Initial Service is a much respected company in Chicago. We specialize in pressure cleaning as well as post construction cleaning and professional interior and exterior window, frame, and sill maintenance. Currently we have a number of commercial and high profile residential clients that we service. Initial Service has been in business for thirteen years and, as the owner, I have worked in this industry for more than 16 years on some of Chicago’s most prominent developments. We have a staff that is professional, and knowledgeable. We pride ourselves in our work. Our customers include Commercial, Residential, Condominium Associations, Building Management Companies and Building Contractors.
Business highlights
20 years of trusted experience
Emergency Services Offered
Services we offer
Post Construction Window Cleaning, Window Cleaning Maintenance, Pressure Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning
Description of Work: I highly recommend Initial Service for window cleaning. Matthew returned my call promptly, came in-person to give me a quote to clean my windows which was less than another company. He and his crew did a fantastic job cleaning the filthy windows, re-glazed them and cleaned up afterwards without a trace. I highly recommend them.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
Yes, I recommend this pro
Martricia B.
07/2016
5.0
gutter cleaning
+ -1 more
They did a great job.
Description of Work: Complete Residential Home Gutter Cleaning.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Victor B.
04/2016
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
MARY S.
12/2015
5.0
gutter cleaning
+ -1 more
.
Description of Work: .
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
$125
Mary G.
11/2015
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$150
Dwayne M.
10/2015
3.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: Did not show-up at their scheduled appointment! Called the next day and asked me if I still wanted them to come. I told them that since "I made the mistake of paying for their service in advance, yes, I would like them to come-out." ( I paid Angie's List directly, to receive a discount). They did come-out a day late, I thought that they did a good job. However, I do think it was unprofessional the manner in which they conducted themselves: to not contact me because they spent more time on another job than they anticipated. I'm big on professionalism, I did not like the way Initial Service handled their business. Initial Service initially turned me off when they did not show-up for a job that was paid for in advance!
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
4.0
value
4.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
2.0
punctuality
1.0
$125
REBECCA N.
09/2015
4.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
Yes, I recommend this pro
Brian K.
09/2015
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$99
KATHLEEN T.
08/2015
5.0
deck cleaning, pressure washing, window cleaning
+ 1 more
See above
Description of Work: Power washing of deck and patio. Fabulous job. Went above and beyond. Very nice to deal with. I was inspired to share his contact info with friends. I will use this service again, for window washing too
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$100
Reuben F.
08/2015
5.0
gutter cleaning, window cleaning
+ 0 more
unknown
Description of Work: Cleaned our gutters. We had used them before and were pleased with their service, so that's why we called them again.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
James C.
07/2015
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
unknown
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
JOAN K.
07/2015
5.0
deck cleaning
+ -1 more
.
Description of Work: My deck has never looked better. They also moved all the plants and furniture off the deck before proceeding. I intend to call on them again.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Alicia W.
07/2014
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
The owner Mathew came the same day I called and gave an estimate very reasonably priced. We scheduled the date and he and his crew did a great job. I have scheduled gutter and power washing for next month. I will recommend to other homeowners in my area
Description of Work: Windows washed
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Dale F.
07/2014
5.0
pressure washing, window cleaning
+ 0 more
Mathew Robinson?s crew displayed exceptional performance in the cleaning of forty-plus windows at our three story historic Hyde Park home. The crew arrived on schedule and immediately went to work, erecting exterior ladders, power washing the screens and cleaning the interior/exterior of all windows. The crew went about their tasks with precision and completed the job in approximately four hours. We found Mathew Robinson to be very professional and easy to work with. We were so impressed that we pre-scheduled fall and spring window cleaning for the next 18 months. Initial Service is definitely a service provider we recommend.
Description of Work: Cleaned interior / exterior of windows and power washed window screens.
