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How Many Window Washers Out There?
- Thread starter Mark
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Clean County
New Member
I have one Commercial account to clean windows. Once I get the Powerwashing end of this account I will drop the window account like a hot potato. To much traveling to make enough money to keep it.
For those that do clean windows, does anyone clean hard to reach windows with their pressure washer and DI water (or another method)? If yes, what do you charge? I know everyone needs to charge what they have to charge from their expenses, but I'm just curious to see how much differant people get for those hard to reach windows.
Window vs. Pressure washing
Up until recently we have been a window washing company,doing some pwing.We are now moving into more pressure washing,but will keep the commercial window accounts we have(20 every week)because of their loyalty and they have all used us for pwing.All are within 2 miles of home so no long drive to get them done.
We will be offering window washing as an add-on to our new customer,when doing residential,but are not seeking anymore regular commercial accounts.
The windows that can not be reach with an extention pole or ladder(we have poles that will reach to 24ft) we pass on.Using a pressure washer up high is not practical to us,you still have to find a way to scrub the grime,either with a scrubber head or brush.
On price ,we do most commercial for $5 per window(inside and out)unless the winodws are very large then we add more per pane,residential is around $3.50 per side,more if there are a lot of small panes in each window.We also try to get the customer to add-on screen cleaning @ $2 per,and blind cleaning @$6 per.Also,if a house has storm windows you need to charge and extra $3.50 per side on those in addition to the $3.50 per side on the regular windows.
We did a home last Fri. storm windows,screens,blinds and windows. the bill came to $210,should have been more but I forgot to add the storm windows,so i learned that I need to double check all my figures,but we still made in the area of $60 an hr,so we walked away happy.
We have never used DI to rinse,we stick with the brush and squeegee method.If you want to brush then rinse and not squeegee on outside windows, you can add a small amount of rinse aide(the kind used in dishwashers) to a bucket of clean water and get some nice,nearly spot free results.
The trick to doing windows is speed ,the faster you can work the more $$ you can make.
Up until recently we have been a window washing company,doing some pwing.We are now moving into more pressure washing,but will keep the commercial window accounts we have(20 every week)because of their loyalty and they have all used us for pwing.All are within 2 miles of home so no long drive to get them done.
We will be offering window washing as an add-on to our new customer,when doing residential,but are not seeking anymore regular commercial accounts.
The windows that can not be reach with an extention pole or ladder(we have poles that will reach to 24ft) we pass on.Using a pressure washer up high is not practical to us,you still have to find a way to scrub the grime,either with a scrubber head or brush.
On price ,we do most commercial for $5 per window(inside and out)unless the winodws are very large then we add more per pane,residential is around $3.50 per side,more if there are a lot of small panes in each window.We also try to get the customer to add-on screen cleaning @ $2 per,and blind cleaning @$6 per.Also,if a house has storm windows you need to charge and extra $3.50 per side on those in addition to the $3.50 per side on the regular windows.
We did a home last Fri. storm windows,screens,blinds and windows. the bill came to $210,should have been more but I forgot to add the storm windows,so i learned that I need to double check all my figures,but we still made in the area of $60 an hr,so we walked away happy.
We have never used DI to rinse,we stick with the brush and squeegee method.If you want to brush then rinse and not squeegee on outside windows, you can add a small amount of rinse aide(the kind used in dishwashers) to a bucket of clean water and get some nice,nearly spot free results.
The trick to doing windows is speed ,the faster you can work the more $$ you can make.
bulletproof
New Member
You're right the trick is speed . I am always looking for a faster way to do windows. Most posts I have read recomend using a squeegee. I have had problems with streaking using this method, but I believe it is due to my technique. Could someone explain the proper technique to avoid the streaks ?
squeegee tips
bulletproof,
On large windows we squeege down from top to bottom,over lapping about a 1/2" on each pass.It is important that you wipe the squeege with each pass,if you don't the excess water from the last pass will contribute to streaks.
On windows that we can reach easily(top just above head level),we work side to side,this way the water is always moving down the squeege blade toward the bottom of the window,wiping at each pass with the 1/2" over lap.
Also one source of the streaks could be your washing mixture,we prefer cleaners with no ammonia.Ammonia make the mixture dry faster.the faster it dries the more likely you'll have streaks.
If you are using Dawn or some other dish soap,remember that you only need about 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water.( 1 tsp works well)
One other thing that cause streaks is a worn rubber blade on your squeege,you'll be able to tell if it is worn the edge and ends will look rounded,they should look square.
bulletproof,
On large windows we squeege down from top to bottom,over lapping about a 1/2" on each pass.It is important that you wipe the squeege with each pass,if you don't the excess water from the last pass will contribute to streaks.
On windows that we can reach easily(top just above head level),we work side to side,this way the water is always moving down the squeege blade toward the bottom of the window,wiping at each pass with the 1/2" over lap.
