How to Charge for Window Cleaning: Pricing Guide + Formulas (2026)

TL;DR Window cleaning pricing comes down to knowing your costs, understanding your market, and choosing the right pricing model for each job type. Most US window cleaners charge $4 to $15 per window for residential work or $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot for commercial jobs. The average residential job runs $150 to $350, while commercial contracts range from $150 to $650 depending on size and frequency.

Running a successful window cleaning business takes more than a squeegee and a bucket. One of the biggest challenges professional window washers face is pricing their services accurately. Undercharge, and you lose profit. Overcharge, and you risk losing clients. You’re not alone—many window washers struggle to strike the right balance. 

According to IBISWorld’s 2024 report, the U.S. window cleaning industry is growing steadily, with increased demand from both residential and commercial sectors. 

In fact, the window cleaning revenues in the U.S. are expected to reach $2.9 billion in 2024 and $3.2 billion by 2029 as more homeowners and businesses prioritize curb appeal and cleanliness. This growth presents a major opportunity—if you can price price window cleaning jobs right.

Whether you’re just starting your learning on how to start a cleaning business or quoting for a suburban home or a high-rise office building, understanding the right pricing model is essential.

In the detailed service pricing guide like one drafted below for you, we’ll break down proven methods used by professionals, along with real-world examples to help you quote with confidence.

Quick Reference: Window Cleaning Pricing at a Glance 

Pricing Model	Typical Range	Best For
Per window	$4-$15	Residential jobs
Per pane	$4-$8	Detailed residential pricing
Per hour	$40-$75	Simple jobs, time-based work
Per square foot	$0.50-$2.50	Commercial buildings
Flat rate	$150-$350	Standard home cleanings

How Much Should I Charge for Window Cleaning in the US?

The short answer: residential window cleaning typically costs $10 to $15 per window or $4 to $8 per pane. Commercial rates run $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. Your actual rate depends on your costs, local market, and job complexity.

Thumbtack data shows a national average cost of $283 for window cleaning, with most customers paying between $266 and $300 for a standard job and average hourly rates near $50 per hour. (Source: Thumbtack)

Average Window Cleaning Prices by Job Type

Residential jobs:

• Average full house cleaning: $150 to $350
• Per window: $10 to $15
• Per pane: $4 to $8
• Hourly rate: $40 to $75

Commercial jobs:

• Average job: $150 to $650
• Per square foot: $0.50 to $2.50
• Monthly storefront contracts: $75 to $250

Post-construction cleaning:

• Per pane (exterior): $4 to $5
• Per pane (interior): $5 to $6
• Heavy cleaning with mineral removal: up to $12 per pane

Window Cleaning Pricing Formula: How to Calculate Your Rates

Stop guessing. Use this formula to price every job based on your actual costs plus profit margin.

Step 1: Calculate Your Total Cost

Total Cost = Labor Cost + Material Cost + Overhead Cost

Labor cost: Hours to complete the job multiplied by your hourly rate. Learn more about how much to charge per hour for service businesses.

Material cost: Cleaning supplies, replacement squeegees, towels, and any specialty products needed for the job.

Overhead cost: Insurance, vehicle expenses, marketing, software, and administrative costs divided across your jobs. Use a labor cost calculator to get accurate numbers.

Step 2: Add Your Profit Margin

Total Price = Total Cost + (Profit Margin x Total Cost)

Example calculation:

• Labor cost: $80 (2 hours at $40/hour)
• Material cost: $10
• Overhead allocation: $30
• Total cost: $120
• Profit margin: 25%
• Final price: $120 + ($120 x 0.25) = $150

What Profit Margin Should Window Cleaners Target?

Most profitable window cleaning businesses aim for 20% to 35% net profit margins. If you are just starting out, aim for at least 20%. As you build efficiency and reputation, push toward 30% or higher.

For a complete walkthrough on setting up your pricing in FieldCamp, see our getting started guide.

How to Price Residential Window Cleaning?

Residential pricing works best on a per-window or per-pane basis. Charging per pane is more precise and fair, as you will not be penalized for working efficiently, and clients will not worry about slow work.

Typical U.S. pricing works out to $4 to $15 per window, with factors like size, height, and style driving the final rate. (Source: Angi)

Residential Window Cleaning Price Chart

Window Type	Price Per Pane	Price Per Window
Single-hung (most common)	$4-$8	$8-$16
Double-hung	$4-$8	$8-$16
Sliding	$4-$5	$8-$10
Casement	$4-$15	$15-$30
Skylight	–	$25-$35
Sunburst	–	$30-$40
Storm windows	–	$30-$40
French doors	–	$6 (half) / $12 (full)

For example, washing a basic double-hung window often costs about $8, while a large picture window with eight panes can reach $40, or roughly $5 per pane. (Source: Fixr)

Pricing by Home Size

Home Size (sq ft)	Estimated Windows	Average Price
1,000	10	$180
1,500	15	$250
2,400	24	$350
3,200	32	$450
4,200	42	$570

Add-On Services for Residential Jobs

Add-on services like screen, shutter, or mineral deposit cleaning typically run from $2.50 up to $30 per item, which can significantly increase job totals. (Source: HomeGuide)

Service	Price Range
Screen cleaning	$0.50-$8 per screen
Sills and tracks	$2-$4 per window
Hard water stain removal	$10-$30 per window
Shutter cleaning	$21-$26 per shutter
Dust removal	$1-$2 per window

How to Price Commercial Window Cleaning?

