How Long Should it Take For a Professional to Clean My Windows?

 Will I Have to Be Around All Day for the Window Cleaners?

With so much packed into the average person's schedule, it is helpful for a contractor to give a homeowner a rough idea of how long the service will take. Besides that, giving a reasonably accurate arrival time can be helpful. With experience, window cleaners will gain a strong grasp on what time will be needed to complete a project. And, not surprisingly, the smaller the project, the easier it will be to estimate the necessary time requirements. What factors are there that help determine how long a cleaning professional will be at your home? Before going into a detailed discussion of what makes window cleaning take as long as it may take, the general  answer is half a day or less. That may be all you need to know. But why not read on about the variables which affect the answer? 

Three Factors That Dictate How Long the Job Will Take

The most basic things that dictate the time required for a window cleaner to be at your house are

1. Project Size

2. Crew Size

3. Degree of Difficulty

1. The number of windows is a simple but effective basis to estimate how much time will be needed to get the job done. Along with window count, some other questions to consider are: will this include screens? Will both inside and outside of the glass be cleaned? Do my windows have removable grills that will add time and effort to the mix? Are the glass panes divided by muntin bars into smaller panes? Also, do any windows have additional storm windows added in? Another factor which often enters into project size is will there be other services done while there? This may include gutter cleaning, power washing, and roof cleaning in some combination. Back on the subject of cleaning inside in addition to outside, one may perhaps assume that outsides should take longer than insides. That is often not the case. There may actually be more moving of items and preparation involved in cleaning insides. Screens, ladder setups, furniture and personal items may all be factors which require time in addition to the actual cleaning of the window. Most outside windows, even 2nd or 3rd floor, can be accessed from the ground and cleaned very effectively with a good water purification system and high quality water fed pole. 

2. As would be expected, the larger the crew, the shorter the time required to complete the tasks at hand. Home service teams do their best to develop an efficient way to 'divide and conquer' when it comes to window cleaning and other similar items. Be mindful that having two technicians on site won't automatically cut the time required in half, and three won't necessarily make a 6-hour solo job a 2-hour job. Efficiency can be fine-tuned, but there will be limits. 

3. There are several factors in residential window cleaning that may seem trivial, but in actuality have a significant effect on the degree of difficulty. In turn, the degree of difficulty certainly has a bearing on the time required to properly and expertly clean your windows. Access issues stands out as a major variable. On the outside, there may be obstacles that need to be navigated safely and without causing damage to property. That can include trees, gardens, shrubs, and landscaping. Tree branches may be close enough to windows needing to be cleaned that a 'direct shot' with a ladder or pole is not possible. Of course, a professional will almost always figure out a way to get it done properly and safely, but extra time will be needed. The same general cautions and adapted approach may enter in when the other aforementioned obstacles exist. This type of situation is where using a water fed pole with a pure water cleaning system can be a game changer, since work can be done from the ground at a wide range of distances from the glass itself and even from an angle (not directly in front of the glass). Other access challenges can be skylights which can't be cleaned from the ground, getting to decks without ground access, and solariums or conservatory glass. These and others not mentioned here can add to the time needed to clean windows properly. 

How dirty are the windows? When several years go by, windows can become extremely dirty with a variety of contaminants that pile up. This may include pollen, dirt, smoke, insects, and other organic matter that settles on glass. There also may be spots of paint or wood stain on glass due to a homeowner or contractor not covering the glass while doing his thing. Dealing with such factors can sometimes double or triple the cleaning time. 

Inside access issues can affect the time needed to do a proper clean. This may include the need to move furniture, cover or move sensitive personal items, and set up ladders. One other often overlooked factor can be simply the size of the panels. The top height of even standing-level glass can be such that short technicians will need a stepladder or pole to get to the highest areas. Repeat this drawn-out process 10,  or even 100 times if the house is large and that can greatly affect the time necessary to get the job done. Even the width of panes can make it challenging for taller technicians to speed through the process. 

