How to Price Window Cleaning Jobs for Profit [Formula + Pricing Chart]

Originally published in July 2019. Last updated on May 7, 2025.

Knowing how to price window cleaning gives your business the best opportunity to win bids, maximize profit, and continue to grow.

There are a lot of things to consider, but once you have your formula down, it becomes second nature.

If you’re just starting out, our advice is to keep it simple. Use this window cleaning pricing guide as a starting point and then follow our formula to learn how to price more profitable jobs

The complexity of the job

Think of each window like a mini job site. Factor in what kind of windows they are, where they are, and what shape they’re in. Here’s what to watch for:

• Number of panes: It’s easy to underestimate. You can charge per pane ($4 to $8 per pane) or by the window. And don’t forget the ones the homeowner forgets about until you point them out, like basement hopper windows and transoms.
• Window type makes a big difference: Picture windows are usually wide-open spaces with fewer nooks your squeegee needs to deal with. But get into French panes or sunburst patterns and you’re doing a lot more detail work.
• Height and accessibility: Anything above the second floor is a hazard and a hassle. You’ll need ladders and maybe a helper. Charge more for every floor past the first, or if you’re spending extra time to set up safely.
• Condition of the glass: At some point, you’ll show up to a job thinking it’s a basic clean but then realize no one’s given the windows any TLC in a decade. Water stains, bird droppings, and paint overspray all take time. It’s common to add $2 to $4 more per pane for the extra elbow grease.

Operational costs

When you’re thinking about how much to charge for window cleaning, it’s easy to forget just how much money you’re spending. These are the day-to-day costs that’ll eat into your profits, so factor them in:

• Labor costs: Whether you’re flying solo or managing a crew, labor’s usually your biggest expense. Some pros charge $40-75 per hour for residential work. If you’re doing high-rise or rope access, that might shoot up to $170/hour. Others stick to a per-pane model, especially for repeat jobs or maintenance cleans.
• Materials and gear: Your day-to-day materials might include squeegees, scrubbers, towels, and applicators. You’ll also need gloves, safety glasses, and harnesses.
• Overhead: These costs are sneaky. Account for gas and travel, insurance premiums, and replacing/upkeeping your equipment.

Service add-ons and frequency

Let’s say you’re wrapping up a quote and the client hits you with, “Can you do the screens too?” Consider your service add-ons, bundles, or recurring contracts when pricing window cleaning so you always have an answer (and pricing) ready.

• Screens, sills, and tracks: You can charge anywhere from 50 cents to $8 per screen, depending on size and how dirty it is. Tracks and sills can run $2-4 per window.
• Frequency of service: Not all customers are one-and-done. Some want regular shine, like storefronts and real estate agents. A 10-20% discount for recurring cleanings will keep clients coming back, and the pricing becomes more predictable. Plus, recurring jobs can often be quicker (less buildup), so your hourly rate actually increases!
• Bundling other services: If you also do gutter cleaning or pressure washing, bundle the services to save your client time and make the job more efficient. Bundling can boost your average ticket size and increase your margins without extra travel.

Software like Jobber helps you create quotes, track job details, and efficiently schedule crew members.

Using Jobber, you can win bigger jobs by suggesting additional services like gutter cleaning or pressure washing.

Once the quote is approved, it instantly generates the fastest, most fuel-efficient routes so you can cut down on travel time.

Market and competition

If you’re charging $20 per window in a market that sees $10 on average, you’ll price yourself out. On the flip side, undercharging just to land a job will sink your margins.

Price window cleaning based on what your market expects. Here’s how to stay competitive:

• Local rates: Research what other window cleaners in your area are charging. This gives you a ballpark. For homes, $8-16 per window is typical. For commercial buildings, many pros go by square footage, ranging from 50 cents to $2.50 per square foot. Want a tip? Get one of your friends (not yourself) to call your competitors as a “mystery shopper” to get a feel for how they quote jobs.
• Seasonality: Demand for professional window cleaning spikes in spring and fall, so use this to your advantage. You can charge premium rates when you’re booked solid. During slow seasons, offer packages or discounts to help fill your schedule.
• Client demographics: If you’re quoting jobs in a high-income area, your price point should reflect the expectations and budget of that market. A good rule of thumb is that window cleaning should cost about 1-2% of a client’s discretionary income. In wealthy areas, customers may value reliability and bundles over low prices.

Labor costs

Before committing to any window cleaning price, first evaluate the job to know how long it’ll take and how much you’ll have to pay yourself and your team. Here are key things to watch out for to properly estimate the labor costs:

• Types of windows: Different windows require different tools and ways to clean, which could increase the length of the job.
• Number of windows: The more windows there are, the longer it’ll take to complete the work. 
• Difficulty of access: Properties with multiple floors or hard-to-reach areas will need more time and effort to clean.
• Amount of dirt on windows: Depending on how often the customer is getting their windows cleaned, you might be in for a big effort if there’s a large amount of dirt to deal with.

Material costs

Material costs are necessary to ensure you have the right tools and products to complete a job. You may already have many of the items you need. But depending on the size and scope of the job, you may need to get more or buy something not yet in your inventory.

Here are some key materials and the costs to consider for your window cleaning pricing:

• Soap and other cleaning liquids: A must-have for your window cleaning business. Figure out what cleaning supplies and in what quantities you need for each job.
• Tools and equipment: Squeegees, extension poles, ladders, buckets, sprayers, and gloves are just a few key pieces of equipment you need. If you don’t yet have these supplies, you need to factor in the cost to rent or buy them into your final price.

READ MORE: 13 best window cleaning tools for window washing professionals

Overhead costs

Every business comes with operating expenses. These costs factor into your annual costs but can also be broken down per job. These costs include your:

• Business insurance
• Vehicles to get to and from jobs
• Marketing efforts to win new business
• Administrative costs like bookkeeping and invoice management

The nature of the job may change—residential, construction, or commercial bids—but the formula is always applicable for how to price window cleaning.

French windows are large windows (often doors) that are divided into multiple, smaller panes. The average charge is $6 for a half door and $12 for a full door.

If the panes are larger than 3-5 feet, count them as two panes and adjust the price accordingly.

Charging for sills and tracks is optional. Depending on the client’s request, you can offer a deep clean for another $2-4 per window (not pane) or offer a simple wipe-down for free.

Keep in mind that these prices are averages. Multiple factors can and will influence your window cleaning prices, including:

• The number and size of the panes
• The number of screens
• Sills and tracks
• Accessibility to the windows inside and outside the house
• The level of dirt (including mineral deposits and paint)
• Demand and average prices in your region

If the windows are extremely dirty or hard to access, you can charge more, so long as it’s within reason, and you explain it well on the estimate.

Most homeowners have their windows cleaned twice per year. If a client requests a higher frequency, you can offer a volume discount and still be very profitable.

Does your business also offer services like gutter cleaning and repair, power washing, or Christmas light installation? You can bundle these and offer more incentives for homeowners.

READ MORE: Is a window cleaning business profitable?