Budgeting for Your Building: Part 2 — Window Cleaning

Clean windows reflect your property’s level of care and professionalism and contribute to its overall functionality. It’s also a proactive maintenance item that some may consider deferring in efforts to save a quick buck. However, if you neglect your property’s glass, you could be setting yourself up for unexpected expenses and operational challenges. Explore this article for our budget guide for commercial window cleaning, complete with smart budgeting tips to ensure every budget dollar is spent to help ensure your building maintains an excellent appearance and optimal functionality.

Valcourt’s Aesthetic Solutions to Maximize Your Budget

The end of the year is a great time to take on last-minute aesthetic projects that set you up for success for the following year. Aesthetics are much more than just cleaning the windows. Other often neglected services provide quick wins in the aesthetic department. More importantly, since annual property budgets are based on the previous year’s spending, we recommend the following services to avoid losing unspent budget funds.

1. Pressure Washing: Pressure washing is a quick way to enhance curb appeal, remove pollutants, improve safety, and make your property more attractive to potential tenants or buyers. It’s also a vital step before special events.
2. Glass Stain Removal: First-floor windows and entranceways are more prone to staining from pollution and hard water. Consider a glass restoration on targeted areas of your building where it matters most and improve aesthetics without breaking the budget. 
3. Metal Cleaning: Over time, metal surfaces can become scratched or tarnished. Valcourt’s metal maintenance services can restore the shine to window frames and mullions, extending their lifespan and saving you from costly replacements.
4. Elevator Interiors: Updating your elevator interiors with new flooring and lighting improves the aesthetic appeal and enhances the overall experience for tenants and visitors.

Focusing on these solutions will set the stage for a more visually appealing and financially stable year ahead.

Sparkle and Shine: The Value of Window Cleaning

Aesthetics are a significant motivator for clean windows. Clean windows do more than just look good — they elevate your building’s professional image and create a welcoming atmosphere for tenants and visitors. Also, when your windows are spotless, natural light floods in, brightening the interior. The benefits of natural light have proven to improve employee engagement and productivity. 

We expect to see clean windows, so it makes a lasting impact when we don’t. However, there are other motivating factors for regularly cleaning windows. Glass that is routinely cleaned is less likely to degrade, which means you’ll extend the life of your windows and push back the need for expensive glass restorations or replacements.

1. Avoid Costly Restorations: Over time, dirt and grime can etch into the glass, causing permanent damage that requires restoration or complete replacement.
2. Enhance Energy Efficiency: Dirty windows reduce the amount of natural light entering the building, which can increase reliance on artificial lighting and heating, driving up energy costs. Clean windows help maintain optimal energy efficiency by maximizing sunlight.
3. Improve Tenant Satisfaction: Tenants notice the difference clean windows make and will complain if they are not kept in good condition. A well-maintained exterior enhances tenant satisfaction, which in turn reduces turnover rates. Happy tenants are more likely to renew leases, saving you the costs of finding new occupants. Similarly, dirty windows will deter potential new tenants.

Another advantage of regular window cleaning is having a set of eyes in the sky and areas not often frequented to spot issues like worn-out sealants. In addition to having the industry’s most comprehensive approach to risk management, our teams can provide a detailed post-job report. With this information, you can work these identified items into your budget to address problems while they are small and manageable.   

Essential Elements for a Window Cleaning Budget

If you take care of your windows, they will take care of you. If cared for properly, windows should last decades and deliver a solid return on investment. Cleaning and inspecting the glass, along with components that keep moisture out, are critical to extending the lifespan of your windows.

1. Follow a Regular Cleaning Schedule: Depending on your building’s location and use, plan for cleanings 2-4 times per year to keep your windows in top shape and avoid the need for a more expensive deep cleaning service.
2. Seasonal Considerations: Winter’s grime or spring’s pollen can quickly cloud your windows. Allocate your window cleaning budget accordingly, ensuring funds are available for more frequent cleanings during peak seasons.
3. High-Rise Challenges: For high-rise buildings, maintaining spotless windows is a complex task that requires specialized equipment and trained personnel. To avoid costly fines and keep workers safe, budget for anchor point annual inspections and certifications every ten years and safe building facade access.  
4. Emergency Cleanings: Unexpected messes, from graffiti to bird waste, can necessitate immediate window cleaning. Cleaning windows before holiday parties, preparing for sale, or wowing potential tenants makes a statement. That’s why it’s wise to allocate emergency funds.

Following these four steps is a great way to smooth out your annual budget and allocate the proper funds to keep your windows performing their best, looking their best, and not showing their actual age. 

Secure Long-Term Value with Valcourt’s Aesthetic Expertise

As the year draws to a close, you may think it’s too late or you won’t be able to complete last-minute projects. At Valcourt, we can help you optimize your maintenance budget with your wide range of building services. This helps ensure you don’t see a budget reduction and maintain your assets for the following year. Don’t let unused funds go to waste — contact Valcourt today to secure the long-term benefits of comprehensive window cleaning and aesthetic services for your building.