Hiring a window cleaning service looks simple until you actually try to compare companies. Prices vary, the scope of work is slippery, and reviews swing from glowing to grim. In London, Ontario, there are dozens of window cleaning companies competing for your business, from one-truck outfits to established teams with full-time office staff. The right choice depends on your home or building type, your tolerance for risk, and how you weigh reliability against price. I have spent years coordinating exterior maintenance for homeowners, landlords, and small businesses around the Forest City. Patterns emerge when you book the same services across different properties and seasons. The best window cleaners share a few traits, and the red flags are remarkably consistent.
This guide cuts through the noise and helps you read reviews with a sharper lens. It also explains how professional window cleaning services define their scope, what “extras” are worth it, and when to bundle tasks like eavestrough cleaning or vinyl siding cleaning. If you want to find the best window cleaning London Ontario has to offer, start here.
What local reviews actually tell you
Online reviews are useful, but they come with blind spots. Five stars can mean “great price” as much as “flawless workmanship,” and a one-star rating can be a scheduling hiccup rather than poor technique. When you read reviews for window cleaning companies in London, look for specifics. The most reliable indicators show up in the details people include without being prompted.
You want to see references to punctuality across multiple reviews, not just a single compliment. Pay attention when customers mention how technicians protected landscaping, used clean drop cloths inside, or moved furniture back. Streak-free results are table stakes for professional window cleaning services, but how they get there matters. Multiple notes about thorough screens and tracks cleaning suggest they didn’t just shine glass and dash.
On the negative side, recurring gaps repeat across the weaker companies. Overspray on siding, missed panes on second-story dormers, and poor cleanup after eavestrough cleaning pop up again and again. If more than a handful of reviews complain about surprise fees or partial completion, that is a pattern, not bad luck.
There is also the seasonality trap in London. Spring and fall produce the heaviest demand for exterior house cleaning, so delayed appointments and rushed jobs peak then. A company that maintains good reviews during May and October while handling volume has scheduling discipline you can trust.
How scope gets defined, and what that means for your bill
When a window cleaning company quotes your job, you’ll hear one of two approaches. The first is per pane, with a surcharge for storm windows, skylights, French panes, and ladder work. The second is professional window cleaning services a flat rate for the whole property, typically after an on-site walkaround. Neither is inherently better. Per pane is transparent and fair if you have standardized windows. Flat rate can be a win if your home has unusual architecture or awkward access that would be punished by a per-pane tally.
Most local window cleaning services treat the following as base scope for residential window cleaning: exterior glass, light brushing of sills, and a quick wipe of frames. Interior cleaning is often optional. Deep cleaning of tracks, the small channels at the bottom of sliders where grit collects, usually sits in an “add-on” bucket. Removing and washing screens can be included or extra, and the difference shows in reviews. Satisfied customers call out how clean screens transformed the clarity. Dissatisfied ones mention smears on the first rain because dirty screens bled grime onto newly washed glass.
If you see a low quote, confirm whether it includes both sides of the glass, ladder access for upper stories, and screens. Ask whether they hand-squeegee or use a water-fed pole system with purified water. Both produce excellent results in skilled hands. A water-fed pole shines on high, inaccessible windows and preserves safety. Hand squeegee work gives more control around old glazing, French panes, and heritage trim, which London has in abundance, especially in Old North and Woodfield.
Safety and training matter more than most people think
A professional window cleaning service that invests in safety wins over the long run. Look for Working at Heights certifications, fall arrest equipment, and clear language about ladders and roof work. A well-trained crew will refuse risky placements, like setting ladders on sloped lawns without levelers. Safety-conscious companies also take care on the ground. They use standoff arms to protect gutters when they climb, and foam feet that don’t chew up deck boards.
Why it matters to you: injuries delay jobs and create liability concerns. A company that cuts corners to move faster often misses details on frames and leaves drips on sills. Customers rarely connect the dots, but rushed and unsafe behavior shows up as “They were fast, but I had to wipe smudges after” in reviews.
