High-Rise Window Cleaning in Chicago
Towers, offices and condo buildings across the Loop and River North, cleaned to a written plan and on schedule.
Built For Building Managers
Skarda cleans glass that most crews won't take on: towers, atriums and new buildings at handover. Property managers hire us because the job runs on paper before anyone leaves the roof. You get a drop plan, a schedule your tenants can read, and a photo report when the last line comes down.
- Dropplans in writing
- Tenantnotices posted for you
- Photoreport after every job
High-Rise Window Cleaning Services
We pick the method for your building, not the other way around.
Rope Access Window Cleaning
Technicians descend on two independent lines from certified roof anchors. Fast and quiet, and normally used up to 300 feet, the height federal rules generally allow for rope descent work.
Request A BidSwing Stage & BMU Cleaning
For taller towers we run your building's own maintenance unit or rig a powered swing stage, with a trained operator on every shift.
Request A BidBoom Lift Window Cleaning
Lobbies, podium levels and low wings cleaned from a boom lift, with the sidewalk barricaded below.
Request A BidAtrium & Skylight Cleaning
Interior atrium walls and glass roofs rigged from above, scheduled around lobby hours.
Request A BidFacade & Frame Washing
Mullions, metal panels and frames washed with the glass, so the whole face of the building matches.
Request A BidPost-Construction Glass Cleaning
Labels, sealant smears, concrete splash and paint removed from new glass before handover.
Request A BidHow Every Drop Is Planned
No one goes over the edge until each of these is done.
Roof And Anchor Survey
We walk the roof with your engineer. Before any rope work, federal rules (OSHA 1910.27) require the building owner to confirm in writing that the anchors are tested and certified, so we ask for that letter first.
A Written Drop Plan
Every drop is mapped: where it starts, where the barricades go, which entrances stay open, and the wind limit for the day.
Notices And Permits
We post tenant notices, coordinate with your front desk and arrange any city permit needed to close the sidewalk.
Two Lines, Every Drop
Each technician hangs from a working line and a separate safety line, with a ground crew watching the area below.
Photo Report At The End
When the last line comes down you get photos of the finished elevations and any glass or seals we saw that need attention.
How We Reach Your Windows
The Paperwork Comes First
Certificates Same Day
Insurance certificates naming your building and management company, sent the day you ask.
Drop Plans Two Weeks Out
Your schedule, barricade plan and tenant notice arrive two weeks before the first drop.
Wind Calls By 6 AM
If the forecast passes our wind limit, you hear from us before your tenants start arriving.
Lake Wind Sets The Calendar
Chicago gives high-rise glass a short season and plenty of wind off the lake. Most buildings get a full clean in spring, once the winter salt and grime can come off, and another in fall before the cold. We book the year ahead with you, so your drops get the calm days instead of whatever is left.
- ✓Spring and fall cleans booked a year ahead
- ✓Interior and atrium work through winter
- ✓No drops in high wind or freezing rain
What Managers And Builders Say
Skarda sends the drop plan two weeks out, posts the tenant notices for us and tells me the morning of if the wind is going to push a day. In four seasons we've never had a complaint from the lobby or the street.
Our atrium glass hadn't been cleaned properly since the building opened. They rigged it on a Sunday, kept the lobby open on one side, and you can finally see the sky from the food court.
We hand over residential towers to condo boards. Skarda cleans every pane of new glass the week before closing, labels and sealant smears included, and sends a photo report we can attach to the turnover file.
Get A Drop Plan And A Bid
Send the address, the number of floors and how you reach the roof. We'll survey the building and return a written bid and plan.
High-Rise Window Cleaning Questions
How much does high-rise window cleaning cost?
It depends on the height, the amount of glass, how the roof is reached and which method the building needs, so every bid follows a roof survey. The survey is free, and the bid is a fixed price per cleaning.
How often should a high-rise have its windows cleaned?
Most Chicago office and condo towers clean exterior glass twice a year, in spring and fall. Street-level glass and lobbies usually need more often, which we can add as a lift or ground visit.
Do you work on ropes or swing stages?
Both, plus lifts. Rope access suits buildings up to 300 feet, the usual federal limit for rope descent work. Taller towers use the building's own maintenance unit or a powered swing stage we rig.
What do you need from the building?
Roof access, the anchor certification letter from the owner, a contact on site for each day, and a place to stage equipment. We handle tenant notices and barricades.
What happens if it's windy?
Every drop plan sets a wind limit. If the forecast passes it, we call you by 6 AM and move the day. Rescheduled weather days are never charged.
Are you insured?
Yes, with general liability, workers' compensation and umbrella coverage. We send certificates naming your building and management company on request.
Request A Bid
Tell us about the building. We'll set up a roof survey and send a written bid and drop plan.