With the plethora of window manufacturers and their variety of models, some windows can be extra challenging while others can be a walk in the park. I won't get into my most and least favorite manufacturers in this post. I probably never will!

What is the Typical Time Needed to Clean All Windows in a Home?

The answer truly depends on the typical homes in a certain region. Some areas include many 'cookie cutter' homes of somewhat modest size, perhaps well under 2000 square feet of living space. A solo window cleaner may be able to spend 2 hours or less at such locations while a crew of 2 or more may be in and out in 30 minutes or less. Other areas tend to have midsize or larger homes with 2 or three floors. A crew of 2 or 3 may need a few hours to complete all window cleaning. If multiple services are being rendered, 2/3 of a day or potentially all day may be needed. 

Some regions of the United States may be known for Victorian Style homes. These often have a load of glass that is difficult to clean quickly. And older sections of towns may have large houses with old glass and/or storm windows which can require much longer cleaning times. 

For my business which operates in northeastern PA and part of upstate NY, we commonly schedule 2 to 6 houses in one day when running full-steam with a crew or two. So, the general answer to how long you should expect it to take for my company to finish cleaning your windows is 1.5 to 2.5 hours. This is certainly not a rule, but an average. Averages don't tell the whole story, but give us an idea of what is common. There are only a handful of houses we service in any given year that require a full day. They do exist, though. 

What Can a Homeowner Do To Help the Window Cleaner?

One simple step a homeowner can take to avoid the need for excess time spent by the window cleaning crew is to provide clear access to interior windows. Many companies will ask or require you to move personal items away from your windows. Whether this is asked for or not, this is definitely a practical and helpful measure to expedite the process. A responsible window cleaning outfit will not carelessly or flippantly endanger a homeowner's furniture, flooring, and sensitive personal items in the name of speed. How much more pleasant it is, though, when there is just a minimal amount of prep time needed to clean windows around homeowner's belongings! 

Another consideration is making a reasonable effort to allow the window cleaners free access to each room so as to avoid causing delays or interruptions in the game plan. This may not always be completely possible, depending on what the daily home routine is, but it can be very helpful to cut down on visit time. 

My suggestion is to be on the same page with the service company which will be visiting your house- namely, be as accommodating as you can be and the professionals will be respectful and efficient as they can be. Everyone should be happy in that case!

If you'd like to discuss this or have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at dan@danwagnerwindowcleaning.com

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning has been serving home and business owners since 1986. Areas covered include Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Beach Lake, Damascus, Pleasant Mount, Equinunk, Forest City, Carbondale, Scranton, Dunmore, Lake Ariel, Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and others. 

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Do Window Cleaners Need to Have Insurance?

Is General Liability Insurance Really That Important?

I would venture to say that few individuals or companies get excited when the subject of insurance is brought up. Probably 99% of the exceptions are those who work in the insurance industry. How many things in this world do you love having when it helps you and hate paying for because it may never be called upon to help you? Add to this strange mix the fact that insurance, by and large, gets more and more expensive here in the US. And that ever-so-small, yet present fear, that you won't be covered when you expect to be covered. It can be at least a small nagging concern.

For window cleaning companies, is general liability insurance necessary by law or on a case-by-case basis? Is it even necessary at all? 

What is General Liability Insurance Designed to Do?

In short, general liability insurance as it would apply to window cleaning, covers bodily injury and property damage. There are other details that apply to most any business that are of a less physical nature, such as things spoken by owners or employees. A caveat will be discussed later in the article that can make it a bit more 'exciting', shall we say.

With just those subjects listed, it sure seems that any business that is serious about being successful over the long haul and is not simply taking everything a day at a time, would recognize the importance of paying a premium to be protected if an accident to property or person occurs. At the very least, it may well help a business owner who is insured this way to sleep better at night. For contractors who are adequately insured for most any occurrence a COI (certificate of insurance) may be viewed as a "badge of honor", at least early on. This forward step for a new company may be looked at as bragging rights, fodder for marketing and such. By the same token, an inquisitive customer will likely feel much more at ease knowing a window cleaning outfit that will be on the premises will make good on any accidents by virtue of  its coverage. You might say that carrying GL insurance is often a right to proceed, when it comes to landing jobs. Sometimes homeowners will verbally require proof of insurance, and even more often commercial establishments will only conduct business with a contractor who is insured for property and personal damage, among other things. 

