window cleaners (merged threads)

kazd

I have just engaged a window cleaner, we sacked ours last year after they changed to the water fed pole system. The windows always had water stains on them.My husband had purchased a ladder for the tacky xmas lights he said he would do them himself, thereby saving £120 per year. A year later you could barely see through them. Have now engaged a proper! window cleaner who charges me £15 per 5 weeks. Large 4 bed, study, utility, baths etc plus all our windows apart from the two sets of french windows are leaded. Well worth it.

Dukebof69

hansi wrote:

not in Cardiff are you? If you are, contact me please!!

sorry no, I'm in Cheltenham...but you should check out all the various Window Cleaners Forums, there's a few, not just mine...I'm sure any of us would be pleased to help with any questions you may have. Just ask,( though probably not here, this is consumer based !.)..join mine or the others and ask away...a friendly bunch all in all.

Dukebof69

kazd wrote:

I have just engaged a window cleaner, we sacked ours last year after they changed to the water fed pole system. The windows always had water stains on them.My husband had purchased a ladder for the tacky xmas lights he said he would do them himself, thereby saving £120 per year. A year later you could barely see through them. Have now engaged a proper! window cleaner who charges me £15 per 5 weeks. Large 4 bed, study, utility, baths etc plus all our windows apart from the two sets of french windows are leaded. Well worth it.

here's a typical example....'a proper window cleaner'. All window cleaners will be using the water fed pole in the not too distant future. Please take time to research the facts and understand what you are talking about. I get this almost daily...it's so depressing.

smartiepants

Dukebof69
I think the term proper is probably being used instead of good quality, it certainly was in my posting above, when I said I was going to try and find a "decent" w/c what I actually meant was someone who was good at thier job, not like the people who "clean" my windows, they really do make a lousy job, so therefore even though they are cheap, and I agreed that they were, they are not worth the lousy job they do, its like any profession you get some people who are good at thier job and some that aren't so good, the price is actually relative, the people who are not so good at thier job will probably be sacked and replaced with someone who can do a decent job for a decent salary. I hope that this explains my position better.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

£2, a bucket of clean water and a cup of tea once a fortnight for my bungalow's 4 windows, 2 doors, glazed porch and all cills keeps me and my window cleaner happy. He's a 'proper' window cleaner, and does half the properties in my village so it's not in his interests to do a bad job or charge more than the market rate.
Don't think his business will be going in for water fed poles or barcodes any time soon.........he likes an uncomplicated life !

oldagetraveller

£5 every 4 weeks. 3 bed extended semi in rural location. French windows plus 4 large and one small at rear. Front door surrounds, 1 large bay plus 2 further large at front. Always crystal clear after being cleaned, no complaints whatsoever and good value in my opinion.

Dukebof69

way too cheap...poor chap...the going rate today is £1.00 per window...and if they are leaded , sash, or poor access....I would load on that. Having said that, I run a proper Cleaning Company. We don't turn up with a fag in our gob's, clutching a bucket of water...humbly doffing our cap's. BUT, if you need a professional Company, that turns up, regularly, fully insured, come rain or shine, 12 months a year...one that takes a month's worth of grime off of your windows, for a set fee.....well, we are out there. The problem is not so much finding a reliable window cleaner...it's more one of finding a good customer.

Skint1

I've been a Window Cleaner for over 20 years. I don't clean people's house windows it's not worthwhile. You get accused of not doing the work when you have done if they aren't home, and if they are home they don't want you working. I can clean the front of the average terraced house in under fifteen minutes and would be lucky to get £4. I can do a shop in five minutes and get £5. And shops like to have the work done regularly I've worked five-star hotels for years, and the housekeepers don't give me half the trouble householders do. While not every householder is a moaner you must understand I have a living to make.

Dukebof69

absolutely...and most modern cleaners these days, with a bona fide business to run...need to work on the £20-£30 an hour principle..(domestic). If you don't, you're not running a viable business...it's not 'beer money', it's your living...blimey, we have mortgages and hobbies too..

Dora_the_Explorer_5

Dukebof69 wrote:

way too cheap...poor chap...the going rate today is £1.00 per window...and if they are leaded , sash, or poor access....I would load on that. Having said that, I run a proper Cleaning Company. We don't turn up with a fag in our gob's, clutching a bucket of water...humbly doffing our cap's. BUT, if you need a professional Company, that turns up, regularly, fully insured, come rain or shine, 12 months a year...one that takes a month's worth of grime off of your windows, for a set fee.....well, we are out there. The problem is not so much finding a reliable window cleaner...it's more one of finding a good customer.

Quite a blanket statement - charges are very much dependant on location, like house prices.
If my chap attempted to charge £1 a window he'd be out of business and on benefits and struggling to to buy food for his kids, pay his mortgage etc.
He's insured, employs two other chaps ( all non-smoking, non-cap wearing and with a logo'd company uniform) and calls every other week.
So I'm very happy with my 'proper Cleaning Company'.