Window Cleaning Prices in the UK: What Should You Pay?

Window cleaning is one of those jobs most people put off until the glass is noticeably grimy. But what should you actually pay? Prices vary depending on your property size, how many windows you have, and whether you want inside, outside, or both done. This guide covers everything you need to know about window cleaning costs across the UK in 2026, with real prices from our data.

Quick cost summary

For a standard 3-bedroom semi-detached house, an exterior window clean costs between £15 and £40 per visit, with most homeowners paying around £20 to £25. If you want both inside and outside cleaned, expect to pay £30 to £80.

Most residential window cleaners charge per visit rather than per window. However, some do quote per window at around £1 to £3 each. Per-visit pricing is more common because it accounts for travel time and setup, not just the number of panes.

Regular customers on a monthly round pay less per visit than one-off bookings. A regular monthly clean for a 3-bed house typically costs £12 to £30, while a one-off deep clean of the same property runs £40 to £120.

Prices by house size

The biggest factor in window cleaning prices is the size of your property. More bedrooms generally means more windows, more height, and more time on site. Here is what to expect for a regular exterior clean:

Detached houses cost more than semis and terraces because the cleaner needs to access all four sides of the property. A mid-terrace house with only front and back windows is typically cheaper than a detached house with the same number of bedrooms.

Location matters too. Window cleaning in London costs 20 to 40% more than the national average, while prices in Birmingham and Manchester tend to sit close to the figures above.

Traditional vs water-fed pole cleaning

There are two main methods used by professional window cleaners, and the one your cleaner uses affects both the price and the result.

Traditional (ladder and squeegee)

The old-school method: a bucket of soapy water, a squeegee, and a ladder. The cleaner works up close to the glass, scrubbing and squeegeeing each pane by hand. It produces an excellent finish and is still preferred by some cleaners for ground-floor and interior work.

The downsides are speed and safety. Working from ladders is slower, carries more risk, and means the cleaner's insurance premiums are higher. These costs get passed on to you.

Water-fed pole (reach and wash)

The modern standard. A telescopic pole with a soft brush on the end feeds purified water from a tank (usually in a van). The brush scrubs the glass and frames, and the purified water rinses everything clean. Because the water has had all minerals removed, it dries completely streak-free without wiping.

Water-fed poles reach up to three or four storeys from the ground, so there is no need for ladders on most residential properties. This makes the job faster, safer, and usually cheaper. The vast majority of window cleaners in the UK now use water-fed pole systems for exterior work.

Most cleaners use a combination: water-fed pole for the outside, squeegee for the inside. If your cleaner still uses ladders for everything, it is worth asking why. There are situations where ladders are necessary (very narrow access, obstacles below windows), but for routine residential work, water-fed pole is the industry standard.

First clean vs regular pricing

If your windows have not been professionally cleaned in six months or more, your first clean will cost significantly more than subsequent visits. A first-time or one-off deep clean for a 3-bed house typically costs £40 to £120, compared to £12 to £30 for a regular monthly visit.

This is not the cleaner overcharging. Windows that have not been cleaned recently have layers of built-up grime, hard water staining, and dirt caked into the frames and tracks. It takes two to three times longer to get them properly clean compared to a regular maintenance visit where the cleaner is only removing a few weeks of light dirt.

Once the first clean is done and you join a regular round, the price drops to the standard rate. Most cleaners will quote a separate first-clean price and then confirm the ongoing regular price before you commit.

Inside vs outside cleaning

Most residential window cleaning covers the outside only. You do not need to be home, the cleaner works from the ground with a water-fed pole, and the whole job takes 15 to 30 minutes for a standard 3-bed house.

Adding interior cleaning roughly doubles the price and time. Interior windows are cleaned by hand using a squeegee and microfibre cloth, which means the cleaner needs to come inside, move furniture or blinds, and protect your floors. A full inside and outside clean for a 3-bed house costs £30 to £80 and takes 45 to 75 minutes.

Most homeowners get the outside done regularly (every 4 to 8 weeks) and the inside done less often, perhaps two or three times a year, or just before a special occasion. Interior glass does not get as dirty as exterior glass because it is not exposed to rain, pollen, and road grime.

How often should you get windows cleaned?

