WINDOW CLEANERS · PAYMENT LINKS
How Window Cleaners Get Paid in the UK
A real-world breakdown of how solo window cleaners collect their money, from evening collections and messy bank transfers to using simply payment links from the van.
Ask any window cleaner what the worst part of the job is, and they will usually say collecting the money. You do the hard work climbing ladders and dragging hoses, only to spend your Friday evenings knocking on doors in the dark or scrolling through your banking app trying to match random payments to specific houses.
Every round is different. Some customers still prefer leaving a tenner under the doormat. Others want your sort code. A lot of modern window cleaners have moved away from physical collections entirely, opting to just drop a link to the customer's phone the second they put the pole back in the van.
This isn't about forcing every customer into one box. It's about knowing the pros and cons of each method so you can stop wasting hours of your own free time just trying to get what you are owed.
Here is a breakdown of the four main ways window cleaners collect their cash today, and what happens when you actually rely on them on an estate.
Part of the Window Cleaners Payment Links Guide Series
For the full picture on managing payments, late chasers, and deposits, jump back to the pillar guide: Payment Links for Window Cleaners: Complete UK Guide .
The 4 Ways Window Cleaners Actually Collect Money
Most solo operators end up using a mix of these. The trick is knowing which ones are dragging you down and which ones speed the round up.
In this guide, getting paid refers to the exact methods window cleaners use to collect money after completing a regular round or a one-off job.
1. Cash (Evening Collections)
The traditional way. You leave a paper slip through the letterbox to tell them you've cleaned, and then you have to go back later in the week when they are home from work to get the money. Or they leave it hidden in a bin.
Pros
- Physical money in your hand instantly.
- Some older clients strictly prefer it.
Cons
- You are driving back to houses at 7 PM for a tenner.
- If they aren't home, you've wasted your petrol.
2. Direct Bank Transfers (BACS)
You print your account number and sort code on your delivery slips. The customer logs into their banking app later on and transfers the £15. It means you don't have to knock on the door, but it creates a massive admin headache later.
Pros
- You don't have to go back to the street in the evening.
- Money goes straight into your business account.
Cons
- Customers constantly promise "I'll do it tonight" and forget.
- References are a nightmare. You get five payments referencing "Window" and have no idea who paid.
This is where most window cleaners start looking for something easier.
3. Card Readers
You carry a little Zettle or SumUp machine down the street with you. If they happen to be in when you finish the fronts, you knock and ask them to tap their phone or card against the machine.
Pros
- Looks very professional.
- Great for grabbing the money for a massive £100 fascia clean right away.
Cons
- Useless if they aren't home (which is 80% of residential customers in the day).
- Using them with wet hands or in the rain is slow and frustrating.
Great when they're home. Useless when they're not.
4. Simply Link (Payment Links)
This is how modern window cleaners take the pain out of the job. As you pack the van, you hit one button and it sends a payment link straight to their phone.
They don't need an app. They don't need to type in your sort code. They click the link, double-click Apple Pay or enter their card, and it's settled. Instead of you chasing payments, the system handles it for you. You get paid faster and the references match perfectly every single time.
If you want to see how this fits into a full system, go back to the main payment links guide.
What This Actually Looks Like on the Round
You know the exact type of place we're talking about. Look at how these methods hold up against typical window cleaning problems.
The client who is never home
They leave early for the commute, their gates are unlocked, but you never actually see them. Leaving a cash slip is useless. Sending bank details leaves you waiting.
The fix:
Send a payment link. It buzzes in their pocket while they are at their desk. They tap it, pay it, and you're sorted.
Friday evening admin nightmares
You log into your banking app and see four payments for £15. The references are "Window cleaner", "Windows", "Dave", and a blank one. You spend an hour trying to tick off who has paid from your round sheet.
The fix:
Payment platforms like Simply Link automatically tie the payment exactly to the customer who paid it. The software ticks them off for you.
Setting Up a Bulletproof Payment Mix
You don't need to ban cash entirely if you have three lovely old grannies who prefer it. Just push the remaining 95% of your round over to links. Here is the step-by-step for taking the friction out.
Move all 'BACS' payers to links immediately
Anyone paying you via sort code and transfer should be flipped onto payment links format instantly. It's the same result for them, but ten times easier for you to track.
Fire the link before you drive away
Don't wait until Friday to bulk-send texts. When you finish the front windows, pull out your phone, drop the link, and drive to the next estate. It connects the feeling of getting a clean service right alongside the prompt to pay.
Secure the big jobs right away
If you quote a massive job, use the exact same payment links to take a £20 deposit instantly so they don't cancel. Read how that flows on the van out in our guide to how window cleaners request deposits .
How Cleaners Actually Text Customers For Money
Stop writing essays. The trick is to keep the wording incredibly brief. They know you just cleaned the house.
The Old Bank Transfer Route
"Hi mate, windows all done. It's £15. Sort code 12-34-56 / Acc 12345678. Put 42 High Street as the reference so I can figure out who paid it. Cheers."
The Modern Payment Link Route
"Hi [Name], windows all done. The link to pay the £15 balance is right here: [Simply Link]. See you next month!"
Result: They just tap it. If they forget, Simply Link sends them another nudge on its own so you don't even have to look at your diary. See how that behaves in the automatic payment reminders guide.
What Happens When You Ditch the Cash Collecting
Window cleaners who push their round over to seamless digital links fundamentally change their working week.
- You get your evenings back
No more shivering on a doorstep at 7:30 PM hoping they have exactly £15 change. You finish your route, go home, and you are actually done for the day.
- End the Friday night admin
The software does the referencing. You don't have to highlight paper sheets matching up weird BACS payments anymore.
- Money lands quicker and more consistently
When you make it completely frictionless for them to pay in one tap, the money comes in much faster. It's just human nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way for a window cleaner to get paid?
Payment links are by far the easiest route today. They require zero hardware in the rain, no cash collections in the evening, and completely remove the hassle of missing bank transfer references.
Are payment links safe for my customers?
Yes. With platforms like Simply Link, they use bank-grade security checkouts (like Apple Pay or direct card). You never see their card details and they don't even need to download an app.
Should a window cleaner stop accepting cash?
You don't have to mandate it instantly. Most UK window cleaners just gently push modern methods. If Mrs. Smith at number 42 rigidly wants to hand you a twenty pound note, you can still take it. Just move the other 95% over to smooth links.
Can changing my payment method stop people paying late?
Massively. Most late payers aren't trying to scam you out of fifteen quid; they are just lazy. Bank transfers require opening an app and typing numbers. In contrast, tapping a text message link takes five seconds.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Window Cleaners — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for window cleaners. Learn how to drop evening cash collecting, take deposits securely, reduce cancellations, and get paid faster.
Read guideHow Window Cleaners Can Request a Deposit Professionally
A professional UK guide for window cleaners on requesting deposits using payment links.
Read guideHow Window Cleaners Can Reduce Cancellations
A practical guide to reducing cancellations and no-shows as a UK window cleaner.
Read guideHow to Send Payment Links as a Window Cleaner
A simple guide for UK window cleaners on how to send payment links by text, WhatsApp and email.
Read guideGet Paid Faster, Not Harder
Driving back to estates in the evening to collect fivers is a terrible way to scale your round. With Simply Link, you fire simple payment texts straight to their phones and let the software handle the reconciling and automatic chasing. Create your free account today and drop your first payment link in 30 seconds.
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