Adelaide cost guide
Window Clean Cost in Adelaide (2026)
Windows are among the more variable add-ons to an Adelaide bond clean - the price depends on whether you need interior only or interior plus exterior, how many panes you have, and whether the property is single or 2-storey. This guide gives the real 2026 ranges, walks through what is and is not in scope, and covers the fly screens and tracks question (the items most often missed during a DIY clean and most often flagged at an exit inspection). The standard under s 69(3) RTA SA is 'reasonably clean' - not 'restaurant-front sparkling' - but the inside of windows, sills and tracks are squarely inside that standard.
TL;DR
- Standard 3-bed house interior + exterior: $60-$150. Per pane: $4-$10.
- Interior glass, sills and tracks are inside the standard bond clean scope. Exterior glass is a separate add-on for most operators.
- 2-storey properties or anything needing a ladder above 2.4m is quoted separately and is more expensive.
- Fly screens and tracks are the items most commonly missed and most often flagged. Insist on them being on the scope sheet.
Real ranges
What this actually costs in Adelaide (2026)
Fixed-price ranges from research into local Adelaide operators and renter forums. Pair the range with the factors below it - that is how you sanity-check any quote you receive.
| Item | Adelaide range |
|---|---|
| Interior only (3-bed house) | $40 - $90 |
| Interior + exterior (single storey 3-bed house) | $60 - $150 |
| Interior + exterior (4-bed house) | $100 - $200 |
| Interior + exterior (single storey, large home) | $130 - $250 |
| 2-storey loading (added to above) | $80 - $200 |
| Per pane (small to standard) | $4 - $10 |
| Per pane (large or sliding door) | $8 - $18 |
| Fly screens (per screen, removed and washed) | $5 - $12 |
| Tracks and sills (whole house, add-on) | $20 - $50 |
| Skylight (each) | $30 - $80 |
Sanity-check any quote
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What's in scope
What a fixed-price quote should cover
Independent cleaners in our network quote on this scope. If a quote excludes any of these items, ask why - and get the exclusion in writing before booking.
- Interior glass - all internal-facing window glass on the ground floor and accessible upper-floor windows (where the cleaner can stand on the floor or a small step ladder).
- Sills - the horizontal ledge below each window, wiped clear of dust, dead insects and accumulated grime.
- Tracks - the runners that sliding windows and doors travel in. Vacuumed first, then wiped with a damp cloth. This is the item most commonly missed during a DIY clean.
- Frames - the painted or aluminium surround of each window, wiped clean of marks and dust.
- Exterior glass (when included) - the outside-facing glass on the ground floor and easily accessible upper levels.
- Fly screens (when included) - removed, washed, dried and refitted. Easier when done outdoors with a hose.
- Internal mirrors and glass splashbacks - polished as part of the standard bond clean (already in scope at no extra cost).
- Skylights (when included) - the interior glass of any skylight, and the exterior where safely accessible.
- Written scope sheet naming the windows cleaned. Photos before and after are recommended for properties with a lot of glass.
What moves the price
The factors that push a quote up or down
Properties with the same bedroom count almost never quote the same. These are the factors that drive the gap.
- Total pane count. A small 3-bedroom unit might have 8-12 panes total; a large 4-bedroom house can have 30+. Most operators price by pane internally and bundle to a fixed quote for the property.
- Single storey vs 2-storey. A 2-storey property adds a loading of $80-$200 because the cleaner needs a taller ladder, additional safety setup, and longer time. Anything needing access above 2.4m is quoted separately.
- Exterior accessibility. Tight side passages, raised gardens against the house, balconies with no clear access - all add time.
- Fly screens. Standard sliding-window fly screens are quick to wash. Hinged casement screens and security-grade screens take longer.
- Tracks and sills condition. Lightly dusty: standard. Caked with dead insects and dust after a long tenancy: an extra $20-$50 for the whole house.
- Skylights. Often not on the standard window-clean quote. Confirm in writing if you have them.
- Glass type. Standard float glass quotes standard. Frosted, leadlight, stained-glass and very large picture windows take longer.
- Same-day with the bond clean. Often a small saving (no separate call-out).
Avoid quote traps
The traps that turn a $300 quote into a $450 bill
Every item below is a real pattern seen in the Adelaide market. Insist on a fixed written quote that names the property and the scope.
- 'Windows included' in a bond clean that turns out to mean only the interior. Confirm whether interior plus exterior is in scope or whether exterior is an add-on.
- Per-pane pricing without a pane count. If the cleaner quotes 'per pane' but hasn't counted, you are signing a blank cheque. Ask for the pane count in the written quote.
