Window cleaning isn't a regulated trade - anyone with a bucket and squeegee can call themselves a window cleaner. That's why the quality spectrum is so wide, and why choosing poorly can result in anything from a disappointing result to genuine property damage. Here's a straightforward guide to getting it right.
Start with insurance - it's non-negotiable
The single most important thing to confirm before booking any window cleaner is whether they hold current public liability insurance. Here's why it matters:
Window cleaners work at height - a fall from a ladder at your property can create a serious legal situation if they're uninsured.
Glass breakage happens, even to experienced professionals - without insurance, you're chasing them for reimbursement personally.
An uninsured operator working at your property may create liability for you as the homeowner under some circumstances.
Ask directly: "Are you fully insured for public liability?" A legitimate operator will confirm this without hesitation and should be able to tell you their insurer and policy amount. If they deflect or say "don't worry about that," end the conversation.
Check reviews - but read them properly
Google Reviews are the most reliable source of service quality information for local trades. Here's how to read them usefully:
Rating
Look for 4.8+ stars from at least 20–30 reviews. A 5.0 from 4 reviews means almost nothing.
Recency
A business with 40 reviews from 3 years ago and nothing recent may have changed hands or quality.
Specificity
Genuine reviews mention specific things - the cleaner's name, particular services, what they noticed.
Response to negatives
How an operator responds to a critical review tells you more about their character than any positive review.
Fixed price vs hourly - and why it matters
Ask for a fixed price. If a window cleaner only quotes by the hour, ask them for an estimated total. If they can't or won't give you one, that's a problem - it means they're not experienced enough to know how long your job will take, or they're deliberately leaving the door open to charge more.
A fixed price protects you in two ways: you know what you're spending, and the cleaner is committed to completing the described scope for that amount. They can't invoice you extra because they were slow.
If you want to understand what a fair price looks like before you start comparing quotes, the window cleaning cost guide for Melbourne breaks down real prices by property size, storey count and add-ons — so you know whether what you're being quoted is reasonable before you commit.
Red flags to watch for
These are the signs that should give you pause before booking:
Very low prices
A full-house clean quoted at $60–$80 in Melbourne is not possible to deliver professionally. It signals either an inexperienced operator, no insurance, or a bait-and-switch on the day.
Cash only
Not necessarily disqualifying, but when combined with other factors it suggests an operator avoiding documentation.
No online presence
Legitimate businesses have a website, Google Business Profile and reviews. A window cleaner with nothing findable online has no accountability trail.
Vague or verbal-only quotes
If they won't put a number in writing (email, text or quote calculator), the number can change when they arrive.
No satisfaction guarantee
Any confident professional stands behind their work. "We'll come back and fix it if you're not happy" should be standard.
Questions to ask before you book
Here's a short checklist that will tell you everything you need to know. A professional will answer every one without hesitation:
Are you fully insured for public liability? What's your coverage amount?
Can you give me a fixed price for the job?
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
How do you handle second-storey windows?
How long have you been operating in Melbourne?
Can you provide a reference or point me to your Google reviews?
Why personal referrals are gold
The best window cleaners in any Melbourne suburb build their businesses almost entirely on referrals from happy customers. If a neighbour, colleague or friend recommends someone they've used and been happy with, that's more valuable than any amount of advertising. Ask around your suburb - particularly in Facebook neighbourhood groups - before searching cold.