The commercial cleaning industry in the United States is worth over $72 billion every year. The industry continues to grow by around 6% each year and currently employs around two million people across the nation, not counting maids and housekeepers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities continue to grow in the sector. Whilst restrooms are considered to be the most problematic area to clean in commercial facilities, windows are one of the most visible parts of a building. That is why commercial window cleaning costs matter to businesses of all sizes.
Windows play a big part in the first impression customers and potential business partners have when they approach your building. Facilities managers need not only to consider commercial window cleaning costs, but they also need to be aware of the potential damage dusty, streaky windows can do to the reputation of the business. Hiring commercial window cleaners is the ideal solution for businesses.
Why Commercial Window Cleaning Cost Matters More Than You Think
Picture this scenario: as a business owner, you enter your premises daily, often without paying much attention to the details. Unless there is something truly out of order, it can be hard to notice gradual deterioration and a lack of cleanliness.
Potential customers approach your facilities differently. Especially if this is the first time they are doing business with you, they will form an opinion about your business by the smaller details that you or other regulars may look past.
Will you be a reliable associate? Do you pay attention to small details? Do you value your service delivery? All of these are questions your customers might ask–and form opinions about–during their first interaction with your business site.
If the first thing these potential clients notice is a slight fog and a bit of grime covering your upper windows, you are in danger of making a terrible first impression.
Let’s go a bit further with our scenario. After noticing the foggy and lackluster upper windows, the potential client dismisses that detail and looks towards the door. As they reach for your door handle, they notice a smudged outline of a child’s face and dirt-lined handprints covering the glass. Another forgivable imperfection, perhaps, but dirty windows and glass doors can soon add up to leaving a detrimental impression with your clients.
How Dirty Windows Can Affect Employee Productivity
Over the past decade, several studies have shown that there is a connection between clean workplaces and employee satisfaction. Experiments have also made it clear that a clean, well-organized office increases trust in the organization and improves learning.
Put simply, your employees are more likely to care about their work if they see that their employer cares about their workplace.
On the other hand, people are likely to follow what they see as normal around them. If their office windows are left dirty and dusty, staff might conclude that the company does not care about the way it is perceived by others. Accordingly, they might stop caring about their work. Productivity suffers, and your company may eventually lose business.
Related: How Much do Commercial Office Cleaning Services Cost?
How Professional Window Cleaning Works
Like all professional commercial cleaning, efficient window cleaning involves a combination of skill, experience, and the most suitable tools for a given job.
Professional window cleaners start by dusting your premises’ windows to remove loose dirt, dust and cobwebs. If your building’s windows have not been cleaned for some time, you may notice a difference straight away.
Next, the windows need to be wetted, either with a spray bottle or a water-feed system. Which method works for your premises depends on the size of the area to be cleaned and its accessibility. Professional window cleaners then run a squeegee across the glass using long, overlapping strokes. Wiping the blade with a sponge between strokes ensures it is clean and free of debris. This step also helps minimize streaks appearing on the glass later.
Corners and edges can be tricky to clean without leaving marks. Taking particular care with the squeegee and using a chamois afterward avoids most problems. The chamois removes any water that got caught under the rubber edges surrounding the glass.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Windows?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to deciding how regularly your windows require professional cleaning. However, the industry’s growth suggests that businesses are becoming more aware of the importance of clean windows. As a rule of thumb, if you as a business owner notice the dirt on your windows, your customers have noticed it, too.
Some glass surfaces require more frequent cleaning than others. If your company’s main entrance doors are made of glass, it is a good idea to have them cleaned almost daily. Few visitors will touch the glass intentionally, but only too often someone will use their hand on the glass to hold a door open, for example. Allow that to happen a few times, and glass doors start looking messy and uncared-for.
When it comes to the rest of your premises’ windows, it is best to consider a few factors. Commercial window cleaning costs are one of those factors, but you also need to consider the climate you are in. Washing windows when temperatures are below freezing can damage the glass if warm water comes into contact with cold glass.
In that case, the best strategy is to schedule commercial window cleaning services during fall and again in spring. In an area with a large volume of rain, you may choose more frequent cleaning to remove unsightly water stains.
Your commercial window cleaning schedule also depends on the nature of your business. A retail business relying on the store’s windows to display merchandise would be well advised to consider daily commercial window cleaning. Granted, this approach will increase commercial window cleaning costs. But it will also ensure the business leaves the best possible first impression with customers.
Related: Selecting the Best Houston Commercial Exterior Cleaning Services
Why Hiring Professional Window Cleaners Is Worthwhile
Especially if you are just starting your business or running a small company, it would be easy to think you can simply clean your own windows. But consider this: no matter the nature of your business, you are an expert at what you do.
The same is true for commercial window cleaners. They have the knowledge and the experience to ensure your windows are left free of streaks and glisten in the sunlight. Professional cleaners know exactly which ratio of cleaning products to water gives them the best results.
Compared to the efficiency delivered by a professional window cleaner, you would actually be losing money by doing your own cleaning. It is simply not the best use of your time as a business owner. The same goes for your team. You hired them to complete a specific job. Asking employees to clean the company’s windows wastes their time and your money.
When it comes to cleaning windows on taller buildings, you also need to consider the element of safety. Professional window cleaning may require scaffolding and specialist skills. Commercial window cleaners are best placed to deliver those.
How to Choose a Trustworthy Window Cleaning Contractor
Hiring commercial cleaning services requires trust, and window cleaning is no exception to this rule. Commercial window cleaning costs will naturally be part of your considerations as a facilities manager or business owner.
Take the time to research the track record of potential contractors. Check their experience with commercial window cleaning and don’t be afraid to ask for customer references. If you are looking to hire a contractor for a multi-story building, it is worth looking into the company’s safety record, as well. At DTK, we have supported businesses with professional cleaning services, including window cleaning, for over 25 years. Many of our team members stay with us for years and expand their skill set to include specialist cleaning services. Starting from our base in Houston, TX, we have expanded our business across four states. Despite this growth, we take pride in developing close customer relationships right from the beginning. We visit your premises before providing a detailed quote and work hard to understand your needs and exceed your expectations on every job. To find out more, contact us today.