Window cleaning is one of those services where the sticker price hides a lot of detail. Two companies can quote the same house $150 apart simply because one includes screens and tracks and the other charges for them separately -- or because one counts windows and the other counts panes. Understanding how the job is priced is the single best defense against overpaying.
So how much does window cleaning actually cost? Most homeowners pay between $150 and $400 for a full professional cleaning, with a national average around $220. Small single-story homes can come in near $100, while large multi-story homes with lots of glass can exceed $600. In this guide, we break down the three common pricing models, show typical costs by home size, explain the add-ons, and cover when it makes sense to do the job yourself.
How Window Cleaning Is Priced: Per Window, Per Pane, or Hourly
Professionals use three pricing models, and it pays to know which one a quote is based on:
- Per window: $8 - $20 per window for interior and exterior cleaning. This is the most common model. A "window" here means the whole unit -- a standard double-hung window counts as one.
- Per pane: $4 - $8 per pane. Some companies count each sheet of glass separately. A double-hung window has two panes, so per-pane pricing on the same house can look cheaper per unit but total the same or more. Divided-lite (French-style) windows with many small panes get expensive fast under this model.
- Hourly: $40 - $75 per hour per cleaner. Less common for standard homes, but sometimes used for odd jobs -- post-construction cleanup, skylights, or homes with unusual glass.
When comparing quotes, convert everything to a whole-house total and confirm exactly what is included. A per-window quote that covers screens and tracks may beat a lower per-pane quote that does not.
Average Window Cleaning Costs by Home Size in 2026
For interior and exterior cleaning of all windows, here is what most homeowners can expect:
These figures assume a routine cleaning. First-time cleanings, post-construction jobs, and windows that have gone years between washes take longer and commonly cost 25-50% more.
Interior, Exterior, or Both?
Full-service cleaning covers both sides of the glass, but you can buy less than that:
- Exterior only: typically 60-70% of the full price -- around $5-$12 per window. This is the side that takes the weather, so exterior-only service twice a year is a sensible budget option.
- Interior only: usually similar per-window pricing to exterior, though the work is easier; it is most often bought as part of a deep clean or move-out.
- Both sides: the standard $8-$20 per window rate, and the only way to get truly clear glass -- film from cooking, candles, and pets builds up inside more than most people expect.
Common Add-Ons and What They Cost
One add-on deserves special attention: hard-water stains. If your sprinklers hit the glass, the white mineral haze they leave will eventually etch into the surface and become permanent. Removing fresh deposits is cheap; restoring etched glass is expensive or impossible. Redirect the sprinkler heads and treat stains early.
What Affects Window Cleaning Prices?
Number of Stories
Height is the biggest cost driver after window count. Second- and third-story windows require ladders, water-fed poles, or both, and many companies add $1-$5 per window for upper floors.
Window Type
Standard double-hung windows are the baseline. Divided-lite French windows, storm windows (which double the glass surfaces), bay windows, and older wood windows with fragile glazing all take more time and cost more.
Accessibility
Windows above sunrooms, behind dense landscaping, over steep grades, or facing tight side yards slow the work down. Interior access matters too -- moving furniture and handling blinds adds time.
Condition of the Glass
Paint overspray, stickers, oxidation, and years of grime turn a quick squeegee pass into detail work. Be upfront about condition when requesting quotes so the price does not change on arrival.
Location and Season
Rates run higher in large metro areas, and demand peaks in late spring and early summer. Scheduling in late fall or winter -- when window cleaners are hungry for work -- often earns a discount.
DIY vs Hiring a Professional
Window washing is honest, learnable work, and plenty of homeowners do their own. The question is height and time.
When DIY Makes Sense:
- Your home is single-story and all glass is reachable from the ground or a stepladder
- You have a decent squeegee, a scrubber, and dish soap -- the same basic kit the pros use
- Your windows tilt in for interior-side cleaning of upper floors
- You are cleaning regularly, not tackling years of buildup
When a Professional Is the Better Choice:
- Two-story and taller homes. Ladder falls injure hundreds of thousands of Americans every year, and second-story window work is exactly the kind of reaching, leaning job that causes them. Professionals use water-fed poles to clean most upper glass from the ground.
- Hard-water stains, paint, or oxidation -- restoration chemicals and technique matter, and bad DIY attempts can scratch the glass.
- Lots of windows. A pro crew finishes in two or three hours what takes a homeowner a full weekend.
- You want an inspection thrown in. Good window cleaners flag failed seals (fogging between panes), torn screens, and soft sills while they work.
How to Avoid Overpaying for Window Cleaning
Count Your Windows Before You Ask for Quotes
Walk the house and count windows, noting how many are on upper floors and whether you want screens and tracks done. Quotes based on your actual count are comparable; vague "whole house" quotes are not.
Post the Job and Compare Applicants
Rather than calling companies one by one, post the job on GigNGo with your window count, number of stories, and what you want included. Posting is free and there are no lead fees baked into the prices -- local pros and helpers apply to you, and you compare rates and reviews side by side before choosing.
Consider Exterior-Only Service
If budget is tight, exterior-only cleaning delivers most of the visible improvement for roughly two-thirds of the price. Do the interior sides yourself with a squeegee at your own pace.
Bundle With Other Exterior Work
Window cleaning pairs naturally with gutter cleaning and pressure washing -- same crew type, same visit. Bundled exterior packages routinely save 10-20% versus booking each service separately.
Set Up a Recurring Schedule
Many cleaners discount repeat visits because maintained windows are faster to clean. Twice-a-year service at a discounted rate usually beats one neglected-window deep clean.
Find Window Cleaning Help on GigNGo
Post your window cleaning job, set your budget, and hear from local pros in minutes. You compare applicants and choose who to hire -- no middleman markups, no surprise fees.
Post Your Window Cleaning Job NowThe Bottom Line on Window Cleaning Costs
For most homes, professional window cleaning costs $150-$400, or $8-$20 per window for both sides of the glass. The price moves with the number of windows, the number of stories, and the add-ons -- screens, tracks, and hard-water treatment -- so always confirm what a quote includes before comparing numbers.
Single-story homeowners with a squeegee and a Saturday can reasonably do this job themselves. For taller homes, stained glass, or simply more windows than patience, hiring help is money well spent -- and getting several local quotes through GigNGo keeps the price honest. Clean windows are one of the cheapest ways to make a whole house feel newer, and once or twice a year is all it takes.