Pairing services: windows, eavestroughs, siding, and more
In London, many businesses offer window cleaning alongside eavestrough cleaning services, pressure washing, and soft washing for vinyl siding cleaning. Bundling can make sense, especially for two-story homes or houses with mature trees. If you are already paying for ladders and roofline access, adding eavestrough cleaning London Ontario often reduces the marginal cost.
Soft washing is the safer approach for exterior house cleaning when vinyl or painted wood siding is involved. Too much pressure etches vinyl, forces water behind siding, or strips paint from older clapboard. A good crew uses a low-pressure rinse with detergent that loosens algae and road film, then cleans windows after to remove any residual spotting. When reviews mention siding looking chalky after a wash, pressure settings were wrong. When they praise the fresh look without film or streaking on glass, the order of operations and rinsing were correct.
On commercial properties, particularly storefronts on Richmond or in plazas along Wonderland, monthly or biweekly exterior window cleaning keeps things sharp. Contracts often include periodic eavestrough checks, which prevent those ugly mid-winter ice sheets over entrances. Clear gutters are not only about drainage, they are about avoiding slip hazards.
What to check before booking a window cleaning company
Here is a short, practical checklist to quickly separate pros from pretenders.
- Proof of insurance and WSIB clearance, and a basic safety plan for ladder or roof work Clear scope in writing: glass in and out, screens, tracks, frames, skylights, French panes, storm windows Method explained: hand squeegee, water-fed pole with pure water, or a mix, plus what they do on old glazing putty Weather and rescheduling policy: light rain, heavy winds, and how they notify you Payment and warranty: how to request touch-ups within 48 hours if spots appear after drying
If you can’t get answers to those items in one call or one email, keep looking.
Reading price ranges in context
In the London market, a typical detached home with 20 to 30 standard windows sees exterior-only cleaning between 120 and 220 dollars, depending on access and window type. Inside and out might run 200 to 350. Add 2 to 4 dollars per screen if priced separately, and 2 to 3 dollars per French pane if applicable. Skylights vary widely. Expect 10 to 25 dollars each, higher if the roof pitch is steep. Eavestrough cleaning for a two-story home generally falls between 120 and 240, with pricing tied to linear footage, roof complexity, and debris volume.
These are working ranges, not hard quotes. The moment you add storm windows from the 1950s, or a sunroom with 40 small panes, or third-story dormers over steep landscaping, you have complexity. Good companies will explain the line items. Shady ones will upcharge on site without consent.
The bargain-basement offers are usually marketing hooks. They skip screens, skip tracks, and skip interior panes. The results look fine from 20 feet away, then you notice hazing on the first sunny afternoon. On the other hand, the highest price doesn’t guarantee excellence, but it often buys time. Crews that are allowed to slow down will edge their squeegee into corners, wipe frames, and replace screens gently rather than jamming.
Techniques that separate excellent from average
You can judge a pro by their bucket. If they carry clean microfiber huck towels, keep their squeegee rubber sharp, and mix a light surfactant with purified water, they care about finish. Professionals change rubber frequently. Dull rubber leaves faint arc lines on larger panes that only appear once the glass dries.
For residential window cleaning on heritage homes, an experienced tech will test old glazing with a fingertip and avoid aggressive scrubbing on brittle putty. They will use a white pad, not a green scouring pad, and keep blades off tempered glass unless it is certified for razor use. Many of London’s newer builds have tempered glass that can scratch with debris trapped under a razor. The best technicians lift particulate with a wet wash and towel, then squeegee.
For second-story and higher, water-fed poles with pure water shine when used properly. The resin or RO system strips minerals from the water, so windows dry spot-free. The trick is agitation. Brushing too quickly leaves a film. Good reviews often mention “sparkling after they dried” on upper windows. That is the sign of proper rinse time and good resin.
