Window cleaning pricing trips up a lot of contractors. Charge per window, per hour, or flat rate? The answer depends on the job. This guide breaks down exactly what to charge for window cleaning in 2026, so you stop guessing and start quoting confidently.

The Quick Answer: Window Cleaning Rates in 2026

Most residential window cleaning jobs land between $150 and $450 total. Here's how the typical pricing breaks down:

Per window (interior + exterior): $8 - $16
Per window (exterior only): $4 - $8 per pane
Above second floor: $10 - $40 per window (extra for access)
Hourly rate: $40 - $75
Average residential job: $150 - $302
Commercial storefront (weekly/biweekly): $50 - $200 per visit
High-rise commercial: $100 - $170 per hour

The method you pick -- per window vs. hourly -- matters less than knowing your costs. Read on for how to set the right price every time.

3 Ways to Price Window Cleaning Jobs

1. Per Window (or Per Pane)

This is the cleanest model for residential work. You count the windows, multiply by your rate, and give the customer a clear number before you even show up.

Most operators charge $10 - $15 per window for standard residential work with interior and exterior included. Storm windows and divided-light windows count double -- they take twice the time. Quote them that way.

When to use it: Single-family homes where you can count windows from photos or a quick phone call.

2. Hourly Rate

Hourly rates of $40 - $75 protect you on complex jobs: heavy hard water stains, windows with paint overspray, or high-end homes with specialty glass. The problem is that customers hate open-ended pricing.

If you go hourly, give an estimated range upfront. "This job will run 2-3 hours at $60/hr, so figure $120-$180." That's the close. Never let them wonder.

When to use it: Restoration work, heavily soiled windows, or jobs where access complexity makes time hard to predict.

3. Flat Rate by Home Size

Simple and fast. Set packages: "1-bedroom condo from $120. 3-bedroom home from $180. 4-bedroom and up from $250." Customers love flat rates because they know exactly what they're paying.

When to use it: Recurring residential customers or neighborhoods where homes are similar in size.

Window Cleaning Pricing by Job Type

Residential Interior + Exterior

A standard 3-bedroom house has 20-30 windows. At $10-$15 per window, that's a $200-$450 job. Interior-only or exterior-only cuts the price roughly in half.

Add-on rates: Screens $2-$5 each, shutters $3-$8 each, hard water mineral removal $20-$75 per window.

Commercial Storefronts

Storefronts and restaurants want recurring service -- weekly or biweekly. Price these at $50-$75 per visit to land the contract. Monthly recurring at that rate beats chasing one-time residential jobs all week.

Ten storefronts at $200/month is $2,000 in steady income before you book a single residential call. Commercial contracts are how window cleaning businesses scale without adding more trucks.

High-Rise and Multi-Story Buildings

These require rope access or aerial lifts -- specialized equipment and insurance. Rates jump to $100-$170 per hour, and you need written contracts. Don't take these jobs without proper training and adequate liability coverage.

How to Set Your Minimum Charge

Small jobs cost you time you'll never get back. Driving 20 minutes to clean 6 windows for $60 barely covers fuel and overhead.

Set a minimum of $75-$100 for any residential call. Most successful operators land at $100-$125. That covers a 1-hour minimum, your drive time, setup, and a thin margin. Never go below it.

Window Cleaning Startup Costs

Window cleaning has one of the lowest startup costs in home services. Basic gear to get going:

Squeegee set and applicators: $50 - $200
Ladder (6-ft and 10-ft): $100 - $400
Cleaning solution and buckets: $20 - $50
Water-fed pole system (optional, 2nd floor): $500 - $2,000
General liability insurance: $400 - $1,200/year

Total to start: $500 - $2,000. That's less than almost any other trade. The trade-off is that the barrier is low for competitors too -- which is exactly why speed of response and professional quotes matter more here than in other industries.

Common Window Cleaning Pricing Mistakes

Not accounting for interior time. Interior windows take 30-50% longer than exterior only. If you're quoting interior + exterior, price it right or you'll work for less than minimum wage.
Forgetting high-window premiums. Anything above the second floor adds risk and equipment time. Charge $10-$40 extra per window depending on access difficulty.
Skipping a minimum charge. Small jobs still cost you 30+ minutes of overhead. Set a floor and hold to it.
Taking too long to respond. Homeowners call 2-3 services at once. The first one with a clear price usually wins the job.

Bottom Line

Window cleaning pricing is straightforward once you know your baseline: $10-$15 per window for residential, $50-$200 per visit for commercial storefronts, and a firm minimum of $100 for any job. Price per window for most work and per hour only when complexity makes time unpredictable.

If you want customers to get an instant quote right on your website instead of calling around, try QuoteSnap for free. Set your rates, embed the calculator, and leads come in with a price already attached.

Window Cleaning Pricing Guide: What to Charge in 2026