When a contractor hires a subcontractor, new possibilities come into play. While it is not set in concrete that a subcontractor must carry liability insurance, the hiring contractor faces the danger of being responsible for property or personal damage caused by the subcontractor. Additionally, if an employee of the sub files a worker's compensation claim and the sub is not carrying that type of insurance, the hiring contractor will be responsible by law to pay for that as well. Those scenarios are not pleasant ones to contemplate. 

Is it a Logical Choice For Window Cleaners to Carry Liability Insurance?

From the preceding paragraphs, there is strong evidence that it is indeed logical to be insured for potential damage. No, it's not generally a MUST in a legal sense, anywhere in the US, but where licenses are required to conduct business in a specific trade it may well be a legal requirement. Be that as it may, I feel that when a contractor carries liability insurance and commercial auto insurance, it is a sign that he is genuinely interested in doing things safely and correctly for the long haul. 

Here is the caveat I alluded to earlier. Do not assume that general liability will protect you from EVERY type of damage you cause while carrying on your work. I got slapped in the face with this fact many years ago. There is a term in the insurance world called 'care, custody, and control'. This comes into play when you as a worker damage something you are handling or overseeing. Here is how Insureon describes this exclusion of coverage

Next are a couple anecdotes relating to how I got burned by my lack of due diligence. If you want to skip over these, scroll down to the subheading "What Insurance is the Most Useful For Window Cleaning Companies?"

My slaps in the face came from believing I was covered for anything that happened while my team was on the job, not including gross negligence. It was my fault for not investigating. I was just excited during the years I had no occurrences when I could say confidently that I have insurance. 

On one occasion, one of my employees moved a bench away from a plate glass window. Unfortunately there was a gap between the tile floor and the glass itself, one wide enough for a foot of the bench to get caught in. The large piece of glass shattered when the corner of the bench banged into it. I figured I would be paying my deductible and that's it. I was informed by the man from this particular carrier that this would not be covered due to the fact that 'we were intending to clean that window'. Not a pleasant revelation. Needless to say, I brought my concerns to the agency I was using at the time for liability insurance and asked if they could find coverage that would protect me if something similar happened in the future. The agent said "you should be covered". In this context, she meant "I'm pretty sure you are covered", not "I feel it's only right you are covered".

Well, that didn't pan out. Later in that year of having that particular policy I was tilting in a window so I could clean the outside from the inside. For whatever reason, I put too much stress on the sash and this caused the glass to form a large crack. Again, I found out that since I was handling the window, literally, this damage would not be covered by my policy. 

Thankfully, I finally learned the valuable lesson that I need to find an agency that specializes in insuring contractors in fields such as the one I am engaged in. The agency I used had great personnel, but they just didn't have the specific direction I needed. 

I found an amazing agency whom I used for around 10 years until recently. They changed direction and I just recently found one that can serve my current needs. There were a few incidents along the lines of the ones I described, 2 of them frivolous, and my policy still had me covered. The additional coverage is what is called Inland Marine Insurance. It protects the insured when there is property damage to non-structural items that are under their care, custody, and control. 

What Insurance is the Most Useful for Window Cleaning Companies?

As I wrote early on in this article, there is a certain peace of mind that contractors have when properly insured as it pertains to their services. And peace of mind is passed on to paying customers as well. That is arguably even more important. The types of insurance, then, that window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter cleaning companies and similar ones are wise to carry are as follows:

General Liability- covers bodily and property injury while a contractor's team is on the jobsite

Marine Inland or similar- covers damage to items that are under the care, custody, and control of the contractor. It could include broken windows or scratched floors resulting from moving furniture. 

Commercial Auto- covers the contractor and his employees as regards financial responsibility if they are to blame for an accident while in a vehicle under the coverage. 

