Most people choose a window cleaner the way they choose most trades — a recommendation from a neighbour, a quick Google search, or whoever left a card through the letterbox. That's not necessarily wrong, but there are a few things worth checking before you commit to a regular arrangement. A good window cleaner is reliable, fairly priced, insured and uses equipment that actually does what it claims. A bad one costs you money and occasionally breaks things.
Here's what to look for.
Public liability insurance: minimum £1m, ideally £2m+. This covers accidental damage to your property (broken glass, knocked-over ornaments, damaged guttering) and any injury claim. Any professional should be able to provide a certificate without hesitation.
Fixed price before they arrive: a reputable company can quote based on your property type and size. Be wary of anyone who won't give a price until they've seen the job — this is often a setup for inflated charges on the day.
Google reviews from local customers: look for recent reviews (last 12 months) and reviews that mention your area. A company with 50+ reviews from identifiable local customers is a strong signal. Fake reviews tend to be generic and clustered.
Pure water system: the standard for modern residential window cleaning. Pure (deionised) water leaves no mineral residue and gives a streak-free, longer-lasting result. Reach pole systems also mean no ladders — safer for your property and theirs.
Frames and sills included: cleaning the glass while leaving the frames grimy is a half job. Confirm that frames and outer sills are included as standard in the quoted price.
Local and established: a company that's been operating in the same area for several years is less likely to disappear. Local businesses also have a stronger incentive to maintain their reputation — they rely on word of mouth in a small geographic area.
Glass only, or frames and sills too? Any glazed doors? Conservatory roof? Get clarity on exactly what's covered before the first visit.
External cleaning doesn't require you to be home. Internal cleaning does. Understanding this upfront avoids scheduling problems.
Many companies charge more for the first clean (which takes longer) and less for ongoing visits. Ask what the standing schedule rate will be — that's the real cost.
Most established companies accept bank transfer or standing order on a regular schedule. Be cautious of anyone who insists on cash only with no receipt.
Light rain is usually fine — pure water systems aren't affected by drizzle. Heavy rain on the day of a scheduled clean should mean rescheduling, not a no-show.
Phrased this directly. A confident "yes, here's the certificate" is the right answer. Hesitation or vagueness is a red flag.
Be cautious of: door-to-door offers with no business name or way to contact them later; prices that seem dramatically below everyone else (there's usually a reason); companies that can't or won't provide a certificate of insurance; anyone who asks to be paid before the job; and companies with no Google presence or reviewable history at all.
Various online booking platforms aggregate local trades and take a booking fee or commission. They're not necessarily bad, but the person who shows up is often a subcontractor rather than an employee — their motivation is completing the job quickly and moving on, not building a relationship with you as a repeat customer.
A directly-booked local business — one you can call, that has operated in your area for years — tends to be more reliable for ongoing arrangements. They have a local reputation to protect, and you can reach a real person if something isn't right.
The best signal of all: ask neighbours who they use. A window cleaner who's been doing the same street for five years without incident is about as reliable a recommendation as you'll get.
We're a family-run team based in Derby — husband and wife — and we've been cleaning windows, gutters, fascias and conservatories across Chaddesden, Spondon, Chellaston, Alvaston, Shelton Lock and surrounding areas since 2008.
We're fully insured, we use a pure water system on all residential cleans, and we include frames and sills as standard. Quotes are fixed before we arrive. If you're looking for a reliable regular window cleaner in Derby, we'd be happy to hear from you.
Family-run since 2008. Fully insured. Pure water system. Fixed prices. Frames and sills included.
Public liability insurance, a fixed price before the visit, Google reviews from local customers, a pure water system, and confirmation that frames and sills are included as standard.
Yes — public liability insurance is essential. Minimum £1 million, ideally £2 million+. Any professional should provide a certificate on request without hesitation.
An established local business with verifiable reviews and proper insurance is generally trustworthy. Many customers arrange side-gate access and never need to be home. Discuss access when booking if you have concerns.