Wonderful! Matthew Robinson was very responsive. He came to check out the issue and give an estimate the same day that I called with a critical gutter issue. He and his crew were here by 10:30am the next morning. They cleaned the gutters, let me hear that the downspouts were flowing freely, and then did an amazing job cleaning the wood deck and brick patio. They went above and beyond, and I will definitely be calling them again. It's great to have a wonderful Hyde Park-based small business for these services. Thanks!
Description of Work: Cleaned and checked gutters and power washed desk and patio.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
Gloria S.
06/2014
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
Matthew and his assistant did an excellent job. He fit me into his schedule on relatively short notice and he was on time, pleasant and did a great job. I would definitely use this company again.
Description of Work: Cleaned exterior windows on front of row house.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$80
Yves G.
06/2014
5.0
gutter cleaning, window cleaning
+ 0 more
Very smoothly and professionally! We were very impressed by Matthew and his crew - they did a fantastic job!
Description of Work: Price included both windows and gutters of a SFH.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$425
myles T.
07/2013
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
the guys walked by our home after finishing a job at a nearby home in lincoln park. The price quote was good even without the angies list discount. They came by the next week to do exterior window washing on our 3 story home. They were punctual, efficient, neat, and the windows looked great. When they found out we were on angies list they gave us the angies list discount even though we hadn't asked for it. We would definitely have them wash our windows again.
Description of Work: exterior window washing of our home
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$115
Brian C.
06/2013
5.0
window cleaning, pressure washing
+ 0 more
Team was punctual, did not rush through the job, and contractor remained onsite for the job. Overall, great service and we are happy with our clean windows and front steps.
Description of Work: We had our windows cleaned inside and outside along with our steps being power washed.
We have so many trees, the gutters were really packed with leaves and debris beyond what we expected. The guys worked really hard and filled about 6 bags of junk! No complaints, but a lot of hard work up on the roof and ladders. They also cleaned the outside windows. In the past they also cleaned the inside windows. I've used them several times and never been disappointed. Matthew and his co-worker are pleasant to work with.
Description of Work: Matthew Robinson cleaned my house's gutters and washed the outside windows.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
4.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$175
ROBERT G.
11/2012
1.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
THE WORST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD WITH THIS UNPROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR AT THE SAME I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHY THIS COMPANY IS EVEN IN ANGIES LIST, CAN YOU IMAGINE IF THIS COMPANY WORKED ON OUR HOME.???!!!!
Description of Work: THIS COMPANY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH US TO DO AN ESTIMATE @ 4:30 P.M. (WED)- HE IS THE ONE WHO PROVIDED US WITH THE TIME. WE ARE AT WORK AND WE HURRIED HOME TO SO THAT WE COULD MEET WITH HIM ON HIS SCHEDULED TIME TO MEET WITH US AND HE DID NOT SHOW UP. HE JUST CALLED TO RE-SCHEDULE HIS APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY AT 10:36 A.M. - THIS IS A PERFECT COMPANY THAT SCREAMS UNPROFESSIONALISM THAT IS LISTED ON ANGIE'S LIST AS AN A COMPANY. I WOULD NOT USE ANGIE'S LIST ANYMORE AND SURE NOT USE THIS COMPANY AS WELL AS I WILL INFORM MY COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS SITUATION.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
value
1.0
professionalism
1.0
responsiveness
1.0
Response from Initial Service
It is not our intent or protocol to rebuttal reviews from our clients because we respect and appreciate feedback from our customers. However, in this case it is necessary because the Member are not and were never our customer. The appointment that Member is referring to in his review is the eve of Thanksgiving. Without boring you with extensive details on how I run my company, in summary, I have commercial and residential clients that I service. My commercial clients are due weekly and I always have a full day’s work to perform before the day ends. That particular day, I was busier than usual because some of my commercial clients would be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Holiday and I was also working on a huge residential window cleaning and power washing job for a loyal customer. However, when I received the call from my office that morning that this potential customer was looking for an estimate for window cleaning, I was very zealous in my attempt to meet their needs. I called the customer and setup the appointment for the estimate to be performed that early evening. Unfortunately, we did not complete the job until much later than the time set for the estimate with Member. It was sometime after 7:00PM that I was reminded of their appointment. I decided to call Member first thing Friday morning which I did for the estimate. When I called, his wife answered and promptly stated that they had someone else and for me to not call her house anymore and hung up the phone. In an effort to make it right, even if we did not get the job, I called back. I was hung up on before I could say anything. So, I called my office and had my Manager to call her and apologize and offer her free services for their inconvenience. Although, she was able to apologize and offer the free services, she was also rushed off the phone with no resolve. So, I hope to resolve this matter now. It is regrettable that we were not able to keep the appointment we set to meet the Member's and again, we extend our sincerely apologies to the Member's. Although, we respect their opinion, their review is not a true and accurate representation of how we do business.