Worker's Compensation- covers payment for employee's medical expenses and wage loss benefits if a work-related injury or sickness occurs, until the employee is able to return to work.  

 

Something slightly different than actual insurance is a Surety Bond- This is more directly for the sake of protecting the customer. It's a guarantee that the party who is receiving a service or product gets compensated no matter what. here is an article I feel explains this well.

The conclusion?

There is a certain measure of professionality when a window cleaning company carries the necessary insurance to pay for damage or injury that does not involve gross negligence. I can recall back in the late 1980's and into the mid-1990's when I went back and forth about paying for insurance. Yes, I was short-sighted and viewing it more as a liability to me than a worthwhile protection. I couldn't land or maintain some accounts due to lack of insurance. The term that window cleaners often use, admittedly in a disparaging way, but also to indicate the low level of seriousness, is 'Bucket Bob'. It is similar to what general contractors call 'Chuck in a Truck'. Besides the fact that a new company would be smart in the planning stages to plan on having insurance right away, some just need a bit of helpful advice. 

If you are searching for a company to perform cleaning services on your property, you are well within your rights, and honestly making a good decision to ensure your interests will be protected in the case of damage or injury. No, it is not a state law in Pennsylvania. It is, though, a better option than being uninsured. In my time running a window cleaning company, any customers who have asked me to provide proof of insurance have been nothing but tactful and professional about it. 

On occasion, I subcontract out some work. All subcontractors who are in my circle furnish proof of general liability insurance. This works out very well for all parties involved. 

If you are a homeowner or commercial property manager, please consider these points.

Happy 'shopping'!

If you'd like to discuss this or have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at dan@danwagnerwindowcleaning.com

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning has been serving home and business owners since 1986. Areas covered include Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Beach Lake, Damascus, Pleasant Mount, Equinunk, Forest City, Carbondale, Scranton, Dunmore, Lake Ariel, Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and others. 

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Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986

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Reconciling Window Cleaning With Rain in the Forecast

There's A Chance of Rain in the Forecast!

Rain, or snow, is the legendary and perceived enemy of a window cleaning schedule! From what I've read in various industry groups on Facebook and forums, the alarms go off in the heads of customers at varying levels of probability for precipitation. Some in southern California say that clients will postpone their window cleaning appointments if there is a 5% chance of precipitation. I can't personally confirm or deny that. I don't know that official forecasts go lower than 20% even in arid regions of the US, but the point seems to be that in areas where homeowners are accustomed to clear days as a rule, even the slightest mention of rain may be a dealbreaker. 

I've also gathered from window cleaning and pressure washing companies in the Pacific Northwest that if they allowed the precipitation forecast to strictly guide their schedule, they wouldn't have a business. On average, in Seattle, Washington it rains somewhere around 150 days per year, but it seems to be more frequent than heavy. It clearly depends on local tolerance for precipitation. Here in northeastern Pennsylvania, a chance of precipitation is pretty common, but not necessarily a daily concern. I checked with my local National Weather Service office and they said the lowest probability of precipitation they will mention on their website's forecast is 20%. They mentioned that on social media posts they may say as low as 10%. Either way, rain is a potential factor. 

 So, Does Rain Make Windows Dirty?

In my years of interacting with residential customers and even passersby when cleaning storefront windows, countless people will say something such as "it's going to rain later this week and ruin all your work", "it's going to rain tomorrow. At least I'll get one day of clean windows!", or "you know it'll rain tomorrow since you're cleaning the windows!" Thus, the question of whether rain truly makes clean windows dirty and how to address it looms large in the minds of many window cleaners. Such an assertion has become about as common as 'if I go skiing or snowboarding, I'll break my leg'. Here is something to think about. Rain itself is pretty clean and pure in its falling state. That does not mean there are no minerals or any other solid matter in it. Technically, pure water (comprising nothing but H₂O) does not exist in nature. It can only be manufactured by distilling or other methods. But it does mean that there are no chemicals or contaminants in typical rainwater- chlorine and so on. There still must be a reason why the fear that rain that falls within days after a window gets cleaned is going to ruin the whole proposition. No question, in certain cases, windows can look pretty awful after being cleaned and then subject to a rainstorm. How do we reconcile the belief with the reality?

