Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for window cleaning companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Crystal Clear Window Cleaning, the key to keeping customers happy is simple: tailor its services to meet their specific needs. “We don’t have set prices, which means we offer personalized service that’s customized to each property,” says owner Raul Carrera. “Our clients really appreciate that because we’re able to focus on exactly what they want to achieve.”

Crystal Clear Window Cleaning has been cleaning all types of residential, commercial and high-rise properties throughout the Bay Area since 1980. In addition to its interior and exterior window cleaning expertise, the company has the training and equipment to pressure wash surfaces, remove graffiti, clean gutters, perform bird abatement, and more.

Unlike window cleaning companies whose owners delegate project management responsibilities to less experienced employees, Crystal Clear Window Cleaning provides every job with the hands-on expertise of Mr. Carrera himself. “We’re a small company, so I go to 99 percent of our jobs and work on them myself, which means I can ensure a meticulous, detail-oriented approach,” he explains. “By doing everything correctly the first time, I can make sure each customer is completely satisfied with our service.”

Ultimately, Mr. Carrera sees Crystal Clear Window Cleaning’s customer-oriented business practices as its most important attributes. “We get a lot of word-of-mouth referrals and want to continue receiving those, so customer service is very important to us,” he affirms. “And it’s not just for the referrals—our goal is to build a rapport with every customer and maintain a long-term relationship with them so they think of us whenever they need quality work.”

Keep your windows clean and protected between professional cleanings.

Even if you regularly hire a professional to keep your windows clean, there will still be times when you need to spot clean them on your own, so it’s important to use products that will protect them until your next appointment. In general, try to avoid using products that contain ammonia, abrasive additives or chemical components, as they can damage window glass, seals and frames. Mild dishwashing soap is a good way to clean your windows between professional cleanings. It’s inexpensive and readily available, and it doesn’t have harsh chemicals that can cause windows to fail.

You may be tempted to spray your exterior windows with a garden hose, but experts caution against that. Spraying water on your windows with a hose will cause water spots, and when minerals in water dry on windows, they leave ugly spots that are hard to remove. In fact, these water spots and mineral deposits can make future window cleaning services more expensive because removal can require the use of special cleaning solutions.

Here are some other ways you can protect your windows between professional cleanings:

• Use a squeegee or cloth strip applicator rather than wadded up newspaper, paper towels, or cloths to prevent moving dirt particles and putting a static charge on the glass, which can attract more dust.
• Use a window cleaning solution that doesn’t attract dust, fingerprints and smudges.
• Ask your window washer to apply a glass sealant or barrier to help your windows repel water and dirt.
• Don’t try to remove mold, stains, discoloration or water spots on your own. Heavy duty cleaners, abrasive pads and cleaning tools can permanently damage your windows.
• Use exhaust fans when bathing or cooking. Ceiling fans can help circulate air and prevent moisture from becoming trapped inside and forming condensation.

Q: How long will it take to complete my job?

A: It depends on the extent of the work, but most jobs take three to six hours to complete.

Q: Can you provide an estimate before work begins?

A: Yes, but it usually takes two or three days until we can deliver an estimate. We can look at your home on Google Earth to determine how much work needs to be done, but if we can’t see certain parts of the structure, we’ll need to schedule an in-person estimate.

Q: What type of equipment will you use on my property?

A: Every building and structure requires different equipment, so it depends on your specific situation, but we have everything from ladders and Tucker poles to boatswain’s chairs and lifts, so we’ll be able to bring the right equipment for your job.

Q: Where do you get your water?

A: We carry 300 gallons of water in our service trucks, but we can also tap into a fire hydrant near your home or use another external water source.

Q: Do you use Green cleaning products?

A: Yes, we use Green products whenever possible. However, there are certain instances when we have to use stronger chemicals, like when we’re cleaning concrete.

Q: Can pressure washing remove graffiti without removing surface paint?

A: It depends on the type and condition of the surface being considered for pressure washing. We can do an assessment of your property to determine if graffiti removal is possible.