FREE RESOURCEThis informational resource is a home guide that contains everything you need to know about window washing services, all in one place. It is designed to enable residential and commercial property owners to make informed decisions when it comes to investing in regular, or one-time, maintenance services.
We’ll teach you about the benefits of clean windows and provide valuable insight on how to find superior service providers that will get the job done to your satisfaction both efficiently and affordably.
- Chapter One: Did You Know?
- Chapter Two: When to DIY or Hire a Professional
- Chapter Three: Additional Resources
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Did You Know?
1. The Benefits of Clean Windows
Improve Curb Appeal
Smudges, fingerprints, and dirty streaks can be distracting and embarrassing. Crisp, bright, clean windows, on the other hand, are what send a message to guests, customers, and clients. Your home or business should be something to be proud of and curb appeal can speak volumes. Such appearance considerations are particularly important if you’re looking to sell your property and appeal to prospective buyers.
Enhance Window Efficiency
Although it’s natural for windows to depreciate with time, it is possible to slow these processes. Regularly cleaning your windows not only stops the build-up of grime and chemicals but also helps to preserve existing built-in insulation, keeping down heat and cooling costs. It also helps to reduce the negative long-term effects of weathering and allows you the peace-of-mind that your windows will be around for the long haul.
Reduce the Negative Effects of Weathering
It should come as no surprise that the climate you live in affects the speed at which your windows will age. Glass is a porous material and harsh weather conditions or variations in temperature can cause windows to wear down faster than they should. Hard water stains, for example, are not only unsightly but also contain a high mineral content. Over time, they can continue to build up into a thick, hazy coating which can penetrate (and compromise) the surface of your windows. Fortunately, regular window cleaning helps to reduce the negative effects of weathering by removing hard water stains along with other harmful mineral deposits.
Protect, Prevent, and Gain Long-Term Savings
By creating a budget to cover occasional window cleaning expenses now, you protect your windows and reduce the likelihood of having to face larger, unexpected, and more expensive window repair projects down the road. It’s simple: Wouldn’t you rather spend less in the long-term, versus more later?
2. How Often Should Windows Be Cleaned?
The answer is not as black and white as you might think. In actual fact, there are a number of factors that must be taken into account when deciding how often your windows should be cleaned, including:
Type of property
Homeowners can often get away with having their windows cleaned twice a year, once every six months. However, even in this amount of time a surprising amount of grime, streaks, and mineral deposits can build up. Depending on your personal preference, you may wish to wash your windows more frequently than semi-annually.
On the other hand, if you own a business it is recommended that your windows are cleaned at least once per month. Depending on the type of business, you may even benefit from washing your windows more frequently. For instance, restaurants and other high-traffic establishments often require windows to be cleaned at least once a week to keep grime and fingerprints at a minimum.
Location
Many people don’t consider this, but whether your property is located in the city or suburbs actually does make a difference. Think about it: Urban properties are generally located in closer proximity to the road, meaning their windows are exposed to more fumes and chemicals from cars, trucks, and other vehicles. This means that office buildings, stores, and homes located inside a city may require more attention than their counterparts located outside a city. Saying this, there are still a number of elements in suburban areas that will come into play as well, including trees, grass, and flower pollen. So, even these properties need their fair share of window washing too!
Weather Conditions
Local weather conditions can also play a huge factor in affecting how often your windows need to be cleaned. Regular exposure to inclement weather, including heavy winds or rains, also means increased exposure to grime. In order to keep windows clean in these environments, they must therefore be washed more frequently. For example, a home in tropical Florida will need more cleanings than a home in a dry climate, like Arizona.
Budget
Believe us, not many people enjoy spending money on home maintenance. However, it is important to keep in mind that neglecting to wash your windows may be far more expensive long-term than investing in regular window washing services. By preserving your windows’ lifespan, you do not only protect your original investment but also save money on expenses that could have been avoided, such as having to replace deteriorated windows.
Personal Preference
Depending on your personal preference, you may wish to wash your windows more frequently than others. If you are someone who takes pride in keeping up appearances, you may find yourself washing your windows once every few weeks, or months, depending on the other factors above. There is no doubt that a residence with beautifully sparkling windows is impressive to look at. Likewise, an office or storefront with clean and spotless windows is just as inviting.
As you can tell, there are a number of factors that come into play when determining the proper care for your windows. For many, window cleaning is usually a semi-annual event. Here at Total Shield Protection, we recommend that you contact a local service provider for a professional opinion on how frequently your windows should be washed.CHAPTER TWO
When to DIY or Hire a Professional
1. Why Consider Hiring a Professional?
Professional contractors are here to help. They use their knowledge to provide streamlined services for your convenience and safety, after all, ascending a ladder to wash your windows can be dangerous. Why else should you consider hiring a professional?
To Achieve Superior Outcomes
Cleaning windows is easier said than done. Exceptional results require the proper training, equipment, and cleaning solutions to be used. Instead of wasting time tracking down the correct equipment and supplies before doing the job yourself, consider hiring a professional. Professional window cleaners bring their own professional-grade equipment and cleaning supplies, along with the proper training and equipment to reach your windows safely.
In this sense, they not only save you the hassle of gathering cleaning supplies, but also the time and effort that would have been spent on doing the job yourself. With their expertise, trust us, you will notice the difference between your DIY job and theirs!
