Guide
What to Look for When Hiring a Window Cleaner
When hiring a window cleaner, look for proof of a license and insurance, a firm price before work starts, a clear list of what’s included (screens, tracks and sills, not just glass), a written agreement, and a guarantee on streaks. Recent local reviews and on-time scheduling matter as much as the price.
By Braylon Howard, owner of High Tide Window Cleaning · Updated October 2026
Why does licensing and insurance matter?
Window cleaning means ladders, second stories and working around your glass. If an uninsured cleaner breaks a window or gets hurt on your property, you can end up paying. Ask whether the company is licensed and insured, including for ladder and second-story work. High Tide Window Cleaning holds City of Pismo Beach business license #24813, is fully insured with a certificate of insurance available on request, and replaces anything the crew damages.
What should be included in the price?
Ask exactly what’s cleaned. Some cleaners only do the glass. A full window cleaning should include frames, tracks, sills and screens, because dirt left there runs right back onto the glass. Also ask whether second-story windows cost extra and how the price is set: per pane, per window or per hour.
Glass, inside and out
Should be included
Frames, tracks and sills
Ask, often skipped
Screens
Ask, often extra
Second-story windows
Ask if extra
How do you avoid surprise charges?
Get a firm price before work starts, ideally from an in-person quote, and get the terms in writing: the deposit, when you pay, and the cancellation policy. At High Tide Window Cleaning, the quoted price is the price on the invoice, every job has a signed agreement and a $50 deposit that goes toward the bill, and cancelling 48 hours or more ahead costs nothing.
What questions should you ask before you book?
Ask: Are you licensed and insured? What’s included? What happens if I find a streak? Do you text before you arrive? Do you work weekends? A good window cleaner answers all of them without hesitating, and backs the work with a walkthrough when the job is done.
Key takeaways
- Licensed and insured, including ladder work
- A firm, written price before work starts
- Screens, tracks and sills included
- A streak guarantee and a written agreement
Need it done?
Licensed and insured, screens and sills included, streak-free guarantee.
Weekend slots open
Rather have the crew handle it?
Get a free in-person quote. We’ll text you back to set a time.
- Licensed & insured
- Weekends + Mon/Wed/Fri mornings
- SLO + northern Santa Barbara County