AIBU to get a new window cleaner?

[ElizabethBoland]

I realise this might be peak
Mumsnet but here goes. I’ve been a bit 😩 about window cleaner for a while, he uses like a pole that sprays water with a brush. When he’s done the windows are covered in droplets of water which although are clean water within a few days they don’t look great and any marks (like from tiny fingers peeking into the living room after school) are not always gone. I often have a wreath on my door and he doesn’t attempt to take it off or ask me to (it’s on a rod and he knows I WFH) but just washes the front door over and around it and over with the stick brush thing. This week he’s come to do them and I have a Garland around the door. It’s pine style with lights etc and took me ages to make and hang. He came along and haphazardly washed the window above door (about 2/3 are covered in Garland) and door with wreath. I kind of rushed to the door to say it’s ok don’t worry but by that point he had knocked it all down. He apologised and got a ladder from his van and sort of shoved it back up. Now bear in mind that Garland didn’t move an inch during storm barra had been up 2 weeks and I am on the coast. I came home today and the whole thing had fallen down. Smashing some of it. It took about an hour to sort. So AIBU to think that window cleaner was out of order and just get rid? Or would I be a complete cow and should just let it go?

I think having these things up are interfering with him doing his job. Perhaps agree with him to not do your door when you have a wreath or garland up, or agree with him giving you notice that he’s coming so you can remove wreaths/garlands to allow him to clean properly.

However, if you’re not happy with his window cleaning without the issue of wreaths/garland, then move on to next window cleaner - but still address wreath/garland issue as I should imagine any window cleaner would also be inconvenienced by these.

He clearly is doing nothing right for you, the way you describe everything he does is derogatory.

Good luck finding a new window cleaner. Make sure they don't use the same pole system.

Interfering with him doing his job? You get that I pay him to do it. It’s not community service and he could of lifted Halloween wreath off the hook. I don’t think having a Xmas Garland is unusual especially around here. There are about 10 window cleaners in the area so getting a new on won’t be hard, the system he uses is irrelevant it’s more the general awareness.

I’d get rid. Hes either thoughtless or doesnt care plus the windows arent actually clean! Yanbu

I think having to move wreaths is creating extra work. The droplets I agree with but the wreath thing is on you. Same as those people who put those big bows on doors at Christmas

Just change your window cleaner - no need for soul searching - or approval from anyone.

Go for it!!

A pole system should not leave water marks. It likely means that he’s using normal water instead of water that has been through reverse osmosis. I know that’s not the point here but he’s not using the proper equipment so that’s one reason to get rid. The correct water will dry without leaving marks.

OP you asked, I answered. Your putting stuff on windows/doors is indeed interfering with the windows cleaner doing his job as he had to move them to do his job. If you remove these items, then he can clean better, plus nothing will happen to the items.

Think of it in terms of a cleaner. You pay your cleaner for x amount of time to do y jobs. If you leave Lego set on the floor and the cleaner comes to clean, such as hoover and wash the floor. They would have to pick up the Lego set just to clean. It could fall apart. It shouldn’t be left there if you hire cleaner to clean. Just remove the items, nothing will happen to them, cleaning gets done uninterrupted.

I've ditched a window cleaner and felt stupidly guilty. The new one is cheaper and better.

My window cleaner stopped cleaning my windows and still expected to get paid. I told him I could not afford him any more. At least yours does turn up OP :)

I’m just confused about why anyone would feel the need to write a thread asking whether they can change their window cleaner??!

Change your window cleaner because he's not doing a good job.

If you want your door done remove the wreaths when the new window cleaner is coming.

I think I was just wondering if I’m being a cow to do it, seems to be majority think it’s ok. I get the stuff prevents it being washed but he could knock and ask me to take off or just not do, that was my point.

@ElizabethBoland

I think I was just wondering if I’m being a cow to do it, seems to be majority think it’s ok. I get the stuff prevents it being washed but he could knock and ask me to take off or just not do, that was my point.

But surely you just remove it to save him the inconvenience?