Commercial window cleaning requires different thinking. Jobs are often priced by square foot rather than per window, and recurring contracts are where the real profit lives.

Another 2026 guide reports that residential window cleaning jobs usually range from $150 to $350, while commercial projects often fall between $150 and $650 depending on size and frequency. (Source: HomeAdvisor)

Commercial Window Cleaning Price Chart

Building Type	Price Per Sq Ft	Typical Job Range
Small storefront (<1,000 sq ft)	$0.15-$0.25	$150-$250
Office building (1,000-5,000 sq ft)	$0.10-$0.20	$250-$450
Large commercial (5,000-10,000 sq ft)	$0.08-$0.15	$350-$550
High-rise	$0.15-$0.30	$500+

Monthly Contract Pricing

Frequency	Price Adjustment
Weekly	Full rate
Bi-weekly	5-10% discount
Monthly	10-15% discount
Quarterly	15-20% discount

Warning:

Commercial clients often pay on net 30 to net 90 terms. You need enough cash flow to cover payroll while waiting for payment. Factor this into your pricing or require deposits for large contracts.

Learn more about service pricing strategies that work across different field service industries.

Factors That Affect Window Cleaning Prices

Job Complexity

• Number of panes: Count every pane, not just windows. A French door with 15 panes takes longer than a single picture window.
• Window type: Sunburst and decorative windows require more detail work. Skylights need special equipment. Storm windows must be removed and replaced.
• Height and accessibility: Anything above the second floor needs ladders and potentially a helper. Charge $3 to $5 extra per window for upper floors.
• Condition of glass: Windows that have not been cleaned in years, or those with hard water stains, paint overspray, or construction debris, take significantly more time. Add $2 to $4 per pane for heavy cleaning.

Operational Costs

• Labor: Your biggest expense. Track how long jobs actually take to refine your estimates. A 2,000 square foot home typically takes 3 to 4 hours for one person. That average residential job range breaks down to about $40 to $75 per hour, or roughly $4 to $8 per window for many U.S. window cleaners. (Source: Fixr)
• Supplies: Squeegees, scrubbers, towels, cleaning solutions. Budget $50 to $100 per month for a solo operator, more as you scale.
• Equipment: Ladders, extension poles, water-fed systems. These are capital expenses that should be factored into your overhead.
• Insurance: General liability and workers comp if you have employees. Essential for both protection and winning commercial contracts.
• Vehicle costs: Gas, maintenance, and vehicle payments. Learn about charging for travel time to cover these expenses. Using AI route optimization can significantly reduce your fuel costs and drive time between jobs.

Market Factors

• Local competition: Research what other window cleaners charge in your area. If you are winning 100% of your bids, you are probably priced too low. If you are losing most bids, you may be too high.
• Demographics: Wealthy neighborhoods expect premium service and will pay premium rates. Budget-conscious areas are more price-sensitive.
• Seasonality: Spring and fall are peak seasons. You can charge premium rates when demand is high. During slow seasons, consider offering package deals to fill your schedule.

Should You Charge Per Window or Per Hour?

Both models work. The right choice depends on your business stage and job type.

Per Window Pricing

Pros:

• Predictable for customers
• Rewards efficiency
• Easier to quote over phone or online
• Scales well as you get faster

Cons:

• Can undercharge on difficult jobs
• Requires accurate window counts
• May need adjustments for job complexity

Best for: Residential work, repeat customers, standardized services

Hourly Pricing

Pros:

• Covers unexpected complications
• Simple to calculate
• Fair for highly variable jobs

Cons:

• Customers may worry about slow work
• Penalizes efficiency
• Harder to give firm quotes

Best for: Post-construction cleaning, first-time deep cleans, commercial jobs with unknown scope

Hybrid Approach

Many successful window cleaners use a hybrid model: base price per window plus hourly adjustments for complexity. Quote a per-window rate for standard cleaning, then add time-based charges for extras like hard water removal or construction debris.

How to Handle Pricing Pain Points?

Pain Point: I Do Not Know What to Charge Per Window

Start with $10 per window for standard residential work. Track your time on your first 10 to 20 jobs. If you are completing jobs in less than an hour and the client is happy, your pricing is in the right range. Adjust based on your actual costs and local market.

