Local service guide
Window Cleaning in Minneapolis: Hiring and Access
Arrange Window Cleaning in Minneapolis by asking each bidder to describe the glass they will clean, their access method and the complete job price. Check the city's window cleaner license requirement for the proposed method if windows sit more than 24 feet above ground. Settle permit responsibility before equipment blocks a public sidewalk or parking lane, then compare bids for the same scope. [1] [2]
Define the job before requesting bids
Send bidders photographs of the whole facade and close-ups of the windows you want cleaned. Identify interior and exterior surfaces, the highest glass, entry doors and any windows behind signs or other obstructions. Ask the cleaner to explain whether they count a window opening, an individual pane or each side of the glass.
List screen removal, tracks, frames and stain treatment as separate scope items. Point out cracked glass, loose trim, films and coatings before the visit. Ask the provider to confirm a suitable cleaning method and identify anything they will leave untouched. Agree on approval for extra work before anyone starts.
Check the city license against the proposed method
Minneapolis requires a window cleaner license for covered cleaning of inside and outside windows more than 24 feet above ground on buildings, structures and skyways. The city includes workers using mobile platforms, suspended access and cleaning from a flat roof or similar surface. It exempts work from the ground, work from a ladder resting on the ground, and owners or residents cleaning their own windows. [1]
Ask a bidder to identify their planned method before you ask whether they hold the required license. For a covered job, request the license information and confirm it with Business Licenses & Consumer Services at 612-673-2080. The city requires each employee to complete at least 100 total hours of training and certification in its listed subjects. Request proof of insurance as a separate hiring check. [1]
Arrange sidewalk and curb access before booking
The city requires an obstruction permit to block any part of a public street, lane or sidewalk. Its requirements also cover posting no-parking signs, hooding parking meters and parking vehicles in the blocked area. Applicants use the city's Right of Way Permitting System, called Roway. If the cleaner proposes a lift or equipment staging in those areas, assign application responsibility in the written quote. [2]
Minneapolis requires 24 hours' notice for hooded parking meters and 48 hours' notice for street no-parking signs. The permit itself has no cost, but the city may charge for lane closures, meter hooding, lost meter revenue and traffic control agents. Ask the provider to identify these charges and confirm who will pay them before you approve the date. [2]
Walk the proposed work area with the cleaner. Agree on customer entry, deliveries and a pedestrian route during the job. Tell staff which windows the crew will clean from inside, and assign someone to unlock rooms or move displays. Coordinate shared access with your landlord or property manager.
Review roof access and anchorage
Minnesota's window cleaning safety rule addresses safe cleaning methods, equipment access and building features. For methods using swinging scaffolds, boatswain's chairs or rope descent systems, it specifies roof anchors, wall anchors or anchor points at structural members. It requires licensed structural engineer certification for roof anchor designs. Ask your building manager to provide the relevant access and anchorage documentation before the cleaner commits to that method. [4]
Keep the state building rule separate from the city's business license check. The rule includes equipment provisions for glazing 38 feet or higher above an associated work surface, with an exception for specified roof and glazing conditions. For existing buildings undergoing alterations, its specific compliance trigger requires both the absence of a safe cleaning method and exposure of the roof's primary structural frame. Ask the building official to resolve applicability if your project includes alterations. [4]
Compare complete quotes and agree on weather changes
Ask for a written total that identifies cleaning scope, access equipment, permit-related charges and any taxes the provider intends to charge. Request both a one-time price and a recurring-service proposal if you want repeat visits. Compare cancellation terms, return visits for missed glass and approval of extras alongside the price. Ask bidders to explain exclusions before you accept a quote.
For fall scheduling, the Minnesota DNR reports Twin Cities monthly mean temperatures of 49.5°F in October, 34.8°F in November and 22.0°F in December for the 1991–2020 normal period. Use those regional averages to discuss weather postponements. Ask the cleaner to state their operating limits and how they will handle runoff, slippery surfaces and a replacement date. [3]
Twin Cities fall and winter monthly mean temperatures
Local details that affect your job
Height alone does not settle the license check
For windows more than 24 feet above ground, ask how the cleaner will reach them. Minneapolis lists mobile platforms, suspended work and flat-roof cleaning as covered methods, while exempting ground-based cleaning and ladders resting on the ground. Confirm an unclear case with city Business Licenses before booking. [1]
Reserved curb access needs advance coordination
A storefront job that blocks public right of way requires an obstruction permit through Roway. Plan around the city's 24-hour notice for meter hooding and 48-hour notice for street no-parking signs. Have the cleaner identify any related city charges in the bid. [2]
Match the access plan to the next step
| Proposed work | Local requirement or concern | Before accepting |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning from the ground | City window cleaner license exemption applies to this method. | Confirm scope and insurance. |
| Ladder resting on the ground | City window cleaner license exemption applies to this method. | Ask the cleaner to assess access and explain the work plan. |
| Mobile platform or suspended work above 24 feet | City window cleaner license requirement covers these methods. | Request license information and confirm with the city. |
| Equipment blocking a public sidewalk or lane | City obstruction permit required. | Assign Roway application responsibility and identify charges. |
| Roof-based rope descent | State rule addresses anchorage and access features. | Have the building manager and cleaner review relevant documentation. |
Your hiring checklist
- Photograph the facade, highest windows and proposed equipment area.
- Specify interior and exterior glass, screens, tracks and stain treatment.
- Ask the bidder to describe the access method and provide insurance documentation.
- Ask the bidder to confirm applicable city licensing with Business Licenses.
- Assign responsibility for checking right-of-way permit requirements and arranging access.
- Arrange building-manager approval and documentation for roof access or anchorage.
- Agree on customer access, staff preparation and weather rescheduling.
- Inspect the agreed surfaces with the cleaner before signing off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every window cleaner need a Minneapolis license?
The city's requirement depends on height and method. It covers specified cleaning methods for windows more than 24 feet above ground. The city exempts ground-based work, ladders resting on the ground, and owners or residents cleaning their own windows. [1]
Can a cleaner reserve parking outside my shop?
Arrange it through the city's obstruction permit process. Minneapolis requires a permit for no-parking signs and meter hooding, with 48 hours' notice for street signs and 24 hours for hooded meters. Agree on who will apply and pay related charges. [2]
What should I compare when quotes differ?
Compare the number of glass surfaces, interior and exterior coverage, screen and track work, access equipment, excluded stains and the complete total. Ask each bidder to price the same scope and explain how they will obtain approval for extras.
Can I book exterior cleaning in late fall?
Ask the provider to assess the conditions and state their postponement policy. Twin Cities 1991–2020 monthly mean temperatures fall from 49.5°F in October to 34.8°F in November. Those regional averages do not establish whether a particular appointment will be suitable. [3]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.