The sweet spot for most homes is every 4 to 8 weeks. Here is how the different frequencies compare:

• Every 4 weeks (monthly): The most popular option. Keeps windows consistently clear. Cheapest per visit because the cleaner is only removing light dirt. Costs around £12 to £30 per visit for a 3-bed house.
• Every 6-8 weeks: A good compromise if you want to save money. Slightly more dirt builds up between visits, so each clean takes a touch longer. Costs around £15 to £35 per visit.
• Every 12 weeks (quarterly): Saves money overall but each visit costs more because there is more grime to shift. You will notice the windows getting noticeably dirty between cleans.
• One-off: The most expensive per visit. Best for pre-sale preparation, end of tenancy, or a seasonal deep clean.

Properties near busy roads, under trees, or in coastal areas may need more frequent cleaning. Tree sap, bird droppings, pollen, and salt spray all accelerate dirt buildup. If you are also thinking about domestic cleaning costs, bundling services with the same provider or scheduling them together can save time.

Conservatory roof cleaning

Conservatory roofs are a separate job from standard window cleaning and are priced accordingly. A conservatory roof clean costs £100 to £250 depending on size, roof material, and how much algae or green growth has built up.

Polycarbonate roofs tend to cost more to clean because they hold algae and green growth more stubbornly than glass. They also scratch more easily, so the cleaner needs to use softer brushes and take more care.

Most window cleaners offer a discount if you combine a conservatory roof clean with your regular window round. It is worth asking. While you are at it, consider having the gutters cleared at the same time. Many window cleaners offer gutter clearing as an add-on for £50 to £120, and doing both jobs together saves on call-out time.

Commercial vs residential

Commercial window cleaning is priced differently from residential work. A small shop front, office, or restaurant typically costs £60 to £250 per visit, depending on the number of windows, building height, and how often the clean is done.

Commercial cleaners often offer contract pricing with a discount for regular weekly or fortnightly visits. If you run a business, get quotes from at least three commercial window cleaning companies. Prices vary widely and contracts are usually negotiable, especially if you can offer consistent, ongoing work.

Multi-storey commercial buildings (three floors and above) may require rope access or cradle systems, which are significantly more expensive and need specialist contractors with additional insurance and safety certifications.

How to find a good window cleaner

Window cleaning has a low barrier to entry, which means quality varies enormously. Here is what to look for:

• Public liability insurance. This is non-negotiable. If the cleaner damages your property or injures themselves, you need to know they are covered. Ask to see their certificate. Any professional cleaner will have it ready.
• Water-fed pole system. A cleaner using a proper water-fed pole setup with a van-mounted tank and purified water filtration system has invested in their business. It is a good sign of professionalism.
• Regular round availability. The best cleaners have established rounds and take on new customers when space opens up. If they are always available at short notice, it might mean they struggle to keep customers.
• Clear pricing upfront. A good cleaner will quote you a firm price per visit before starting. Be wary of anyone who cannot give you a number until after the first clean.
• Local recommendations. Ask neighbours who they use. Window cleaning is hyper-local, and the best cleaners build their rounds street by street through word of mouth. Facebook community groups are also a reliable source of recommendations.
• Reviews and reputation. Check Google reviews, Checkatrade, or Bark. Look for consistent positive feedback over time, not just a handful of recent reviews.

For detailed pricing in your area, check our window cleaner cost guide which breaks down prices across all UK cities. If you are in a major city, we have dedicated pages for London, Birmingham, and Manchester with local pricing data.

What about extras?

Many window cleaners offer additional services that pair well with a regular window clean. Here are the most common add-ons and what they cost:

Bundling services is almost always cheaper than booking them separately. If you need gutters cleared and windows cleaned, asking one person to do both in a single visit saves you money on call-out costs and gives the cleaner efficient use of their time.

Red flags to watch for

Avoid window cleaners who knock on the door uninvited and want to start immediately. Reputable cleaners do not cold-call at the door. Also be cautious of prices that are significantly below the local going rate. If everyone else charges £20 and someone offers to do it for £5, they are either cutting corners, uninsured, or will not be around long enough to provide a reliable service.

Similarly, watch out for cleaners who use plain tap water instead of purified water with their pole systems. Tap water leaves mineral deposits on the glass as it dries. Purified water (deionised or reverse osmosis) is what makes water-fed pole cleaning work properly. You can ask the cleaner about their water filtration setup if you are unsure.

For a broader comparison of cleaning costs around the home, our domestic cleaner cost guide covers hourly rates and typical prices for regular household cleaning.