Cleaning high-rise windows typically costs between $500 and $2,500+ per service, depending on the building height, accessibility, and total window count. Professional services generally charge $15 to $40 per window or $50 to $170+ per hour due to the required safety equipment, insurance, and rope access systems.
Commercial cleaning prices vary from $0.07 to $0.15 a square foot or $50 to $100 an hour. For specialty commercial cleaning services like window cleaning, the cost is $2 to $5 per windowpane.
General Cleaning Recommendations for High-Rise Windows
We recommend having your high-rise windows professionally cleaned at least twice a year. However, some businesses choose to have their windows cleaned as often as once a month to keep their windows pristine.
According to the International Building Code, (IBC) a high-rise is a building with an occupied floor that's 75 feet or higher above the lowest level of fire department access. On average, a five-story building is 75 feet or higher and would be considered a high-rise.
The Risks of High-Rise Window Cleaning
Cleaning windows at heights of 10, 20, or even 50 stories up involves several risks: Falls due to inadequate anchor points or equipment. Swing hazards from wind or sudden movement. Injuries from improper rope access techniques.
Often some of the clerestory windows are fixed while only some strategically placed ones are openable.
The best times to clean your windows are spring and fall. In the spring, you'll clear away winter's buildup of grime, salt, and debris. In the fall, window cleaning removes dirt, pollen, and dust before the winter months settle in.
Professional window cleaners generally use either purified water (for water-fed poles) or a mixture of water and specialized detergents (for traditional squeegee work).
Windows usually look streaky because leftover soap film or dirt is moved around on the glass and allowed to dry. This generally happens when using the wrong tools (like paper towels or dirty rags), applying too much cleaning solution, or cleaning in direct sunlight.
The Pros of Hiring a Professional Window Cleaner
A professional window cleaner is not only responsible for making your panes shine but will also alert you to any potential issues. They also handle the heavy stuff, like climbing ladders and getting into hard-to-reach areas.
One of the most recognised techniques for high-rise cleaning is rope access, also known as abseiling. This involves operatives descending the façade using ropes and harnesses anchored to the roof. Safety: Rope access is regulated by bodies such as IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association).
Window washing is inherently dangerous, which means you'll need a small business insurance policy to protect your employees.
High or tricky-to-reach windows are challenging for anyone trying to clean their home's windows. If you don't have the right ladder or cleaning equipment, this can quickly become a safety hazard. Many people either avoid cleaning these windows or hire a professional for help.
Skyscraper window cleaners in New York City typically earn an average base salary of $41,000 to $50,000 annually, which translates to about $20 to $24 an hour. However, highly experienced rope access technicians and independent contractors can make $400 to $1,000+ a day depending on the contract.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
Cleaning windows that haven't been touched in years requires a heavy-duty approach, starting with a dry brush to remove cobwebs and dust, followed by a thorough scrub with soapy water or a vinegar solution, and finishing with a squeegee for a streak-free shine. For severe grime or haze, use a mixture of warm water and dish soap, a Magic Eraser, or a 0000 steel wool pad to break down buildup.
Most window cleaners will use their own water when they come to clean your windows. It's quick and convenient for them to use purified water from a tank in their van and they don't waste time looking for water sources.
1) Health & Safety:
If you were to use them all day, every day, for window cleaning, the risk of an accident would be extremely high. As a company, it puts staff at risk of potential, life-changing and even threatening injuries.
Most homeowners think that the best way to clean their windows is with a popular glass cleaner, but the best glass cleaning solution is a pre-mixed vinegar based solution that does not contain ammonia or alcohol. You can create your own vinegar solution by mixing one cup of white vinegar with 10 cups of water.
Speaking of temperatures, you might ask, “What temperature should you not clean windows at?” Here's the deal: avoid window cleaning when the thermometer dips below 32°F. Not only can cold temperatures impact the cleaning solutions used, but they can also pose a risk to both the cleaners and the window panes themselves.
Of course, the cleaning routine will vary depending on your needs each week, but in 2 hours you should expect your cleaner to: