Window Cleaning Pricing Guide for 2026

Window cleaning pricing can feel like guesswork until you build a system. This guide gives you a repeatable framework, per-window rates, story adjustments, add-ons, and minimums, so every quote is consistent and profitable.

The Core Pricing Model: Per Window

Unlike pressure washing (which typically prices by square footage), window cleaning is most accurately priced per window pane. This gives customers a clear breakdown and gives you a consistent cost baseline.

2026 baseline rates (per pane, exterior only):

| Window Type | Low Market | Mid Market | High Market | |---|---|---|---| | Standard pane (single or double hung) | $4 | $6 | $8 | | Large picture window | $8 | $12 | $16 | | Sliding glass door (per panel) | $6 | $9 | $12 | | Skylight | $15 | $20 | $30 | | French door (per pane) | $3 | $4.50 | $6 |

Interior cleaning typically adds 30–50% to the exterior price.

Story Multipliers

Cleaning 2nd and 3rd story windows costs more, ladder time, safety setup, and difficulty all increase.

Apply these multipliers to your per-window rate:

• 1st story: 1.0× (no adjustment)
• 2nd story: 1.5–2.0×
• 3rd story: 2.5–3.5×

Example: A 2nd-story standard pane at $6/pane × 1.75 = $10.50/pane.

Add-Ons

These should always be offered as line items:

| Add-On | Typical Price | |---|---| | Screen cleaning | $3–$5 per screen | | Track cleaning | $2–$4 per track | | Hard water stain removal | $8–$20 per pane | | Storm window removal and replacement | $5–$10 per window | | Sill cleaning | $1–$2 per sill |

Offering add-ons systematically increases average job value by 20–35%. Don't assume customers don't want them, offer everything, let them choose.

Minimum Job Charge

Never accept a job below your minimum. For window cleaning, minimums vary:

• Solo operator: $75–$99 minimum
• 2-person crew: $120–$150 minimum

A 10-window house at $5/pane = $50. Below your minimum. Charge $79.

Example Quote: Standard 3-Bedroom Home

• 16 standard panes (exterior, ground floor) × $6 = $96
• 8 standard panes (exterior, 2nd story) × $6 × 1.75 = $84
• 1 sliding glass door (exterior) × $9 = $9
• 4 large picture windows (ground floor, exterior) × $12 = $48
• Interior cleaning (all windows): $237 × 40% = $95 add-on
• 20 screens × $4 = $80
• Total: $412

This is a real example. A 3-bedroom suburban home with a mix of window sizes and a 2-story exterior should yield $350–$500+ for a full exterior/interior clean with screens.

Commercial Window Cleaning

Commercial pricing typically moves to square footage or linear footage, priced per visit:

• Storefront (single-story, exterior): $0.50–$1.50 per linear foot of glass
• Office building (multi-story): priced per floor, per pane, or per sqft of glass area
• Recurring contracts: Offer 10–20% discount for monthly or quarterly service

Commercial jobs often pay more per hour than residential but require more insurance and specialized equipment for multi-story work.

How Often Do Customers Need Service?

Setting this expectation in your quote helps convert to recurring business:

• High traffic homes (near roads, with pets, large trees): Every 3–4 months
• Average home: Every 6 months (spring + fall)
• Low traffic, rural: Annually

Position twice-yearly service as the standard. Customers who book twice per year are 4× more valuable over time than one-time customers.

Building a Consistent Quoting System

The biggest pricing risk in window cleaning is inconsistency, quoting the same home differently depending on your mood or memory. A consistent system fixes this:

1. Count every window before quoting
2. Apply your rate chart (not a gut feeling)
3. Add every applicable add-on as a line item
4. Apply minimum charge if needed
5. Send a professional quote digitally, not verbally

Roooster lets you configure your per-window rates, story multipliers, and add-ons once, then generate professional quotes in minutes. Each quote goes to the customer as a link they can approve on their phone.

Summary: Quick Reference

• Price per window pane (not by hour)
• Apply 1.5–3.5× multiplier for upper-story windows
• Offer screens, tracks, and interior cleaning as line items on every quote
• Set a minimum job charge ($75–$150)
• Build toward recurring service: it's where the real money is

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