The MPW Team Cleans
- Public Sector Buildings
- NHS Building
- School Buildings
- Housing Associations
- Office Buildings
- New Build/Refurb/Extensions
Latest Window Cleaning News
Even museums need a window cleaner!
Offices and Commercial Unit Window Cleaning from MPW
Beware of Unscrupulous Window Cleaners - Part 2
- Hiring untrained people. Some companies take on more work than they can really handle, usually by pricing low to win the work, and then have to hire inexperienced workers to do the work. Not only does this result in poor quality, but is likely to lead to a higher rate of damage to property. There is also a higher risk of theft. More importantly, the risk of accidents, to both window cleaners and employees is also greater.
- Poor communication skills. What starts off well at the beginning can very often go badly wrong through poor communication. That means people not returning calls or being evasive in other ways.
- Upfront payments. Some companies ask for an upfront payment and arrange to do the work the following week. Of course, if they do not appear you will find it hard to contact them!
- Irresistible offers. Some companies have been known to win work by making very tempting offers. These offers are then not delivered. The most common of these in recent years has been the “Pay for 2 and get the 3rd clean free” offer. Very often you get the first clean straight away and then you never see the company again.
- Latchway work without training. Latchway work requires specialist training and certification. Doing the work with untrained people is clearly cheaper for the contractor, but can have fatal consequences. Ask to see copies of training certificates for those doing the work. Some of the equipment can also be expensive and may therefore not be used. For example, the ‘Transfastener’, which enables operators to stay constantly attached to the latchway system, costs around £400. Without it, operators possibly disconnect while moving around the roof.
- Operating without insurance. It is not uncommon for companies to allow their insurance to lapse, either through inattention or to save money if cash flow is tight.
How to Wash Windows 5 Stories High! Cherry Pickers to the Rescue!
High Rise Abseil Window Cleaning for Apartments & Flats
Beware of Unscrupulous Window Cleaners - Part 1
- Overcharging for difficult access. Since some areas are indeed hard to reach and not all companies have people with the necessary training or experience to carry out the work, some companies take advantage by overcharging for these areas. Within the overall job, this may seem relatively small, but it can make a few percentage points difference in the overall price. Make sure you get several quotes and have them broken down so you can see where the overcharging is taking place.
- Using unnecessary access equipment. Some companies will insist that special access equipment is required, when the job doesn’t really require it. Rope access is a typical example, when in many cases ‘Reach and Wash’ and / or ‘cherry picker’ can be used instead.
- Unjustifiable price increases. It is easy for a company to get a contract by bidding at a particularly low price. Once in, they find reasons to increase the price. These usually are accompanied by very plausible sounding reasons that are rarely, in fact, valid.
- Pricing low and ‘cutting corners’. This is probably the most common form of scam among window cleaning companies. They price up the job then submit a much lower price to win the work, in the knowledge that they will not do the job thoroughly every time. They do this by deliberately leaving some windows out each time and rotating the ‘missed’ windows in the hope that it isn’t picked up. The best defence against this is to require them to estimate the length of time on site as part of the contract and then make sure that they spend that time each visit, by ensuring they sign in and out.
Our Commercial Window Cleaning experience in London
Legally Certificated Abseiling / Rope Access service for High Rise Window Cleaning
Commercial Window Cleaning - What Makes MPW Different?
- Are you 100% satisfied with your existing supplier’s quality, reliability and customer service?
- Would you like to benchmark their prices and service levels?
- Do you have additional requirements and want to stop your existing supplier being complacent?
- Dependability: We turn up on the dot every time
- Flexibility: We clean at specific times to suit you
- Friendly staff: Who are fully trained, conscientious, courteous, considerate, punctual, smart and trustworthy
- Capability: A range of cleaning which includes windows, framework, cladding and gutters (including clearing) and buildings of all shapes and sizes
- A Property-friendly service: Using the proven “Reach & Wash” system which dispenses with ladders that can do so much damage to your property (ie marking, chipping and scratching paintwork, cladding, gutters and tiles/slates)
- A Fair price: We guarantee our prices for a minimum of THREE YEARS. This means no irritating annual increases and no artificially low first year prices just to win the business.
- Experience: You will be in good company. MPW work with 100s of commercial and public sector organisations such as: Morrison Supermarkets; ISS Mediclean; The Savoy Hotel, Panasonic, Fujitsu, Siemens, Odeon Cinema Complexes, the NHS Trust and Buckinghamshire County Council.