Pain Point: Every Technician Quotes Different Prices

Create a standardized price sheet that every team member uses. Include base rates per window type, add-on prices, and minimum job charges. Use field service software to store your pricing rules so quotes are consistent whether you are quoting or your newest employee is.

With AI dispatching for small teams, you can ensure the right technician gets assigned to the right job based on skills, location, and availability.

Pain Point: I Am Undercharging for Difficult Jobs

Build in complexity modifiers:

• Second floor: +$3-$5 per window
• Third floor or higher: +$5-$10 per window
• Heavy dirt or neglect: +25-50% to base price
• Hard water stains: +$10-$30 per window
• Post-construction: 2x normal rate

Pain Point: Slow Quote Turnaround Costs Me Jobs

Customers expect fast responses. If you are taking 24 to 48 hours to quote, you are losing jobs to faster competitors. Use software that lets you generate quotes from your phone immediately after an on-site visit, or set up online booking with instant pricing.

Learn how to automate your quoting process in our workflow builder documentation.

Setting Minimum Job Charges

Every job has fixed costs: driving to the site, setting up equipment, and the administrative work of scheduling and invoicing. Your minimum charge should cover these costs plus profit.

How to Calculate Your Minimum

Fixed costs per job:

• Travel time: 30 minutes average at $50/hour = $25
• Setup time: 15 minutes = $12.50
• Administrative time: 15 minutes = $12.50
• Total fixed cost: $50

Add your profit margin (25%):

• Minimum charge: $50 + $12.50 = $62.50

Round up for simplicity:

• Recommended minimum: $75 to $100

Most window cleaners set minimums between $75 and $150. Do not take jobs below your minimum unless they are in the same neighborhood as other scheduled work. Using multi-stop route planning with AI helps you cluster jobs in the same area to maximize efficiency.

When to Raise Your Window Cleaning Prices?

Signs You Should Raise Prices

• You are winning 90% or more of your bids
• You are booked out more than 2 weeks
• Your costs have increased (insurance, fuel, supplies)
• You have added new equipment or capabilities
• Competitors are charging more

How to Raise Prices?

For new customers: Simply update your price sheet. No explanation needed.

For existing customers:

• Give 30 days notice
• Keep increases to 5-10% at a time
• Explain the value you provide
• Consider grandfathering loyal customers for 6 months

How often: Review pricing annually at minimum. Adjust for inflation and rising costs.

Bidding Tips for Window Cleaning Jobs

Before the Bid

1. Research the property: Use Google Maps or satellite view to estimate size and window count before arriving.
2. Confirm scope: Ask about interior vs exterior only, screens, tracks, and any special requirements.
3. Check condition: Ask when windows were last cleaned. Long gaps mean more work.

During the Estimate

1. Count everything: Walk the entire property. Do not miss basement windows, transoms, or garage door glass.
2. Note complexity: Flag high windows, difficult access, or heavy soiling.
3. Look for upsells: Dirty gutters? Stained siding? Offer a package deal.
4. Quote on the spot: Customers prefer immediate answers. Use a mobile app to generate quotes in front of them. Get a free window cleaning estimate template to get started.

After the Quote

1. Follow up: If you do not hear back in 3 days, send a friendly reminder.
2. Track outcomes: Note which quotes you win and lose. Look for patterns.
3. Ask for feedback: When you lose a bid, politely ask why. Was it price? Timing? Competition?

Residential vs Commercial: Key Pricing Differences

Factor	Residential	Commercial
Pricing model	Per window or per pane	Per square foot
Payment timing	Immediate or net 7	Net 30 to net 90
Job frequency	1-2x per year	Weekly to monthly
Contract length	One-time or informal	Formal contracts
Decision maker	Homeowner	Property manager or owner
Price sensitivity	High	Moderate
Relationship building	Personal	Professional

Why Commercial Contracts Are Valuable?

Commercial contracts provide predictable, recurring revenue. A $200 monthly storefront contract generates $2,400 per year from one relationship. Build 20 similar accounts and you have $48,000 in stable annual revenue before adding residential work.

Final Takeaway: Price with Confidence

Window cleaning pricing isn’t about guessing—it’s about knowing your costs and applying clear, repeatable formulas. When you price based on labor, overhead, and job complexity, every job stays profitable and predictable.

The most successful window cleaners use simple pricing rules, standardize quotes, and rely on recurring commercial contracts to stabilize revenue. With the right field service software, you can automate estimates, keep pricing consistent across your team, optimize routes, and track which jobs actually make money.

If you want faster quotes, better margins, and fewer pricing mistakes, it starts with the right system.

Book a demo and see how FieldCamp helps window cleaning businesses price smarter and scale with confidence.