[Misc] Window cleaners - wtf?

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Now, I appreciate that the 'modern' window cleaner has various costs to cover, but it seems like a licence to print money.
I binned-off 'Divine Shine' for upping their price from £12 to £15 for a job that literally took them 2 minutes, and have used them for several years - ONE 3-part sash window, on the first floor, above a shop.
Bearing in mind that I can climb out onto a wide sill and do it myself (although I'd rather not!), I tried 'Albion' window cleaners and asked for a quote, for the same ONE window.
I literally fell off the sofa laughing......£35!! For 2 minutes work.
I know it's nearly Christmas, but I won't be giving such a gift to them.
Whatever happened to reasonably-priced window cleaners? Do they not exist anymore?

£14 here for 6 windows and a triple folding back door thingy.

 

[Bodian]

£14 here for 6 windows and a triple folding back door thingy.

Brilliant! There's probably a really posh technical name for this, thought up by some top-notch clever designer - but we all know exactly what you mean from your much better description.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Brilliant! There's probably a really posh technical name for this, thought up by some top-notch clever designer - but we all know exactly what you mean from your much better description.

It's a 3 panel bifold apparently.

 

[NEASTGULL]

Maybe I shouldn't complain that our Window Cleaners now charge £4.50 every couple of weeks to clean 10 windows.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Of course, but would you pay £35 for one window?

I'd say they don’t really want the job ..unless you pay silly money

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

It's a 3 panel bifold apparently.

That’ll be a trifold, then.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

That’ll be a trifold, then.

No, apparently trifold means it opens sideways and up and down.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Two bay windows
front door and surround
7 other windows
trifold doors
three Velux windows.
£18, and there are two of them.

 

[SteveU]

Maybe I shouldn't complain that our Window Cleaners now charge £4.50 every couple of weeks to clean 10 windows.

Blimey, where do you live??


1985??

 

[WATFORD zero]

The £15 they’re now asking may be an hours work total. The actual clean takes 2 mins (probably exaggerating so more like 5) plus the 5 mins equipment out, 5 mins equipment in. That’s 15 minutes, leaving 45 minutes for however long it takes to get to you from previous job and however long it takes to get to the next one. You may get it cheaper, you just need to find the same window cleaner your neighbours are using.

Come on kids www.localwindowcleaner.org hasn't even been registered yet, and it's not even if you have to go out in the cold and clean the bloody things. Just sit in your bedroom, knock up a website and with a couple of spreadsheets sign up a few streets. Send a few e-mails and texts, bit of commission and Bob's your Auntie's live in lover.

What's happened to Britain's entrepreneurial spirit ? (Don't answer, it was rhetorical )

 

[monty uk]

£19 for 10 or so windows plus a small conservatory and a triple patio door. No streaks, although he never replaces the hose on the tap when he fills his bucket and sometimes asks for washing up liquid too.
That's the good bit.

The downside is I usually give him a strong espresso when he comes. He sulks if I'm out as Mrs Monty can't grind beans and use the machine.
That's the not so good bit.

The best bit is that he's a plastic Evertonion. Yes they DO exist. Not sure he's ever been to Goodison - I constantly point out that I've been loads of times. But loves talking football, wasn't impressed by Maupay. Very keen, watches their matches on a dodgy stream, poor soul.

Generally, a good kid and a snappy dress. Salt of the earth - bit like me, or what I think I am.

So all round good value. And he sends us a Christmas card, signed `from the window cleaner'. Although that's not his name. It's Mike, or lad, or wack or something.

 

[zefarelly]

It's a 3 panel bifold apparently.

When I was a toddler, we had a 'door' when I was 12 we moved to a house with 'French doors' (that's two ) one house had a pair.

despite my best attempts I've never bettered either. Two pairs of French must be peak? How much front, or back door fun can you have!

 

[Jack Straw]

Blimey, where do you live??


1985??

In a doll's house?

 

[NEASTGULL]

Blimey, where do you live??


1985??

Gateshead

 

[mile oak]

I think the price quoted was to replace the pane with a clean new one not clean the existing one. Quite reasonable.

 

[WATFORD zero]

When I was a toddler, we had a 'door' when I was 12 we moved to a house with 'French doors' (that's two ) one house had a pair.

despite my best attempts I've never bettered either. Two pairs of French must be peak? How much front, or back door fun can you have!

Sadly, like all things, less as you get older

 

[Questions]

It's a 3 panel bifold apparently.

It’s not bi then is it

 

[WATFORD zero]

Like so many things in life, Mrs Wz has gone right over the top. 16 windows (including two multi paned bay windows), a pair of french doors and a half glass back door. We did have a window cleaner for about the first 15 years, but he stopped coming and we've done our own since.

Seeing this thread, and being a cheapskate, I suspect I'll be hanging out the upstairs windows for some years yet

 

[herecomesaregular]

I'd say they don’t really want the job ..unless you pay silly money

I assumed this - he doesn't want the job so quotes a ridiculous price?

 

[BN41Albion]

It’s not bi then is it

Three panel, folds twice...