Window cleaning in Markham

I wanted to say that I am a proud resident of Markham and have been since 1999. I enjoy working in my own community of Cornell but also in the various other areas that we have served. Greensborough, legacy, the conservancy area, Unionville, and so many others. We have sponsored teams in the Markham Soccer league, donated gift certificates to the Markham Stouffville Hospital and fund raisers at our local school and paid for ponies to be brought into the Cornell community picnic. I care about our town and enjoy doing my part in keeping it clean. If you happen to see me or any of my family at some town event, please say hello.
It goes without saying that if you need window cleaning or any other services we offer, please give us a call! rileyswindowcleaning.com/services
John Riley February 2012.

Pure water

I was told today that when I speak about pure water window cleaning, I get a really passionate look in my eye. I guess that's true...
Today I helped my local supplier introduce the concept and tools required to a few new companies. Some of them had barely a passing knowledge of this new evolution in the industry, others just needed some hand holding to move forward with their investment. I felt that I had possibly brought a couple of new people into the fold of safer, more environmentally conscious window cleaners today. We shared stories of near calamities on ladders, slipping off roofs and even inadvertent glimpses into people's homes at, shall we say, inopportune moments. I was able to say that using a pure water system would have mostly avoided all those circumstances.
I AM passionate about this stuff. There. I said it and I mean it. I love my industry and was able to look at this new group of friends and feel like I was keeping them safe.

The end of an era

Its the people side of the business I like the best. There are some clients that have just always been there in my experience.
Well, It happened. The last of our long term clients (ones served by my father before me) has left. When I came to Mr and Mrs Green's home yesterday to do the regular Fall cleaning, I found a for sale sign on their lawn. As my employee worked, I had a chance to catch up with the Greens and to reminisce a bit - my company had been cleaning the windows at their home for the last 45 years. We talked about my father, my kids and theirs, the neighbourhood, ...I was saddened by how much Mr Green had failed over the years. I remember him kibbitzing with my father and then with me every time we met, but now in his late 80's its not the same.
Anyway, with them goes the last concrete ties to the company that my father gave to me. I'm not sure how I should feel. A little wistful, perhaps. It certainly got me thinking about others that have gone before this. I've seen marriages start, kids born, marriages dissolve and new ones happen again. I've been called in to help prepare a house for a wake, and many more times, thankfully for marriages or the arrival of babies.
Clients come and eventually go. But not too soon.
Enough. Let the new era begin, or rather, continue.

At the End of a Perfect Spring.

Well, here we are in what should be the middle of the Summer doldrums and we are still humming along nicely. I am taking advantage of a fairly rare rain day to look back on what was a fairly spectacular Spring. I had expanded my workforce slightly with some trepidation in May but it worked out very well, allowing me to serve more residential clients without sacrificing the time needed to properly serve our year round commercial base.


We worked for Captains of industry, political leaders (at least one...), stay at home moms, and television personalities just this year so far. We did two homes in preparation for television shows being taped. We’ve done churches and bars. Bungalows and 6 storey condo buildings. We have helped prepare for the birth of babies in homes and grieved over the loss of loved ones, prepared homes for wedding festivities and sale due to marriage break up. I sometimes feel like I am part window cleaner, part counsellor and house stager all in one.

When I get home at night and the kids ask what I have done during the day, I have a hard time answering such a simple question.

This has been pretty rambling, but my main thought right now is to say thanks to everyone that has allowed us to serve them so far and to those that choose to trust us with their window cleaning needs in the future (whatever the reason for needing them).

John Riley, July 2010.

We're not big, but we're small.

This is a phrase used by a Toronto writer / humourist, Stuart McLean. It describes a vinyl record shop where many of his stories take place. The idea is that being (or using) a big company is not the only goal, as there are advantages to being small as well. To the business owner, being small means less overhead and sometimes fewer headaches. To the client, hiring a small business means that you often get the owner or one of very few employees. Sure there are disadvantages. I finally carved out some time in my schedule to supply a couple of quotes for some rather large projects today. Clients may have to wait a bit for service, but they might also be squeezed in if their story touches the owner (who answers every phone call and email) in just the right way :-).
I do everything I can to be of service to everyone that needs me. I just hope that those that are waiting can wait long enough...

Window Cleaning and the sale of your home.

"Should I clean my windows before selling my home?"
I have heard this questions many times and my answer is always yes.
You know how having your windows cleaned makes you feel about your home. It feels bigger. It feels brighter. It feels and looks cleaner. These are exactly the same feelings that you are trying to get out of your potential buyer, except that they will say your house is Big, Bright and Clean. The fact that you just made it that way for the sale is just between us.
We have many real estate agents that we have worked with over the years and consider many of them my personal friends. They know what they are doing. Listen to them, follow their instructions and things will turn out well.
Good luck with the sale. Breathe. It will be over soon.

We're now on Twitter!

As if there weren't enough ways to be in touch, we are now on Twitter as well.
Find us at twitter.com/rileyswc