- 2-storey at the same price as single storey. The 2-storey loading is real - if a quote ignores it, the cleaner is going to renegotiate when they arrive and see the height.
- Tracks not on the scope sheet. The most common item flagged by agents and the most commonly skipped by cleaners cutting corners. Insist on tracks being explicitly listed.
- Fly screens treated as a surprise add-on. They are usually $5-$12 each. If they are not in the quote, get them added in writing before booking.
- 'Exterior windows from $X' on a multi-storey property. Confirm the price includes the upper-floor glass and the necessary access equipment - not just the ground floor.
DIY or pay a cleaner?
The honest call against the s 69(3) standard
Interior glass is generally fine to DIY with a microfibre cloth, a squeegee and a bucket of water and a tiny amount of dish soap - allow yourself 2-4 hours for a 3-bedroom house. Where DIY tends to fall short is in 3 places: the tracks (which need vacuuming first and then a damp toothbrush in the corners), the fly screens (which need removing, washing outdoors and re-fitting), and the exterior glass on a 2-storey property (which is a genuine ladder safety question, not a cost-saving exercise). For a single-storey house with light dirt, DIY saves you $60-$100 and is realistic. For a 2-storey house, paying $150-$250 for a professional with proper ladders is much cheaper than an emergency room trip or a missed exterior pane that the agent flags. The /services/window-clean page covers the full scope and where DIY runs out of room. Either way, the windows sit within the s 69(3) 'reasonably clean' standard - they are inspected, they get flagged when they are not done, and a scoped invoice with photos is your best evidence if it ends up disputed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a window clean cost in Adelaide for end of lease?
Adelaide 2026 ranges: $40-$90 for interior only on a standard 3-bed house, $60-$150 for interior + exterior on a single-storey 3-bed house, $100-$200 for a 4-bed house, and a 2-storey loading of $80-$200 on top. Per-pane pricing is typically $4-$10 for standard panes and $8-$18 for large panes or sliding doors. Fly screens are usually $5-$12 each.
Are windows included in the standard bond clean?
Interior glass, sills, tracks and frames are usually included in the standard bond clean (no extra cost). Exterior glass is a separate add-on for most Adelaide operators. Fly screens are sometimes included and sometimes an add-on. Confirm exactly what is in scope in the written quote before booking - 'windows included' without a definition is ambiguous.
Why does a 2-storey property cost so much more?
There are 3 reasons. First, the cleaner needs an extension ladder rated for upper-floor work. Second, safety setup time (footing the ladder, securing tools, working at height) is significantly longer. Third, insurance and risk - falls from a 2-storey work above 2.4m have a regulatory profile that adds cost. Expect a 2-storey loading of $80-$200 on top of the single-storey quote.
Do tracks really matter that much?
Yes. The tracks are the single most commonly flagged item from window scope at Adelaide exit inspections, because they are also the single most commonly skipped item during a DIY clean. Dust, dead insects and accumulated grime collect in tracks across a tenancy. The s 69(3) 'reasonably clean' standard does not require gleaming tracks but it does require them cleared of obvious build-up. Insist on tracks being explicitly listed on the scope sheet.
What about fly screens?
Fly screens are removable mesh panels on most Adelaide rental windows. They collect dust and pollen across a tenancy and are also a commonly-flagged item. A standard fly screen wash means lifting the screen out, hosing or wiping it down, drying and refitting. Most operators charge $5-$12 per screen as an add-on. If you have 10+ screens, that adds $50-$120 to the quote - worth getting in writing in advance, not as a surprise on the day.
Can I DIY the windows and pay only for the rest of the bond clean?
Yes. For a single-storey property with light dust, interior windows are realistic to DIY in 2-4 hours with a microfibre cloth and squeegee. Tracks need a vacuum and then a damp cloth in the corners. Fly screens need lifting out and washing outdoors. Where DIY breaks down is on 2-storey exterior glass - that is a real ladder safety question and a fall would cost you far more than the $150 you would save. If you DIY: photograph every window after cleaning for your records.
What happens if the agent flags the windows after I've paid for a clean?
Compare what was flagged against the scope on your written invoice. If the items were inside scope (interior glass, sills, tracks, exterior glass if included), contact the cleaner - many independent Adelaide cleaners offer a free re-clean within 48-72 hours. If the items were outside scope (exterior on a 2-storey, fly screens that were not booked), the question is whether they were 'reasonably clean' under s 69(3). Take dated photos and consider the /guides/what-to-do-if-your-agent-rejects-the-clean guide.
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