An aerial lift works when the wall is flat, a truck can drive up to it and the height needed is no more than 16–22 m: most lifts in Aktau are in that range. Higher up, in a yard with no vehicle access, on balconies, bay windows, in atriums and on glass roofs, rope access workers do the job. Cleaning Lab washes windows with rope access workers from 600 ₸/m², facades from 700 ₸/m², minimum order 15,000 ₸ per visit. We will give you the price from a photo on WhatsApp
- An aerial lift handles a flat wall up to about 16–22 m and stands on a solid, level spot where a truck can get in
- Rope access workers are needed above the lift's reach, in yards with no vehicle access, on balconies, bay windows, in atriums and on glass roofs
- A lift is billed by the hour with a minimum of 3–5 hours, rope access workers by area with a minimum order of 15,000 ₸ per visit
- In winds of 15 m/s or more, heavy rain, thunderstorms and poor visibility, work at height is not done, and Aktau has such days, so a spare day is needed
- A hazard zone is fenced off below the facade, and roof access in an apartment building is agreed with the OSI (homeowners' association), KSK (housing cooperative) or the management company
How an aerial lift differs from industrial rope access
An aerial lift is a vehicle with a lifting basket: the washer stands in it and washes the wall beside it. Industrial rope access is work on ropes: the crew anchors at the top and descends along the facade. A lift needs support on the ground, rope access workers need an anchor point on the roof. Glass and facades are washed the same way; the difference is in how you reach the wall and what you pay for
When an aerial lift is enough
A lift pays off on a large flat wall of a low building by the road: the shop-window wall of a retail building, a long facade along a driveway, a sign above an entrance. You need a solid, level spot and truck access. In Aktau, most lifts on offer reach 16–22 m, so a lift simply cannot go higher. If the wall is large and can be reached from one or two positions, a lift can turn out faster and cheaper
When you need rope access workers
- A building taller than the lift can reach
- A yard with no vehicle access or no solid, level spot for the vehicle
- Balconies and bay windows where a lift would have to keep moving
- Atriums, glass roofs and skylights
We have separate pages for these jobs: rope access window washing, facade washing, glass curtain wall washing, sign washing and glass roof washing. An overview of all work at height is on the industrial rope access page
What it costs: hours vs area
A lift is paid by time. The rate depends on height: according to ads in Kazakhstan it is about 10,000–20,000 ₸ per hour, and a call-out is paid for a minimum of 3–5 hours. At a rate of 10,000 ₸ and a minimum of 3 hours, even the shortest job costs at least 30,000 ₸. This is a guide based on ads, not our price list
Rope access workers are paid by area: windows from the outside from 600 ₸/m², a smooth facade (composite, porcelain stoneware, corrugated metal sheet) from 700 ₸/m², a porous one (plaster, brick, natural stone) from 900 ₸/m². The minimum order is 15,000 ₸ per visit of a crew of two people. The outside windows of one apartment, together with the balcony or loggia glazing, start at 15,000 ₸. If neighbors on the same vertical line, that is, living one above another, order together, the minimum is paid once per visit. Heavy dirt, efflorescence and construction residue are priced after an inspection
That explains the logic of the choice. For a small job, paying for three hours of lift time is not worth it, while on a large flat wall by the road, three paid hours of lift time can turn out cheaper than paying by area. You can only compare exactly on your building: send us a photo and we will price the rope access work, and check the lift rate with the equipment owners
Wind and weather in Aktau
Order No. 109 of March 31, 2022 on the safety of work at height prohibits working in winds of 15 m/s or more, in heavy rain, thunderstorms and poor visibility. In Aktau this is not rare: there are dust storms with gusts of 15–20 m/s, and work is postponed on such days. We keep a spare day in case of weather
For washing, a windless day matters more than rain: Aktau gets about 140 mm a year, and rain does not clean glass. A cloudy day is better than a sunny one: in the sun the water dries before it is wiped off and leaves streaks on the glass. For an aerial lift, check the wind limit with the vehicle's owner
Access, the yard and safety below
A lift needs a solid, level spot and a road for a truck, so check the yard in advance, not on the day of the work. Rope access workers do not need a vehicle, but they need roof access and anchor points. Each rope is anchored separately, there are usually two ropes, a working one and a safety one, and at least two people work together
The facade and roof of an apartment building are common property, so roof access is agreed with the OSI, KSK (housing cooperative) or the management company. Residents are warned in advance. A hazard zone is fenced off below the work area, and its radius depends on the height: up to 10 m it is 4 m, up to 20 m it is 7 m, up to 50 m it is 10 m, up to 100 m it is 12.5 m
Comparison: aerial lift vs rope access workers
| Criterion | Aerial lift | Rope access workers |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Mostly 16–22 m in Aktau | Above the lift's reach |
| Access | Truck access and a solid, level spot required | No vehicle needed, roof access required |
| Balconies, bay windows, atriums, glass roofs | The vehicle has to be moved, does not reach everywhere | Reachable from the ropes |
| How you pay | By the hour, minimum 3–5 hours | By area, minimum order 15,000 ₸ per visit |
| Price guide | 10,000–20,000 ₸ per hour according to ads | Windows from 600 ₸/m², facade from 700 ₸/m² |
| Wind | Ask the vehicle owner for the limit | No work at 15 m/s or more |
| What the building must provide | Spot for the vehicle | Roof access, approval from the OSI, KSK (housing cooperative) or the management company |
| Best for | A large flat wall of a low building by the road | Tall buildings, yards with no vehicle access, balconies, atriums, glass roofs |
How to book washing at height in Aktau
Message us on WhatsApp and send a photo of the building and the side that needs washing. Tell us whether a vehicle can enter the yard and whether there is roof access. We will give the price from the photo and confirm the exact amount after an inspection. Windows you can reach without ropes or a lift are washed by regular window washing from 1,500 ₸, and balcony cleaning from 6,000 ₸ will tidy a balcony from the inside. To learn how often to repeat the washing, read the article how often to wash the facade and windows from the outside in Aktau