Direct Debit for Regular Window Cleaning (Is GoCardless Safe?)
If you’re joining our six-weekly window cleaning service, you may notice that we ask you to set up a Direct Debit before your first clean.
And naturally, that raises a fair question:
“Why do I need to set this up — and is it safe?”
That’s completely reasonable. So here’s exactly what it is, why we use it, and most importantly — how you remain fully in control at all times.
What Is GoCardless?
GoCardless is a UK-based payment provider that specialises in helping businesses large and small to collect their payments via Direct Debit.
It’s trusted by thousands of UK businesses — including gyms, accountants, subscription services and very common around window cleaners and gardiners.
In simple terms:
GoCardless is the secure system that processes Direct Debit payments on our behalf.
It is regulated here in the UK and operates within the banking system. We cant see your full bank details, and we do not store sensitive financial information ourselves. You might be happy to hear that we are window cleaners, and not cyber experts so we leave that with GoCardless.
How Is Direct Debit Different from a Standing Order?
A standing order leaves your account on a fixed date every month. (this is not what we are asking)
A Direct Debit works differently.
The Direct Debit you set up through GoCardless simply gives us permission to request payment after your clean has been completed.
That means:
- We only request payment once the job is done.
- You are notified when a payment is requested.
- The money usually leaves your account 3–5 working days later.
It is not an automatic monthly withdrawal. It is triggered by us only once the window cleaning has been completed.
Is GoCardless Safe?
Yes it is, they have been around for over 15 years, and is regulated by the FCA (financial conduct authority)
All Direct Debits in the UK are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.
This means:
- You are protected by your bank.
- If a payment was ever taken in error, you are entitled to an immediate refund.
- You are in full control at all times and can cancel your Direct Debit at any time — usually through your banking app.
Whenever we request a payment, you will receive notification that Squeaky Solihull has requested it. We only ever do this after your windows have been cleaned.
Why we ask you to set up Direct Debit before your first window clean
Our six-weekly service isn’t a one-off booking. It’s a structured, route-based service.
When you join you become part of a scheduled cleaning round which is ran as efficiently as possible so we can focus on your window cleaning and to provide you with a great customer experience
Because six-weekly cleans are offered at a reduced rate compared to one-off cleans, we have to streamline our processes.
When you’re managing many clients, collecting payments manually creates unnecessary administration and delays.
Setting up Direct Debit before the first clean:
- Confirms your place on the round
- Avoids payment chasing
- Keeps administration low
- Allows us to focus on cleaning — not collecting money
That’s the honest truth.
Why We Don’t Use Cash or Bank Transfers for Regular Cleans
We used to when we started out
But what we found was that payments were commonly forgotten
Sometimes by us, sometimes by our clients - smaller payment's can easily be overlooked
Back when we used bank transfers a common reference we received on the payment was "window cleaner".
You wouldn't believe the time it took to scan trough the payments to see who paid, trying to figure out who it was from.
We might have had Mrs Smith having her windows cleaned, then Mr Smith paying the invoice - it happens more than you'd like to imagine
Back then, it was truly very messy and required a lot of administration time sat at the laptop linking who has and hasn't paid.
So that time didn't disappear — it was absorbed somewhere else
Since moving to Direct Debit through GoCardless it kept things simple for you and stable for us.
You set up the Direct debit once, and it removes confusion with us having to chase payments and clarifying who paid what and when.
Direct debit keeps a regular window cleaning service running smoothly.
Are You Locked Into a Contract?
No.
The Direct Debit itself is not a contract.
For our six-weekly service, we are simply transparent that there is a minimum commitment of three cleans.
We explain this upfront so expectations are clear - in return we hope that clients joining the service respect our transparency and understand this too
You can cancel your Direct Debit at any time, you are always fully in control of that (We can also cancel it for you on our end too upon request)
If you wanted to Pause your service and not cancel the direct debit, lets say because you have some renovations going on, just let us know.
Should your circumstances change, speak with us.
We’re humans running a local business. Communication matters more to us than paperwork.
Direct Debit is just a payment method — nothing more.
When Is Payment Taken?
Payment is only requested after your clean has been completed.
If the weather has delayed your clean or we are running behind, we do not request payment.
Only once we have completed your window cleaning, do we then request the payment through GoCardless.
You always receive an email notification from GoCardless when we request the payment - then payment leaves your account a few working days later.
Why Direct Debit Keep Pricing and Service Fair
Having a low administration way to collect window cleaning payments allow us to offer a competatively price, good quality reliable and friendly service
The efficiency in collecting many smaller payment via direct debit is one of the reasons our six-weekly service is priced significantly lower than one-off cleans.
We want to continue to answer calls and text when you send them in a timely manner
Direct debit payments is one way we can continue to serve you for regular window cleaning.
