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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Window cleaners - AIBU

45 replies

UserError1 · 03/03/2023 11:41

I've had my windows cleaned, first time in at least three years (for the upstairs windows).

Cleaners came, it was £12, I live in a two bed semi.

Didn't really scrub at the bird shit that's been there for a few years and some water marks have been left. They didn't use that smart water either.

AIBU in thinking they did a shit job?

OP posts:
Ifailed · 03/03/2023 11:47

ex window cleaner, I agree they did a bad job. You always expect first cleans to be difficult, especially with old dried on bird shit, but you accept it knowing that subsequent cleans will be lot easier and quicker.

Get back to them (and try and speak to the boss/owner), tell them you are not satisfied. If they don't return and complete the job you'll know never to use them again.

BTW, most cleaners I know use the pole system for upper windows, that can be harder on a first clean, but then you use a ladder to get rid off any persistent marks.

Muddydogpawprints · 03/03/2023 11:48

Honestly I've had so many window cleaners and each time they leave I just think it's a bit of a half hearted job. No real scrubbing, just a spritz of water and soap and a brush over and they're gone! I've just got a karcher window cleaner and get a much better job doing it myself!

Original poster
UserError1 · 03/03/2023 12:16

Muddydogpawprints · 03/03/2023 11:48

Honestly I've had so many window cleaners and each time they leave I just think it's a bit of a half hearted job. No real scrubbing, just a spritz of water and soap and a brush over and they're gone! I've just got a karcher window cleaner and get a much better job doing it myself!

Kartcher window cleaner just removed the water, which is fine for inside but I would need a ladder for my bedroom windows etc.

I'm so tempted to just use a pole myself

OP posts:
UdoU · 03/03/2023 12:48

Maybe they get loads of people cancelling after the first clean?

£12 is not a lot of money to dried old toxic bird shit, unless you've agreed to them coming monthly.

Kois · 03/03/2023 12:53

Smart water? Wtf are you talking about? He was cleaning windows, not drinking it.
If you don't think he did a good enough job then sack him off.
I got rid of mine because he didn't even use a bucket of fresh hot soapy water, I offered to put some in his bucket, but he'd left it at the bottom of the street, effectively just cleaning everyone's windows with the same filthy rag ..and he missed half of them.

DottieUncBab · 03/03/2023 12:59

For £12 it’s probably about right, I’m always surprised by how cheap window cleaners are

AdobeWanKenobi · 03/03/2023 13:06

Kois · 03/03/2023 12:53

Smart water? Wtf are you talking about? He was cleaning windows, not drinking it.
If you don't think he did a good enough job then sack him off.
I got rid of mine because he didn't even use a bucket of fresh hot soapy water, I offered to put some in his bucket, but he'd left it at the bottom of the street, effectively just cleaning everyone's windows with the same filthy rag ..and he missed half of them.

No, he isn't drinking it, but distilled water systems are used by a lot of window cleaners now as it doesn't streak like hard tap water.

Magenta82 · 03/03/2023 13:10

That is incredibly cheap, round here it would be at least £25 for a first clean. Most window cleaners use a waterfed pole system with pure water, it dries with no marks as there are no minerals etc in it, so there is no need to dry the windows after.
The bird poo should have been scrubbed off, my window cleaner would come back if I said I wasn't happy with something.

soboredoflooking · 03/03/2023 13:33

So was it £12 just for the top windows or all, seems pricey though! Maybe they were bad though if they have 3 years dirt on them.

Maybe seems like my guys are a bargain. I'm in a 4 bed detached with garage conversion it's £10. There's 10 windows plus patio doors and they use ladders.

Magenta82 · 03/03/2023 13:47

soboredoflooking · 03/03/2023 13:33

So was it £12 just for the top windows or all, seems pricey though! Maybe they were bad though if they have 3 years dirt on them.

Maybe seems like my guys are a bargain. I'm in a 4 bed detached with garage conversion it's £10. There's 10 windows plus patio doors and they use ladders.

May I ask where you live? That is crazy cheap to me, my parents pay more than that for their 2 bed bungalow in Norfolk and like I said a house like the OPs would be at least £25 for a fist clean in Watford.

Cornishmumofone · 03/03/2023 13:48

£12 seems very cheap. I'm in the south west and it's £36 for a 3-monthly clean (small 4 bed detached)

Cupcakequeen75 · 03/03/2023 13:51

AdobeWanKenobi · 03/03/2023 13:06

No, he isn't drinking it, but distilled water systems are used by a lot of window cleaners now as it doesn't streak like hard tap water.