When “window cleaning near me” yields endless options
Search engines flood you with window cleaning London results, from established local window cleaning services to national chains and franchised window cleaning companies. Local has advantages. The owner likely lives nearby, and word of mouth matters. Scheduling tends to be more flexible, and communication more direct. Large companies bring consistency and administrative polish. They answer the phone, send reminders, and manage crews. If your project is complex or time-sensitive, big can be a comfort. If you value the same two techs returning each spring, small might be better.
Reviews can betray a company’s real shape. If all five-star reviews are clustered in a single month and few exist before or after, that can hint at a new ownership push or a review drive rather than steady performance. Companies with several years of consistently positive feedback, including shoulder seasons, are safer bets.
The extras that actually matter
Customers ask for add-ons, and some make a big difference. Screen washing is worth paying for, especially if you live near busy corridors like Fanshawe Park Road or Highbury where road dust collects. Track deep cleaning is a small cost with a big aesthetic return. If your windows collect spider webs every summer, ask about a light de-webbing service around frames and eaves. It cuts down on early re-soiling.
Inside, technicians should wear boot covers and lay down towels. Good reviews mention small courtesies: careful navigation around furniture, gentle handling of blinds, and matching window order so pets aren’t stressed by doors left open. If you work from home, ask for a route that clears your office first, then the rest of the house.
Timing your service in London’s climate
Our winters deposit salt and grit that ride into spring storms, so April and May are popular. Autumn provides another smart window before leaf fall turns gutters into compost bins. If you are booking eavestrough cleaning London Ontario at the same time, plan for late October or early November after most leaves drop, then a quick window rinse if needed.
On commercial properties, align cleaning with your foot traffic patterns. Retail fronts looked best just before weekends. Office buildings benefit from quarterly scheduling. In colder months, exterior only on ground-level panes still helps perception, even if upper stories wait for milder weather.
Rain is a debate magnet. Light rain usually doesn’t hurt results. Dirt sticks to windows, not water, and pure water drying yields no spots. Heavy rain with wind is a different story, pushing grit onto frames and glass. Professional window cleaning services either continue under light drizzle or reschedule with clear communication. Reviews that praise proactive rescheduling are a sign of respect for your time.
Handling special cases: construction debris, hard water, and heritage glass
Post-construction cleaning is its own animal. Overspray, stucco flecks, and silicone residue require careful scraping and solvents. Not every window cleaning service wants this work, and not every team should Window cleaning service accept it. If you are dealing with new builds or renovations, ask for specific experience. Confirm they follow Glass Association guidelines and document any existing scratches before starting.
Hard water staining from sprinklers or old eavestrough drips shows up as cloudy arcs that don’t vanish with regular cleaning. Removing it requires a mild acid or polishing compound. Expect an extra fee, and understand that deeper etching may not fully disappear.
For older homes in neighborhoods like Old South, wavy heritage glass adds charm and challenge. The right approach is gentler solution, soft pads, and a light touch around loose putty. Reviews that mention “respectful of original windows” speak to this skill set.
Red flags that predict a poor experience
The warning signs are simple and reliable. Any reluctance to provide insurance proof, a vague estimate that changes on arrival, or pressure to pay cash without receipt points to poor accountability. Equipment in disrepair, like tape-wrapped poles and bent ladders, often correlates with sloppy results. No show and no call is a dealbreaker. Equally telling is the tone when you ask questions. Professionals welcome informed clients. If a company is annoyed by reasonable clarifications, imagine how they will handle a callback.
What great service looks like on the day
Great window cleaners arrive on time or text if they are delayed. They introduce themselves, walk the property with you, confirm the scope, and point out anything risky, like a loose storm pane or a cracked seal. They stage gear neatly, work methodically, and leave each room as they found it. Outside, they protect gardens with ladder pads, rinse away suds, and coil hoses. Before packing up, they invite you to inspect, not as a formality but as part of the process. That last five minutes eliminates almost every callback.
