NYC’s premier window
cleaning, repair & restoration company

Within 24 to 48 hours of the request, with the building and managing agent named as additional insured. Send your agent’s exact wording and we match it.

Usually, yes. Rope access needs anchors certified by the owner. Without them we work from boom lifts, which reach up to 300 feet, or from water-fed poles on lower floors.

Yes. Storefronts and lobbies are usually done before opening, offices in the evening. The lifts are our own, so the date doesn’t depend on a rental.

The cost of hiring a professional window cleaner depends on several factors: the number and size of windows, the type of cleaning required (regular wash, initial deep clean, or post-construction cleanup), building height, and access method. In New York City, a typical residential apartment cleaning ranges from $150 to $500, while whole-building commercial projects can run from $1,000 to $10,000+ depending on the scope.

Prices in the city tend to run higher than national averages due to building access logistics, insurance requirements, and labor costs. Co-ops and condos often require Certificates of Insurance and super coordination before a crew can even begin – all of which factor into the final estimate. Jobs that require rope access or scaffolding cost more than standard interior-exterior cleaning accessible from inside the unit.

At Big Apple Window Cleaning, we provide free, no-obligation estimates based on an actual assessment of your property – not a generic per-window formula. This way you know exactly what you are paying for, with no hidden charges. The estimate covers the scope of work, access method, timeline, and any additional services like screen cleaning or hard water stain removal.

For most homeowners, scheduling a professional window cleaning at least twice a year – once in spring and once in fall – is enough to keep glass in solid condition. These seasons offer mild temperatures and lower humidity, which helps cleaning solutions dry evenly without streaking.

Commercial properties need more attention. Storefronts, office buildings, and restaurants typically benefit from quarterly cleanings – or even monthly in high-traffic areas where dust, exhaust, and fingerprints build up fast. The right frequency also depends on the environment: buildings near construction sites, busy roads, or the waterfront may need extra rounds to stay presentable. A reliable cleaning company can assess your property and recommend a schedule that makes sense for your situation.

Every building facade takes a beating from weather, pollution, and biological growth. In New York City, that process is accelerated – exhaust particulates, road salt mist, pigeon droppings, and acid rain attack surfaces year-round. Left untreated, these contaminants do more than look bad. They penetrate porous materials like limestone, brownstone, and brick, trapping moisture that leads to spalling, efflorescence, and long-term structural decay.

Professional facade cleaning removes these deposits before they cause permanent damage. Crews use methods matched to the material – low-pressure chemical washing for prewar masonry, steam cleaning for ornamental terra cotta, and controlled pressure washing for concrete and metal panels. DIY attempts or unqualified contractors often apply too much pressure, blowing out mortar joints or etching soft stone.

There is also a compliance angle. Under NYC Local Law 11 (FISP), buildings taller than six stories must undergo periodic facade inspections. A clean facade makes it easier for your engineer to assess the actual condition of the exterior, and proactive cleaning can help avoid costly “unsafe” findings that trigger emergency repair orders. For co-ops and condos, a well-maintained facade also protects property values and keeps the board ahead of capital planning.

Cleaning windows on skyscrapers is a highly specialized job that demands trained technicians, strict safety protocols, and purpose-built access equipment. The most common method is a suspended scaffold – also called a swinging stage or bosun’s chair – that hangs from roof-mounted davits or tieback anchors and lowers crews down the facade section by section.

For buildings with permanent maintenance systems, building maintenance units (BMUs) mounted on the rooftop provide motorized platforms that travel along the facade on fixed tracks. Where neither option is practical, mast climbers, aerial lifts, or rope access techniques certified by SPRAT or IRATA give crews the flexibility to reach difficult angles and setbacks. The method depends on building height, facade geometry, and local safety regulations – on a large tower, a full exterior cleaning can take several days to complete.

No. High-rise window cleaners cannot work in dangerous weather conditions. OSHA regulations prohibit rope access and suspended scaffold work during high winds, and most crews follow a hard stop at sustained speeds above 25 mph. In Manhattan, canyon effects between buildings can double or triple wind speed at upper floors compared to street level – so a calm day on the sidewalk does not guarantee safe conditions at the 30th floor. Rain and subfreezing temperatures create additional problems: wet glass streaks instead of cleaning properly, and icy platforms make scaffolding and rope systems dangerously slippery. Experienced high-rise window cleaners build weather delays into every project plan and reschedule rather than push through marginal conditions. This protects the client from paying for a job that will need to be redone. In a city with nor’easters, sudden wind gusts, and winter freeze-thaw cycles, a flexible scheduling approach is the sign of a crew that knows what it is doing.