It's Hard To Replicate The Work Of A Professional Window Washer

Let the sunlight in for an easy way to impress home buyers (By Jackson Holtz): Nothing adds greater value to selling a home than light, real estate experts say. Agents always turn on all the lamps and light fixtures before hosting an open house. While the indoor lighting is important, it's secondary to letting sunshine filter through windows, said Meribeth Hutchings, owner of Windermere Lake Stevens. "Sparkling clean windows let in more natural light," she said. That's the primary reason that window washing is an important and necessary step in preparing to put a home on the market, and in the regular upkeep of what is probably your most valuable investment. "When you have clean windows, it shows buyers that you've paid attentions to details in your home," Hutchings said. "It shows you cared for your home."

You can try to wash windows yourself, but it's hard to replicate the work of a professional window washer. They know how to eliminate streaks and leave windows sparkling. The cost varies depending on many factors, mostly the number of windows in the home. Some companies will charge by the hour, others by the number of windows. Check to make sure the estimate includes washing inside, outside, screens and skylights. Details count, too, so ask if the washers wipe down sills and dust hard-to-reach skylight areas. While working on the windows of a Camano Island home, Robert Ketchum of Krystal Kleen Window Cleaning in Arlington uses a razor blade to remove pitch and other stubborn substances from the glass.

Robert Ketchum, the owner of Krystal Kleen Window Cleaning in Arlington, said the average cost to clean a two-story, 2,000-square-foot home with 40 panes is $130. As a sole proprietor, his overhead is low, and he works by referral only, he said. Other window washers may charge more to cover additional costs. Ketchum, who has been in business for nearly two decades, charges by the pane and includes inside and outside, plus screens and wiping down the sills. "It really cleans it up," he said.

By comparison, Top Notch Window & Gutter Cleaning in Edmonds charges about $150 to $200 for a similar job. They're a small family-run business. Homeowners should clear knickknacks and other items from window areas to make it easier for the pros to do their work. Homeowners may want to hold off on washing skylights during the winter, when rain will soil the job, Ketchum said. That doesn't mean skylights don't need to be dusted, however. "You want to make sure there are no cobwebs," Ketchum said.

Gutters are another consideration. "If they're dirty on the outside, chances are they are going to be dirty on the inside," Ketchum said. "It may become an issue during inspection." He said gutter cleaning costs extra depending on the number of gutters. Prices range up to $300 or more for very large homes. Before clearing the gutters, Robert Ketchum sweeps away evergreen needles and sticks that would reclog them. Clogged gutters can become an issue during inspection.

For most homeowners, window washing is part of spring cleaning. Ketchum said he's busiest from early spring through the fall. Still, many real estate agents will hire him no matter the time of year. "Most people are looking for a view," he said. "It's more likely to be appealing to somebody if you have clean windows with a view."