What Makes Windows Dirty After It Rains?

As roughly explained above, by and large, rainwater itself is extremely clean and does not mess up clean windows without other factors entering in. A popular saying with professional window cleaners is "Rain doesn't make windows dirty. Dirt makes windows dirty."  If stated the wrong way, this may come across as patronizing. However, it pretty much is the deal. Granted, in some areas such as heavily industrialized locales, there may be a high level of contaminants in the atmosphere which raindrops will pick up and deposit on glass. This would be a potential issue. Other added factors that can make windows look dirtier after a good rain are as follows:

filthy frames or siding above the glass - this is a solid reason to also have a good program to maintain the cleanliness of the building itself. When cleaning companies offer power washing and window cleaning, the power washing always is done first. Any legitimate window cleaning company, in my opinion, will clean the frames and openings that are part of the window at the very least. In this way, it will eliminate or greatly minimize the potential for dirty water from above to mess up clean glass.

very windy conditions after a cleaning - in fairness, if there is a significant chance of high winds kicking dirt around following a window cleaning, rescheduling might be the best option. A growing number of companies -mine included- use purified water to clean outside windows. The pure water is applied through some type of jets that use gentle pressure along with a brush or pad to scrub the glass thoroughly. Then, the loose dirt and debris is rinsed off the glass with the same pure water, leaving no dirt on the glass. The fact is that the pure water will take a little time to disappear from the glass, by gravity and evaporation. If wind and dust are present, there may be an issue with the remaining water droplets picking up the blowing dust or dirt. This will be a judgment call that an honest company will have to make as to whether it's best to reschedule or use the more traditional method of drying the glass right away with a squeegee and detail rag. 

 dirty window screens - many windows such as double-hungs, single-hungs, and storm panels may be accompanied by screens that are outside of the glass, not inside the house. Screens, by design, keep insects out and collect some of the airborne particulates. When it rains, though, screens that have not been properly cleaned as part of the window cleaning service, will give up some of the junk on them and the junk will be deposited on the glass behind them. So, either leaving your screens out or making sure they are thoroughly cleaned, is the key to keeping the glass clean as long as possible. 

splashing water near ground level window panes - sometimes the lower areas of ground level windows are in close proximity to a considerable amount of loose dirt. Perhaps landscaping is not completed or simply not present near some glass, and so persistent water falling onto dirt nearby can splash mud, in essence, onto the glass.                             

clogged gutters or downspouts causing water spills - it often does not take much of an obstruction somewhere in a run of gutter or at the downspout to cause water to back up. If the rate of backup exceeds the rate of proper flow through the gutter system, enough rainfall will cause water to spill over and out of the gutter at any point before the obstruction. The spilling water will either work its way down the siding of simply free fall somewhere beyond the siding. Strong wind or further physical objects below the gutters may divert some dirty water onto glass. Really, then, just as important as regular maintenance of the siding, is the regular monitoring of how the gutters are working. 

We Don't Live in a Perfect World

Ultimately, clean windows will eventually get dirty. Even the highly-touted 'self-cleaning' windows don't promise to never need attention again. Go figure! Many window cleaning companies, including mine, for this reason offer some type of 'rain guarantee'. This guarantee promises that if rainfall after cleaning makes some of your windows dirty up to xx days after service, we will return and reclean such windows at no charge. This should help put a homeowner's fears at ease and also keep the cleaning company's schedule as intact as reasonably possible. When you think about it, if the chance of rain is the sole factor in deciding when ones windows should be cleaned, there are few regions in the world where it would be considered feasible to even bother. I myself have offered a 5-day rain guarantee for probably 20 years and have only been called to return once or twice that I can recall. That's fair and expected, since we don't live in a perfect world! 

