What to do about window cleaner

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

Had a card through my door advertising window cleaning by "Steve". Been looking for a window cleaner for a while and thought great! I text the number to ask for a price explaining I'm in a 3-bed semi with 10 windows in total etc. He replied to say he'll "come round tonight at 8pm to have a look" . I said "sorry what do you mean" - he wants to come inside the house to check the layout! A window cleaner!! I've said no and I'll just leave it. I'm a single mum with 2 kids, I don't let anyone in the house unless they're family or friends.

WWYD - this is dodgy right? And not normal? Do I report him?!

Inside or outside? Can’t he look on street view???

Strange to need to come inside the house, that's definitely what he said?
Would be normal to have a look outside.
If you're looking for a window cleaner just ask your neighbours who they use.
Not sure who you'd report him to tbh.

He said he needs to "come in" to inspect the layout to he can give me an accurate price.

That is strange OP. A while ago, the neighbour's window cleaner was outside cleaning their windows and I thought his work looks good. So I went out and just asked him to do ours. I think I might have brought him round the back of the house so he could see all of the windows and then he just told me how much it would be. I think mine was the standard scenario.

Maybe this window cleaner is treating it almost like a builder's job, like coming in to your house to discuss and give a quote. But, you're not comfortable and I wouldn't be either. I wouldn't report him because it could be perfectly innocent.

Ours wanted to come look, but from the outside, to see how high up and where the windows were to give a cost, so out side is normal, inside? I wouldn't see why that's needed!

Did you ask him why he needed to come inside your house when you're only looking for the outside to be cleaned?
Maybe he thinks you want the insides done too.

Just say no, there is no need for him to come in, no window cleaner I have ever had has been in my house
Not sure who you would report him to though

Definitely dodgy. Our window cleaner has a water recycling pump thingy and uses a sponge thingy on a long pipe. He doesn't have a ladder and doesn't look in the windows at all. I can't imagine why a window cleaner would need to come inside.

Nope! Thats odd. I recently hired a window cleaner and all he needed to know was the type of house it was, then the price was based on that. No window cleaner needs to come inside the house to look at the windows

I'd avoid. Obviously having a look from the outside is fine but there's absolutely no reason to go inside your home and check the layout

Weird! He can see the bloody size from the outside! And expecting to come at night! Nope!

I would just ask the neighbours. We moved a few months ago and I spotted a window cleaner doing most of the streets windows one morning, so I asked him.

Actually yes I'd tell local police, because it actually sounds like he's trying to get inside people's houses for whatever reason. No harm in him being checked. You were right to say no, for sure.

Dodgy! Definitely no need for him to come inside and if he's been down the street to leaflet, you've told him how many windows you have, and he could use streetview, then he should be able to give you a quote without even coming to see the outside.

What a load of tosh ",Steve" is taking the piss.

Huh? That's weird.
Ours asked how many windows and quoted us 16 quid.
Another in our old house said approx 15 to 20. Agreed to do the first one for 15 and asked for 18 For subsequent ones which I thought was fair.
Something wrong there.

No window cleaner needs to come inside to look at layout to give a price. That’s ridiculous.

Our window cleaner is 6 quid.

You should reply that you only want the outsides cleaning so there is no need for him to come in; he can look at the house from the outside to see were the windows are, just incase he somehow thinks he is to clean the insides too

No window cleaner needs to come inside to look at the layout - WTF, dodgy as hell. Ask around your neighbours for a recommendation. I think you dodged a bullet there Op.

Well he isn’t allowed in anyway is he?

I’ve always had windows cleaners look and then give me a price but it’s always been from the outside and they have not needed me to be there. I would ask if he means look at the outside of the house or the inside. If he says inside I would ring the police and tell them as it sounds very dodgy.

You should have a local police neighbourhood contact. Give them a ring and give them Steve's number.
I've lived in a lot of different houses over the years, always had a window cleaner, none have ever wanted to case inside my house. 8 p.m ? Dodgy as hell.

Yeah. Maybe inform the police about Steve and his leaflet !.

I've been through a few WC and not one of them has ever been inside my property.