What’s Included in a Professional Window Cleaning (and What Costs Extra)

Quick answer: A standard professional window cleaning includes washing the glass on the sides you choose (inside, outside, or both), detailing the edges, and wiping the frames and sills. Screens, tracks, hard water spots, skylights, and construction residue such as paint or stucco are often priced extra. The safest move is to get the full scope in writing before the visit.

Last updated November 2026.

What a Standard Window Cleaning Includes

Most window cleaning companies include these in the base price:

• The glass. Each pane is scrubbed with a soapy applicator, then dried with a squeegee so it dries clear.
• Edge detailing. The corners and edges are wiped so no drips or lines are left at the frame.
• Frames and sills. The parts of the frame and sill that touch the glass are wiped down.
• Sliding glass doors and patio doors. Both sides of the glass, if you booked inside and out.
• Ladder or water-fed pole work. On a two-story home, reaching upper glass is part of the two-story price.

A good crew also leaves your home the way they found it. That means floors protected inside, furniture and blinds put back, and screens set back in place.

What Often Costs Extra

This is where most surprises and bad reviews come from. One company’s “full clean” can be another’s add-on.

In Albuquerque, screens and tracks matter more than in most cities. Spring wind fills them with grit, and a dusty screen makes clean glass look dirty from the street. See our window screen cleaning guide for how screens are washed and what it costs.

What a Good Visit Looks Like, Step by Step

A professional visit follows a clear order. Use this list to know what to expect, and to spot a rushed job.

1. They tell you when they are on the way. A call or text before arrival.
2. They walk the house with you. You agree on which windows, which sides, and which extras.
3. They protect your home. Drop cloths and shoe covers for inside work.
4. They clean tracks dry first. Grit is removed before water, so it does not scratch the glass.
5. They wash and squeegee the glass. Edges are detailed so no streaks are left at the frame.
6. They put everything back. Screens reseated, blinds lowered, and furniture moved back.
7. They do a final walk-through with you. A missed pane or a loose screen gets fixed before they leave.

What Is Included in Post-Construction Window Cleaning?

Cleaning windows after a build or remodel is a different job. New glass is often covered in paint specks, stucco, mortar, stickers, and dust.

A full post-construction window clean usually includes:

• Both sides of every pane, washed and squeegeed.
• Paint specks and overspray removed with safe methods.
• Stucco and mortar splatter softened and lifted, not scraped dry.
• Stickers, labels, and label glue removed.
• Frames, sills, and tracks vacuumed and wiped of drywall and construction dust.

Protective film removal and screen cleaning are often priced separately. Post-construction cleaning usually costs $12 to $20+ per window, two to three times a regular cleaning, because every pane needs careful work. Our post-construction window cleaning page covers timing and builder jobs, and our guide on how to remove stucco from windows explains how splatter comes off without scratches.

Inside vs. Outside: What Each Covers

What Window Cleaners Usually Cannot Fix

Some problems look like dirt but are not. Knowing these saves you money and frustration.

• Fog between double panes. This means the seal between the two panes has failed. Cleaning cannot reach it. The glass unit needs repair or replacement.
• Deep etching. Hard water left for years can eat into the glass. Polishing helps, but some etching is permanent.
• Scratches. Existing scratches cannot be cleaned away.
• Torn screens. Some companies rescreen as a separate service. Ask first.
• Heavy furniture. Most crews will not move large furniture. Clear a path before the visit.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

1. Is the price for inside and out, or outside only?
2. Are screens washed, or just brushed off?
3. Are tracks and sills included?
4. How do you handle hard water spots, and what does it cost?
5. Do you use purified water for the final rinse?
6. Are you insured, and will you show proof?
7. Do you do a walk-through before you leave?
8. What happens if you miss a spot?

Want to see what each of these costs? Read our 2026 window cleaning cost guide for Albuquerque.

FAQs

Do window cleaners clean the inside of windows?

Yes, if you book inside and out. Many people book outside-only visits, which cost less, so make sure the quote says which sides are included.

Are screens included in window cleaning?

Not always. Some companies brush screens off for free, while a full wash, rinse, and dry usually adds $5 to $9 per window with tracks. Ask how screens are cleaned and get it in writing.

Do I need to be home for a window cleaning?

For inside work, yes, or someone must let the crew in. For outside-only cleaning, many companies can work while you are away if gates are open and pets are inside.

What if the window cleaner misses a spot?

A good company does a walk-through with you before leaving, so misses get fixed right away. Ask about their policy for coming back if you find a spot later.

Do window cleaners clean blinds?

Some do, as an add-on. It is not part of a standard window cleaning, so ask for a price when you book.

Is window cleaning safe for tinted or Low-E glass?

Yes, with the right method. Crews should use soft tools and mild cleaners on coated or tinted glass and avoid razor blades. Tell them about any film or coating when you book.

Get a Free Quote

Tell us which windows, which sides, and which extras you need, and a local window cleaner will follow up with a written quote. Call (505) 369-4105, or visit our Albuquerque window cleaning page.

Window Cleaning ABQ is a free referral service that connects you with independent local window cleaners. Reviewed by the Window Cleaning ABQ team. Last updated November 2, 2026.