HELEN MARLBOROUGH R.
10/2011
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
I contacted Initial Service about washing the windows on our house, and Matthew Robinson came out within a day, walked through the house, and gave me an estimate. We were able to schedule the work for the same week. The crew arrived on time and worked very efficiently so the whole job was done in about a half a day. The windows were sparkling when they finished and they left the rooms and the exterior of the property neat. I would recommend them.
Description of Work: Washing windows inside and out in a 3-story row house.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$380
CASSANDRA H.
04/2010
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
Matthew did a fantastic job. He didn't rush the job when he realized it was much bigger than he had anticipated. And he turned windows that hadn't been cleaned in six years into sparkling windows on the world. Great work!
Description of Work: Matthew and his team cleaned the windows of our four-story townhouse, inside and out. There are two sets of windows for each big window opening. They are old and sticky and had to be totally taken apart. In addition, we had installed plexiglass panels over the lower windows when our children were babies so he had to remove all of these as well. Matthew was totally accommodating, and quite frankly, he probably undercharged us based on the complexity of the project.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$250
THOMAS G.
10/2008
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
Excellent. We have used Matt three times. The first time he noted that some of our windows had been pitted by concrete (from the new construction next door to us). He did not charge extra but he and his helper spent an extensive amount of time carefully cleaning and removing the sediment and concrete that had come through the screens of our windows during the construction. He always asks us if we are satisfied with the work when it is completed and will work through the building before he leaves to make sure he has not missed anything. Our building is labor intensive - storms are sometimes difficult to remove, some windows need to be propped to stay open, etc. If there is a problem, Matt will patiently resolve it. He is probably one of the most professional, patient and kind workers we have ever experienced. There are children in the building and he is very careful to ensure their safety as well as his own. He also does pressure cleaning and metal cleaning. We highly recommend him and each year we (as well as our tenants) look forward to seeing him since his work makes such a difference to our building.
Description of Work: Matt's firm completed cleaning 3 stories of windows in a Victorian Apartment Building. This included removing all storm windows and doing an especially careful job on our 1880's original glass windows.
Rating Category
Rating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$300
DIRK V.
06/2003
5.0
window cleaning
+ -1 more
HE IS PERSONABLE, PROFESSIONAL AND RELIABLE, AND HAS ALWAYS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
Description of Work: MATTHEW HAS CLEANED OUR WINDOWS FOR OVER 5 YEARS. THIS WEEK, HE CLEANED ALL THE WINDOWS ON OUR LINCOLN PARK ROWHOUSE, INSIDE AND OUT, FOLLOWING RECENT COMPLETION OF TUCKPOINTING.
All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.
*Contact business to see additional licenses.
Service Categories
Window Cleaning,
Pressure Washing,
Gutter Cleaning,
Deck Maintenance,
Floor Cleaning and Waxing,
Roof Cleaning
FAQ
Initial Service is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5.
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Initial Service accepts the following forms of payment: American Express,Check,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
Yes, Initial Service offers free project estimates.
No, Initial Service does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Initial Service does not offer a senior discount.
Yes, Initial Service offers emergency services.
No, Initial Service does not offer warranties.
Initial Service offers the following services: Post Construction Window Cleaning, Window Cleaning Maintenance, Pressure Cleaning, Gutter Cleaning