Frequently Asked Questions For Our Cleaning Services

How much does it cost to clean the windows on a Toronto home?

Most residential window cleaning jobs in the GTA fall between roughly $200 and $600, depending on the number of windows, the height of your home, whether you want interior, exterior, or both, and add-ons like screens and tracks. Because every property is different, we provide a free, no-obligation quote based on your address and a quick description of the job. Get a free quote in under a minute, or call us at (416) 949-3874.

What exterior cleaning services do you offer?

We’re a full-service exterior cleaning company serving Toronto and the GTA. Our core services are interior and exterior window cleaning, eavestrough (gutter) cleaning, pressure washing, gutter guard installation, roof cleaning, deck cleaning, IPE deck cleaning, and exterior painting. Most customers bundle two or more services in a single visit to save time.

Do you serve my area?

Yes — likely. We serve Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including major areas such as Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and surrounding communities. Not sure if you’re in our area? Send us your address and we’ll confirm within the day.

Are you insured and WSIB-covered?

Yes — we carry $5 million in liability insurance and full WSIB coverage. Every member of our team also goes through ladder, harness, and working-at-heights safety training before stepping onto a customer’s property. That protects you, your home, and our crew.

How often should I have my windows and gutters cleaned?

Most Toronto homeowners book window cleaning once or twice a year (spring and fall) and eavestrough cleaning at least once a year in late fall after the leaves drop. Homes with mature trees, west-facing windows that get heavy pollen, or properties near construction often benefit from a second visit. We can recommend a cadence after your first service.

Can I book multiple services in one visit?

Absolutely — and we encourage it. Bundling services like window cleaning + eavestrough cleaning, or pressure washing + deck cleaning, in a single visit usually saves you money and keeps your home’s whole exterior on the same maintenance schedule. Just let us know which services you’re interested in when you request a quote.

Do I need to be home during the service?

No. For most exterior-only jobs you don’t need to be home — we just need access to outdoor taps and any gates. For interior window cleaning, someone 18+ does need to be home to let our team in. We’ll always confirm arrival times in advance and text when our crew is on the way.

What's your satisfaction guarantee?

We back every job with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If something isn’t right when we leave, let us know and we’ll come back and fix it — no charge, no hassle. We’d rather hear about a missed spot than have you leave a less-than-perfect review.

How quickly can you book me in?

In peak season (April through November) we typically book one to three weeks out. Off-season jobs are usually scheduled within a week. If you have a hard deadline — a real estate listing, a party, a move-in date — let us know and we’ll prioritize your booking.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes, every quote is free and there’s no obligation. For most services we can quote remotely using your address, photos, and a short description. For larger or unusual jobs we may schedule a quick on-site visit.

How do I get a quote from Shine Windows?

The fastest way is our online quote form — just fill in your address and the services you’re interested in, and we’ll send you a written quote, usually the same business day. You can also call us at (416) 949-3874 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., or weekends 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Are your quotes flat-rate or hourly?

Quotes are flat-rate based on the scope of your home and the services you choose. You know the full price before we begin work — no surprise add-ons, no “we found extra grime so it’s now double.” If we run into something genuinely out of scope, we’ll stop and discuss it with you before doing any extra work.

How is window cleaning priced?

Window cleaning is priced based on the number of window panes, the height/storeys of your home, and whether you want interior, exterior, or both. Add-ons like screens, tracks, sills, and skylights are quoted separately. For a typical 2-storey Toronto home, exterior-only cleaning starts around $200–$300 full interior + exterior + tracks runs higher.

How is gutter cleaning priced?

Gutter cleaning is priced based on the linear footage of your eavestroughs and the height of your roof. Two-storey homes cost more than bungalows because of the equipment and safety setup involved. Most GTA homes fall in the $200–$450 range. We can usually quote from your address alone.

Do you charge a service-call or travel fee?

No travel fees within our standard GTA service area. There’s no charge to receive a quote, and no minimum order for most services — though for very small jobs in outer areas we may suggest bundling services to make the trip worthwhile.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Interac e-Transfer, and cheque. Payment is collected after the job is complete and you’ve confirmed you’re happy with the work.

Do you require a deposit?

For most residential jobs, no deposit is required — you pay after we finish. For larger projects like exterior painting or full-home gutter guard installation, we may collect a small deposit to confirm scheduling.

Can I reschedule or cancel my appointment?

Yes. Life happens — just give us at least 24 hours’ notice and there’s no cancellation fee. For same-day cancellations during peak season, we may apply a small fee since we’ve already committed the crew slot.

Do you clean both inside and outside windows?

Yes. We clean exterior windows, interior windows, or both — your call. Many customers do exterior-only in the spring and a full interior + exterior in the fall. We also clean window tracks, sills, and screens as optional add-ons.

