How to quote for window cleaning
Window cleaning is priced in minutes, not hours, and the whole business model depends on the density of your round. A well-priced property six doors from the last one is profitable; the same price twelve miles away is not. This guide covers pricing per property, per frequency and per access risk.
Quote rounds and commercial contracts with frequency, access and extras set out clearly.
Accepted in one tap, invoiced in one click. Free trial, no card needed.
How to price a window cleaning round
Set a target earnings-per-hour figure, estimate the minutes each property takes, and price from that. Then adjust for how far the property sits from the rest of your round.
1. Price from minutes on site and a target hourly figure
Most sole-trader window cleaners target £30–£50 an hour on the glass in 2026. A standard three-bed semi is 15–25 minutes with a water-fed pole, which is why £15–£25 is the common price. Time a few properties properly before setting your round rate — guessing costs you on every repeat visit.
2. Charge more for lower frequency
A four-weekly property stays clean and is quick; a job cleaned twice a year takes far longer and carries more risk of complaint. Price four-weekly as your base, eight-weekly at roughly 15–25% more per clean, and one-off or annual cleans at 50–100% more.
3. Add a first-clean charge
The first clean on a neglected property includes frame scrubbing, sill cleaning and removing years of build-up. Charge 1.5–2x the regular price and explain that subsequent visits drop to the round rate. Customers accept this readily when it is set out before you start.
4. Price access, height and extras honestly
Conservatory roofs, Velux and roof lights, leaded or Georgian bars, deep sills, restricted rear access, locked gates and anything requiring ladders or a taller pole all add time and risk. Gutter clearing, fascia and soffit cleaning and solar panel cleaning are separate services with their own pricing, not favours.
5. Quote commercial work as a contract
Shopfronts and offices want a schedule and an invoice, not a card through the door. Quote a per-visit price with a stated frequency, agreed access times, insurance details and payment terms of 14 or 30 days. Commercial work smooths your cash flow, but only if the terms are written down.
What to put on a window cleaner quote
- Property address, type and number of windows or elevations
- Cleaning frequency and the per-visit price
- First-clean charge, where it applies
- What is included: glass, frames, sills, doors
- Extras: conservatory roof, gutters, fascias, solar panels
- Access requirements, gates, parking and any keys
- Method used: water-fed pole, traditional or ladders
- Public liability insurance cover level
- Payment method and terms, and how you notify of visits
- Wet-weather and missed-visit policy
Realistic UK price ranges for window cleaners
Indicative UK figures for 2026. Round density matters more than anything else — isolated properties need a premium to be worth the drive.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Terrace / small 2-bed | £10 – £16 per clean |
| Three-bed semi | £15 – £25 per clean |
| Large detached / 4-bed | £25 – £45 per clean |
| First clean uplift | +50% – 100% |
| Conservatory roof | £25 – £60 |
| Gutter clearing (semi) | £60 – £120 |
Run your own numbers in the free quote calculator or check your margin with the markup & margin calculator.
Common quoting mistakes for window cleaners
- Pricing to undercut the existing round in the area rather than to your own hourly target.
- No first-clean charge, so every new customer's hardest clean is the one you earn least on.
- Charging the same for four-weekly and six-monthly work.
- Taking isolated properties at round rates and losing the time in the van.
- Treating gutters, fascias and conservatory roofs as free add-ons.
- No written terms for commercial clients, so invoices sit unpaid for months.
Pricing FAQs
How much should a window cleaner charge in the UK?
A three-bed semi typically costs £15–£25 per clean in 2026, a terrace £10–£16 and a large detached £25–£45. Price from minutes on site against a target of roughly £30–£50 an hour rather than copying the local going rate.
Should I charge more for a first clean?
Yes — usually 50–100% more. The first visit involves frames, sills and accumulated build-up that regular cleans never face. Say the regular price applies from the second visit and customers almost never object.
How should frequency affect the price?
Four-weekly is your base rate. Eight-weekly should be 15–25% higher per clean and one-off or annual cleans 50–100% higher, because the dirt load and the time on site both increase.
How do I quote commercial window cleaning?
As a contract: per-visit price, agreed frequency and access window, insurance cover levels, and payment terms of 14 or 30 days with invoices. Commercial buyers want a document to file, not a verbal price.
Quote rounds and commercial contracts with frequency, access and extras set out clearly.
Accepted in one tap, invoiced in one click. Free trial, no card needed.
More reading
Want the long-form version with a worked example? How much to charge for window cleaning →