Window Cleaning Prices in the UK: Typical Costs
Typical UK window cleaning prices by house type, how rounds are priced, what affects cost and how to decide between a regular round and a one-off clean.
Window cleaning is one of the most affordable home services, but prices are rarely published and can look inconsistent from street to street. Understanding how window cleaners work out a price helps you judge whether a quote is fair and choose between a regular round and a one-off visit.
Typical prices
Most domestic window cleaners price by property type and number of windows rather than by the hour. Typically, for exterior cleaning:
| Property | Typical price per visit |
|---|---|
| Flat or small terrace | £8 to £15 |
| 2-bed semi | £10 to £20 |
| 3-bed semi | £12 to £25 |
| 4-bed detached | £20 to £40 |
| Large detached | £35 to £60+ |
Inside and outside together usually costs roughly double, and a one-off first clean of dirty windows often costs more than a regular round visit. Prices vary by region, and London and the South East are typically higher.
Common extras
- Frames, sills and doors. Many rounds include wiping the frames; some charge extra for UPVC cleaning.
- Conservatories. Often priced separately, particularly the roof, which can run from £40 to £120 or more depending on size and access.
- Gutters, fascias and soffits. Charged by the job, and a specialist task when above ground floor.
- Skylights and Velux windows. Priced per window or included in a flat fee.
- Solar panels. A separate specialist service.
How rounds work
A window cleaning round means a cleaner visits your street every four or eight weeks with a fixed price per visit. Rounds are usually cash or bank transfer and are cheaper per visit than one-offs because the cleaner is already in the area. A round is convenient: you need not be in, and the windows are kept consistently clean.
Typically, a four-weekly clean suits most homes. Eight-weekly may be enough for flats, shaded properties or households that are less fussy. Homes near a busy road, the coast or trees may need more frequent visits.
What affects the price
- Number and size of windows. Large patio doors, bay windows and many small panes take longer.
- Access. Ladders, poles and water-fed poles reach different heights. Third-floor windows or awkward extensions might need more equipment and cost more.
- Condition. A first clean after neglect can take much more time.
- Parking and access. Gated drives, locked side gates or windows behind plants slow the work.
- Method. Water-fed pole cleaning with purified water is common for exterior windows and leaves little residue. Traditional squeegee methods are used for interior cleaning and smaller jobs.
Questions to ask a window cleaner
- Is the price for exterior, interior or both?
- Does it include frames and sills?
- What is the minimum charge?
- How do you work at height, and do you work from the ground, from ladders or with poles?
- How do payments work, and will I receive a receipt?
You can also see our window cleaning how-to if you want to keep interior glass sparkling between visits.
One-off cleaning for specific events
For a house sale, a move or a party, a one-off clean of all windows, frames and sills is a good option. You may also want it combined with a wider deep clean. A one-off is usually priced higher per window than a round, because the cleaner makes a special trip and may need more time.
Finding someone
Search by postcode on Compito to see ID-verified local providers, read reviews after completed bookings, and message them for a quote based on your windows. Give details such as the number of storeys, whether you have a conservatory and whether you want internal cleaning, so the quote is accurate.
A worked example
Take a three-bed semi with eleven windows, a front door panel and a small rear conservatory. A regular four-weekly exterior round might be £15 to £20. Adding inside cleaning might bring the price to £25 to £35. The conservatory roof, cleaned once or twice a year, might be an extra £50 to £80. Across a year that is around 13 visits for the house plus two roof cleans, so roughly £200 to £300 for exteriors, more if you include inside. Prices vary, so use local quotes.
Round or one-off
| Factor | Regular round | One-off |
|---|---|---|
| Price per visit | Lower | Higher |
| Condition | Kept consistently clean | Likely dirtier at start |
| Convenience | Set and forget | Need to rebook |
| Flexibility | Pause or skip with notice | Book when you need |
Common mistakes
- Paying a deposit for a regular round before meeting the cleaner.
- Not agreeing whether frames and sills are included.
- Forgetting to ask about conservatories and skylights.
- Assuming all rounds use the same method.
- Leaving gates locked or plants blocking access.
Flats, high-rise and awkward access
Upper-floor flats often have restricted access and may be cleaned through building management, so ask your managing agent. Windows above the reach of poles may need specialist access equipment and cost more. Cleaners should not climb or lean from windows without proper equipment, so be sceptical of unusually cheap quotes for high or inaccessible glass.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home for window cleaning?
Not for exterior cleaning, as long as the cleaner has access to the garden or sides of the house. For interior cleaning you will need to let them in or leave arrangements.
Is it worth having windows cleaned in winter?
Yes. Salt, grime and condensation marks build up through the colder months, and light levels are lower, so clean glass makes a visible difference. Cleaners can usually work in cold weather but may postpone for ice or high winds.
Why are conservatory roofs more expensive?
Roof panels need specific access, often with specialist poles or safe roof-ladder methods, and the surface can be fragile. The size of the roof and how green or dirty it is also affect the price.
Is it cheaper to share a round with neighbours?
Sometimes. Neighbours on the same street often form part of the same round, which can reduce travel time. It is worth asking whether your street is already covered.