Also one source of the streaks could be your washing mixture,we prefer cleaners with no ammonia.Ammonia make the mixture dry faster.the faster it dries the more likely you'll have streaks.
If you are using Dawn or some other dish soap,remember that you only need about 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of water.( 1 tsp works well)
One other thing that cause streaks is a worn rubber blade on your squeege,you'll be able to tell if it is worn the edge and ends will look rounded,they should look square.
Thanks Dan
Dan,
Thanks for the welcome,sorry about the long posts.Just trying to be thorough.
We will gladly offer any help we can.Wish we had found the board back last year when we started.
Thank Goodness we found it and have had time to do research for our PWing business.Lots of great advice shared on the board that has steered us in the right direction.
Dan,
Thanks for the welcome,sorry about the long posts.Just trying to be thorough.
We will gladly offer any help we can.Wish we had found the board back last year when we started.
Thank Goodness we found it and have had time to do research for our PWing business.Lots of great advice shared on the board that has steered us in the right direction.
All of my window washing experience has been residential. It started as an add on after we did a ladies deck . I charged her $5 per window outside only. I cleaned the window and the white frame. I used a 24' extension pole with a cotton batted window wash tool dipped in windex. Then a squigee. The streak killer idea I had worked great. I stapled newspaper around another cotton batted wash tool and buffed the pane to remove streaks. Since that first time I found it better to just quote a total price and not a price per window. In my area there was a great demand for this service but I try and stick to deck care.
M
MARK W.
Guest
I tried to add window washing to my business but did not have a lot of luck. Taking out the screens when you are a top of a ladder seemed to be the down fall. I did not know what do do with the screens. Going up and down took a lot of time and I did not make good money doing it.
mhpoole
New Member
Professional window cleaners rarely wipe their blade after each pass because you wear the rubber down twice as fast if not more.
Your streaking problem could be your solution, or working in the sun without enough water or white oxidized frames will almost always leave streaking of some sort. Try to only make 2 passes per window thats the key. Don't try and be fancy and try the "s" method stick with left to right or up to down. For screens work on the inside of the home first taking the screens out and tossing them down or taking them down from the inside. Then wash and replace as you clean the outside of the home. This is the fastest method for me. I average around $50 to $60 an hour cleaning this way. If you are a beginner you should still make atleast $25.00 an hour or so. Tracks are extra and should be noted on your estimate sheet. Some people will try to take advantage of you if you do not point that out. ....................................................Mark
Your streaking problem could be your solution, or working in the sun without enough water or white oxidized frames will almost always leave streaking of some sort. Try to only make 2 passes per window thats the key. Don't try and be fancy and try the "s" method stick with left to right or up to down. For screens work on the inside of the home first taking the screens out and tossing them down or taking them down from the inside. Then wash and replace as you clean the outside of the home. This is the fastest method for me. I average around $50 to $60 an hour cleaning this way. If you are a beginner you should still make atleast $25.00 an hour or so. Tracks are extra and should be noted on your estimate sheet. Some people will try to take advantage of you if you do not point that out. ....................................................Mark
For dealing with screens on a ladder I use a small spring loaded clamp (any hardware store). I tie the clamp to a small twine or rope and tie the other end to the ladder. I clamp off the screen while I'm working and just let it hang. That way I have my hands free and don't have to run up and down the ladder to set the screen down. I also use a "bucket on a belt" to hold my scrubber and squeege. Tool belts are a must for ladder work.
powerwashgirl
New Member
I offer window cleaning as part of my pressure washing/gutter cleaning business - and I have a question about how my peers are counting/pricing windows - do you all price per frame or sash - - how are you pricing bigger windows and sliding glass doors. Do you double the price that you've quoted for the interior windows - and what about storm windows.
Thanks, Powerwashggirl
Thanks, Powerwashggirl
crystalclear
New Member
The best thing to do is call all of the other window cleaning companies in your area and ask them to give you a quote over the phone. I would also recommend to have some of these companies come out and give you a quote at your house or a friends house. This way you can come up with good competitive pricing.
S
Slim Pickens
Guest
Window Cleaning
I Have been in the window cleaning buis for about 19 yrs and in the past several yrs we added pw.
Jim
Quality Cleaning Contractors
I Have been in the window cleaning buis for about 19 yrs and in the past several yrs we added pw.
Jim
Quality Cleaning Contractors
Cat Powerwash
New Member
I advertise for window cleaning and charge $10.00 per window inside and out. It also depends on the size of the house and size of windows.
S
Slim Pickens
Guest
Windows
Hey Cat
Where in Jersey are you at?.
Jim
Quality Cleaning Contractors
Hey Cat
Where in Jersey are you at?.
Jim
Quality Cleaning Contractors
Cat Powerwash
New Member
Fair lawn, NJ