaning jobs often depends on how you present your bid. Respond quickly and politely to inquiries, gather full job details (window count, size, or special cleaning needs), and provide an itemized, transparent price breakdown. Always include a clear timeline and expiry date to set expectations and motivate action.

A well-structured window cleaning quote shows professionalism, builds trust, and helps you secure more clients with confidence.

Window Cleaning Cost Factors

Travel Time and Distance: Factoring in The Extra Miles

Travel can add hidden costs to window cleaning jobs. While local jobs often include travel in the base quote, longer distances may attract extra fees usually $20–$50+, depending on mileage. For multiple remote sites, charges may be adjusted based on total distance and time.

Being transparent about travel fees and including a clear services fee schedule not only covers your costs but also builds trust with clients by avoiding surprise charges.

How Scope of Work Affects Window Cleaning Prices

The type of cleaning you require greatly affects the final cost. Some jobs only need a gentle wipe-down, while others involve stubborn stains or years of grime. You can also combine window cleaning with domestic cleaning services to save time and provide a more comprehensive clean.

Here’s how different levels of cleaning can influence your window cleaning quote:

Surface Cleaning: Basic cleaning is the most affordable. It involves removing everyday dirt, fingerprints, and dust.
Stain Removal: If there are mineral deposits, paint, or hard water stains, expect some added costs. These stains require extra elbow grease and sometimes specialty cleaning solutions.
Steam Cleaning: For a deeper clean without harsh chemicals, steam cleaning can cost more due to the specialized equipment and time involved.
Water Blasting: When windows are especially grimy, water blasting or pressure washing may be necessary. Since this method demands professional equipment and skill, it typically bumps up the price.
Deep Cleaning: This covers everything from the tracks to frames and screens perfect for move-in or annual cleans, but also the most expensive option on the list.

In short, the more intensive or time-consuming the cleaning, the higher your total cost. Be clear about what level of service you need so your quote is accurate and you’re not caught off guard by hidden fees.

Window Cleaning in Sydney?

Even with price guides, window cleaning costs can vary. Several key factors influence the final price, including property type, window size, accessibility, and extra services.

What’s Included in Professional Window Cleaning Services?

When you hire a professional window cleaning service, you’re usually getting more than just a swipe with a cloth. The typical window cleaning package covers both the interior and exterior of all your glass windows, including single and double-hung options. But that’s just the start.

Here’s what you can generally expect:

Careful cleaning of frames, sills, and jambs to clear away dust, dirt, and cobwebs
Washing of window screens and fly screens
Removal of grime, spots, and any pesky mold or mildew lurking on window frames
Deeper cleaning techniques like water blasting, steam cleaning, or even specialized glass treatments when needed

Professional cleaners bring the right tools for each job, ensuring your windows are spotless and your fixtures stay in great shape.

You may also like to read about- “Choosing the Right Window Cleaning Service”

Supply List

As you create your window cleaning price list, find the best and most-used supplies. In the early stages of starting a window cleaning business, invest in high-quality, more expensive equipment rather than supplies and equipment you’ll replace often.

Investing in reliable, high-quality equipment reduces the likelihood of turning down jobs due to broken equipment or waiting for a replacement.

Your washing implement, which can be a pressure washer or a bucket and squeegee, is your most important tool. The best method for you depends on how much work you have and how many people can work at once.

Calculating Profit Margin for Window Cleaning Jobs

Setting window cleaning prices doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by adding up your costs labour, materials, and overhead (like insurance, fuel, and marketing). Next, decide on your profit margin, usually 15–25%.

Example: If your job costs total $300 and you want a 20% margin, add $60, making your final price $360.

This simple formula ensures your window cleaning business stays profitable while keeping your pricing fair and competitive.

Frequency

Location affects how often clients need their windows cleaned. If they live or work in a city where dirt and debris collect faster on windows, recommend a monthly window cleaning.

recommend bimonthly cleanings for suburban clients. Don’t encourage your customers to overwash their windows between appointments. Overusing cleaning chemicals can corrode glass. Broken windows can’t be cleaned, costing you money.

Simple-Design Windows

Simple and complex designs define commercial and residential windows. Window type affects window cleaning costs. Simple windows are easier to clean than complex ones.

Most commercial buildings and some homes have large, few-paned windows. Their design makes them easier and cheaper to clean.

These Windows Include:

Windows
Single/double-hung windows
Casement sBay
Since commercial buildings have simple windows with few panes, charging pane by pane will result in undercharging.

Single or no-pane windows are common in residential homes, especially rentals, because they’re cost-effective and easy to maintain, but two- to four-pane windows are the standard. $14-$28 per window at $7 per pane.