I once watched a two-person crew handle a 28-window home in Byron with a sunroom full of French panes. They split tasks: one person did all exterior glass with a water-fed pole, the other followed inside with huck towels and a 12-inch squeegee. They swapped screens through the same window to avoid repeated trips outside. It took three hours, and the homeowner booked them on the spot for fall. The detail wasn’t fancy, just well planned. That level of coordination shows up again and again in positive reviews.
Residential vs commercial dynamics
Residential window cleaning prioritizes care in lived spaces. Pets, plants, and privacy matter. Scheduling happens during homeowner availability, often mornings. Communication is direct and personal. Commercial work emphasizes consistency and speed across multiple panes, sometimes after hours. The crew sizes are larger, equipment is standardized, and routes are tight. If you read reviews for a company that thrives in retail plazas but disappoints homeowners, it can be a sign they haven’t adapted their approach for interiors. Conversely, a boutique residential firm may not scale well for multi-unit or multi-story commercial properties.
How to shortlist from “window cleaning near me” searches
Turn a long search results page into three candidates quickly. Scan for a working website with clear service lists and real photos from London locations. Look for reviews that mention neighborhoods you recognize, not generic city names. Check that they list eavestrough cleaning, interior and exterior glass, and optional track and screen services. If they also handle vinyl siding cleaning and soft washing, you can bundle.
Then make one call to each. Judge how fast they respond, how clearly they explain pricing, and whether they propose a date without hesitation. The best window cleaning companies in London have predictable calendars and are transparent about peak weeks. If they offer a rough quote by phone, they should explain the assumptions, like window count and height, and be willing to adjust on site if reality differs. That clarity, paired with what you saw in reviews, will make your decision straightforward.
Caring for windows between professional visits
Your investment stretches further with light maintenance. Use a soft brush to knock cobwebs off frames every few weeks. Avoid lawn sprinklers hitting glass and frames. If you must spot clean, skip paper towels, which shed lint, and grab a microfiber cloth dampened with a mix of water and a small drop of dish soap. Wipe frames first, then glass in gentle passes. Hard scrubbing traps grit and scratches coatings. If tracks collect debris, a handheld vacuum with a crevice tool followed by a damp cloth keeps the worst at bay until your next professional clean.
Where the market is heading in London
Over the last five years, more local window cleaning services have adopted pure water systems and soft washing rigs, which has been good for results and safety. Insurance and training standards have improved as clients demand proof. Reviews have become more detailed too, thanks to photos and fuller narratives. The bar is higher, and that benefits homeowners and property managers.
At the same time, labor remains tight. The best window cleaning companies build crews slowly and protect them with fair schedules. Expect spring and fall lead times, and plan ahead. If a company can book you next day in late May without qualifiers, ask why. They might be new and hungry, or they might be catching up from cancellations. Either way, be sure the fundamentals check out.
Bringing it all together
Finding the best window cleaning London offers is not about chasing the lowest price or the biggest ad. It is about pattern recognition. In reviews, look for repeated mentions of punctuality, careful interior work, clean screens and tracks, and clear communication, even during busy seasons. Ask pointed questions about scope, methods, safety, and warranty. Consider bundling eavestrough cleaning services or exterior house cleaning if your property needs them, and schedule with London’s climate in mind.
A reliable window cleaning service becomes part of your property rhythm. Twice a year for most houses, quarterly or monthly for retail and office spaces. When you find a team that treats your home or building like their own, hold onto them. They will learn your windows’ quirks, flag small issues before they become big ones, and deliver the thing everyone actually wants from a contractor in this city: show up, do it right, and make it easy to say yes next time.
Clearview Brothers Window Cleaning London, ON (226) 239-5841
Clearview Brothers provides professional window cleaning, eavestrough cleaning, siding cleaning, and screen cleaning services in London, Ontario. Their eco-friendly methods and advanced equipment deliver streak-free windows, clear gutters, and refreshed exteriors that enhance curb appeal and protect your home.