- Guarantee. When you select a window cleaning company, you want someone you can rely on. We are so confident in our service standards that we guarantee them.
Finding a window cleaner who can clean high rise office buildings
- Abseiling
- Cherry pickers / Hydraulic access platforms
- Latchways
- Cradles/Boats
- Tower Scaffold
- Stairway Scaffold (Stairway Scaffold is a trademark of Lobo Systems)
- ‘Reach & Wash’ / Water-fed Poles
- Ladders
How much should you pay for commercial window cleaning services?
How to get the most out of your commercial window cleaning contractor
- keeping windows clean
- preserving the safety of their people and protecting their property
- keeping personal input to a minimum
- keeping costs reasonably low
Hilton Enquiry
Milton Keynes Shopping Centre
Satisfactory Completion of the Savoy Hotel, The Strand, London
Latest Window Cleaning News
Welcome to our new Blog
Are you looking for a Museum window cleaner? Do your Museum windows need to be professionally cleaned? Are some of your Museum windows awkward to access or hard to reach?
Then MPW are here to help – They have cleaned windows in almost every type of commercial premises including: high rise office blocks; factories; warehouses; supermarkets; hotels; universities; historic buildings; schools; hospitals and residential units - making them the ideal choice as your museum window cleaner
As your Museum window cleaner, MPW can offer you the following:
• Dependability: We turn up on the dot every time
• Flexibility: We clean at specific times to suit you
• Friendly staff: Who are fully trained, conscientious, courteous, considerate, punctual, smart and trustworthy
• Capability: A range of cleaning which includes windows, framework, cladding and gutters (including clearing) and buildings of all shapes and sizes
• A Property-friendly service: Using the proven “Reach & Wash” system which dispenses with ladders that can do so much damage to your property (ie marking, chipping and scratching paintwork, cladding, gutters and tiles/slates)
• A Fair price: We guarantee our prices for a minimum of THREE YEARS. This means no irritating annual increases and no artificially low first year prices just to win the business.
If you need advice related to museum window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with us on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
Take a look at some of the places we've been working recently. We love sparkling, clean windows! Let us know if we can help your business...
If you would like more advice related to commercial window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910.
You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
Part 1 of this 2 part series of articles on the topic of “Beware of Unscrupulous Window Cleaners” continues to outline unscrupulous tactics to be wary of.
Here are some examples you need to watch out for when it comes to hiring a window cleaning company for your commercial (or residential) property:
We hope this information proves useful. Don’t get caught out by the cowboys!
If you need advice related to commercial window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with us on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
Thanks for reading…
Marcus
Ever wondered how high rise windows are cleaned? Here's one way... Cherry Pickers allow our staff to get up to those hard to reach windows and give them a sparkling finish.
If you would like more advice related to window cleaning feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 01494 772655. You can email us here: http://www.mpwresidentialwindowcleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
We're not scared of heights!!
As in any business, there are some companies that are not as ethical as we would all wish. Being aware of the potential dangers is at least some defence against these types of window cleaning companies.
Here are some examples of unscrupulous behaviour you need to watch out for when it comes to hiring a window cleaning company:
If you would like more advice related to commercial high rise window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910.
You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
Take a look at some recent photos of what we've been up to! Window cleaning for high rise apartments, shops and office buildings - not a problem for MPW!!
MPW (London) Window Cleaners Ltd offer a fully professional and legally certificated Abseiling/Rope access service. Abseiling/Rope access is often the safest and simplest way to acces and clean high rise builings.
In my personal experience, I've come into contact with many customers who have initially thought that rope access is very expensive. This is not true. In fact on many occasions rope access has proved a lot more affordable than Hydraulic Platform hire (cherry picker). Even more so now, given the alarming rate in which fuel prices are rising.
MPW (London) Window Cleaners Ltd staff are fully IRATA (Internatinal Rope AccessTraining Association) trained, combining teams of level 3 with levels 1 and 2. IRATA is the internationally recognised governing body for abseiling/rope access.
Customers are not always certain as to which form of access is suitable for their building. Most modern high rise buildings are suitable for rope access. If you are not sure, a member of our team will be happy to do a site visit and offer free advice.
IRATA Level 3 is the highest level of rope access that be attained. The difference between the levels is the varying degrees of rescue technique. Level 3 operatives are fully trained in all aspects of rope access rescue. At Level 3 the operater is also fully qualified to a supervisory status over other levels.
