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Hey there - I'm Lucas Webber, co-owner of Buffalo Window Washing. I've been professionally cleaning windows in Western New York for years now. In that time, I've cleaned thousands of windows, met every kind of customer, and seen pretty much every mistake you can make when it comes to hiring a window cleaner.
Whether you live in Buffalo, Williamsville, Orchard Park, or out in the country near Marilla, I’ve probably cleaned a home near you - and I’ve probably heard a few stories from people who wished they’d done their homework before hiring someone.
So today, I want to share what I’ve learned. This isn’t a sales pitch. This is real-world advice from someone who’s been on roofs, ladders, porches, and balconies all across WNY - so you can avoid wasting your money, protect your home, and know what to expect when hiring a professional window cleaner.
Let’s break down the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a window cleaner - and how to avoid them.
This is the #1 mistake people make - and it happens all the time.
When folks call around for quotes, the temptation is to go with the lowest one. I get it. Everyone wants a deal. But with window cleaning, the cheapest price almost always comes at a cost.
Here’s the thing: if someone is offering rock-bottom pricing, something has to give. Maybe it’s their insurance. Maybe it’s the quality of their tools. Maybe it’s their hiring standards - or lack thereof. Sometimes it’s all of the above.
Let’s say a cheap cleaner puts a ladder through one of your second-story windows. That window might cost $2,000 to replace. If they’re not insured - which is common among “budget” guys - you could be the one footing the bill.
But it’s not just damage. The cheapest cleaners may:
And I’ll say it plainly: some of these guys are just not people you want in your home. We’ve heard stories of crews smoking in the driveway, making customers feel uncomfortable, and just simply being unprofessional. That’s not okay.
At Buffalo Window Washing, we’re not trying to be the cheapest. We’re trying to be the most professional, the most consistent, and the most trustworthy. We hire good people, train them well, and pay them fairly. That costs more - but the experience and results speak for themselves.
Here’s something not many people know: if someone gets hurt on your property and they’re not properly insured, you could be held liable.
Let’s say you hire a “fly-by-night” cleaner who brings an extra guy to help. That helper falls off a ladder and breaks his leg. If the company doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, the injured worker - or worse, their lawyer - might come after you.
This happens. And it’s devastating.
At Buffalo Window Washing, we carry full workers’ comp and general liability insurance. That protects our team, but it also protects you. If anything goes wrong - and knock on wood, it rarely does - you’re covered. That peace of mind is worth a lot.
Always ask a contractor, “Are you insured?” Better yet, ask to see the certificate. A legitimate company won’t hesitate to show you proof.
A lot of folks make this mistake: they hire a company without ever reading reviews.
They say, “The price looked good and the guy seemed nice,” and that’s it. That’s like hiring a babysitter based on a handshake. Wouldn’t you rather know what other people experienced first?
Your best tool is a Google search. If a company has great reviews - especially recent ones - you’re probably in good hands. But if they have none? Or only one or two that look sketchy or copy-pasted? That’s a huge red flag.
A few signs of a trustworthy window cleaner:
At Buffalo Window Washing, we make it a point to request reviews from customers - not to chase praise, but because we want accountability. And we want future customers to know exactly what to expect.
If a company gives you a flat price over the phone without ever seeing your house or asking questions, beware.
A proper window cleaning job depends on a lot of factors:
At Buffalo Window Washing, we do nearly all estimates in person. We walk the property, assess what you need, and make sure there are no surprises on the day of the job.
We don’t like surprise charges - and neither do our customers. We don’t believe in showing up and suddenly saying, “Oh, this is going to be $200 more.” Our quote is the quote. If something changes, it’s communicated well in advance.
You deserve a company that’s transparent and respectful of your budget. That starts with a proper estimate - not a guess.
A lot of people think window cleaning is simple: Windex, paper towels, done.
Not even close.
Professional window cleaning involves:
When we show up to a job, we’re not improvising. We’re using tested methods and commercial-grade tools to do it right. We can remove:
Homeowners often say, “Just clean the outsides - we’ll handle the insides.” And sometimes, that’s fine. But more often than not, they’ll call us back a week later to finish the job. Because once they see the outside done professionally, they realize how streaky and smeared the inside still is.
When both sides are cleaned the right way, you don’t even see the glass. That’s the difference. And it all comes down to using the right tools.
You’d be surprised how many red flags people miss when hiring a contractor.
Here are some big ones to watch for:
These aren’t just quirky habits - they’re signs you might be dealing with a “summer-only” operation that disappears once the cold hits.
We’ve seen it too many times: a homeowner hires someone with no reviews, no credentials, and no receipts… and gets burned. By the time they call us to fix the mess, they’ve already lost money and time.
Protect yourself. Hire someone who’s clearly running a real business - not just a side hustle with a bucket and a ladder.
We’ve taken over countless jobs from companies that “used to be good.”
One recent example: I was cleaning windows at a commercial property in Orchard Park. The owner told me they’d been using the same cleaner for 30 years. But over time, the guy stopped showing up on time. The quality slipped. Corners were cut.
Eventually, they had enough. He told me, “They were the cheapest option - but I realized I was getting what I paid for.”
That happens all the time. Just because someone’s been doing a job for years doesn’t mean they’re still doing it well. People change. Companies change. Habits slip.
Don’t stick with a service just because they’re familiar. Stick with them because they still do excellent work - and treat you right.
This isn’t just about windows - it’s about your personal space.
The people you hire for home services should be people you trust to be around your family, your pets, your belongings. If your cleaner makes you feel uneasy or acts unprofessionally, that’s a major issue - even if they technically “get the job done.”
At Buffalo Window Washing, every team member:
We don’t take shortcuts on that. We wouldn’t want anyone in our own homes who makes us feel uncomfortable, so we don’t expect you to either.
Choosing a window cleaner isn’t like buying paper towels. It’s a service that involves trust, safety, and a visible result.
If you hire based on price alone, you could end up with:
We’ve seen it happen too many times. People hire the cheapest guy, regret it, and then call us to fix the job. We’re happy to help - but I always wish they’d called us first.
So whether you’re hiring Buffalo Window Washing or someone else, do your homework:
✅ Read the reviews
✅ Ask for insurance
✅ Check their communication
✅ Look for uniforms and marked vehicles
✅ Ask about tools, techniques, and guarantees
Window cleaning might seem simple, but when it’s done right, the difference is clear - literally.
Thanks for reading. If you're in the Western New York area and want the job done right the first time, give us a call. We’d be happy to earn your trust.
– Lucas
Co-Owner, Buffalo Window Washing