You could also charge a flat rate per window. Instead of $14 per pane, charge $15 for two panes, $30 for four. The small price increase is good for clients, but it adds up. Rounding up prices makes profit calculations easier.

Remove Drapes, Curtains, or Screens Before Cleaners?

Preparing for window cleaning is often the difference between a smooth appointment and an unnecessarily costly one. While most window cleaners can tackle drapes, curtains, or fly screens, not all will include these in their standard package, and extra time spent moving them might mean higher fees.

To keep your costs down and your cleaners on schedule, consider removing window coverings and fly screens ahead of time. Clearing away any drapes, curtains, or decorative items from sills ensures your cleaner can get started right away no delays, no additional charges for onsite preparation.

If you’re unsure whether these tasks are included, ask your cleaning service upfront. Many professionals are happy to handle it all, but some may charge for the extra labor if not discussed in advance. A little prep work on your part can streamline the whole process and help you avoid extra costs.

Design-Heavy Windows and Pricing

Complex windows like bow-shaped, transoms, or stained glass are harder to clean and often priced per pane, which can quickly reach $350 for a single window. While profitable, this may drive customers away. Flat rates are often better for such designs, as standard residential jobs rarely exceed $150.

Pricing should also consider location, building type, window style, and overheads like equipment, insurance, and vehicle upkeep, as well as whether you work solo or manage a team.

You may also like to read about- “The Importance of Professional Window Cleaning”

Professional Practices When Communicating With Potential Clients

Building trust starts before you even clean a single window. Strong communication creates the first impression clients remember. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Respond quickly and clearly
Show clients you value their time by replying promptly to inquiries. A fast, professional response builds confidence from the start.

2. Gather job details upfront
Ask clarifying questions before quoting:

How many windows and what types?
Any special features or requests?
Is it a one-time clean or regular service?
This ensures accurate pricing and avoids surprises later.

3. Provide transparent, itemized quotes
Break down costs for different window types, extras (like screens or tracks), and special services. Transparency prevents confusion and builds trust.

4. Set clear timelines and validity
Explain when you’re available, how long the job will take, and how long the quote is valid. Clear scheduling keeps expectations realistic and decisions moving.

5. Maintain professionalism
Be polite, respectful, and consistent across emails, calls, or in-person quotes. Professional communication reassures clients they’re dealing with someone reliable.

Strong communication doesn’t just help you win jobs it creates long-term client relationships and a solid reputation.

How to Reduce Window Cleaning Costs

There are a few simple ways to keep your window cleaning bill on the lower end, whether you’re managing a historic terrace or a shiny new penthouse.

Make windows easy to access
The more easily your cleaner can get to your windows, the faster the job gets done meaning less time billed. Move furniture, clear away potted plants, and tidy up window ledges before your appointment. If your windows are a maze to reach, you’ll be paying for the detour.
Prepping the site
Before your cleaner arrives, remove anything fragile or fiddly near your windows think family photos, decorative knickknacks, or that plant you keep forgetting to water. Getting these out of the way both protects your treasures and saves the cleaner from extra work.
Take down drapes and screens in advance
Flyscreens, curtains, and blinds often need to be removed before cleaning. While some services include this in the price, others may charge extra or skip it entirely. Ask when you book so you’re not surprised, and, if it’s not included, do it yourself to save both time and money.

These quick fixes help trim time (and costs), so your windows and your wallet stay sparkling.

DIY vs. Professional Commercial Window Cleaning Costs

Commercial window cleaning typically ranges from $150 to $500 for apartments or office buildings, often charged per square foot rather than per pane. Homes average around $150, as they require less equipment, ladders, and crew compared to large commercial sites.

Commercial Window Cleaning Pricing

Commercial jobs can be priced per window or per square foot, depending on size and scope. Always factor in window count and cleaning time to keep rates fair. While cleaners may earn $40–$75 per hour, hourly pricing isn’t ideal experienced professionals warn it often leads to lost revenue. Per-window or per-square-foot rates usually ensure better value.

Home Costs

Residential window cleaning prices vary. If it’s more profitable, charge by the panel, window, or hour. Some windows can be difficult to clean, while others are easier. Simple and complex windows determine the price.

You can expect to make more money cleaning residential windows than commercial ones. One or two people and minimal equipment are usually enough to work on a home.

Window Cleaning Price List Final Thoughts

Window cleaning services can struggle to determine how much to charge and how to create a price list with an average cost. Creating or updating your price list is time consuming but can make quoting customers easier and help you build your client base faster.

If your professional window cleaning price guide is outdated, talk to your long-term clients. Involving them and asking for their opinions shows you care about them and their windows.

Step into a home that sparkles from floor to ceiling! Book your professional clean now and feel the freshness instantly.

How to price your window cleaning services?

Table of Contents