IRATA levels 1 and 2 are fully trained in rope access but lack the rescue capabilities of a level 3. Level 1 is trained to carry out snatch rescue only, whereas abilities to carry out more complicated recue procedures are recognised by the size of the level number.
If you require further advice or a quote for high rise window cleaning please do get in touch here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
Thanks for reading. See you again soon!
Marcus
MPW can offer you the following:
If you would like more advice related to commercial window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910.
You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
So what should you expect from your commercial window cleaning contractor? Much will depend on the nature of your building or office and the constraints you are under financially. The usage of the building can also play a large part in the extent to which you need your window cleaning contractor to perform.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Health and Safety is an important issue when it comes to high rise and office window cleaning. It may well be your responsibility to ensure that contractors on your site are working safely and complying with the relevant guidelines. Responsibility will certainly lay with the directors.
More information about these guidelines is available from the Health & Safety Executive and specifically at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/guidance.htm
ACCESS METHODS
There are a whole host of access methods used by commercial and high rise window cleaners. Here is a list of the most common methods used by commercial window cleaners:
If you would like more advice related to commercial high rise window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
I have been in the business of window cleaning for over 30 years and we have worked on various commercial window cleaning contracts. In the current economic climate, most businesses will be looking for ways to reduce costs.
The obvious way to do this is to put your window cleaning out to tender. By selecting three or four other companies to quote, you can ensure that you’re not paying above the market rate for the work done.
This process can however be extremely time-consuming and you may be happy with your existing window cleaner. If this is the case, what other options are there? Here are some suggestions:
Regularity
How frequently do you need your windows cleaning? Do you really need them doing every month? It is worth reconsidering whether the overall frequency can be adjusted. Missing out a couple of months, for example during major holiday periods such as during the summer and around Christmas, could reduce your bill by 15%. If you’re looking for larger savings, consider stretching the interval to every six weeks rather than monthly and you could be saving 30%.
Internal vs external
In some contracts, internal windows are cleaned at the same frequency as external windows. Since they are exposed much less to the elements, this may not be required. Internal windows can be cleaned half as often as external windows. In some office environments, even less frequently can be appropriate. And remember the option of prioritising.
Prioritise
Of course, this depends on the nature of your property and its usage. It may not be appropriate to reduce the frequency, because you cannot afford to damage the impression you create for visitors or customers, or those who use the building. In this case, look carefully at which parts of the building are most important. Some windows/glass areas will be important from a stakeholder perspective and others less so. Consider reducing the frequency of the less significant areas.
Access methods
Some window cleaners charge different rates for using different types of access equipment. It is worth getting your window cleaning contractor to break down their quote as much as possible for different parts of the building. If your contractor is charging different rates, then consider carefully whether the more expensive methods are necessary. If they are, then look at whether it is possible to reduce the frequency of cleaning the most expensive areas.
Itemised costing
It is much harder to have a dialogue with your existing contractor about cost reductions without detailed knowledge of how their prices have been calculated. Ask them to give you a detailed breakdown showing: each section of the property; internal versus external windows; ‘difficult to access’ windows. Armed with this information you can walk around the premises looking at cost reduction opportunities.
If you would like more advice related to commercial window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
I have been in the business of window cleaning for over 30 years and we have worked on various commercial window cleaning contracts for different types of premises including: high rise office blocks; factories; warehouses; supermarkets; hotels; universities; historic buildings; schools; hospitals and residential units.
During that time I have, as you would expect, learnt a huge amount about the commercial window cleaning trade. I have come across some extremely professional people and, in truth, some rogues.
I have worked closely with a wide range of people who have had responsibility for managing window cleaning on their sites. Some have been more experienced and knowledgeable than others, but they have all shared broadly the same objectives:
If, like me, you expect a good job for a fair price, then this article will help you to achieve all of these objectives.
What should you expect?
Much will depend of course on the nature of your building and the constraints you’re under financially. The usage of the building can also play a large part in the extent to which you need your contractor to perform.
Insurance, Health & Safety
Do they have a published Health & Safety policy? What evidence is there that the policy is adhered to? How do management check that it is being adhered to? What action do they take when there are problems? What is their accident record? Do they have adequate public and employers’ liability insurance cover?
Pricing
You should, of course, expect to pay a reasonable price for the window cleaning carried out. It is worth seeing if prices are fixed for any length of time. Some of the best companies will fix prices for three years to give you stability.
If you would like more advice related to window cleaning then feel free to get in touch with MPW Window Cleaners on 020 7060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. You can email us here: http://www.mpw-london-window-cleaners.co.uk/contact-us/
It gives me great pleasure to announce an invitation to our company to view and quote one of the Hilton groups many hotels down in Southampton.I travelled down, nice and early in the morning, which happened to be on a lovely sunny day.
