What belongs in an exterior-window request?
State whether the request covers exterior glass only or also exterior frames, sills, accessible tracks, removable screens, doors, skylights, or glass railings. Those items require separate scope decisions, and interior cleaning should never be assumed from an exterior service name.
Estimate the number of windows by elevation and identify divided panes, storm windows, fixed screens, unusual shapes, high interior voids, or windows above lower roofs. The count can be approximate, but a clear inventory makes later review more useful than a general description such as all windows.
- Approximate panes by storey or elevation
- Screens, frames, sills, doors, and skylights
- Hard-to-reach glass and ground conditions
Glass condition can change expectations
Loose surface dirt, pollen, cobwebs, mineral spotting, paint, construction residue, failed seals, scratches, and etching are different conditions. Some marks may require specialty assessment or may be permanent. Describe them without assuming that ordinary window cleaning will remove every defect.
Point out cracked panes, loose seals, damaged screens, deteriorated frames, and water-entry concerns before work. Cleaning cannot repair glass or frames. A provider should identify exclusions and may recommend repair before accessing a vulnerable unit.
Storeys and access affect the scope
Building height, slopes, narrow side yards, decks, conservatories, rooflines, landscaping, overhead lines, locked gates, and neighbouring property can affect safe reach. Ground conditions and the distance from parking to the building also matter when planning access.
Do not assume every skylight, roof-adjacent pane, or glass railing can be included. Show where difficult windows are located from a safe position and let the provider determine the access system and weather conditions appropriate for the site.
How window cleaning differs from pressure washing
Exterior glass and seals should not be treated as another hard surface for high-pressure cleaning. Window cleaning typically requires a glass-specific plan, while house washing may address surrounding siding and trim. If both are requested, list them as distinct areas and ask how sequencing and runoff will be managed.
Before a confirmed visit, identify furniture, planters, screens, pets, locked areas, tenant notices, and preferred work windows. The provider should confirm what must move, whether water access is needed, what is excluded, and how final pricing depends on the verified pane count and access.
Confirm glass, frame, and screen inclusions
A written window scope should state which elevations and panes are included and whether frames, sills, removable screens, doors, skylights, or glass railings are separate. Ask how cracked glass, failed seals, mineral deposits, paint, construction residue, or inaccessible units will be handled. Interior access and cleaning should be explicit rather than assumed. This detail lets the estimate reflect the verified inventory and avoids presenting ordinary cleaning as glass restoration or repair.
Also confirm the process for reporting pre-existing damage and any weather conditions that would require rescheduling before access begins.