Do you clean screens and window tracks?

Yes. Screens are removed, gently hand-washed, dried, and re-installed. Tracks and sills are vacuumed and wiped down. These are usually offered as low-cost add-ons to a window cleaning service rather than standalone jobs.

Will you clean hard-to-reach or third-storey windows?

Yes. Our team is trained and equipped for working at heights with ladders, harnesses, and water-fed pole systems. We can safely reach most third-storey windows and skylights on residential homes. If your home has unique access challenges, send us a photo when you request a quote.

What's the difference between traditional squeegee cleaning and water-fed pole cleaning?

Both produce streak-free windows, but they’re suited to different situations. Squeegees give the best finish on accessible windows and are what we use for most interior and reachable exterior glass. Water-fed poles use purified water and extendable poles, which is safer and faster for higher exterior windows where ladder access is difficult. Our team chooses the right method for each window on your home.

Do you remove hard water stains or mineral deposits?

Standard window cleaning removes dirt, dust, pollen, and grime. Hard water stains, mineral deposits, and paint overspray require a specialty restoration treatment, which we offer as an add-on. Severity matters — early-stage stains usually come out cleanly, while years-old etching may only be reduced, not eliminated. We’ll always assess and tell you what to realistically expect before doing the work.

Will window cleaning damage my windows or seals?

No. Our team is trained to clean gently and avoid pressure on seals, caulking, or older glass. We use pure water and professional-grade squeegees — no harsh chemicals that could degrade window film or tinting.

How long will my windows stay clean?

Realistically, exterior windows look great for about three to six months in Toronto, depending on weather, pollen, nearby trees, and construction. Interior windows can stay clean for a year or more in a well-maintained home.

Do you clean windows in the rain?

Light rain doesn’t affect quality — our cleaning solutions and squeegee technique work fine in light precipitation, and rain itself is just water (it’s the dust on the window before the rain that causes streaks). For heavy rain or thunderstorms we reschedule. Our policy: if it’s not clean when we leave, we come back free of charge.

Can you clean commercial windows or storefronts?

Yes — we offer commercial window cleaning for buildings under 4 storeys, including offices, storefronts, restaurants, and low-rise commercial buildings across the GTA.

What does eavestrough cleaning include?

Our gutter cleaning service removes all leaves, twigs, shingle granules, and debris from inside your eavestroughs, flushes the troughs and downspouts with water to confirm proper flow, and bags up the debris for disposal. We also take before-and-after photos so you can see the work — especially helpful if you can’t safely get up on a ladder yourself.

How often should gutters be cleaned in Toronto?

At minimum once a year, typically in late fall after most leaves have dropped. Homes surrounded by mature maples, oaks, or pines often need a second cleaning in spring to clear out helicopter seeds, pollen sheaths, and shingle grit. Skipping cleanings is the #1 cause of ice damming and basement water issues in Toronto-area homes.

What happens if I never clean my gutters?

Clogged eavestroughs back up water against your fascia and roof edge, which can cause rot, mold, ice dams in winter, foundation cracks, and basement leaks. Clogs also become nesting sites for pests. Regular cleaning is one of the cheapest preventive-maintenance items you can do for your home.

Do you clean the outside of the gutters too?

Yes, we offer “gutter face” cleaning as an add-on — removing the tiger-striping and oxidation streaks that build up on the exterior of aluminum eavestroughs. It’s a small upgrade that makes a big visual difference, especially if you’re doing it alongside window cleaning.

Do you do interior gutter cleaning from inside the attic?

No — eavestroughs are cleaned from outside, accessed by ladder or roof. “Interior” cleaning refers to cleaning inside the gutter channel, which is included in our standard service.

Can clogged gutters really cause basement leaks?

Yes. When water can’t drain through downspouts, it overflows the eavestroughs and pools right next to your foundation. Toronto’s freeze-thaw cycle then forces that water into hairline cracks, which expand each winter. Clean gutters and properly extended downspouts are the cheapest foundation-protection insurance you can buy.

Will you check my downspouts too?

Always. Cleaning the troughs is only useful if the downspouts actually drain. We flush each downspout with water, clear blockages, and let you know if any extensions are damaged or pointing back toward the house.

What surfaces can you pressure wash?

We pressure wash driveways, walkways, patios, interlock, concrete, stone, brick, vinyl siding, fences, decks, garage floors, and pool decks. For surfaces that can’t handle high pressure — like some types of soft wood or older siding — we use a gentler “soft wash” technique with detergents that does the job without damage.

What's the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to physically blast away dirt, moss, and grime — perfect for hard surfaces like concrete and stone. Soft washing uses low pressure plus specialized biodegradable cleaning solutions to safely remove algae, mildew, and stains from delicate surfaces like roofing, painted siding, and older wood. We choose the right method for each surface — both are part of our service.