To Save Your Time and Energy
It may seem more cost-efficient to do it yourself but, unless you’re a professional, chances are it’s not. When it really comes down to it, you could waste hours upon hours scrubbing away at stubborn gunk and straining to clean those hard to reach areas. Plus, you may be tempted to cut corners on the last few windows. After all, time is precious—but is the job actually complete?
Think about it this way: Trained window washing professionals are used to cleaning a building’s worth of windows on a day-to-day basis. They have the experience to not only get the job done quickly but properly as well. On top of that, many service providers rely on their reputation for new or repeat business and will strive to uphold it by ensuring that all of their customers are satisfied—including you.
They Can Be Affordable
Window cleaning is a job that you should be able to comfortably account for in your budget. On average, contractors typically charge between $2-$7 per window pane, according to CostHelper. Therefore, a house with 20 panes would cost between $40-$140 and a house with 40 panes would cost between $80-$280, depending on the size of the windows and how dirty they are.
Although $150-$280 may sound expensive at first, the typical cost of a DIY window cleaning project can add up when taking into account the necessary equipment and time spent on the job. Since many professionals are able to purchase their materials wholesale, their expenses often work out to be less than what you would pay.
On top of that, professionals are experienced at what they do. DIY window washing can be a lengthy and frustrating process, whereas professionals are used to doing it day in and day out. So, unless you already have all of the equipment and the energy to get the job done, hiring a professional may actually be the most affordable and reliable solution.
In general, professional contractors have access to the training and resources that most do-it-yourselfers do not. They have been trained for the job and hold certifications along with proper liability insurance. Save yourself the trouble (and time!) by locating and hiring a contractor you trust, who can get the job done properly, in a fraction of the time that you might take to do it.
2. How to Find a Quality Window Cleaning Service
Pricing can vary across service providers, but this usually depends on how long they have been in business and the types of supplies they utilize. For example, anyone with a bucket, squeegee, and cloth could easily pass as a window cleaner, but that does not mean they have any experience. Below are a number of tips to help find a quality window cleaning service:
Get and Compare Quotes
Always get quotes and detailed estimates in writing because if something were to go wrong, a verbal quote would not provide you with any form of protection. In cases where it is hard to get an exact estimate, it is not unreasonable to get an over-run percentage stating that the job will not exceed 15% of the original amount quoted. Be sure to be consistent when talking to each contractor in order to help you compare quotes. Comparing quotes can be useful when deciding which contractor you will choose for the job.
Ask for Customer References
You can tell the quality of a contractor by the satisfaction of their customers. If a contractor’s customers are willing to provide positive reviews then that is a sign that they are not only skilled at their job, but also reliable.
Read Reviews and Customer Testimonials
Many customers will post reviews of their experiences with service providers online or on social media. A number of sites well-known for reviews include: HomeAdvisor, ThumbTack, and Google.
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! If they want your business, then they will be happy to answer all of the questions you have for them. For a list of questions to ask in the hiring process, click here.
We recommend that you use your best judgment when hiring a window cleaning provider. Although it is true that you will often pay a premium for quality services, it is still worth comparing quotes and reviews. True professionals will answer your questions, do the job right, and then advise you on how to best protect your investment for the future.
3. Questions to Ask in the Hiring Process
Are you licensed?
Some states require window cleaners to be licensed.
Are you insured?
This protects you if any accidents were to occur on your property. We recommend that you have proof of insurance emailed to you prior to the job’s start date.
What chemicals do you use?
This is important if you have any family members or pets that are sensitive to chemicals.
How much experience does your team have?
The more experience, the better!
How long will the job take?
This can be unpredictable and often depends on the number of people on the team, how many windows are to be washed, the condition and size of the windows, as well as the weather on the day they are to be washed. Even so, the amount of time that they propose should be reasonable.
When can you come?
It is important to find a contractor who is available and willing to work with you and your schedule.
How much will it cost?
Be sure to get an estimate in advance. You may even want to compare estimates across different companies, but be sure to also take into account other factors such as their experience, availability, reputation, etc.
How much will additional services cost? (e.g., window sills and screens)
Sometimes these jobs are included in the original quote and other times they are not.
Do you have references?
In addition to checking online reviews, it can be helpful to reach out and speak to some of their satisfied customers firsthand.
Will you provide a written contract?
Having a written contract can protect both parties and also helps to ensure that the job will be completed as agreed to and on time.CHAPTER THREE
Additional Resources
1. Related Articles
Check out Total Shield Protection’s blog for updates on industry news, educational tips and resources, and trends in window cleaning products and services.
2. About the Author:
Founded in 2015, Total Shield Protection began as a window film company and today has expanded to several services. Since opening, we have accumulated over 100 positive online reviews on websites like HomeAdvisor, ThumbTack, and Google. This wealth of positive feedback is a testament to our company culture of dedication to customer satisfaction. No matter which of our services you are in need of, we work with you to determine the best fit for your project requirements, budget, and schedule. Our service technicians are highly skilled at what they do and are fully insured for your peace of mind. Our team strives to provide quality services that exceed your expectations.
Locally owned and operated, Total Shield is your trusted source for solar rejection, impact resistant, and privacy window film installations as well as professional window washing, pressure washing, and paver brick sealing. Our ultimate goal is to improve environments for living, working, and recreation, while providing meaningful career opportunities in the communities we serve.
Join our many satisfied customers.
Contact us today at 941-894-7138 or schedule a free estimate.
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