Window Cleaning in St. Louis: Hiring and Planning

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Send photos of each side of the house, identify the floors you want cleaned, and list any windows you want excluded. Ask how the cleaner counts a window: one opening, each pane, or each side. Have both parties agree on the count before work begins.

Request separate descriptions for exterior glass, interior glass, removable screens, tracks, sills, and storm windows. Point out paint specks or deposits you want treated, then ask whether the quote includes that work. Require your approval before the cleaner adds a treatment or changes the price.

For upper floors, ask the cleaner to explain the proposed access method and where equipment will stand. Request insurance documentation and ask whether the coverage applies to the work you described. Put access charges, any permit costs, cancellation terms, and the process for reporting damage in writing.

Resolve sidewalk access before booking

For a property inside the City of St. Louis, check whether the cleaner plans to place equipment in public space. The Street Department requires a blocking right of way permit for activities that block any portion of the street or sidewalk, including equipment that occupies a curb lane. Ask the cleaner to confirm the footprint rather than assuming a short visit avoids the requirement. [2]

The city directs applicants to submit ordinary requests at least one week before the needed date and requests of significant size or duration at least two weeks before it. Its application requires a traffic control plan and a Mobility and ADA Access plan. The city lists standard weekday blocking hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with consideration for extended hours based on the location's traffic characteristics. [2]

Name the person who will apply, supply barricades, arrange any meter rental, and include setup and teardown in the requested hours. The city requires applicants to provide barricades and to post permit-number No Parking signs 24 hours before blocking. These are City of St. Louis requirements; for a home outside city limits, ask the authority responsible for that address about equipment placement. [2]

Choose a date with a weather backup

Agree on who will make the weather decision, when they will notify you, and how they will reschedule unfinished exterior work. Ask whether you can keep the interior portion of the appointment if the cleaner postpones outdoor work. Avoid moving furniture or taking time off until you know how the cleaner handles a forecast change.

The National Weather Service describes spring as the wettest season across its Missouri and western Illinois region. Its St. Louis station normals for 1991–2020 record 11.5 precipitation days in April, 12.6 in May, and 7.3 in September. Use those averages to plan flexibility, then check the forecast near the appointment. [1]

For a late-fall appointment, ask the cleaner about temperature limits and postponement for freezing conditions. The St. Louis station's average first freeze was November 2 in the 1991–2020 normals period. That historical average does not establish a safe working date for your property. [1]

Separate fragile glass from routine cleaning

Show the cleaner any stained or painted glass before accepting a routine washing method. National Park Service guidance recommends testing an inconspicuous area first and stopping if cleaning risks further deterioration. It advises professional handling of heavy-duty cleaning and extra care with painted glass. [3]

For stained glass, the Park Service advises applying water or cleaning product to a soft cloth or cotton swab rather than spraying the surface. It also warns against abrasive tools on metal surfaces. Ask the cleaner to describe the products and technique in writing, or exclude that window until a stained glass specialist assesses it. [3]

Photograph visible cracks, flaking paint, loose glass, and frame damage before the visit. The Park Service identifies these as preservation concerns. If you see them, ask for an assessment before cleaning and keep the condition photos with your agreed scope. [3]

St. Louis precipitation days in selected cleaning months

Match the work to the preparation

Your hiring checklist

1. Send exterior photos and identify the floors and windows included.
2. Agree on how the cleaner counts windows, panes, and sides.
3. List screens, tracks, storm windows, and stain treatment as separate scope items.
4. Request insurance documentation and an explanation of upper-floor access.
5. Confirm equipment placement and assign any permit and barricade responsibilities.
6. Flag stained or painted glass and photograph existing damage.
7. Clear agreed indoor access, secure pets, and identify rooms the cleaner may enter.
8. Agree on weather notification, rescheduling, and a final walkthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a short window-cleaning visit need a sidewalk permit?

The city's published rule applies to any activity that blocks any portion of a street or sidewalk. It does not describe an exemption for a short cleaning visit. Confirm whether the proposed equipment will obstruct public space and assign permit responsibility before booking. [2]

How should I compare prices?

Give each cleaner the same photos and scope. Compare the window count, inside and outside surfaces, screens, tracks, equipment, and exclusions. Ask for a total for that agreed work and require approval for additions. The evidence used here does not establish a local window-cleaning price range.

Should I wait until September to clean exterior windows?

Choose a date that suits your needs and arrange a weather backup. St. Louis normals record fewer precipitation days in September than in April or May, but monthly averages do not predict appointment conditions or guarantee that the cleaner can work. [1]

Can the cleaner include stained glass?

Ask about the method before including it. National Park Service guidance recommends an inconspicuous test, extra care with painted glass, and professional handling of heavy-duty cleaning. Seek a stained glass specialist's advice if cleaning could worsen deterioration. [3]