Will pressure washing damage my interlock or driveway?

Not when it’s done correctly. Improper technique can blow polymeric sand out of interlock joints or etch concrete, which is why technique and equipment matter. After interlock washing we recommend re-sanding the joints, and we offer this as an add-on service.

Can pressure washing remove oil stains from my driveway?

We can significantly lighten or fully remove most oil stains using a degreaser pre-treatment and hot-water pressure washing. Set-in or very old stains may not come out 100% — we’ll give you a realistic expectation when we quote.

Does pressure washing kill weeds and moss?

The hot water and pressure remove existing moss and weeds at the surface, and we can apply a treatment that prevents regrowth for several months. For permanent prevention, we recommend pairing pressure washing with re-sanding or sealing.

How often should I pressure wash my driveway or deck?

Most surfaces benefit from a wash once a year, ideally in spring or early summer. Driveways with heavy tree cover or north-facing decks with limited sun may need it every six months because they grow algae and moss faster.

Do you bring your own water?

We use water from your outdoor tap, which is the industry standard. If your tap isn’t working or you’re on a property without one, let us know in advance — we can sometimes arrange alternatives.

What are gutter guards and how do they work?

Gutter guards (also called leaf guards or gutter covers) are protective panels installed over your eavestroughs that let water in while keeping leaves, twigs, and debris out. They drastically reduce how often you need to clean your gutters and prevent most clog-related water damage.

Are gutter guards worth it in Toronto?

For most homes with even a few mature trees nearby, yes. Toronto’s mix of maples, oaks, and conifers drops a heavy debris load every fall, and gutter guards can cut annual maintenance from two cleanings a year down to a quick check. The system typically pays for itself in 3–5 years through saved cleaning costs alone, plus you avoid the bigger costs of water damage and ice damming.

What type of gutter guards do you install?

We install premium-grade micro-mesh stainless steel gutter guards — the type that keeps out even fine debris like pine needles and shingle grit, not just large leaves. They’re attached securely to your existing eavestroughs and rated to last decades.

Do gutter guards still need to be cleaned?

Far less often. Debris doesn’t get inside the gutter, but a small amount can sit on top — usually rinsed off by the next rain or wind. We recommend a visual check once a year, which most homeowners can do from the ground.

Will gutter guards damage my roof or void my warranty?

Our gutter guards are installed in a way that does not lift shingles or interfere with your roofline, so they won’t void shingle warranties from major manufacturers. We’re happy to discuss your specific roof setup before installation.

How long does installation take?

Most homes are completed in a single day. Larger or more complex homes (multiple roof sections, dormers, complex angles) may take longer — we’ll give you a clear time estimate in the quote.

Do gutter guards come with a warranty?

Yes. The product itself carries a manufacturer warranty (typically decades), and our installation is backed by our own workmanship guarantee. We’ll provide full warranty details with your quote.

Why does my roof have black streaks?

Those dark streaks are almost always a type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma, which feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles. It’s extremely common on north-facing and shaded roofs in the GTA. Beyond looking dirty, the algae actually shortens shingle life by holding moisture against the roof.

Will roof cleaning damage my shingles?

Not when it’s done properly. We use a low-pressure soft-wash method with shingle-safe cleaning solutions — never high-pressure washing, which can strip granules and void manufacturer warranties. Our process is approved by major shingle manufacturers and extends the life of your roof rather than shortening it.

How long do the results last?

A professionally soft-washed roof typically stays clean for three to six years, depending on tree cover, shade, and roof orientation. For longer-lasting results we can apply a preventive treatment that helps inhibit regrowth.

Can you remove moss from my roof?

Yes. We treat and remove moss using a soft-wash process that kills the moss at the root, allowing it to be safely removed without damaging shingles. Heavy moss buildup may require a follow-up visit after the initial treatment to fully clear.

Is roof cleaning safer than DIY?

Significantly. Roof work is one of the leading causes of homeowner injury — combining heights, slope, and slippery surfaces. Our team is trained and equipped with proper fall protection, and we’re WSIB-covered, so there’s no liability on you if something goes wrong.

Will roof cleaning help my home sell?

Yes — a clean roof is one of the highest-ROI curb-appeal upgrades for a real estate listing. Many buyers (and home inspectors) interpret black-streaked roofs as a sign of bigger maintenance issues, even when the shingles themselves are fine.

What does deck cleaning include?

We pressure wash or soft wash your deck to remove dirt, algae, mildew, and weathered grey buildup, leaving the wood ready for staining or sealing. We work carefully around railings, planters, and adjacent siding to avoid damage.

Should I clean my deck before staining or just have it re-stained?

Always clean first. Stain and sealer won’t bond properly to a dirty surface — you’ll get streaky absorption, premature peeling, and uneven color. A proper cleaning before staining is the difference between a job that lasts five years and one that lasts one.

