How to Price Window Cleaning Services to Win Jobs and Grow Revenue

Importance of Establishing Window Cleaning Prices

The way you set up your prices for window cleaning will impact both your short-term and long-term revenue.

Starting a window cleaning service with the right pricing model will help ensure that your business remains flexible and profitable. A well-planned pricing strategy helps create a perception of value, increasing your chances of standing out from the competition. This not only aids in acquiring new customers but also fosters more referrals and greater customer loyalty.

Customer satisfaction is a combination of the service quality you deliver as well as the perceived value of those services. By offering market-based and competitive rates, you demonstrate that you understand your local economy and provide fair value for your services. Satisfied customers are more likely to book repeat services and recommend your business to others, helping you build a strong and loyal customer base.

Understanding Your Window Cleaning Costs

To establish an effective pricing strategy for your window cleaning service, you should consider several factors. Think about each of these costs in terms of your typical experience as well as predictable one-offs as you determine how to charge for window cleaning services:

• The time it takes to complete each task or overall job
• Travel time to and from a work site
• Wages for crew members, admin staff, and you as the owner
• Repairs and/or renewal of supplies and equipment
• Vehicle damage, repairs, and gas
• Annual insurance, permits, and liability
• Rental of storage and/or office space
• Marketing materials like brochures, crew shirts, or paid advertising
• The service offerings and window cleaning prices of local competitors

How to Competitively Price a Window Cleaning Service

Setting the right price for your window cleaning service is a crucial aspect of running a successful business. Competitive pricing not only attracts customers but also ensures profitability and sustainability in a crowded market. Operating in a price-based market can make it more difficult to differentiate your business. With consumers having multiple options at any given time, pricing can often become a deciding factor. Getting your pricing strategy right will help you win jobs and ensure your profitability.

Window Cleaning Cost per Square Foot

Window cleaning prices can be set based on a building's square footage, particularly for commercial buildings. The more square footage a building has, the more windows it typically has, and the higher the cleaning cost.

Average window cleaning prices for costs associated with square footage:

• 1,000 square feet: $170 - $220
• 1,500 square feet: $220 - $280
• 2,400 square feet: $300 - $400
• 3,200 square feet: $400 - $500
• 4,200 square feet: $500 - $600

Window Cleaning Cost per Window

The washing price per window can vary widely between $8 to $40. Per window costs have a high variation rate due to the size and placement of the window. In addition, certain types of windows can require an additional cost of up to $10. Windows with multiple panes, like storm windows, can average $40 per window because of the added time and complexity the service requires.

Window cleaning costs per window type include:

• Sliding: $8 - $10
• Single-hung: $8 - $16
• Double-hung: $8 - $16
• Casement: $15 - $30
• Skylights: $25 - $35
• Sunbursts: $30 - $40
• Storm windows: $40 - $50

When setting your pricing per window, remember to account for each window’s location. Windows that are on a second or third floor can increase from $5 to $10. Your costs should increase because you’re having to utilize additional equipment. Ladders, squeegees with an extension, harnesses, and more are all costs to running your business. When in use, these expenses should be covered by a small price increase.

Window Cleaning Cost per Hour

Deciding to charge per hour for a window cleaning service depends largely on your experience and if you run a crew. The average consumer cost is between $40 to $75 per hour for window washing. High-rise or multi-leveled homes can be priced anywhere from $80 to $170 per hour.

Your window washing prices should increase with each additional crew member you have to bring on when charging per hour. This is a labor cost, and thoughtful planning is essential to managing and keeping high-quality employees.

Setting Window Cleaning Prices by Service Type

Window cleaning can be offered to multiple target audiences. When estimating your window cleaning prices, take into consideration what types of services you would like to offer. Three primary window cleaning services include:

Commercial Window Cleaning

Commercial window cleaning prices are determined either by the building's square footage or per window pane. The average cost can vary between $2 to $8 per pane, $5 to $15 per window, and $36 to $58 per hour.

Once you know how you want to price your window washing business, you can set additional fees or discounts. Commercial window cleaning services will often offer discounts for a higher number of windows or a regular service schedule. Discounting can be a tricky pricing strategy, but it is effective in attracting new customers as well as driving repeat business.

Residential Window Cleaning

The most common window washing business is residential, and in a saturated market, pricing can make or break your success. With that in mind, you’ll want to be a bit more aggressive in your pricing strategy for your residential window cleaning services.

Residential window cleaning prices can vary widely between $150 to $370. The average standard for pricing a residential window cleaning service is to charge per window. This allows you to also offer interior window cleaning as an additional service cost. Also, you are able to charge more for windows that are on the second or third floor.

Construction Window Cleaning

Based on your market, a specialized service offering you may choose to consider is post-construction window cleaning. The average pricing range for this type of service is between $4 to $11 per pane. Typically, construction window washers won’t charge per square foot or per hour because they specialize in cleaning both the interior and exterior panes, doubling their prices. In addition, you can charge an additional $2 to $5 for any specific window type or if it’s a second or third-floor window.

Pricing Additional Window Cleaning Services

Successful window cleaning services encompass more than just window washing. While your services may seem specific to only washing, you can elevate your business by providing more value to your customers with more specialized services.

Additional window cleaning services to consider:

• Special window installation
• Window repair or replacement
• Window tinting
• Interior window cleaning
• Screen cleaning
• Window frame and sill cleaning
• Shutters, curtains, or blinds
• Skylights
• Storm windows
• Hard water stain removal

In addition, consider gutter cleaning or roof cleaning. Window-washing businesses offer these additional services to not only scale their business but to add more value.

You can increase your annual revenue by offering additional services. Window cleaning pricing covers more than just window washing and so should your business.

And don’t forget that seasonal pricing can also be a great way to entice new customers during the down season and maximize your profits in the busy months!

How to Charge For Window Cleaning Services

Establishing a clear, effective, and well-researched pricing strategy is essential for a window cleaning service to remain competitive in the market. In addition, communication plays a crucial role in this process, as it helps set expectations and ensures transparency between you, the service provider, and the customer.

When a potential customer reaches out for a quote, take the time to listen attentively and gather all relevant details about the project. This could include the number and size of windows, the level of dirt or grime present, and any specific requirements or challenges involved. By asking specific questions and actively engaging in dialogue, you can demonstrate your expertise, build a rapport, and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the scope of work that is being asked.

It is also best to explain upfront how your pricing aligns with the quality of service you provide. Highlight the value and benefits that customers can expect while showcasing the fairness of your pricing.

Increase Your Window Cleaning Business Revenue

By consistently delivering quality service at competitive prices, you can position your business as a trusted provider and ensure long-term success. The right pricing strategy can help you foster positive relationships and increase repeat business.

Scale your window cleaning service through Taskbird. Create a booking site with our intuitive online booking software that allows you to set up your business information and pricing all from one place. Streamline booking appointments by simplifying the process. Plus, with online booking, you can have customers book outside of normal business hours and eliminate booking errors. Never miss another customer inquiry about your window washing services again!