What Reasons Are There Not to Cancel an Appointment if There is a Slight Chance of Rain?

As previously reasoned out, a window cleaning company that is completely at the mercy of possible rain in the forecast within lets say the next week, would be in pretty rough shape in most parts of the world. The hard truth is that unless you live in an extremely arid region, it will rain and probably rain will touch your windows within a week or two. I have found that most homeowners will eventually accept this if they don't already. It has also been established that under typical circumstances, rainwater itself does not leave clean windows dirty. If the mitigating circumstances listed above are not present, there should be no issue with cleaning windows before rain is coming or even during a very light rain or drizzle. Another reason, tough as it may be to consider, is that it is not always easy to reschedule an appointment the next day or exactly when a homeowner requests. This all depends on some factors such as how much wiggle room the contractor has, where the company will be in the next few days. Where there is a hard deadline, such as a graduation party, wedding reception, big family gathering, or something else, it may become a very difficult dilemma to solve. 

If you'd like to discuss this or have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at dan@danwagnerwindowcleaning.com

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning has been serving home and business owners since 1986. Areas covered include Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Beach Lake, Damascus, Pleasant Mount, Equinunk, Forest City, Carbondale, Scranton, Dunmore, Lake Ariel, Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, and others. 

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Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986

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The Top 4 Reasons You Can't Get Your Windows To Look Good

Why Can't I Get My Windows Clean Like I Want??

How frustrating it is when you've tried your best to clean your windows like you may have seen actors on TV or other advertisements do, and it just isn't working! You may use some new product or a time-tested method and are so proud of yourself- until the morning sun shines through! You may cringe with disgust at how they really look. What went wrong? Perhaps you'll keep on trying, perhaps you'll just live with it- as in, don't even look at them when the sun shines on them. Or, you may finally decide to call a local professional window cleaner to 'do it right'. This could be the key to figuring it all out and hopefully avoiding the dreaded smears and streaks in the future! Here is my personal list, based on over 35 years of professional window cleaning, of the top 4 reasons why you can't make those windows look clean.

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Top 4 Reasons You Can't Get Your Windows Looking Right

These reasons are the ones I've compiled and not in any strict order.

1. Products not used properly

I will venture to say that just about every product on the market advertised to clean windows is adequate in its own right. Chances are that they will make your windows look better than they were, not necessarily perfect. Some of us don't care about or expect perfection, so properly-used retail window cleaning products may be the ticket. The problem often lies in either the inability of a homeowner to follow the directions or the short cuts he or she may decide to take. Oftentimes there are 2nd floor windows, even third floor, that are very difficult to access depending on the style and actual location they are in. There could be a tree or large hedge that restricts clear approach to some windows. If ideal conditions are not present when trying to clean such windows, the results may be disappointing. The fact is that no advertised window cleaning product is going to warn you that there is a good chance it won't work perfectly. The ease and effectiveness are what are featured, understandably so. But the reality will be in the 'small print'. Here is an example by Windex Outdoor 

In some circumstances, windows may be extremely dirty and need more than one treatment with the product of choice. 

Or it could be that not enough or too much of a product is being applied to a window. In the case of wiping rags, they may not be absorbent enough or large enough. In either case, one will likely not get the desired or promised results.

2. Poor technique

It may at times appear that a product is simply garbage. While that may be the case, it also may be that patience or careful deliberate technique is lacking enough to the point that poor results will ensue. Depending on the method of cleaning being used, it could be a matter of bad aim with a spraying device, rushing the spraying process, not a thorough enough scrub, too much pressure, too little pressure, not looking carefully at your work, improper squeegee technique, and so on. 

3. Bad prevailing conditions

Sometimes you simply have the odds stacked against you. It could be you are cleaning a window that is in the direct sun. Inside or out, the glass will heat up, sometimes to the point where the liquid you are using dries before you can clean it off. That can be a source of frustration sometimes even to a seasoned veteran . Strong wind or low humidity can have the same effect, and combined with sun, may make you want to rethink your life. There can also be contaminants on the glass that simply won't come off with the standard method of applying an effective cleaner and either rinsing, squeegeeing, or wiping it. This can include mineral deposits from hard water, shotgun or artillery fungus- those black dots that are on windows near certain types of mulch, grease spatter from a nearby grill, paint, wood stain, or mortar left behind by careless contractors, and residue left by someone using an inappropriate cleaner in the past. 

