How to Raise Your Window Cleaning Prices (Without Losing Customers)
Most cleaners are underpriced and dreading the conversation. Here's the timing, the amount, and the exact wording that works.
Practical guides on quoting, pricing and running a window cleaning business, written and reviewed by the Squeegify team.
Raise prices in small, regular steps: 5 to 10% once a year, announced in writing at least one clean in advance, with no apology and no negotiation. Done that way, most cleaners lose only a handful of customers, and the ones who leave are usually the slowest payers and the most awkward jobs. A 10% rise on an existing round is close to pure profit, because your costs do not move.
When to do it
- Once a year, on the same month each year, so it becomes normal and expected.
- Never in the same week as a missed clean, a complaint, or bad weather.
- Straight after a visible win: a good review, a tidy first clean, a job well recovered.
- Immediately, if a customer is currently below your minimum: that job is costing you money.
The wording that works
"Hi John, a quick note that from 1 November your 4-weekly clean will go from £22 to £24. It's my first increase in two years and it covers rising fuel and water costs. Everything else stays the same, including the frames, sills and both doors. Thanks as always for having me. See you on the 12th."
Three things make that message work: a firm date, a real reason, and a reminder of what they get. There is no request for permission, because you are not asking for one.
Segment first. Underpriced jobs may need 15 to 20% to reach your minimum, while a fairly priced round only needs 5%. One flat percentage either leaves money behind or shocks your best customers.
Handling the pushback
- Someone asks you to hold the old price: politely decline once, and offer a longer cycle instead so they can lower their yearly spend.
- Someone threatens to leave: thank them, confirm the last clean date, and move on. Do not bargain.
- Someone goes quiet: carry on as normal. Most simply pay the new price.
- Refill the gaps by quoting fast on new enquiries; speed replaces lost customers far quicker than discounting keeps them.
Fix the pricing underneath
Price rises are painful mostly when your original prices were guesses. Write your rules down: a base price by property type, uplifts for access, storeys and extras, and a real minimum charge, then apply them consistently to every new quote.
Squeegify holds those rules for you and prices every enquiry the same way, so new customers arrive at the right price and you never have to correct it later.
Put what you just read to work while you're out cleaning.
You came here to get better at the trade. Squeegify turns that knowledge into a quote form on your own website, so visitors price themselves, book a slot, and drop into your inbox while you're on the ladder. No more lost enquiries because you couldn't answer the phone.