This made my experience all the more enjoyable. This particular hotel was quite a simple one access wise and a very comfortable size. I was shown around by the housekeeper who was very pleasant and helpful. My company have been on Hiltons list contractors for just a short while, so it’s a real pleasure to get our first opportunity to test the water so to speak.
As a company, we’ve been buying reach and wash poles for quite a few years with many tales of woe to tell. So finally to purchase a pole that is of decent quality, easy to handle, gives you good results and is a FAIR price makes a refreshing change.
I'm sure many of us have felt the pinch of recession in business as well as in our everyday lives. Well, we at MPW have been know different, in fact to be fair I'd expect recession to hit us hard, as I appreciate that the type of service we offer is not exactly a matter of life and death metaphorically speaking.
Having said that, I feel we have survived remarkably well. This is completely down to our wonderful staff who have been tremendous through these tough times. They are all aware of how much we appreciate their sterling efforts especially during one of the toughest winters we've had to endure for many years. We wont forget that one in a hurry.Another positive we've experienced, was an invitation to quote for the huge, and I mean HUGE shopping centre at Milton Keynes. This was the first time I'd visited this shopping centre and now I have to try and keep this secret from my daughter who's love for shopping is unparalleled.I was warned that it was big but I had know idea what to expect. Wow! I'm very impressed, what a place. I think I spent around four hours walking around calculating along with assessing the sort of access equipment required to maintain such a place.
For Health & Safety reasons, we discussed access times as quite clearly we would not be able to clean during opening hours with thousands of shoppers everywhere, so if we get the go ahead, this particular site will be cleaned out of hours at no extra charge.
This is among several sites that have recently requested quotes, so hopefully that nasty recession is disappearing at long last
I am happy to say that we have now completed in aiding the renovation of one of London's most historical and famous hotels, The Savoy, on The Strand in London's West End.
This work took the best part of 15 months to complete and involved cleaning all the external glass of this 10 storied hotel. This project was sub-contracted to us through Chorus Group PLC, with whom I'm happy to say we have developed a fine working relationship, this being the second hotel we have worked on together, the first being The Connaught Hotel in London Mayfair.
The complete renovation of the building took around 2 years. One of the oldest and most valuable assets was this spectacular glass dome which we had to use an indoor tower scaffold to access and suction power to clean:
The majority of the cleaning took place off of the scaffold which had been fitted by Chorus Group PLC. In the final stages, we used a 30 metre cherry picker to access higher levels after the renovators scaffolding was taken down. The project also invovled removing old bomb film from windows, cleaning interior window frames, cabinets and mirrors.
After much intensive snagging/checking and having to reclean many panels more then once due to ongoing renovation work, I am proud to say all work was completed to a satisfactory standard and we are looking forward to working with Chorus Group PLC in the future.
MPW (London) Window Cleaners Ltd are spreading our wings and cleaning windows in a wider geographical area. Since we started, we've always concentrated on the Northern London areas, now we're looking to go further afield.
I have been in this business for more than thirty years and appreciate the true value of not trying to grow to quickly, especially at the risk of harming your much valued current customer base, which is possible when trying to take on too much without firstly putting the right infrastructure in place.
Many years ago , I thought it was just a question of advertising, getting in more work and employing more window cleaners! How wrong was I? I didn't know which way to turn. Now I've learned the art of structuring, so we can confidently move forward at a comfortable pace and maintain our high standards and good service.
The areas we've recently been invited to clean in are South London, Reading, Basingstoke, Slough, Watford, Uxbridge, Harrow, Hayes, High Wycombe, St Albans and Welwyn Garden City. If your site is situated in these or say within twenty miles of these new areas, we feel fairly confident that we would be able to offer you our service.
If you are not sure please feel free to call our offices on either 0207 060 1956 or 0845 263 8910. A member of our staff will be able to assist or advise you.
Welcome to the MPW Window Cleaning Blog.
MPW offers Residential & Commercial Window Cleaning services. We specialise in High Rise & Difficult Access Window Cleaning within Buckinghamshire, Beds, Berks, Herts & London.
This Blog has been launched with the aim of sharing useful information with the community, keeping you up to date with what we are up to, and sharing exclusive special offers.
You can visit our two websites here:
Residential Window Cleaners
Commercial Window Cleaning
Thanks for dropping by!