There are ways, of course, to combat these extra challenges. They may be beyond the ability or ambition of a homeowner. 

4. Marks or blemishes that nobody can fix

This last, but not least reason is not your fault! We get calls sometimes from frustrated property owners who have tried everything under the sun to get smears or haze off their glass. Quite often the explanation is that what is seen in certain lighting conditions is in between two panes of glass. It is very common for windows to be insulated glass units, in other words two separate panes of glass connected by spacers on all sides and sealed with a gas, such as argon, krypton, or xenon. There can be leaking over time, or infiltration of moisture into the sealed unit. This will cause a reaction on the inner sides of the two window panes. You obviously can't remove it, since you can touch it. It can appear as patches of haziness. There are even examples, too many in my experience, of manufacturer defect. Suction cup marks from the original handling of the glass can show up in between the panes. There can also be scratches or scrapes on glass from an accident or mishandling. Some scratches can be buffed out, others are such that replacement would be the only option to remedy the problem. 

This is not in any way an exhaustive list, but at least reasons 1-3 can be successfully dealt with. You may decide it is worth it to hire a professional window cleaner to make everything look awesome and save you the time and effort. 

Residential and Commercial Window Cleaning in Northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986

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Window "Washing" or Window "Cleaning"?

Is Washing Less or More Thorough Than Cleaning?

It may be that some view the difference between washing and cleaning as significant enough to choose one or the other as framed by a professional company. Many others don't see it as any more than the choice of words. Do you as a customer feel one or the other term is a caveat? Maybe one way is less thorough or one way is far more expensive. Perhaps one sounds more professional than the other. Interestingly, whether you use the phrase "window cleaning" or "window washing" in a Google search for a local company, you'll get the same results. I'll give my observations and mention those of others. 

What Some Professionals Say

There are some professional companies who believe there is a definite difference in window cleaning and window washing. I even noticed another term used- "window detailing". This term was used to place that company on a higher plane than its local competitors, namely one that removes the tough stuff off of glass, frames, and sills, such as bugs and paint specks. Some feel that cleaning is more akin to spot cleaning and not as thorough as washing, which would be all foreign matter on the glass. From what I've read on professional forums and Facebook groups, most, but not all in the business choose 'window cleaning'. 

What Customers Say

Here is where a professional company needs to pay attention: what term does a prospective customer prefer? Obviously, this may differ geographically. Upon doing a search on Google Trends, the term that is used in searches, especially over longer spans of time, is far more often 'window cleaning' than 'window washing'. It could well be that this indicates a more popular way to phrase it nowadays and not too much the perception that there is a real difference. What I've found locally, over many years of being, called, texted, or emailed by consumers, most use 'cleaning'. I could be imagining it, but I'm pretty sure that if  'washing' is used, it almost always will be by senior citizens. 

 

My Take

I feel that for my company name and the description of what I do, I prefer 'window cleaning'. I think it sounds classier and more professionalized. At the same time, I view what I do as any of the three terms mentioned in the opening paragraph. My opinion is that if you are a professional and would like to create raving fans and repeat business, you need to do as thorough a job as possible. There are both low and high thresholds in your service, that is, the very minimum that would be considered acceptable without having to specify what you are leaving out, and the point where you go from normal cleaning to specialized cleaning. The bare minimum I would consider professional is all dirt and grime off the glass as well as the frames, sills, and screens (if any). When the sills have foreign matter that may not budge with normal window scrubbing tools or rags or the glass has paint or wood stain left on by careless contractors that came before you, this requires specialized service. Another issue that requires specialized attention is 'screen burn'. This is the layman's term for that white haze that is extremely hard to get off glass windows with outside aluminum screens. Here is a nice explanation why that can happen. Regular water, pure water, soapy water, ammonia, rubbing alcohol- none of these touch screen burn. Thus, to remove this calls for specialized attention. 