Do you stain or seal decks as well?

Yes — our sister service The Deck People handles staining, sealing, and refinishing. We often bundle cleaning + staining as a single project.

What about IPE or other exotic hardwood decks?

IPE and similar dense hardwoods need a specialized cleaning and oiling process — standard deck cleaning techniques can actually damage them. We offer dedicated IPE deck cleaning and maintenance for these surfaces.

How long after cleaning can I stain my deck?

Most decks need 48–72 hours of dry weather to fully dry before staining. Damp wood traps moisture under the stain, which causes peeling.

What surfaces do you paint?

We handle exterior trim, siding, doors, eavestrough fascia, soffits, garage doors, and full-home exteriors. For most homes the work involves prep (scraping, sanding, washing), priming where needed, and two coats of premium exterior paint.

Do you prep the surface before painting?

Yes — proper prep is what separates a paint job that lasts 10 years from one that peels in two. Standard prep includes pressure washing, scraping loose paint, sanding rough areas, spot-priming bare wood, and caulking gaps. We never paint over dirty or peeling surfaces.

How long does exterior paint typically last?

With proper prep and quality paint, exterior surfaces in the GTA typically hold up well for 7–10 years on siding and 5–7 years on trim and doors (which take more weather exposure). South-facing surfaces fade faster than north-facing ones.

Can you paint in the fall or winter?

We paint exteriors from late spring through early fall, when temperatures and humidity are right for the paint to cure properly. We don’t paint in cold or freezing weather because the finish suffers. Interior painting is available year-round.

Do you work with commercial properties?

Yes — we serve offices, storefronts, restaurants, plazas, and low-rise commercial buildings under 4 storeys throughout the GTA. We offer scheduled monthly, quarterly, and seasonal cleaning contracts as well as one-time jobs.

Do you offer recurring maintenance contracts?

Yes. Many commercial clients and larger estate properties prefer scheduled recurring service — monthly, quarterly, or seasonal — for predictable budgeting and consistent appearance. We’ll build a custom maintenance schedule and lock in pricing for the year.

What is your estate cleaning service?

Our Estate Cleaning Service is designed for larger residential properties that need coordinated full-exterior maintenance — windows, gutters, pressure washing, deck care, and seasonal touch-ups handled by a dedicated crew on a recurring schedule, with one point of contact.

Can you provide proof of insurance for property managers?

Absolutely. We can email a Certificate of Insurance and WSIB clearance certificate before the job begins — required by many condo boards and property management companies.

Which cities do you serve in the GTA?

We serve Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, including major areas such as Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, and surrounding communities. Not sure if you’re in our area? Send us your address and we’ll confirm within the day.

What are your business hours?

We’re open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for quotes and scheduling. On-site service usually runs during daylight hours.

How far in advance should I book?

For spring and fall (our busiest seasons), we recommend booking two to three weeks ahead. For mid-summer or winter projects, a few days’ notice is typically enough. If you have a hard deadline, tell us — we’ll do our best to fit you in.

Do you work on weekends?

We schedule limited weekend appointments for customers who can’t be home during weekdays. Weekend slots fill up quickly, so book early if that’s what you need.

What happens if it rains on the day of my service?

Light rain is fine for most exterior cleaning — it doesn’t affect window cleaning quality and actually helps with rinsing during pressure washing. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, or freezing conditions mean we reschedule, free of charge. We’ll text you the morning of the appointment if we need to move it.

Do you offer seasonal or recurring service plans?

Yes. Many customers set up a “spring and fall” plan that automatically schedules window cleaning in May and full window + gutter service in late October. It’s a small discount compared to one-off bookings, and you never have to remember to call.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes, 100% satisfaction guarantee. If anything isn’t right when we leave, contact us within 7 days and we’ll come back to fix it free of charge. We’d rather come back than have an unhappy customer.

What if it rains right after you clean my windows?

Clean rainwater on a clean window doesn’t cause streaks, that’s a myth. Streaks happen when rain hits dirt or pollen on a window. That said, if heavy rain immediately after a clean leaves visible spots, let us know within 48 hours and we’ll come back and re-clean affected windows free of charge. One common culprit is clogged gutters, so when water spills over, it can spray dirty water onto your windows.

What if you accidentally damage something on my property?

We carry $5 million in liability insurance specifically to protect you. In the rare case anything is damaged, we file a claim and make it right, no out-of-pocket cost to you. WSIB also covers our team, so you have zero injury liability.

Are your products safe for pets, kids, and gardens?

Yes. We use professional-grade cleaning solutions that are fully biodegradable and rinse cleanly. We rinse landscaping near work areas before and after to dilute any runoff, and we ask that pets and kids stay clear of active work zones during the service itself.

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