London · Surrey · Kent · Sussex
Rope access window cleaning for buildings other methods can't reach.
We clean glass and facades on high-rise, hard-to-reach and awkward buildings across London and the South East by abseil: no scaffolding, no cradle and no cherry picker blocking the street. We also test anchors, inspect facades and carry out repairs at height.
- Commercial and residential buildings
- One-off cleans or planned schedules
- Anchor testing alongside cleaning
- Written quote and RAMS before work
Services
One team for the outside of your building
Once our technicians are on ropes they can do more than clean. Combining cleaning, anchor checks and facade work in one visit saves you separate access costs and disruption.
- 01Commercial window cleaningOffices, mixed-use and high-rise buildings
- 02Residential window cleaningApartment blocks and hard-to-reach homes
- 03Safety system testing & inspectionAnchors, eyebolts and fall protection
- 04Facade inspectionsClose-up condition surveys by rope access
- 05Maintenance & repairs at heightSmall works without scaffolding
Choosing an access method
When rope access is the right answer, and when it isn't
The right method depends on height, the shape of the building and what's below it. Here is a plain comparison of the four common options.
| Method | Best suited to | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Rope access (abseil) | Mid- and high-rise buildings, curtain walling, atriums, buildings over busy streets or with no ground access | Needs certified roof anchors and safe roof access; weather-dependent in high wind |
| Water-fed pole | Low-rise buildings, usually up to about four or five storeys, cleaned from the ground | Reach is limited; less effective on heavy soiling and frames high up |
| Cherry picker / MEWP | Low-to-mid height elevations with firm, level ground in front | Needs hardstanding and often road space or permits; ground-level disruption |
| Cradle / BMU | Tall buildings that already have a building maintenance unit installed | Only possible where installed; maintenance and downtime costs |
More detail in our guide: rope access vs cherry picker vs cradle.
How it works
A straightforward process, documented at every step
- 01
Tell us about the building
Send the address, the services you need and any photos. We'll ask about roof access and anchors.
- 02
Survey & written quote
Where needed we survey the roof and anchors, then send a fixed written quote with the scope clearly set out.
- 03
RAMS & scheduling
We issue a risk assessment and method statement and agree dates, times and any resident or tenant notices.
- 04
Work & report
The team completes the work and confirms what was done, noting any defects or anchor issues found.
What to ask any rope access contractor
Whoever you appoint, these documents should be available before anyone goes over the edge of your roof. Ask us for ours with your quote.
- Rope access technician certificates (for example IRATA or SPRAT) for the people on your job, in date
- A site-specific risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) before work starts
- A rescue plan, and a named supervisor on site
- Evidence that the anchors being used have a current inspection record
- Public and employers' liability insurance certificates
- Clear scope: which elevations, which glass and frames, and what is excluded
Read more about how we plan and carry out work at height.
Areas covered
London and the South East
Greater London is our primary area, covering offices, mixed-use buildings and residential blocks across the boroughs. We also cover commercial and residential buildings in Surrey, Kent and Sussex.
Who we work with
Built around the people responsible for buildings
Our services are built for the people responsible for buildings: managing agents, facilities managers, residents' management companies and building owners. We work to your access rules, permits and resident or tenant notices.
Managing agents & block managers
Planned cleaning of residential blocks, with notices for residents.
Facilities managers
Cleaning, anchor certificates and facade checks under one contractor.
Office & commercial landlords
Clean glazing that reflects well on the building and its tenants.
Residents' management companies
Clear, fixed quotes you can put to the board.
Hotels, retail & leisure
Work timed around guests and opening hours.
Schools & public buildings
Work scheduled for holidays and out of hours.
FAQs
Rope access window cleaning, explained
Short answers to the questions we're asked most. See the full FAQ page for more.
What is rope access window cleaning?
Rope access (often called abseil window cleaning) is a way of reaching windows and facades from above. Technicians descend from certified roof anchors on two independent ropes, a working line and a back-up safety line, and clean as they go. It needs no scaffolding, no cradle and no vehicle on the pavement, which makes it well suited to tall or awkwardly shaped buildings.
Is abseiling safe for window cleaning?
When it is planned and carried out properly, yes. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require work at height to be planned, supervised and done by competent people. For rope access that means trained technicians, a site-specific risk assessment and method statement, a rescue plan, and anchors with a current inspection record. Ask any contractor, including us, to show you these before work starts.
Which buildings is rope access best for?
Buildings that are too tall for water-fed poles, have no building maintenance unit (cradle), or have no safe ground space for a cherry picker. That includes office blocks, apartment buildings, atriums, curtain-wall glazing and buildings over busy streets. On low-rise buildings a water-fed pole from the ground is often the better choice, and we'll say so.
How much does rope access window cleaning cost?
There is no fixed price per window because every building is different. The main factors are the number of drops (vertical runs from the roof), the height, how the roof is reached, the condition of the glass and how often you book. Regular contracts usually cost less per visit than one-off cleans. We provide a written quote after looking at the building.
Do my roof anchors need to be tested before you can abseil?
Yes. Anchors used for rope access must be inspected by a competent person at regular intervals and have a record to show it. If your anchors have no current certificate, we can arrange an inspection and test before or alongside the cleaning visit.
Which areas do you cover?
We work across London and the surrounding counties of Surrey, Kent and Sussex. Tell us the postcode when you ask for a quote and we'll confirm availability.
Need the glass cleaned or the anchors checked?
Send us the address and what you need. We'll reply with questions or a written quote.