I feel it is important to communicate to a customer what will be included in standard window cleaning and what constitutes 'restoration'. The choice of terms that window cleaning companies use can be to make them appear better than their competition. "While other companies only do X, we do X, Y, and Z, because we care about you." Something similar to that. I'm not a fan of implying that my competition is inferior or doesn't care about their customers. I simply endeavor to leave glass , sills, and screens extremely clean. There are many other practices that will make you the go-to for those that know you, more than what terms you use. 

At Dan Wagner Window Cleaning  we have been washing, cleaning, detailing, or all of the above in northeastern Pennsylvania since 1986 and we are not going away! 

Serving Honesdale, Hawley, Narrowsburg, Scranton, Lake Ariel, Stroudsburg, Tannersville, Mount Pocono and many other towns. 

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What's Included in Window Cleaning Prices

What goes into residential window cleaning pricing?

Some may assume that the price of a service, the end product brought to their door, simply includes parts and labor, so to speak.
While that is part of the story, there is a whole lot more involved in the prices that professional cleaning companies- window cleaning included- quote a homeowner or business owner. Here are some factors beyond simply performing the function of window cleaning that make up professional pricing:

  Quality results call for quality tools. Someone with enough time and determination can do a great job with a store-bought cleaning spray and paper towels, but more appropriate tools save time and energy.
 Vehicles, whether modest or flashy need to get a contractor who provides all necessary equipment where he needs to be on a consistent basis. This requires maintenance and good 'ol fuel and oil.
 Is the assurance that you will have the owner or well-trained employees at your property important to you? It costs money to operate a business legally and conscientiously. Insurance to protect your property from damage caused by accidents, taxes, and expenses associated with operating 'above-table', advertising, pleasant attire for those who are working in public or your precious home- these all incur an expense, month after month, year after year.
Also included is enough profit for the business owner to continue providing good service and retaining a good staff, and also having reason to stay in the window cleaning business!

So, when you are looking for a window cleaner near Honesdale, Scranton, Carbondale, Lake Ariel, or the like please remember that peace of mind and a superb choice carry some cost, but the experience is worth it.

Dan Wagner Window Cleaning brings you the complete package!  Call or text us at 5706300326                                                              
                                               Project from September 2013- Honesdale, PA

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Does Personal Appearance Really Matter?

The times are changing

We are now well into the 21st century and there is greater diversity in personal appearance almost everywhere every year. So when I ask the question "does personal appearance really matter?" I know I need to be specific: does it matter period? Does it matter to me? Does it matter to the people I clean windows and provide other services for?

Of course, I have my personal opinions. However, in this installation, I am most concerned with both the deepest impressions that are left upon my customers and the way I or any employees that I may have fit into the 'culture' I endeavor to bring to residential and storefront doors. 

Business owners need to care about their team's appearance

I really liked this post from a thread in a forum I often visit- Window Cleaning Resource "The customer sets the bar for acceptable appearance....." That really represents something I take seriously. And while I admittedly operate partly on assumptions of what my customers care about, I truly do believe that my target market appreciates neat, clean-cut, and conservative. Short of conducting a survey after the service, I think the true perceptions of my clients are reflected in their readiness to have me back again to walk from room to room in their homes to get to their windows, and their willingness to refer me to their friends. This is providing that the quality was top-notch. I guarantee quality and become very concerned when it comes into question.

So, I'll reveal this: I don't really think that neatly-groomed, uniformed service persons without tattoos and body piercings are necessarily more capable of providing quality results than those with less conservative appearances. However, I choose to present myself and my crew on the conservative side. I think over time it gives me a bit of an edge, even if it can't be put into words, over service companies with a more 'relaxed' approach.

If you appreciate traditional-looking workers on your property along with superior quality, check us out- Window Cleaning in Honesdale, Scranton, and Carbondale

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