High-rise window cleaning requires more than the right equipment and a team that can reach upper floors. For commercial buildings, strata complexes, hotels and office towers, the company you choose needs to understand the building, access requirements, safety considerations and practical conditions of the site.
So, how do you choose a high-rise window cleaning company in Perth?
Look for a provider with experience working on multi-storey buildings, appropriately qualified technicians, suitable access systems, strong safety procedures and the ability to assess your building before recommending a cleaning method.
The right company should be able to explain how the work will be carried out, why a particular access method is suitable and how safety will be managed throughout the project.
Key Takeaways
- Choose a company with proven high-rise and commercial cleaning experience.
- Ask how the provider will assess your building before cleaning.
- Check the qualifications relevant to the proposed access method.
- Confirm that rope access work is performed by appropriately certified technicians.
- Make sure the company understands anchor-point requirements where rope access is used.
- Consider whether the provider can use different access methods when required.
- Ask how weather, wind, building occupants and public areas will be managed.
- Look for a company with in-house capabilities rather than relying entirely on subcontractors.
- Choose a provider that can communicate clearly about the cleaning process and site requirements.
What Should You Look for in a High-Rise Window Cleaning Company?
A suitable high-rise window cleaning company should have a combination of experience, qualified technicians, appropriate equipment, safety systems and building-specific planning.
A company may have professional window-cleaning equipment, but that does not necessarily mean it is equipped to work safely and effectively on a high-rise building.
Before choosing a provider, consider:
- High-rise experience
- Technician qualifications
- Available access methods
- Safety procedures
- Building assessment
- Experience with similar properties
- Communication and planning
- Ability to work around occupants and the public
These factors can help you compare providers based on capability rather than simply choosing the first company that offers a quote.
Choose the Right Team for Your Building
1. Check Their High-Rise Window Cleaning Experience
High-rise buildings can present very different challenges from ground-level commercial properties.
Building height, facade design, setbacks, balconies, architectural features, access restrictions and surrounding areas can all affect how windows are reached.
A provider experienced in high-rise work should understand these challenges and be able to explain how they will approach your specific property.
Look for experience with buildings similar to yours, such as:
- Office towers
- Strata apartment buildings
- Hotels
- Shopping centres
- Government buildings
- Schools and universities
- Healthcare facilities
- Mixed-use developments
Masters Co, for example, provides high-rise window cleaning across Perth for commercial, strata, corporate, government, hospitality and other multi-storey properties.
2. Ask How They Will Access Your Building
There is no single window-cleaning method that works for every high-rise building.
Depending on the property, a professional company may use:
- Rope access
- Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs)
- Building Maintenance Units (BMUs)
- Water-fed pole systems
- A combination of methods
The appropriate choice depends on factors such as building height, facade design, ground access, anchor infrastructure and the surrounding environment.
A good provider should therefore assess your property before deciding which method to use.
For a deeper explanation of the different approaches, see our guide to high-rise window cleaning methods in Perth.
3. Check Technician Qualifications
High-rise window cleaning involves working at height, so technician qualifications are an important consideration.
Ask what qualifications and training the team holds for the access method being proposed.
For example, rope access work requires appropriately trained and certified technicians. Masters Co’s high-rise team includes IRATA-certified rope access technicians, as well as qualified EWP and BMU operators.
Don’t hesitate to ask a provider:
- What qualifications do your technicians hold?
- Are your rope access technicians IRATA certified?
- Are EWP operators appropriately licensed?
- Are BMU operators trained for the systems they use?
- Who supervises high-risk access work?
A professional provider should be able to answer these questions clearly.
4. Check the Building’s Anchor Points
If rope access is being considered, the building’s anchor infrastructure is an important part of the assessment.
Rope access technicians need suitable anchor systems to safely access the facade.
The condition and certification status of those anchors can affect whether rope access is available for the building.
Masters Co also provides height safety certification and anchor point services for commercial buildings and strata properties, including anchor installation, load testing, certification and ongoing testing.
If your building has existing roof anchors, ask the cleaning company whether they need to be inspected or verified before work begins.
5. Look for a Proper Site Assessment
A high-rise window cleaning company should not treat every building the same way.
A proper assessment should consider factors such as:
Building Height
The height of the building helps determine which access systems may be suitable.
Facade Design
Recessed windows, balconies, overhangs, setbacks and other architectural features can affect access.
Ground Conditions
EWPs may require sufficient space and suitable ground conditions for safe operation.
Anchor Infrastructure
Existing anchor points can influence whether rope access can be used.
Building Occupancy
An occupied office, hotel or apartment building may require careful planning to minimise disruption.
Public Areas
Footpaths, entrances, roads and other areas around the building may need to be managed while work is underway.
Weather
Perth’s wind and weather conditions can affect when high-rise exterior work can safely take place. Masters Co specifically notes that coastal conditions and the Fremantle Doctor can influence scheduling and safe working windows.
6. Ask Whether They Have Multiple Access Options
A provider with more than one access capability may be better positioned to handle different building conditions.
For example, a company may use water-fed poles for suitable lower-level areas, an EWP for accessible mid-rise sections and rope access for areas where mechanical equipment cannot reach.
This flexibility can be particularly useful on complex buildings where different parts of the facade have different access requirements.
Masters Co operates across rope access, EWP, BMU and pure-water systems and selects the approach according to the building and work area.
7. Ask About Safety Procedures
Safety should be one of the first things you evaluate, not an afterthought.
