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Window Cleaning Services in the UK Industry Data and Analysis
Window cleaning services in the UK have faced rising cost pressures, with wage inflation and energy bills squeezing profit margins. The National Living Wage climbed by 6.7% in April 2025, pushing labour costs nearly 29% higher than in 2022. In London, the Real Living Wage now stands at £13.85, adding further pressure for window cleaners with city contracts. Many smaller businesses have struggled to absorb higher costs given their reliance on paid labour and the prevalence of fixed-price contracts. The peak in industrial electricity prices in March 2023, when average industrial tariffs hit 21.3 p per kWh according to DESNZ, made profitability especially difficult before easing in the second half of the year. As a result, profitability has steadily narrowed, with businesses finding little room to pass on cost hikes. However, major players are turning to automation and technology. For example, Principle Cleaning Services’ rollout of robotic cleaning solutions in 2025 has put it ahead of competitors, offering faster, more efficient service while protecting profits.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2015-2030. The most recent publication was released August 2025.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom operates under the SIC industry code N81.221. Companies in this industry clean exterior windows for both residential and non-residential markets. Other cleaning services do not fall under this industry. Related terms covered in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom include mobile elevating work platform, cradle and self-cleaning glass.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom include Reach and wash, Rope access and Hydraulic access and platform equipment.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom include Antac Support Services Ltd and Principle Cleaning Services Ltd.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom is £467.0m in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 2,475 businesses in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom?
The Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom?
The Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom are Antac Support Services Ltd and Principle Cleaning Services Ltd
What does the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom include?
Reach and wash and Rope access are part of the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom is Antac Support Services Ltd.
How competitive is the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Window Cleaning Services industry in the United Kingdom.
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