Pricing guide
How Much Does Window Cleaning Cost?
Window cleaning is priced per pane or per hour, with the total driven by how many windows you have, how many stories, and how dirty they are. Per-pane and hourly are both covered below, with story count called out, because height is what changes the equipment and the insurance behind the quote.
Founder, Smarfle · Published June 26, 2026
Average home (inside + out)
$150 to $350
For an average home cleaned inside and out, or about $4 to $15 per pane. Multi-story homes and hard-water stains cost more.
Quick answer
Window cleaning typically costs $150 to $350 for an average home cleaned inside and out, or about $4 to $15 per pane. The price depends on the number of windows, the number of stories, and the glass condition.
Window Cleaning price list
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Per pane (inside + out) | $4 to $15 |
| Average home (inside + out) | $150 to $350 |
| Exterior only | $100 to $250 |
| Per hour | $50 to $100 |
| Storefront (per visit) | $20 to $75 |
| Screen + track cleaning (per window) | $2 to $5 |
Prices are typical U.S. ranges and vary by region, scope, and condition. Always get a written quote.
Cost by home size (inside + out)
| Home | Windows | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1 story) | 10 to 15 | $100 to $200 |
| Medium (2 story) | 15 to 25 | $180 to $350 |
| Large (2 to 3 story) | 25 to 40 | $300 to $500+ |
Cost by service
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Interior + exterior | $150 to $350 |
| Exterior only | $100 to $250 |
| Screens and tracks | add $2 to $5 / window |
| Hard-water / stain removal | $50 to $200 |
| Recurring (per visit) | 10 to 20% off one-time |
What affects the cost
Number of panes
Most pros price per pane, so more windows means a higher total. Multi-pane and divided-light windows count as more.
Number of stories
Upper-story windows need ladders or water-fed poles and take longer, which raises labor (the main cost).
Glass condition
Hard-water spots, paint, and construction debris need extra work and may be a separate add-on.
Add-ons and frequency
Screens, tracks, and sills add cost, while recurring service is discounted versus a one-time clean.
What you are actually paying for
The parts of a window cleaning quote that never appear as a line item, from the side of the business that has to cover them.
Anything above the ground floor changes the coverage
Working off ladders or poles at height puts a crew in a different insurance category from one cleaning at ground level, and the business pays that premium all year. It is a bigger reason upper-floor glass costs more than the extra minutes the work actually takes.
A stop on an existing route costs minutes, not a trip
Window cleaners plan a day street by street. Slotting into a round they already drive adds a short stop, while an address on its own can absorb half an hour of paid travel each way. Two similar houses in the same town can be quoted differently for no reason other than geography.
The day is sold in slots, so small jobs carry a minimum
A crew can only make so many stops before the light goes, and each one consumes setup time regardless of how few panes are involved. That is why almost every cleaner has a minimum charge and why a handful of windows rarely costs proportionally less than a houseful.
Where the money goes
Window cleaning is mostly labor: the per-pane or hourly rate covers the cleaner's time, with height and access the biggest drivers. Add-ons like screens, tracks, and hard-water removal are priced on top. Recurring service costs less per visit because the glass stays in better shape.
Should you DIY or hire a pro?
Ground-floor windows are easy to DIY with a squeegee and the right solution. Hire a pro for upper-story windows (ladder and height safety), hard-water stain removal, and large homes or storefronts where speed and a streak-free finish matter. Recurring service keeps glass spotless with no effort.
How to save on window cleaning
- Book exterior only if the insides are easy to reach yourself.
- Have another service done in the same visit, because the minimum charge is mostly setup either way.
- Unlock gates and move furniture before they arrive so the crew is cleaning rather than waiting.
- Take a recurring slot. Maintained glass cleans faster, which is what lets the per-visit rate fall.
- Ask what upper-floor access the quote assumes. Height changes the equipment and the coverage behind it.
What the federal data shows
The federal classification treats washing windows as a secondary duty of janitorial work rather than a trade, so the nearest median is $36,840. Story count is what really moves a window-cleaning quote, because anything above ground level changes the equipment and the insurance behind the crew.
Run a window cleaning business? Here is what to charge
If you run a window cleaning business, build recurring residential and commercial storefront routes, those weekly and monthly contracts are far more valuable than one-off cleans, and a dense route keeps your margin high.
Frequently asked questions
How much does window cleaning cost?+
Window cleaning typically runs $150 to $350 for an average home inside and out, or about $4 to $15 per pane. Exterior-only is cheaper ($100 to $250), and storefronts are often $20 to $75 per visit.
How much does it cost to clean windows per pane?+
Most window cleaners charge $4 to $15 per pane cleaned inside and out, depending on the window type, height, and condition. Divided-light and multi-pane windows count as more.
Is recurring window cleaning cheaper?+
Yes. Recurring service is usually 10 to 20% less per visit than a one-time clean because the glass stays in better shape and takes less time.
How often should I have my windows cleaned?+
Most homes benefit from two cleanings a year (spring and fall). Storefronts and homes in dusty or coastal areas often go monthly or quarterly.
Does window cleaning include screens and tracks?+
Often not by default. Screen and track cleaning is usually a small add-on (about $2 to $5 per window), so confirm what is included in the quote.
More pricing guides
Where these numbers come from
The dollar ranges on this page are our own editorial estimates, not survey data. We build them from the federal wage figures cited below, which set the labor floor for the trade, plus the typical job scopes we see in the field. Materials, permits, access and local demand move every one of them. Treat the ranges as a starting point for a conversation with a contractor, not as a quote.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Janitors and Building Cleaners (May 2025)There is no federal wage series for window cleaning specifically. The classification folds it into janitorial work, where washing windows and exterior surfaces is listed as a secondary duty, so the $36,840 median understates a specialist crew that brings its own equipment and carries the insurance for working at height or with high-pressure gear.
Last reviewed September 2026.
Price jobs right, get paid faster
Smarfle helps window cleaning businesses estimate, invoice, and collect payment in one place, so you quote with confidence and never chase a check.
Start your 14-day free trial