Ask how the company manages:
- Work at height
- Rope access
- Anchor systems
- Public areas below the work zone
- Building occupants
- Weather conditions
- Equipment inspections
- Site-specific risks
- Emergency procedures
A reputable provider should be able to explain its safety approach without giving vague answers.
Masters Co states that safety is incorporated into its high-rise projects and that its team includes certified rope access, EWP and BMU operators.
8. Consider Whether the Team Is In-House
It is worth asking whether the technicians carrying out the work are part of the company’s own team or whether the project will be heavily subcontracted.
An in-house team can make communication and accountability more straightforward because the company is directly managing the technicians responsible for the work.
Masters Co states that its high-rise team is an in-house team of IRATA-certified rope access technicians, EWP operators and BMU operators.
9. Check Whether They Understand Your Building Type
Different buildings have different operational requirements.
For example, cleaning an occupied office tower may require careful scheduling around employees and visitors.
A hotel may have guests moving through entrances and public areas throughout the day.
A strata building may require coordination with residents and building management.
A shopping centre may need work planned around trading hours and customer access.
Ask whether the company has experience working on properties similar to yours.
10. Ask How They Minimise Disruption
High-rise window cleaning can involve technicians working above occupied spaces and public areas.
The provider should consider how the work will affect:
- Employees
- Residents
- Visitors
- Customers
- Vehicles
- Pedestrians
- Building access
Ask how the company plans to manage the work area and whether the cleaning schedule can be coordinated around your building’s operating requirements.
A well-planned project should balance safe access with minimal unnecessary disruption.
11. Look at Their Broader Building Maintenance Capability
Window cleaning is often only one part of maintaining a commercial building exterior.
A property may also require:
- Facade cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Facade inspections
- Building repairs
- Height safety inspections
- Anchor-point testing
Choosing a provider that understands these related requirements can make ongoing building maintenance easier to coordinate.
Masters Co provides high-rise window cleaning alongside facade maintenance, height safety and pressure washing services across Perth.
12. Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring
Before selecting a provider, ask:
What cleaning method do you recommend?
The company should explain why the proposed method suits your building.
Why is that method appropriate?
The answer should relate to your building’s height, design, access and surrounding conditions.
What qualifications do your technicians have?
Ask specifically about qualifications relevant to the proposed access system.
Are the building’s anchor points suitable?
This is particularly important if rope access is being considered.
How will you manage safety?
Ask about work-at-height procedures, public areas, weather and emergency planning.
How will the work affect building occupants?
A professional provider should have a plan for minimising disruption.
What happens if weather prevents the work?
Perth’s weather conditions can affect high-rise exterior work, so ask how weather-related changes are managed.
High-Rise Window Cleaning Questions to Ask Before Getting a Quote
Before requesting a proposal, it can help to prepare information about your building.
Provide details such as:
- Number of storeys
- Building type
- Approximate number of windows
- Exterior and interior requirements
- Existing anchor points
- Access restrictions
- Public areas around the building
- Preferred cleaning frequency
- Any known facade issues
The more information the provider has, the easier it is to understand the property’s requirements and recommend an appropriate approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a high-rise window cleaning company?
Choose a provider with high-rise experience, appropriately qualified technicians, suitable access equipment, strong safety procedures and experience with buildings similar to yours. The company should also assess your property before recommending a cleaning method.
What qualifications should high-rise window cleaners have?
The qualifications depend on the access method being used. For rope access, look for appropriately certified technicians, such as IRATA-certified personnel. EWP and BMU work also require relevant training and qualifications.
What is the best method for cleaning high-rise windows?
There is no single method that is best for every building. Rope access, EWPs, BMUs and water-fed systems may each be suitable depending on building height, facade design, ground access and other site conditions.
Why is a building assessment important before high-rise window cleaning?
A site assessment helps determine which access method can safely and effectively reach the building’s windows. It can also identify issues involving anchor points, facade design, ground access, occupants and surrounding public areas.
Can rope access be used on any high-rise building?
Rope access is highly versatile, but the building still needs suitable conditions and certified anchor infrastructure. A qualified provider should assess the building before confirming that rope access is appropriate.
How often should high-rise windows be cleaned in Perth?
The appropriate frequency depends on factors such as the building’s location, exposure, surrounding environment, building type and appearance requirements. A cleaning schedule should be based on the property’s specific needs rather than applying the same frequency to every building.
Should commercial window cleaning companies provide safety documentation?
For high-risk work at height, appropriate safety planning and documentation are important. Ask the provider what site-specific safety procedures and documentation will apply to your project.
Choosing the Right High-Rise Window Cleaning Company in Perth
Choosing a high-rise window cleaning company is about more than finding someone who can clean glass at height.
The right provider should understand your building, access requirements, safety considerations and operational environment.
Before making a decision, look for:
- Proven high-rise experience
- Qualified technicians
- Appropriate access systems
- Building-specific assessment
- Suitable anchor infrastructure
- Strong safety procedures
- Experience with similar properties
- Clear communication
- The ability to minimise disruption
If you are comparing providers, ask them to explain why their proposed cleaning method is suitable for your building, rather than simply asking what equipment they use.
For commercial, strata and high-rise properties, Masters Co’s high-rise window cleaning service provides access to IRATA-certified rope access technicians, EWP operators and BMU operators, with the cleaning approach selected according to the property and access requirements.
If you are ready to discuss your building’s requirements, contact Masters Co to arrange a site assessment or discuss your high-rise window cleaning needs.
