7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Window Cleaner in Olympia

Hiring any service for your home is a small act of trust. You're letting someone work on a space that matters to you, and you're paying them to do it right. Window cleaning looks simple from the outside, but there's a real difference between a company that takes the craft seriously and one that sees it as a transaction. The good news is that a short, honest conversation upfront will tell you almost everything you need to know. Here are the questions we recommend asking before you book anyone, including us.

1. Are you licensed and insured?

This is the single most important question. A properly registered Washington business will have a UBI (Unified Business Identifier) number, and a reputable window cleaner will carry general liability insurance. If anything gets damaged or if someone is injured on your property, insurance matters.

For what it's worth: Olympia Pane Pros LLC operates under Washington UBI 606-210-308 and carries liability coverage.

2. Who will actually be doing the work?

Ask directly who's showing up at your home. Continuity matters. Knowing the person who walked the property is the person doing the cleaning is part of what makes the experience smooth.

At Olympia Pane Pros, the person who quotes the job is the person who does the work.

3. Do you clean by hand or with a water-fed pole?

Both methods have a place, and the honest answer is both, used appropriately. Ground-floor glass benefits from a detailed hand cleaning. Out-of-reach glass benefits from a water-fed pole that delivers the same purified-water finish from the ground. We hand-clean roughly 95% of the windows on a typical home, and reach for the pole only when a window calls for it.

4. What is and isn't included?

Clarify upfront:

• Interior, exterior, or both?
• Screens: cleaned, wiped, or ignored?
• Tracks and sills: detailed or left alone?
• Hard water stain removal: add-on or included?

A price that looks cheap often looks cheap because half the work isn't included. Know what you're paying for before the day of service.

5. Will you come back if something isn't right?

Mistakes happen. Weather happens. Every now and then a window dries in a way that leaves a visible streak we didn't catch. What matters is what happens next. A company that stands behind its work will come back and make it right without question. That promise should be made upfront, not in a dispute.

6. How do you price jobs?

There's no single right answer here, but there are wrong ones. Honest pricing usually comes from a short property walk, an honest count of windows and add-ons, and a clear quote. Per-window flat rates are fine when the windows are standard. Hourly billing can work, but it encourages speed over quality. What you want to hear is that pricing is based on your actual property.

7. What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

The Pacific Northwest doesn't always cooperate with cleaning schedules. A wind storm, a surprise downpour, or a family emergency on your end can all affect the plan. A flexible, fair rescheduling policy is a sign of a company that actually wants to work with you long-term, not just squeeze in one job.

How we answer these questions

If you ask us any of the above, you'll get straight answers. We're a veteran-owned, locally operated business based in Olympia. Roughly 95% of windows are hand cleaned, with a water-fed pole used only when a window is out of reach. Our pricing is transparent. If something isn't right, we come back.

If that sounds like the kind of service you want, reach out for a free estimate. No pressure, just a quote.