Professional window cleaning costs in South Africa are typically structured in one of four ways:

• Hourly rates: Generally R150 – R250 per hour for standard jobs. This can rise to R400 – R1,500 per hour for multi-storey buildings requiring specialized equipment.
• Per window/pane: Common for residential jobs, expect to pay R35 – R50 per ground-floor pane and R60 – R100 for upper-floor or hard-to-reach panes.
• Per square metre: Mostly for commercial projects, rates are typically R10 – R25 per m². For example, a Cape Town company charges R15/m² for exterior-only cleaning and R20/m² for both inside and out.
• Flat per job (by property size): For a once-off cleaning (inside and out), a small 1-bedroom flat may cost R200 – R300, a 3-bedroom house R400 – R500, and a larger 4-bedroom house R600 or more.

These are average ranges, so it's always best to get a personalized quote.

Several factors influence the final price of a window cleaning job:

• Number and size of windows: More or larger windows, especially complex designs like French panes, increase the workload and cost.
• Height and accessibility: This is a major cost driver. Upper-storey windows that require ladders, extension poles, or rope access are more time-consuming, dangerous, and therefore more expensive than ground-floor windows.
• Interior vs. exterior cleaning: Cleaning both sides of the glass roughly doubles the work and cost compared to an exterior-only job.
• Dirt level: Extremely dirty windows with grime like paint overspray, bird droppings, or hard-water stains require more time and specialized cleaning agents, increasing the price.
• Frequency of service: Regular maintenance contracts are often cheaper per visit than a one-off cleaning, with discounts of 10–25% for recurring services.
• Additional tasks: Cleaning frames, sills, tracks, bug screens, or burglar bars is often not included in a basic quote and will add to the cost.

While costs don't vary drastically, some regional differences exist:

• Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria): Rates here are generally the highest, especially in business hubs like Sandton. Pretoria is often slightly more affordable than Johannesburg.
• Cape Town: Prices in the CBD and affluent suburbs are comparable to Johannesburg's high end, while other areas are more competitive. The coastal salt air may require more frequent cleanings.
• Durban (and KZN): The Durban CBD and upscale areas like Umhlanga have prices similar to other major cities, but residential cleaning in the broader KZN region can be slightly cheaper than in Gauteng.
• Other regions: In smaller cities and towns, prices are typically lower, reflecting the local economy and fewer high-rise buildings.

Keep these potential extra costs in mind when budgeting:

• Minimum call-out fees: Many companies have a minimum charge, often around R350 – R600. If your job is very small, you'll still pay this minimum amount.
• Specialised equipment: The need for a cherry picker, scaffolding, or rope access for high windows will incur additional rental or usage fees.
• Stubborn stain removal: Removing residues like mineral build-up, paint, or post-construction debris requires extra labour and chemicals, which may come at an additional charge.
• After-hours or emergency service: Expect to pay a premium for urgent, weekend, or public holiday bookings.
• Bundled services: You can often get a discount by bundling window cleaning with other services like gutter cleaning or pressure washing.