Storm Window Cleaning Question

Doug Rucker

Doug Rucker

Roundtable Host 2009
I have a client that I cleaned the roof, house, driveway, wood deck, pretty much everything for. He has these storm windows that he wants me to clean. 5 other window cleaners have gone out and all either priced at like over $1000.00 or a couple just refused to do the work and wouldn't supply a price. The customer is begging me to do them because he is extremenly satisfied with the work I have done thus far.

My questions are, how do you these? It looks like you have to remove them, using a small nut driver, clean the storm window and then clean the inner window too. But I want to ask here in case I am missing something or is this something I shouldn't bite off.

Any advice you can share I would really appreciate it. This is a good customer that does not mind paying a fair price for good work. I hate to see him left hanging just because something may be a little difficult. I talked to 3 local window cleaners and all would just say there a pain in the rear. I just keep thinking there's got to be a better reason to turn this down than that.

Thanks for all your help.
 

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How many storm windows have to be removed Doug? Around here, you'll find that the storm windows have either been painted shut or caulked in to help with insulation. Even if this is not the case, there's sometimes a rubber gasket that becomes very gummy in the hot weather that turns into a glue like substance. This makes them near impossible to remove. The glass is thin, so it will crack easily. You also have 4 surfaces of glass to clean, as well as the entire inside framework of the window while you have the storm window removed. You need to let the window dry out before you put it back into place, otherwise the water that has not evaporated will fog the window up.

For storm windows that are relatively easy to remove and re-install I charge $10 per storm window to remove/re-install. I also charge my per pane fee for cleaning the glass. Putting a nut driver on a dewalt helps.. also go ahead and buy new hex screws to re-install the storms with. Makes it easier, and it's worth the few dollars.
 
Yeah Doug, There is a reason the others passed on the storm window job. Like the post above, chances of struggling to get the panes out without breaking, and just the overall tediousness of all of it. Its a huge pain.You should walk away, though i sense your dilemma of feeling loyal to the customer. Maybe Chris from WCR can chime in. Are you going to NOLA? Look forward to meeting you sometimeBob
 
EcoClean said:
How many storm windows have to be removed Doug? Around here, you'll find that the storm windows have either been painted shut or caulked in to help with insulation. Even if this is not the case, there's sometimes a rubber gasket that becomes very gummy in the hot weather that turns into a glue like substance. This makes them near impossible to remove. The glass is thin, so it will crack easily. You also have 4 surfaces of glass to clean, as well as the entire inside framework of the window while you have the storm window removed. You need to let the window dry out before you put it back into place, otherwise the water that has not evaporated will fog the window up.

For storm windows that are relatively easy to remove and re-install I charge $10 per storm window to remove/re-install. I also charge my per pane fee for cleaning the glass. Putting a nut driver on a dewalt helps.. also go ahead and buy new hex screws to re-install the storms with. Makes it easier, and it's worth the few dollars.
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15 of them.
 
Bob Keenan said:
Yeah Doug, There is a reason the others passed on the storm window job. Like the post above, chances of struggling to get the panes out without breaking, and just the overall tediousness of all of it. Its a huge pain.You should walk away, though i sense your dilemma of feeling loyal to the customer. Maybe Chris from WCR can chime in. Are you going to NOLA? Look forward to meeting you sometimeBob
Click to expand...

I did post this on WCR and have gotten some great tips. Very hard for me to walk away from challenges. I am going out tomorrow to fool around with one of them and see how it goes. Sounds like there may be different ways to attack these things. Not looking good for Nola, I am already booked up through February and am booking into March.
 
Bob Keenan said:
Yeah Doug, There is a reason the others passed on the storm window job. Like the post above, chances of struggling to get the panes out without breaking, and just the overall tediousness of all of it. Its a huge pain.You should walk away, though i sense your dilemma of feeling loyal to the customer. Maybe Chris from WCR can chime in. Are you going to NOLA? Look forward to meeting you sometimeBob
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Hello bob
 
I know it doesnt help you but I dont like getting tied up doing windows and I have a window guy I pass him this work. Our agreement is he has to take all jobs passed along to him and charge a fair price. For 15 windows he would charge about 450.00 with what has to be done cleaning inside and out.
 
No, the customer, at my recommendation, is having all new windows installed. Thanks for your help though.
 
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