Show quote history

As above.
By using distilled water there is very little streaking or water marks, even when done on a really hot day where the water evaporates really quickly.

Not to be confused with the drink or security marking fluid of the same name.

snowflakeinastorm · 03/03/2023 14:03

UserError1 · 03/03/2023 11:41

I've had my windows cleaned, first time in at least three years (for the upstairs windows).

Cleaners came, it was £12, I live in a two bed semi.

Didn't really scrub at the bird shit that's been there for a few years and some water marks have been left. They didn't use that smart water either.

AIBU in thinking they did a shit job?

My window cleaner uses the pole system too. There is usually some water marks left on the upstairs windows, but on the ground floor they go over the windows with a squeegee after. They never go up on a ladder anymore, so your’s is probably the same, and you will always have some marks left upstairs.

I don’t mind a few marks though, as I really don’t want to do the windows myself.

closethedrawer · 03/03/2023 14:06

My mum lives in the city in a 3 bed semi (8 windows, 1 set of French doors, 1 back door, 1 front porch) and pays £11.

I've had 3 different window cleaners, all have cost £12 for a 2 bed detached bungalow (4 windows, 1 bay, 2 doors). I live about 10 miles out of the city.

I think I'm going to get a bucket and squeegee and do them myself!

closethedrawer · 03/03/2023 14:06

By city, I mean one in the south west of England!

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 03/03/2023 14:09

The poles are rubbish because the frame is still dirty.

Either get a traditiona window cleaner (that goes up a ladder) or lean out and do them yourself.

Also, £12 for a 2 bed semi is expensive - especially as they've only done a half-arsed job.

Nat6999 · 03/03/2023 14:10

My mum pays £7.50 for a 3 bed semi once a month.

Justme10 · 03/03/2023 14:51

I can't believe how much other people pay to have their windows cleaned!
I'm in a 3 bed with French doors and only pay £5!

It doesn't sound like he's done a good job but I would give him another chance and if possible have a chat with him about giving the bird poo a good scrub.

soboredoflooking · 03/03/2023 15:32

@Magenta82 Central Scotland about 12miles from Glasgow. My parents pay about £4 for 2 bedroom terraced house so to me £10 seems expensive lol, although granted I have a lot of windows! I get mine down every 5/6 weeks.

I got them to clean the inside and outside of the gutters and wash down all the white upvc a few months ago it was £120. There's 3 gutters 2 at front, 1 at the back. Still looks really good though 👍

Original poster
UserError1 · 03/03/2023 15:35

Hello.

So I have a bay window, French doors and five windows.

They were doing my house and three neighbours. So £50 total.... which isn't a lot for an hours work, for two of them, and a van.

They did the upstairs windows with a pole and downstairs using their squeegee.

They only cleaned the glass, not the frames. They left their soapy water on the frames/ledges. Literally would have taken seconds to clean the window glass properly, by using a cloth to wipe of the marks.

Yes maybe charge more....

OP posts:
Original poster
UserError1 · 03/03/2023 15:35

I'm Manchester

OP posts:
Original poster
UserError1 · 03/03/2023 15:37

Also the neighbour booked it in - I messaged her asked for a recommendation but she didn't know anyone. Nect minute she says they are coming Friday and she doesn't know the price.

They knock on with the price, for a monthly
Clean. I was a bit tired today, so I didn't say "I only want a one of clean".

By the way I do clean downstairs, it's upstairs I can't do.

OP posts:
UdoU · 03/03/2023 15:38

I was a bit tired today, so I didn't say "I only want a one of clean".

That's not really fair to them, as they charge more for a one off clean.

I can't believe you're complaining really.

Magenta82 · 03/03/2023 15:41

soboredoflooking · 03/03/2023 15:32

@Magenta82 Central Scotland about 12miles from Glasgow. My parents pay about £4 for 2 bedroom terraced house so to me £10 seems expensive lol, although granted I have a lot of windows! I get mine down every 5/6 weeks.

I got them to clean the inside and outside of the gutters and wash down all the white upvc a few months ago it was £120. There's 3 gutters 2 at front, 1 at the back. Still looks really good though 👍

The price for the guttering and facias sounds fairly reasonable, it would maybe be a little more here but same ballpark.

However, the prices I am mentioning includes washing the frames and sills. So I guess it is a different service.

Seems daft to only do the glass, the frames and sills make a big difference to the look of the house.

FightingFatAt49 · 03/03/2023 15:45

I think you get what you pay for, so for £12 it seems fair.